Charges to Timothy

I Timothy 6:11-16

The word charge is used seven times in the book of Timothy. Three times it is expressed as relating to Timothy’s responsibilities, once relating to what others teach, once to the women in the church, once in regards to the church’s responsibility for widows, and once to those who are wealthy. The word means to transmit a message, and is translated as ‘command,’ or ‘charge’ usually in the sense of assigning a responsibility. This is the sense it is used in all the charges to Timothy.

The first charge to Timothy makes it clear that the things Paul commands will enable him to successfully complete his responsibilities in a satisfactory manner. I Timothy 1:18-19 introduces the necessity. “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.”

Paul then spends most of the book describing Timothy’s duties, as to how he is to conduct himself, what he is to teach, and the standards he it to hold others to. The second charge to Timothy demands that he practice all these things in an impartial manner, treating everyone fairly, and that he not use force or allow himself to be drawn into things that are wrong in the process. I Timothy 5:21-22 charges, “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.”

The final charge to Timothy himself repeats and strengthens the first, reminding him that the first promised a successful battle if the commands were followed. The battle for the mind and victory over sin will be attained by focusing on what God has instructed us.

“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:11-12)

Victory will require avoiding the world’s ideas and standards and philosophy, and focusing instead on the things of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to produce his fruit in us. As we do so, Galatians 5:16 assures us, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:19-23 are very similar in import.

Successful implementation requires laying hold on eternal life. This includes both receiving it, and understanding it. Our salvation is completely dependent on Christ’s sacrifice for our sin. We are kept by his power through faith as I Peter 1:5 informs us. “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Understanding this, I find that I am no longer dominated by sin, and am able to obey the injunction in Romans 6:11-14.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
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Timothy made his profession before many witnesses, but the two who matter most are God and Christ Jesus, who called him. They are the ones to whom answer must be made. It is necessary to obey These directions, relayed by Paul, but commanded by God, completely. There should be no flaws or weak spots, and no places where he fails to do the job. The responsibility does not end until Christ’s return.

“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (I Timothy 6:13-16)

Everything about the ministry centers on God the father, and on Jesus Christ. Our responsibility will end when he sees fit. All of the glory and praise belongs to him, rather than to the pastor or church. Our efforts are for him, and any success is a result of his action, not ours. In his message to Timothy, Paul has summed up what every minister is to do.