A note from our Pastor:

”Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.”

1 Timothy 5:25

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

Our study verse this week brings the 5th chapter of 1st Timothy to a close. In the verse, the Apostle Paul provides Timothy with one more thought about selecting those individuals who would fill the role of minister or pastor within the community of believers.

Much of the Apostle’s instruction to Timothy in this chapter is in the form of a warning. He cautions him to not ordain men too quickly and to be careful of those who have hidden poor character in an attempt to fool the people. These warnings were necessary but must have been a tremendous burden on Timothy. He had been left with the charge of carrying for the believers in and around Ephesus and the subjects of these warnings were a great threat.

With that in mind, the Apostle leaves this subject by giving Timothy a measure of hope to brighten the darkness. He tells him first, there are going to be those who have a calling to the ministry and the sincerity of their good works will be manifest in such a way as to remove all doubt from the congregation. These individuals will not only fulfill the work of preaching the gospel but they will provide Timothy and other ministers with great hope and peace in the work of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle also tells Timothy to trust the gift he has and the calling he has been given by Jesus Christ. Timothy was worried about missing one who was not qualified, who was not doing good works, and who would cause harm to the congregation. In this concluding remark, the Apostle tells Timothy that those who are not following God cannot forever hide their actions. They will be revealed and their threat to the community of believers will be removed.

Timothy was given a tremendous role in the early church to follow after the Apostle and to lead the congregation. His legacy within the church would be not only his preaching of the gospel but the ministers he helped select and guide to lead the church after him. Because of this, the Apostle guided him as a father in the ministry. This guidance, in many ways, is still applicable to the community of believers today.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah