Teaching Something Other Than Teaching
From 1 Timothy 1 – 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
2 Timothy, a true son in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia – remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is faith.
5 now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some have strayed and turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law…
A classical wag commented acidly on a dictator who found himself unemployed when deposed by the town he used to rule. The only employment he could find for his skill set and experience was as an elementary school teacher.
Just so, Paul looks skeptically on the desire to become a teacher. These in the church at Ephesus, it seems, would go boldly where Timothy fears to tread. Watch out for them, the more mature leader says.
Where we seek influence, then, the question is why. Would we, as Moses said when Joshua was eager to defend his mentor's prerogatives, eagerly see others grow to the point where our guidance isn't as necessary? Or, conversely, do we reap secondary gain from the immaturity of others which enhances our control and stature? We may well, as Paul says desire the teaching post not as the means toward an end of Christ-likeness, nor as a reflection of our gratitude to Him, but, subtly or not, as our opportunity to intervene as substitute messiahs.
What are the counterweight, then, to this pull? Paul has anchored us there already, and he never wanders far. If Paul had business cards for his apostleship, the reality that any authority he possesses is on loan from Christ to advance the reputation of Christ would be on them. If we were on an elevator with Paul, this would be his elevator speech. He starts every letter to this effect. Paul referred readily to his maternal and paternal station to help others grow through spiritual infancy. Just as parents treasure this stage but don't want to change diapers forever, so we can aspire openly with Paul that others follow us only as we follow Christ, or with John the Baptist that He becomes greater, and we become less.
Just as we can be forthright about our desire that those we influence depend more directly on Christ, we can in that endeavor develop relationships like that between Paul and Timothy. Just as the introduction to a letter is setting up Timothy as disciple and discipler, so we can guard against overweening influence over the malleable by raising up other leaders, by God's grace who have very different styles and experience than our own. Paul the bold is commissioning Timothy the meek, and with empowerment and admiration rather than condescension. Paul, the Hebrew of the Hebrews is commissioning Timothy of half-Greek parentage to use this very divided background to the advantage of the Kingdom of God.
Their messages will be different. Praise God, says Paul. Their leadership styles will be different. Praise God, says Paul. In taking in the difference, we can keep aspiration to influence in its place. We can influence and be influenced, without distracting from the supremacy of Christ.
2 Timothy, a true son in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia – remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is faith.
5 now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some have strayed and turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law…
A classical wag commented acidly on a dictator who found himself unemployed when deposed by the town he used to rule. The only employment he could find for his skill set and experience was as an elementary school teacher.
Just so, Paul looks skeptically on the desire to become a teacher. These in the church at Ephesus, it seems, would go boldly where Timothy fears to tread. Watch out for them, the more mature leader says.
Where we seek influence, then, the question is why. Would we, as Moses said when Joshua was eager to defend his mentor's prerogatives, eagerly see others grow to the point where our guidance isn't as necessary? Or, conversely, do we reap secondary gain from the immaturity of others which enhances our control and stature? We may well, as Paul says desire the teaching post not as the means toward an end of Christ-likeness, nor as a reflection of our gratitude to Him, but, subtly or not, as our opportunity to intervene as substitute messiahs.
What are the counterweight, then, to this pull? Paul has anchored us there already, and he never wanders far. If Paul had business cards for his apostleship, the reality that any authority he possesses is on loan from Christ to advance the reputation of Christ would be on them. If we were on an elevator with Paul, this would be his elevator speech. He starts every letter to this effect. Paul referred readily to his maternal and paternal station to help others grow through spiritual infancy. Just as parents treasure this stage but don't want to change diapers forever, so we can aspire openly with Paul that others follow us only as we follow Christ, or with John the Baptist that He becomes greater, and we become less.
Just as we can be forthright about our desire that those we influence depend more directly on Christ, we can in that endeavor develop relationships like that between Paul and Timothy. Just as the introduction to a letter is setting up Timothy as disciple and discipler, so we can guard against overweening influence over the malleable by raising up other leaders, by God's grace who have very different styles and experience than our own. Paul the bold is commissioning Timothy the meek, and with empowerment and admiration rather than condescension. Paul, the Hebrew of the Hebrews is commissioning Timothy of half-Greek parentage to use this very divided background to the advantage of the Kingdom of God.
Their messages will be different. Praise God, says Paul. Their leadership styles will be different. Praise God, says Paul. In taking in the difference, we can keep aspiration to influence in its place. We can influence and be influenced, without distracting from the supremacy of Christ.
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