Fight the good fight — instructions for church leadership
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.
1 Timothy 6:121 Timothy is Paul's instruction manual for church leadership. Written around 64 AD to Timothy, Paul's young protégé left in charge of the church at Ephesus, the letter addresses false teaching, qualifications for elders and deacons, the role of women in worship, care for widows, treatment of elders, and the dangers of wealth. It is practical, pastoral, and pointed.
The structure is topical rather than sequential. Chapter 1: warnings against false teachers. Chapter 2: instructions on prayer and worship. Chapter 3: qualifications for overseers and deacons. Chapter 4: more warnings about false teaching and exhortations to Timothy. Chapter 5: treatment of different groups in the church — widows, elders, servants. Chapter 6: contentment, warnings about wealth, and the final charge to Timothy.
The letter contains two of the most important passages on church leadership in the New Testament: the qualifications for overseers (3:1-7) and deacons (3:8-13). It also includes the great confession: 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory' (3:16). This is church order rooted in sound doctrine.
2 chapters per day
Paul lists fifteen qualifications for an overseer (elder, pastor, bishop): blameless, husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy, patient, not a brawler, not covetous, ruling his own house well, not a novice, having a good report of them which are without. These are not gifts but character qualities. The emphasis is on moral integrity, family stability, and public reputation. The church is not to be led by the most talented but by the most godly. Ability without character is disqualification.
'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.' This is likely an early Christian hymn or creed. It traces the arc of Christ's life: incarnation (manifest in the flesh), vindication (justified in the Spirit), proclamation (preached unto the Gentiles), reception (believed on in the world), exaltation (received up into glory). The mystery is that God became man. Not a man becoming God, but God entering humanity. This is the foundation of sound doctrine.
'For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.' Note carefully: money is not the root of all evil. The love of money is. Money is a tool. The love of money is idolatry. Paul has seen it destroy people — they covet after riches, err from the faith, and pierce themselves with sorrows. The antidote: godliness with contentment is great gain (6:6). We brought nothing into this world, and we can carry nothing out. Food and clothing are enough. Flee the love of money. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
'For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.' This verse is the death of all priest-craft and religious hierarchies. There is one mediator — not many. Not Mary, not saints, not priests, not pastors. Christ Jesus, the God-man. He alone stands between God and humanity. He alone reconciles. Every attempt to insert another mediator is an assault on the sufficiency of Christ. The Gospel is direct access. The veil is torn. We come boldly to the throne of grace through Jesus, and through him alone.