Relational Proximity

Paul’s first instruction to Timothy is to correct some members of the Ephesian church. Here Paul presents a multi-faceted method in favor of the correction he instructs Timothy to relay.

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. - 1 Timothy 1:3-7

First, he identifies the errors that are plaguing the Ephesian Church. What are these errors?

1. Certain Persons are Teaching a Different Doctrine

2. They have Devoted themselves to Myths and Endless Genealogies

As mentors, mothers, fathers, and leaders, it is of utmost importance that our spiritual field of view is expanded to those we hold near and dear. To be able to issue these corrections, first and foremost there must be an intimate knowledge of the day-to-day activities of the flock under our care. A shepherd must be constantly assessing the dangers in the environment, as well as the common behaviors and macroscopic movement of his flock.  Paul exhibits the heart of a good shepherd even in a difficult circumstance. Paul is an international apostle, working in and being involved with the ministries of many differing localities. His missionary journeys are renown, for their breadth of coverage. Even in this passage, Paul states that he is on his way to Macedonia. Further compounding this difficulty in maintain communication is the effort required and the delays of information transmission common throughout that era. Regardless, Paul works to maintain his finger on the pulse of the Ephesian church. Relational proximity is necessary to be able to foresee and address the issues that are relevant to the spiritual community under your care.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have I been able to identify the peoples that make up the flock under my care?

2. What is my relational proximity to them?

3. Am I aware of the issues that they face?

4. Am I aware of their spiritual standing with God?

5. What are the hesitations and fears that hinder me from being intentional about developing this relational proximity?

A Spiritual Father

The next verse continues with an address to the subject of the letter.

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. – 1 Timothy 1:2

As we read through and study this book, it is imperative that we keep in mind that the audience of this letter. The letter is directly addressed to Timothy, and this is the first hint at the nature and the depth of the relationship between Paul and Timothy. Their relationship is described best as a Father-Son relationship.

Paul an international minister and messenger, spent long periods of time in certain churches and cities. He traveled, ministered, and partnered with numerous apostles and helpers. However, the relationship that Paul espouses and brags about in this verse is dear to his heart. The basis for the relationship between Paul and Timothy is via the common faith (“in the faith”) that they share; they are both adherents of “The Way”. It is not a natural-blood relation that they share, rather it is a spiritual-blood relationship (specifically the blood of Jesus shed for both) that unifies them. These are two men of different backgrounds, perspectives and ages that have been united under the same banner and now serve with a common purpose: to bring glory to the name of God and make disciples of the nations as Jesus instructed.

Digging a little bit deeper into the Paul’s description of the relationship, we see that Paul defines Timothy as “true child”. What is the message that Paul intends to convey through this phrasing or description? In the physical world, a paternal relationship is more ambiguous than a maternal relationship. A mother knows who her children are, whereas a father may not. The ambiguity of the paternal relationship is alleviated by the physical and social characteristics of the child that are similar to the fathers. If the child has the same eyes, or same hair color, or similar build, or same mannerisms then outsiders can certify the paternal relationship with confidence. Society will then boldly remark, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. Likewise, in the spiritual sense, a true child is one who truly and accurately reflects or mirrors the character, values, habits, and behaviors of the spiritual father.

From Paul’s description, we can safely assume that Timothy was a mini-Paul. One who espoused the same beliefs, that had a similar fortitude of his faith, walked in a similar anointing, and may even have had comparable giftings. This process of spiritual birth and growth is what Jesus envisioned and championed in the Great Commission. This paternal relationship is also one that Jesus upheld with utmost importance and made exemplary in his earthly ministry. The Gospels are not shy in repeating Jesus’ (seemingly blasphemous to the Teachers of the Law) claim that God was his Father. Jesus repeatedly references how he is working in concert with his Father and that they are in prefect harmony. In response, God was also not shy in proclaiming and reinforcing Jesus’ claim. First, God publicly says to the crowd “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased” during Jesus’ baptism. More importantly, God repeats a similar statement privately in the presence of Jesus’ disciples during the Transfiguration, and the night before the crucifixion.

Paul hints at the fact that his relationship with Timothy is analogous and a product of Jesus’ paternal relationship with God. He opens the letter by acknowledging both God the Father and Christ Jesus distinctly in this verse and defining the relationship between them by calling God “Father”. Therefore, this passage invites us to examine the relationships we hold dear, and work to strengthen and establish similar relationships which are a cornerstone and foundational to the mission of discipleship.

Reflection Questions

1. What are the spiritual giftings, visions and investments that God has entrusted me with?

2. How have I been intentionally praying for or seeking to foster these types of fruitful relationships?

3. Who are the father figures in my life? What are their good qualities, and have I worked to imitate them?

A Messenger's Heart

Paul starts his first letter to Timothy with a seemingly simple introduction. However, a careful study of this leads us into further revelation of his character.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope” - 1 Timothy 1:1

Paul is a self-proclaimed Apostle. This is derived from the Greek word apóstolos which means “to send”. It is equivalent to an “Emissary” (“a person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative”) on behalf of Christ Jesus by command of God.

Paul in this opening of this phrase demonstrates his obedience, submissiveness, and servant’s mentality. He also understands his relational position with respect to God; Paul is the messenger and God is his commander.

Paul’s perspective of “God our Savior” and of “Christ Jesus our hope” is important to understanding his perspective on his mission and on his role. Paul declares that he is being sent on behalf of GOD. There is nothing more significant and no higher privilege that being the messenger of the creator of the universe. A messenger sent on behalf of the commander of a troop is not as one sent on behalf of the King. This has nothing to do with the value of the messenger himself, but the value of the one who sent him. The commander of a troop is limited in his authority, power and sovereignty, the King is not. The message of the King carries weight because of the King’s Power, Authority and Sovereignty. Paul’s message is endowed with importance because it is God who sent him. The more we ascribe value to originator of the message, the more valuable that message will be for us personally.

However, if that were not enough, the value of this message is further magnified by the personal nature of his relationship with the source of the message. God is Paul’s personal savior! Paul willingly accepts his role as a servant, and readily submits himself to God’s authority not just because of the power but also his proximity to whom he is serving. Paul has intimately experienced this proximity. His Savior met him on the road to Damascus and saved him from the path of destruction. His Savior physically opened his eyes, and more importantly spiritually opened his eyes to see the error of his theology, the depth of his sin and the futility of his own good works to redeem himself. This messenger had the trajectory of his life, both earthly and eternally, completely changed; he now lives forever indebted to his Savior. The proximity of the messenger lies in the faithfulness to the source of the message. His proximity increased with time and faithfulness, and correspondingly, so did the extent, influence, and importance of the message. Paul invites his Christian brethren into this proximity, “God is OUR savior” and “Christ Jesus is OUR hope”.

An analysis of the preview to the message is insightful as well. The message that Paul is proclaiming is two-fold in nature; there is a past and a future element. By proclaiming that “God our Savior”, Paul bears witness to the most significant event in the history of humanity, the death and resurrection of Jesus. Paul touches on this event, completely the work of God, that gave us the gift of Salvation. By proclaiming that “Christ Jesus is our Hope”, Paul proclaims that there is yet remaining to be fulfilled a future event, the gathering of the Saints and our entrance into an eternal proximity with our Christ Jesus.

This brief introduction, when interpreted in the context of Paul’s teachings and theology, give us significant insight into the character of Paul. From the accounts of Paul, it is safe to say that he would be able to answer the questions below in the affirmative.

Reflection Questions

1. Do I have a messenger’s heart?

   1. Am I growing in an understanding of my role as a messenger on behalf of God?

   2. Am I growing in my obedience to God’s commands?

   3. Am I submissive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in my life?

   4. God can only use the messengers with the right attitude.

1. What is my revelation of the of the magnitude of God?

   1. Do I understand his power?

   2. Have I seen it in the lives of others?

   3. Have I experienced it personally?

   4. Am I constantly seeking and praying to experience it personally?

   5. The revelation of the magnitude of God helps us understand the value of the message we carry on God’s behalf.

1. What is my proximity to God?

   1. Have I set apart time from my busy schedule to listen to what God has to say to me?

   2. Have I been faithful in delivering his message to those he sends me to?

   3. Have I delivered the message accurately?

   4. Have I compromised the message by the way that I live my life?

   5. The proximity to the source of the message helps us understand the value of the message we carry on God’s behalf.