Treatment of Members, II

Introduction

Turn to Acts 20:17ff. In this text, Paul is going to Jerusalem but before he leaves he sends for the elders from Ephesus to meet him. Paul had a special relationship with these spiritual leaders. Paul had spent considerable time—two years—in Ephesus and very much cared about what happened there. In this final meeting, Paul tells the elders in verse 28 that they are to protect God’s people in Ephesus from false teachers and that they are to oppose these false teachers through their own teaching.

When we come to 1 Timothy, we would do well to remember the special relationship Paul had with the elders there. Timothy is there to check on things; he is not there to be the “pulpit minister” for Ephesus. No doubt, he spoke to the people, but his primary purpose is to lend a hand in opposing the false teachers (1:3). Furthermore, Paul’s intention is to come to Ephesus to encourage the brothers. However, should he not make it or be delayed, this letter is to support Timothy’s work and to guide the process of training the people to know how God’s family is to thrive and exist.

With this special relationship, Paul is particularly interested in the shepherds. He has already spent considerable ink describing the character traits of these men and in our text today, he will defend them against those who want to destroy them. Problems exist in Ephesus. Paul warned that such would happen in Acts 20. Most of the problems are internal—members who have the wrong idea about the body of Christ. This is why Timothy is here. This is why Paul is on his way to support the elders. This is why so much ink is given to elders and how they are to be considered.

In the text that we will look at today, Paul supports the elders but also has some specific instructions for Timothy. The text then ends with a brief exhortation to slaves about their conduct in relationship with their masters both unbelievers and believers. Paul is interested in making sure that Timothy remains effective in his work at Ephesus as Paul plans to arrive soon.

The Text

While we divide the text into more manageable parts for teaching purposes, we must realize that Paul didn’t break up the text as we do. Chapter 5 seems to be a hodgepodge of thoughts and instructions. But we must remember that Paul is concerned about false teachers in Ephesus. These false teachers must be opposed and Timothy is there to bolster the effort that is already ongoing to deal with these false teachers. Beginning in verse 17, Paul turns his attention to the elders and how Timothy and the congregation is to support them.

Elders are worthy of double honor especially when their work is preaching and teaching. Elders are to be paid, Paul says. It certainly appears that the elders were the ones doing the preaching and teaching. They were the ones who were to spiritually lead the congregation. While we have become accustomed to a “pulpit preacher,” such was not the case in Ephesus. Elders were to be paid for their preaching and teaching.

Furthermore, Paul instructs Timothy to be careful about accusations brought against elders. They were under attack. The false teachers wanted to win at all costs. It would be easy to accuse. Paul says an accusation must have witnesses. But if an accusation was true, then the elder must be publicly rebuked so that it would serve as a warning to all—false teachers included—that false teaching was not going to be allowed nor false action.

Paul goes on to say that Timothy is to keep these instructions in regard to elders without showing favoritism. In fact, he is to be cautious about approving leaders. How easy it is for people to want things to move quickly. Paul says that Timothy is to be slow in appointing leaders. Such caution would not allow false teachers or popular individuals to be given room to lead God’s family. In other words, in verses 24 and 25, notice the life of these leaders. Sins are obvious; good deeds are obvious. That which is done in secret will come out. Slow down. Be patient. Don’t be hasty in supporting leaders. Give time for the real character of man to be seen.

Verse 23 appears to stick out like a sore thumb in the text. While discussing leaders, Paul inserts a statement about drinking wine and then resumes in verse 24 with additional words about leaders. What does wine drinking have to do with leadership? Timothy was trying to conduct his life in such a way that no accusation could be brought against him. To do that he completely abstained from drinking alcohol. In Ephesus drunkenness was common. Timothy was wanting to separate from that kind of behavior. Drinking only water led to illness. We are not told the nature of the illness but it affected his intestinal tract. Paul instructs Timothy to use a little alcohol. The idea is that Timothy would continue to drink water but using a little alcohol would help his health. We know that alcohol kills bacteria which can upset the intestinal tract. Paul does not tell Timothy to eliminate water but to add a little alcohol for his health’s sake. Such would not affect his role as a leader.

Finally, Paul ends this section with words about slaves. Slavery was rampant in the ancient world. Paul says that slaves are to work so that God’s name can be respected by the master. If the master is an unbeliever then the slave’s actions are to demonstrate his faith. If the master is a believer then the slave’s actions are to reflect the common faith and service that both master and slave share. In other words, serving the same master, Jesus Christ, would bring slave and master together in a common cause.

Application

What lessons can we pull from this section? First, there are three principles about our spiritual leaders that we should note.

Our spiritual leaders are to protect us from false teachers through teaching and preaching. Sometimes that teaching will be public and sometimes it will be done privately. Based on Acts 20 and Paul’s statements here, our elders are persons in whom we look for guidance and spiritual direction and wisdom in helping to make decisions that are beyond our understanding. Their role is to lead us closer to God and there is no aspect of life that is unaffected.

Second, as their role takes on a more public dimension then Paul authorizes that they be paid for their labor.

Third, accusations against elders should only be entertained when there are witnesses and if there is to be any rebuke, it is to be done publicly. These commands suggest that our spiritual leaders are more than figureheads; more than men who sit in a room making decisions and are to be viewed as spiritual guides for our lives.

A second lesson is that our spiritual guides are to be appreciated more through their examples. In other words, while Paul does not entertain the idea of blindly following spiritual leaders, he does say that the character of their life should be obvious. If it is obviously selfish or sinful then do not endorse them. But if it is obviously unselfish then they are to be followed. I am not stretching the text to suggest that the character of our spiritual leaders should be sufficient to trust their judgment and wisdom rather than second guessing their motives and ability to lead.

The third lesson is based on the last two verses of this section. Many want to take these two verses and compare them with the employer/employee relationship. While that is easy to do, it is also unfair. There are many dissimilarities between the master/slave and employer/employee relationships. However, the principle that can be gleaned from this section will be true in any relationship. We are to treat the relationships we have with such respect that God’s name is honored. Employee, spouse, parent, child, neighbor—treat that relationship, as it depends on you, with such respect that God’s name is honored.

To act indifferently toward another is to slander the name of God. To act better toward another because of what that may bring to us is devious. Each person deserves respect as one made in the image of God and of innate worth and value.

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