Paul’s first epistle to Timothy is a a masterpiece of inspired counsel for the busy young bishop and pastor in metropolitan Ephesus. By nature somewhat reticent and faced with overwhelming problems, Timothy needed encouragement and advice. The veteran missionary does not hesitate to give both, even to insisting, “Give heed to reading, …” (I Tim. 4:13b).
Doubtlessly, the apostle had in mind chiefly the reading of God’s Word in the assemblies for worship. This custom had been taken over from the Jewish synagogues, where the Old Testament was regularly read and expounded. Yet more seems to be implied here. Paul had established several congregations in Ephesus and vicinity during his rather lengthy ministry. Because of his missionary tours, he could not continue to supervise these groups. Yet he was deeply concerned about their spiritual profit. Thus he left Timothy behind to do the Lord’s work. And part of that work was to see to it that the Word remained central in the worship and life of the church. Should the young evangelist fail in this regard, false doctrine and sinful conduct would soon engulf the fellowship of believers.
Interpreted thus, this passage has a relevant message for office-bearers in the church today. They are charged with the spiritual supervision of the Lord’s heritage. The Church Order specifics that they are “to take heed that the ministers, together with their fellow-elders and deacons, faithfully discharge their office.” All the labors of the true church must be grounded in the Word. The whole Bible must be properly read and interpreted for the people, not only in the public assemblies but also as the officers go from house to house with the gospel in pastoral labors. One-sided preaching is fraught with grave dangers. Pious exhortations not rooted ill the Word will lead many astray. The whole Bible must be so presented that the believers’ minds and hearts and wills are brought into captivity to the mind of Christ.
Times and trials may somewhat change for the church. but her spiritual struggle in the world is ever the same. \Ve wrestle with the same weaknesses of a depraved human nature, in ourselves as well as in others, as did Timothy. The world today is not more a friend to grace than it was two thousand years ago. The anti-thesis between faith and unbelief, godliness and worldliness, spirituality and self-service sharpens as the centuries pass. Therefore officers must be at home in the Word. They must know the problems which beset the church today. They must understand the temper of the times. And these lessons are not easily learned. The road to true learning and understanding is a tedious and long one—the road of reading, reading and more reading.
How natural this injunction of the King of the church! He still rules by his Spirit and Word. Without the faithful teaching and preaching man does not come to a saving knowledge of the Redeemer. The Word must be kept alive, fresh and vital in our churches.
How necessary this injunction! Today’s tempo is much accelerated. All church officers go burdened under the increasing demands on their time. Yet Christ insists that we give heed to reading. The time no doubt has come to call a halt to many second-rate demands on our time. To prepare ourselves for more effective service in his church we may have to give up some socials and picnics, some bowling and fishing. some rest and relaxation, instead of our reading.
How normative, too, is this injunction of Christ! No church work prospers, unless geared to the Word. And to grasp the relationships between the abiding Word and today’s world, we must get back to much reading. Our leadership must be of the kind that points others to the way of rich and growing fellowship with the Redeemer.
Many will remember outstanding elders of former years. They were thoroughly at home in the Bible. They read books and articles on theology. They knew the Church Order. They could discuss intelligently the doctrinal and ethical problems which the churches faced in consistory, classis and synod. But they did not gain this knowledge easily. There is no easy road to spiritual understanding. Rather, they continued to “give heed to reading.”
Let us pledge ourselves to daily reading first of the Bible and then of books about the Word. Then our progress will become manifest to all (I Tim. 4:15). And the promise stated by Paul will be fulfilled in our lives, “For in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee” (I Tim. 4:16).
– Peter Y. De Jong