CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
1 Timothy 4:7. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables.—Have nothing whatever to do with those irreligious and pitiable myths. What some reputed as wisdom St. Paul calls grandmotherly mumblings. Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.—He who had Himself fought the good fight would not have his well-beloved Timothy a credulous weakling, but strong through the gymnastic exercise of faith.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 1 Timothy 4:6-7
The True Minister of Christ—
I. Is faithful in instructing others.—“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 4:6). Light is given to the minister that he may shed it upon others. All his studies are not simply for his own mental enjoyment—to the minister often a most seductive pleasure—but should be used in storing up a magazine of truth to be imparted to his people. Everything he reads should be turned into sermon. It is a poor book that does not yield something useful for the pulpit, and it is a waste of time to read anything that does not add to his homiletic store. All true preaching is a setting forth of Christ, and the deepest learning and most varied knowledge should be coveted for that end. A minister being one week-day evening in London, asked a friend where he could hear a good sermon. Two places were mentioned. “Well,” said he, “tell me the characters of the preachers, that I may choose.” “Mr. D——,” said his friend, “exhibits the orator, and is much admired for his pulpit eloquence.” “And what is the other?” “Why, I hardly know what to say of Mr. C——; he always throws himself into the background, and you see his Master only.” “That’s the man for me then; let us go and hear him.”
II. Finds his own spiritual nourishment in the truth he is commissioned to preach.—“Nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Timothy 4:6). The minister not only needs themes for the pulpit, but also food for his own soul. His Bible studies are therefore not simply critical and homiletical, but devotional. To teach others he must be instructed himself; to influence others he must himself be powerfully moved by the truth. Success in preaching will largely depend upon his own personal growth in piety. Spurgeon one day sitting at a window in Cologne noticed a man with a yoke and two buckets coming and going to a pump in the square for water, and at once thought to himself: “Ah, you do not fetch water to your own house, I am persuaded: you are a water-carrier; you fetch water for lots of people, and that is why you come oftener than anybody else. Now there was a meaning in that to my soul—that inasmuch as I had not only to go to Christ for myself, but had been made a water-carrier to carry the water of everlasting life to others, I must come a great deal oftener than anybody else.”
III. Ignores the profitless theories of the enemies of the truth.—“But refuse profane and old wives’ fables” (1 Timothy 4:7). It would have been a waste of time to occupy the mind on the fables and foolish traditions of the Jewish deceivers; their folly and emptiness were apparent on the surface. The minister must be rigidly discriminative in his studies, and soon detects what is profitless and profane, leading away from piety and from the great vital themes of his ministry. Passing through the china works at Sèvres, we observed an artist drawing a picture on a vase. We watched him for some minutes: other visitors came and went, glancing at the work and passing remarks; but the man took not the slightest heed of any, but was wholly absorbed in his work. A suggestive lesson. After this fashion should we devote our heart and soul to the ministry we have received. This one thing I do. To imprint the image of Jesus on a human soul demands whole-hearted devotion on the part of the most gifted minister.
IV. Is ever striving after practical piety.—“And exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). The fable-mongers enforced certain ascetic rules as to eating and drinking and the treatment of the body—practices both unnecessary and injurious. The apostle teaches a nobler discipline. As the gymnast trains his body to develop physical strength and alertness, so the minister should exercise all his mental and spiritual powers with a view of invigorating his own personal piety. Godliness is a moral state, and demands the most strenuous employment of moral energies and the constant use of moral agencies. Daily study and meditation must be directed to increase in personal godliness.
Lessons.—
1. The minister of the gospel should be apt to teach. 2. Should avoid profitless controversies.
3. Should diligently cultivate personal religion.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1 Timothy 4:6. A Good Minister of Jesus Christ.
I. His goodness as a minister of Christ is disclosed in the faithfulness of his subordination to the authority of Christ.
II. In the persistency of his adherence to the doctrine of Christ.
III. In the steadfastness of his imitation of the example of Christ.
IV. In the devoutness of his dependence on the grace of Christ.—Dr. Brock.
1 Timothy 4:7. Spiritual Growth.
I. Seasons of devout solitude are necessary to higher culture.
II. Spiritual communion with good men.
III. Close communion with Christ.
IV. Communion with and prayer to God.—Homiletic Monthly.