Advice From an Old Preacher to a Young Preacher (3)
Turning attention from Timothy’s obligations in his personal conduct, Paul now addresses matters that specifically relate to Timothy’s more public work as a preacher of the gospel. As the young evangelist moves ahead with his ministry, he is charged to give proper attention to the following:
The reading. From anagnosis, the word is defined as “to read something written, normally done aloud” (Louw & Nida 33.68). Kittel concurs that the word “for the most part…is used with sense of reading or public reading” (343). The use of the definite article – “the reading” – points to a specific reading, the most logical of which would be the reading of Scripture done when the church is assembled. Wayne Jackson wisely observes,
Unfortunately, the practice of reading the Bible to the assembled congregation has largely fallen into disrepute, possibly for two reasons: (a) a lack of skilled readers (in an age when reading itself has come on hard times); (b) a deficit of interest on the part of many listeners who have become mesmerized by too much visual entertainment, and so are bored with mere reading. The informed Bible student cannot but be reminded of that day, after Judah had returned [from] Captivity, when the law of Moses was read publicly from early morning until mid-day, and the people stood respectfully, and wept upon hearing God’s word (Neh. 8:1-12) [127-128].
The exhortation. From the Greek paraklesis, the word means encouragement, comfort, or consolation (Louw & Nida 25.150). Timothy was to follow up the reading of God’s word with appropriate encouragement to believe its facts, trust its promises, and obey its demands. If the exposure of God’s word does not lead the hearer to action, it has really done the hearer little good. Preachers do well to call their hearers to be “doers of the word” (James 1:22; Matt. 7:24-27).
The teaching. The Greek term didaskalia refers to the content of what is taught (Louw & Nida 33.236). The word is sometimes translated “doctrine.” Christianity is a taught and learned religion. It was founded on historical facts (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Acts 2:22-36) which must be communicated to the minds of individuals, who then must decide whether to accept or reject them (John 6:44-45; Rom. 10:12-17).
The gift. Paul instructs Timothy not to neglect the gift that was bestowed on him at the time the elders laid hands on him. For technical matters regarding the nature of this gift and the roles of prophecy and the eldership in its bestowal, see Jackson (pp. 129-130).
My purpose here is the application of the general principle contained in Paul’s admonition. God blesses individuals with certain talents and abilities that can and should be nurtured and developed. Preachers are no different. I know preaching brethren who excel in some areas of ministry more than they do in others. Some are better in the pulpit than in the classroom, or vice versa. Some are better writers than others. Some excel in personal work. Some have the ability to debate well in a formal setting. Some are comfortable in front of a television camera. Some can create graphic presentations with skill. Then there are those preachers who shine in more than one of these areas.
If God has blessed you with a special gift that can be utilized in the propagation of the gospel, don’t neglect that gift. Develop and deploy it to His glory.
References
Jackson, Wayne. Before I Die: Paul’s Letters to Timothy and Titus. Stockton, CA: Christian Courier Publications, 2007.
Kittel, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: W.B. Eerdmans, 1964.
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.). New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
