After Paul finished the fourth chapter of his letter to Timothy, he moves from doctrinal and leadership issues to more relational matters. In this chapter he’ll encourage Timothy in the areas of relationships by age, widows, elders, and finally, slaves.

He begins by stating some simple rules for relating with various people. You can see these rules in 1 Timothy 5:1-2:

Paul identifies the church as a family. This is an image that is presented more than once in the Bible, and Paul uses it here to give some instructions to Timothy on how to relate to various aspects of that family.

Older men

Respect for the elderly, especially men, was a very important part of Middle Eastern culture, and still is in many parts of the world. Paul’s instruction to Timothy is to treat such men with the respect due to them. What he is not saying is that Timothy shouldn’t correct an older man when he is in error. Rather, he should do so in a manner that conveys respect and courtesy.

Younger men

While the NIV uses the word “treat” here, the idea is a repetition of Paul’s instruction to exhort. Many ancient cultures expected treatment of people of similar age as siblings. Timothy is to exhort younger men as brothers. It bears mentioning here that the word “exhort” means to strongly encourage.

Chapter four of 1 Timothy comes to a close with Paul encouraging Timothy to “be diligent in these matters.” What matters? Why, the list of instructions and encouragements he gave in the preceding verses. Applying himself to these things is important, and Paul now explains why.

You can see this week’s passage in 1 Timothy 4:15-16:

Paul has just spent the last few verses encouraging Timothy to set an example, to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching, and more. But in this phrase “be diligent in these matters,” he’s not simply referring to the last sentence or two. He’s reminding Timothy of everything he’s said, all the instructions he has given Timothy in regards to addressing the false teachers and leading the church in Ephesus strongly.

Paul gives four emphases in these two verses, indicating that Timothy was to pay special attention to these areas. In the Greek, these are imperatives, giving the idea that they are necessary, and not optional.

Be diligent in these matters

The first imperative is to “be diligent.” This means that Timothy is to give his mind to these things. He is to continually be focused on his priorities. Older translations use the word “meditate” here, but this doesn’t really give us the strength of Paul’s admonition of cultivating or practicing these things.

In the previous couple of verses, Paul encourages Timothy in regard to his personal behavior. In this week’s passage, he shifts to Timothy’s ministry. And in so doing, he lays out a simple philosophy of ministry for all of us.

Take a look at this section of Scripture in 1 Timothy 4:13-14:

Paul is looking forward to physically visiting Timothy to encourage him further. In the meantime, he gives Timothy some instructions on how to carry out the leadership responsibilities of a minister.

Many have tried to take what Paul writes here as an order of worship, but this probably not what Paul intended. We know that the early church included several elements into worship, such as praying, singing, and the Lord’s Supper. Instead, we should view this as the priority that Timothy should place upon the Word, especially since Paul’s intent is to instruct Timothy on how to address the false teachers in Ephesus. It’s all to easy to forget that one of Paul’s prime reasons for writing was to teach Timothy how to address the false teaching. We need to not forget that priority as we read this letter.

Paul gives Timothy three aspects of leadership that Timothy needs to devote himself to, all of which are centered upon the Word of God.

Chapter 4 of first Timothy contains the passage that has probably been used more often in youth ministries than any other. It seems to be the hallmark of youth ministry visions. You’ve probably heard it often, especially if you’re involved in your church’s youth or children’s ministries.

You can find it in 1 Timothy 4:11-12:

Paul begins this section by stating to Timothy that he is to command and teach these things. Paul has laid out a lot of instruction for Timothy in regards to the false teachers, the role of women, the duties of the elder and the deacon, and more. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in this phrase is to stand upon the authority of God’s word; command and teach. Because of God’s authority, Timothy has authority. He is to use it.

However, Timothy seems to be experiencing some timidity, perhaps because of his youth. Paul encourages him to not let others judge him because of that though. But just how old was Timothy? Some have suggested that he was very young, perhaps in his teens and twenties. However, this phrase can be used to refer to people of any age up to around forty. And if Timothy accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys in AD 49-50, and this letter was written around AD 62-63, then Timothy could have been in his early to mid thirties.

And remember, age is relative. In my own congregation, I lead people of all ages. To the teens, I’m the “old guy” in my early forties. But to many others in the congregation, I seem young, even the age of their own children. Just because Paul refers to Timothy’s youth doesn’t mean that he is a child.