Devoted to the reading of God’s word

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:11-13 NIV)

When Paul wrote to Timothy he was a younger Christian – how young we can be certain but it would seem he was regarded as ‘young’ by many. If he had become a Christian during his teenage years, when Paul wrote this letter to him he would most likely have been in his mid-30s. He would have been a Christian for over a decade and had good training under Paul himself. Yet, it seems, he was looked down on because he was young. The Greek word carries with it the idea of being thought little or nothing of!

Western society often glorifies youth and thinks little of the experience of those who are older – perhaps our society has in some ways reversed the situation that Timothy was experiencing. This can be seen within congregations too, as many want someone young to work with them in various capacities. Yet throughout Scripture it is older Christians who are to be the leaders and the examples.

“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” (Titus 2:2)

Notice that it is not age in and of itself that brings respect, whether young or old. That respect must come from how they have lived their lives. Paul coupled “worthy of respect” with “sound in faith, in love and in endurance” for older men. In other words, they should have respect because they are spiritual men. The Greek word for ‘sound’ carries the idea of being well and in good health. They have lived faithful lives and endured much – and this could be seen in their lives.

The same criteria also applies to those who are younger. Timothy was not being respected and Paul told him that he needed to show his faithfulness in his life: in what he said, in what he did, in his faith and the way he lived. In other words, he would be respected because of how he lived his life as a follower of Jesus and the example he set for others.

Part of the way that Timothy was to show his example in faithfulness was in his service to other Christians. From what we can tell from chapter 1 he was in Ephesus – he had been left there by Paul as a teacher to correct what others were teaching. Despite how people treated him he needed to continue to preach and teach the truthfulness of God’s word. 

He was to not only teach it, but to make sure it was being read – “give attention to the public reading of scripture” (NET). Very few would have owned copies of God’s word, whether the Jewish Scriptures or what was being written about Jesus by the apostles and prophets. This made it vitally important that the scriptures were read when the Christians assembled. From descriptions we have of Christian worship in the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries, Christians would typically read from both the Jewish Scriptures and the apostles’ writings. By having the scriptures read people could see that what Timothy was teaching was from God’s word.

Although we have easy access to God’s word today, both in printed and digital formats, Christians are largely ignorant of what it says. Bible reading is still vital for us! We should be encouraging Christians to spend time daily with God’s word. But, like Timothy, we should also ensure that Scripture is read when Christians meet together. As most aren’t reading on their own this may be the only part of God’s word they hear each week.

As we enter a New Year, let’s be devoted to the reading of Scripture daily and ensure that it is read publicly when we assemble as God’s family.

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Readings for next week: Catch up with your Bible readings if you are behind.