1Tim 4:6-9
Timothy was aptly
reminded of what it is to be a good minister of Jesus Christ.
a. Positively
- With regards to
his ministry: faithfully preaching the word of God, putting believers in
remembrance not only of the truth of the gospel but also warning them of the
seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils.
- with regards to
himself: nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrines, and to
exercise himself unto godliness.
b. Negatively
- with regard to his
ministry: refuse profane and old wives’ fables or senile husbands' fictions;
but rather abide steadfastly in the words of faith and of good doctrine.
- with regard to
himself: avoid bodily exercise that profits little; but rather exercise himself
unto godliness that is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the
present life and of that which is to come.
The above
constitutes the essence of "a faithful saying and worthy of all
acceptation," i.e. a saying deserving all the attention and devotion that
we can muster! Since it is necessary for Timothy, it must be good enough for
you and me too.
And exercise thyself
rather unto godliness:
a. 'exercise' is
translated from the word 'gymnazo' from which we get the word 'gymnastics.'
- It means to train
vigorously, whether body or mind, exert oneself intensely. This requires time,
attention, discipline, and your heart, and mind. Have you ever seen a gymnast
in training?
b. to exercise
thyself unto godliness involves:
- It is to exert
oneself to the words of faith and good doctrines which are according to
godliness and tend to godly edification; the profane and old wives' fables
seduce and deceive, and study these, meditate on them, digest them, rightly
divide them, teach them to others;
- It is to exert
yourself to a godly life, exercise thyself, to have a conscience void of
offense to God and men;
- It is to exert
yourself in cultivating internal and inward godliness, the exercise of the
graces of faith, hope, love, fear, reverence, humility, etc. In contrast to
having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, 2Tim3:5
- It is to exert
yourself in the spiritual worship of God, according to His will, not in a
formal, cold, outward, and customary way, but with the heart, in truth and
sincerity, in faith, and with fervency and purity.
c. by "bodily
exercise" is NOT meant the physical or athletic exercise of the body for
health or recreation, as riding, which profits but for a little time.
- What is mean is
the opposite of the exercise unto godliness; that is, mere formal outward
worship, as opposed to spiritual worship; worshipping God in spirit, with the
inner man, and in truth. John 4:23-24
- Outward formal
worship, involving the body but not the spirit profits little. It has a form of
godliness but devoid of the power of godliness. 2Tim 3:7.
- Such outward and
formal exercises are also sternly censured by the Lord. Mat 15:8 "This
people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips;
but their heart is far from me."
We can enjoy the
assurance of meeting the Lord when we exercise ourselves unto godliness.
