Paul’s Reason to Write
—1Timothy 3:14-16
Verse by verse study of Paul’s first letter to Timothy. In this lesson we examine chapter 3 verses 14-16, looking at Paul’s reasons for writing to Timothy.
Paul explains to Timothy why he found it necessary to write.
1 To Make Up For Paul’s Absence
1Timothy 3:14-16
Paul wishes to provide Timothy with an adequate substitute for personal face-to-face teaching. Paul hopes to see Timothy in person shortly, but in case that was not possible Paul wants Timothy to have the necessary instruction for problems he may face in Paul’s absence.
Writing or Talking?
You will note that the written word (scripture) was able to inform Timothy just as well as though Paul were speaking to him in person. Although Timothy might miss Paul’s company, he did not lack Paul’s knowledge. Paul’s writings are able to instruct as well as Paul’s lips, tongue, and voice.
Personal teaching as against written teaching each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, in personal teaching you can ask questions, but only while the teacher is present. After the teacher has gone, it is good to have his written teaching, so that you may refer to it for comparison, clarification and refreshment of memory.
Writing Could Reach Millions
To look down upon written teaching as inferior to personal teaching, is to look down upon the work of those who have, over the centuries, written many helpful books. Not many people could have access to those teachers in person, but millions can have access to their teaching in recorded form.
God Preferred the Written Word
Clearly, God himself knew the value of the written word and preferred it to a succession of inspired teachers. God chose the written word as the common, on-going and permanent form of conveying his word.
God used scripture to preserve the teachings of the first century apostles and prophets for the twenty first century. This is by no means a second-best method. It more than makes up for the absence of the inspired teachers.
2 To Provide God’s Word
1Timothy 3:14-16
Paul wants Timothy to know how he ought to behave and minister in God’s church. There is one truth, but there are all kinds of human imaginations. If people go by what seems and feels right to them, the church will be chaotic. If people go by what God’s word teaches, the church will be ordered and united.
The truth supports the church, and the church must support the truth rather than the whimsy of popular fashion.
Failure of Faith in Scripture
Confusion among “Christian” groups and movements today is largely due to laying aside the scriptures in favour of a “God spoke to me” claim and even preferring God’s personal direct message to the message in the scriptures. (Notice, God could easily have spoken to Timothy directly and personally; but instead he spoke to Timothy through a letter from the apostle Paul.)
Personal Messages From God?
When there is confusion and disagreement, people point to the scriptures as the problem rather than the solution. They turn to personal messages and inspirations from God. This ends all argument: “God spoke to me personally and told me this, so who are you to disagree with what God laid on my heart?”
That slams shut not only the door to investigative debate, but also the door of opportunity to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly. Worse, these new messages and revelations seem to be saying different things to different people, creating conflict and confusion. The culprit is not the scriptures, God’s written word of old, but the spurious claim that “God speaks to me personally”.
3 To Remind of the Common Confession
1Timothy 3:14-16
Paul wants to remind Timothy of the church's common confession about which there should be no argument or controversy. This is not a creed in the modern sense. However it is a useful summary of the points of doctrine which were of concern in Timothy's situation.
These points, which our next lesson will notice, relate to the false teachings which Paul goes on to mention in chapter four.