(13) Until I come, be devoted to the public reading of Scripture, to the exhortation, to the teaching.
Timothy was one of the pastors of a church in the city of Ephesus. He had a job to do - just as modern day pastors do.
His job was to be devoted to the three things that God lists for him here - public Bible reading, giving the Bible's commands, and teaching what the Bible has to say. Note the common link? The Bible. Or in the passage's words, the Scripture - the writings given by God.
In other words, Timothy is supposed to give Jesus' people Jesus' words, explaining them and applying them as he does it.
Before we look at specific aspects of how that must look, though, it's worth noting that Timothy, and pastors, are to be devoted to these things - the public service of God's word. The word that is translated 'devoted' is used to describe those who are 'addicted' to 'much wine' in 1 Timothy 3:8. How does a drunk view alcohol? As a need. They have a compulsion to get it. It underlies the things that they do. It is a significant factor in their motives. It is the overriding passion in their hearts!
And that is how pastors are to treat their preaching of the word! Furthermore, the verb tense used for 'be devoted' indicates that this is something that is supposed to be constant. These services - giving Christ's word to Christ's people - are never to cease, never to wain, nor is the pastor's zeal in doing them.
This implies that God's word is worthy of zeal and compulsion. It is that good - that enjoyable - that significant.
It also implies that God's people need feeding - and that feeding must be of a devotee to God's words - or else there is a great inconsistency. God's words are words of life! What would it say if a pastor treated them as boring or insignificant. They are everything!
Paul lists three things that Timothy, and thus pastors, are to be devoted to: the public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching.
Pastors are to read Scripture in public. It is the actual words of God. It must have its proper place! It must be heard in the congregation. It itself is life - not preaching!
Pastors are to exhort. The Bible gives many commands and encouragements. Pastors are not to skip them in favor of heady things or anything else. These things in Scripture must be given to God's people!
Pastors are to teach - that is to say, they are to give God's people God's teachings, God's truths. These aren't necessarily things that say 'do this' - but rather are truths about God and truths about what he has done in history.
Therefore, God's people have certain implied responsibilities. They must do the work of listening to God's word being read. They must obey the commands in Scripture. They must learn the truths of Scripture and trust them as they are heard - and delight in them and love them! If preaching is to be done with zeal, is it not so that listening and believing and obeying might be done with zeal?
A pastor can fall into certain sins, then.
-he can be dispassionate about the ministry he's called to
-he can fail to execute the ministry he's called to with consistency
-he can fail to read Scripture to God's people
-he can fail to faithfully teach ALL that God has to say - both truths and commands
-he can fail to rely on God and his word to bless God's people
-he can rely on his own abilities rather than on God's power and promises
-he can fail to love God's people and so give them little to eat
-he can have his own glory or pleasure in mind - not God's glory in the joy of his people through his word
-he can fail to delight himself in the Lord through his word
The rest of God's people can also sin in several ways:
-they can fail to do the work of listening to God's word
-they can rely on the preacher rather than God's word
-they can be seeking entertainment rather than joy from God's presence
-they can mistake entertainment for God's presence through his word
-they can fail to pay attention to preaching because of intellectual laziness
-they can fail to desire to really obey God, outside of adding church activities to their schedules
-they can tolerate the misuse of the pulpit
-they can fail to believe that knowing God is the highest joy of mankind
Yet, God is merciful and loving towards his people, even when we sin.
-He has given us his word - it is grace, our nourishment, life, that which brings us into God's presence
-He has given us new hearts, that, despite still being in the flesh, yearn to hear from their Lord
-He has given us pastors and churches through which to be nourished by his word
-This command itself is gracious. God is commanding - come to me! Delight in me! Let go of the things that hold you back from enjoying me - and feast. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Pastor, delight in the Scriptures, and you'll be satisfied. Child of God, listen to the read and preached word of God, and delight in the Lord.
PRAYER;
Father, thank you for adopting us in Christ Jesus your Son into your family. Thank you for giving us your word! O God, cause our pastors to delight in you in it and to feed us with it! Cause us to yearn for it and be satisfied as you give yourself to us for our joy and your glory! Your commandments and promises are our delight. Forgive us for delighting in other things. Forgive us for working for food that doesn't satisfy. Fix our appetites, and fix our gazes on you. Because Christ died for us, rose for us, and is interceding for us, we pray boldly - amen.
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