2 Timothy 4:2-5

The Elder's Command

2 Timothy 4:4-5 HCSB They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. (5) But as for you, keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

These are the last comments I will make in this midrash on 2 Timothy 4:1-5. So, without further ado, let’s examine 2 Timothy 4:4 which reads:

2 Timothy 4:4 HCSB They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.

Paul warns elders that as they perform their ministry of reproof, rebuke, correction and instruction, many…

Will turn away from truth…will turn aside to myths (Romans 1:18-22)

This process requires a conscious act of the will. Deep in their hearts they know what the truth is, but they deliberately turn from the truth and to their own private favored myths. As Paul taught in Romans:

Romans 1:18-22 HCSB For God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, (19) since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. (20) From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. (21) For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. (22) Claiming to be wise, they became fools

So, what is…”the truth”…they turn away from?

The truth (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:6)

2 Timothy 3:15-17 HCSB and that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (16) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, (17) so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

God’s redemptive truth, which deals with sin and damnation, with its inherent necessity of inner change – that’s the truth they cannot stomach.

They turn away as in

2 Timothy 1:15 HCSB This you know: all those in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

They turn aside as in

1 Timothy 1:6 HCSB Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion.

Myths (1 Timothy 1:4, 7; 4:7; Titus 1:14 cf 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; Colossians 2:8; Titus 1:10-11, 13-16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)

What are these myths he’s talking about? Those old familiar myths that are derived solely from the human imagination mentioned earlier in 1 Timothy 1:4, 7; 4:7; Titus 1:14 cf 2 Timothy 3:15-17. Consider the following passage:

1 Timothy 1:3-7 HCSB As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach other doctrine (4) or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God's plan, which operates by faith. (5) Now the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. (6) Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. (7) They want to be teachers of the law, although they don't understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.

Brother Clement of Alexandria noted around the year 200 that:

“There will always be plenty of teachers that are willing to scratch and tickle the ears of those who wish to be so tickled” (Clement of Alexandria, c. 145-215 AD, Stromata, I.iii).

However, consider the motivation Paul ascribes to these kinds of people.

1. They want to be teachers. They want this but they don’t want to take the time and effort to learn first.

2. They want to be pastors, but they don’t want to go through the training.

3. They want to be heard, but they don’t want to carefully study first so that they have something worth saying.

4. They want to give their advice and counsel off the top of their heads, on the spur of the moment and have it considered equal in value to advice that is scripturally and logically derived; the result many hours, days or even years of study.

We are specifically called to knock these man-made philosophies and ideas down.

Colossians 2:8 HCSB Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.

Titus 1:10-11 HCSB For there are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those from Judaism. (11) It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching for dishonest gain what they should not.
Titus 1:13-16 HCSB This testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith (14) and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commandments of men who reject the truth. (15) To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. (16) They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.

Notice verse 15. These people are constantly critical and negative. They find impurity in every thing they see. Why? Because they are so sensitive to sin? No. It is because they are themselves impure and it taints everything around them. It’s as though they have dirt on their own glasses and thus see dirt everywhere.

2 Peter 1:16-21 HCSB For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (17) For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, a voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him! (18) And we heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with Him on the holy mountain. (19) So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. (20) First of all, you should know this: no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation, (21) because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.

The apostles did not follow tales that were cleverly designed by men to bring about good feelings and to tickle other men’s fancy. They made known to their people the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. They declare that we must pay close attention to the Scriptures, using them as a lamp in the darkness to shine on our way.

Many of these “Pastor Collectors” like to say that they have their own interpretation of the Scriptures and that their interpretation is just as valid as anyone else’s. Never mind the fact that they have no training, no knowledge of original languages, no minds disciplined to biblical education nor hearts humbly committed to obedience to the whole Word of God!

However, Paul clearly states that interpretation of the Scriptures is not up to us. Just as its writing was inspired by the Holy Spirit, its interpretation must also be subject to the Spirit. And the Spirit will not guide an unsubmissive, carnal heart. As the Messiah said in Luke 5, you can’t put new wine in old vessels. Truth cannot be contained in untruthful vessels.

Finally, we come to verse five.

2 Timothy 4:5 HCSB But as for you, keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

But as for you.

Note the sharp contrast that the apostle draws between a faithful church elder and the fickle multitude described in vv. 3-4. If we are to be elders of the church, we must lead the church, not the other way around.

What good is a shepherd who is led by his sheep?

What good a rabbi (teacher) who waits to be taught by his pupils?

What good a sergeant who hangs back and waits for the soldiers to lead the charge?

What good a coach who lets the team members decide when to practice, what to practice and how often to practice?

Keep a clear head.

In some translations this reads “be sober”. This is not sober in the sense of “not drunk”. Instead, it means to be serious. We must take these matters seriously. We cannot flippantly say, “Well you think your way and I’ll think mine. Let’s just let bygones be bygones.” We must take into consideration the consequences of our decisions. Let’s understand that eternal souls are at stake. Let’s keep in mind that we will someday stand before Yahweh Shaphat, the Judge of all the Earth, and will have to give an answer as to our stewardship of His church, His children, and His resources.

Endure hardship (2 Timothy 2:1-3; James 1:19-20; John 15:18-21; 1 Peter 4:12-14)

If you take these passages to heart and apply them soberly, you can expect to endure hardship. It will not be the easy road. That is why Paul warned Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:1-3 HCSB You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (3) Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

It takes strength but it is not merely inner fortitude. The strength must come from Christ. In order to keep cool when we are jarred and knocked about by people, we elders must learn to not react quickly.

James 1:19-20 HCSB My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, (20) for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness.

The things we hear from the Scriptures must be passed on to faithful believers who will be able to continue the chain. If we believe in Christ today, it is because faithful men like Paul and Timothy forcefully exegeted the Word of God in the past.

We cannot not waste our time on those who refuse to hear. We must not ‘cast our pearls before swine’ as the Master taught in Matthew 7:6. Following this path, will require enduring hardship but we will be in good company. The apostles all suffered great hardship and persecution.

Our Master also suffered and died for the truth. Can we expect any less?

John 15:18-21 HCSB "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. (19) If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. (20) Remember the word I spoke to you: 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. (21) But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don't know the One who sent Me.

I find it interesting that Jesus already knew that those who would persecute us would do it for His name’s sake (v.21). They think they are doing their religious duty. They consider themselves good Christians. They don’t even realize that they do not know the One Who sent the Christ.

1 Peter 4:12-14 HCSB Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don't be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you. (13) Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. (14) If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

As I said two weeks ago my purpose has been three-fold:

I would like to give some direction to the congregation in selecting elders and keeping them accountable.
I would further like to give those who are, and those who someday wish to BE, elders some cautionary instruction.
I also said that one of my goals was to give you an example of a midrash on a specific passage.

I have to admit, howeve,r that I have one other hope in mind as I have shared with you the requirements for elders that Paul gives in this passage. That hope is that somehow you would develop a certain empathy or at least a sympathy for those who serve you as leaders.

It’s very easy to second guess the elders. It easy to think that you could do the job better. It’s easy to question their motives and to question their calls – especially when you don’t know all the facts. Furthermore, the fact that you DON’T know all the facts demonstrates the character of the people on the elder board. They can keep a secret. They can maintain confidentiality.

So, give us a break, if you please. Feel free to think for yourself. Feel free to question our decisions. Feel free to speak your mind – especially if we are doing something contrary to Scripture. Just do it with the same respect we are asked to extend to you.

Brothers and sisters, all you who are, or are interested, in the office of the eldership, I exhort you to carefully consider your post. I urge you to stand in the gap with your sword at the ready to defend God’s church against all comers. I caution you to be steady and to pace yourself for the long haul. Far too many have put their hands to the plow and turned back. We need workers – not shirkers – in the field.

Church – my well-loved charges – I hope that by this short midrash you will come to have a profound respect for the office of the eldership and to hold those who minister to you in that manner in high esteem. As the Apostle did, I counsel you to submit to those who have the rule over you and to make their task lighter by living a united, spirit-filled, righteous life. Do not grieve your ministers for in so doing you are grieving the Holy Spirit Who has called them to that task and Who has sealed you to the day of redemption.