Revelations of Character

1 Timothy 5:22-25

Immanuel – 12/28/25

          It’s been a month since we were last in 1 Timothy, which means we definitely need a refresher.

          During his 2^nd missionary journey, Paul planted the church in Ephesus and dearly loved the people there. When he heard false teachers had infiltrated the Ephesian church, teaching vain and dangerous doctrines, he sent Timothy to confront them, to teach true doctrines, to appoint qualified leaders, and to encourage the saints. In short, Paul sent Timothy to pastor the Ephesian church, and this letter is something like an instruction manual on how to build the household of God.

          The most central and critical element of building the household of God was found in 1:5.

          The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.                                                  -1 Timothy 1:5

          Love is the central command to Timothy’s commission. Love is the central command of every church: love of God, love of others. Of course, love is defined by the true doctrines of Scripture, which is why Paul was adamant that Timothy must contend for the true doctrines of Scripture.

In various places Paul compares it to warfare:

          Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

                                                                                      -1 Timothy 1:18-20

          Contending for the true doctrines of Scripture is warfare. To deviate from these truths is to shipwreck faith. See how high the stakes are? Timothy’s calling is momentous, for the battle is being waged over people’s souls.

          Again, it’s a battle waged by contending for Scriptural truth and biblical love. Most recently, in chapter 5, that love was to be expressed by honoring different groups of people in the church.

          Vs 1: honor older men as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters.

          Vs 2-16: By different means, honor widows without families and widows with family by caring for them.

          Vs 17: Doubly honor the faithful elders of the church, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Then, in verses 18-21, Paul instructs Timothy what to do if the elders are not worthy of honor. It’s likely, some of the false teachers in Ephesus had become elders. Whether it’s false teaching or something else, if the elder persists in sin he is disqualified and must be publicly rebuked and removed from office.

          I want you to follow the logic into our passage today. If one or more elders disqualify themselves, and are removed from office, new elders will need to be appointed.

          For Timothy, as for the church, appointing elders is a serious task and requires careful discernment.

          Read vs 22

          In this context, the laying on of hands is associated with commissioning. Twice in this letter, Paul references when Timothy was commissioned by the laying on of hands. Here’s one:

          Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.                                                       -1 Timothy 4:14-15

          The laying on of hands, in our passage, means commissioning qualified men to serve in the office of elder. Paul instructs Timothy, “Don’t be in a hurry to appoint elders. Take it slow.” It takes careful discernment to know if a man is qualified for elder, and careful discernment takes time. It cannot, and must not, be rushed!

          Serious trouble could follow if a man is rushed into office. In verse 22, Paul says the effect of hasty appointments will be taking part in the sins of others.

How does rushing someone into a leadership role relate to sharing in their sins? Let me illustrate. Not that I have this power, but hypothetically, let’s say I unilaterally appointed a leader. If that leader turns out to be a disaster, wouldn’t I be implicated?

Let’s say he is neglecting his responsibilities, bullying congregants, skimming money out the offering plates: wouldn’t people be coming to me, furious with me, because I’ve appointed such a terrible leader? Though I wasn’t committing those sins, I would share in his guilt because I bare responsibility for the leaders I appoint.

Hasty leadership appointments are foolish, and are either a product of neglect or knowledge.

          First, neglect. Neglecting to take the proper time to discern if a person is qualified to lead, is dangerous. Look at the qualifications for elders and deacons/deaconesses in chapter 3. These positions need people who are spiritually mature, with honorable reputations, who abound in good works, and who have giftings appropriate for the position.

          Whether we are thinking about a man for the role of elder, or a man or woman for the role of deacon, these people should be observed for an extended time. How do they respond to a host of different circumstances? When tested by the trials of life, does their faith hold? How do they comfort others? Are they eager to serve, even if no one notices? Are the passionate about God’s word? Do they love the church?

          Only time reveals answers to these questions. Neglecting the time to discern jeopardizes everyone.

And if it’s not neglect, then an appointment process is rushed because of knowledge – or rather, despite knowledge. The individual’s disqualifications are known, and still they are appointed. Perhaps they are a friend, or family member, or someone who can return favors: such people are often put into positions of power through rushed appointments. This very much relates to Paul’s admonition in verse 21: do nothing from partiality.

          The prophet Ezekiel writes,

If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.

                                                                             -Ezekiel 33:6

If a dangerous or unhealthy leader is appointed by people who know and do not care, and the church is hurt, God will bring justice to those who did the appointing.

Chances are, Timothy has had to boot a number of poor leaders in Ephesus, and it’s good and healthy for the church. But a consequence comes with it: Whatever leaders are left have to pick up the slack. Suddenly, a lot more weight is borne by even fewer shoulders. The temptation for Timothy to get some quick help, and appoint leaders rapidly, would have been very real.

Remember, Paul deeply cared for Timothy. He opens the letter by calling Timothy his true child in the faith. It’s out of this care that he does not want Timothy to learn leadership lessons the hard way. “Spare yourself, Timothy, don’t rush people into leadership. If you do, you’ll be held responsible for their failings. Don’t let leaders you have rushed into office tarnish your reputation. Keep yourself pure.”

Paul’s deep care for Timothy continues into our next sentence.

Read vs 23

It seems like such a random statement Paul air drops into this passage. But it logically follows, because verses 22-25 are profoundly motivated by Paul’s affection for Timothy – his true child in the faith. Like a father talking to a son, he wants Timothy to take care of his body.

We learn three things about Timothy in Paul’s parenthetical statement – I’ll take them in reverse. First, Timothy was not a healthy young man; he was frequently sick. Second, one of the major reasons for Timothy’s frequent illnesses was some sort of digestive issue. Third, for some reason Timothy was abstaining from all drinks except water.

          The medical consensus of the 1^st century agreed that a little bit of wine could help digestive issues. Paul is effectively telling Timothy, “Listen to medical advice. Drink a little wine for your stomach.”

          That statement opens up more than one can of worms. How are Christians to relate to the medical establishment? What are Christians to think about alcohol consumption. So, very briefly, two things.

          First: Paul encouraged Timothy to listen to modern medical advice. Thus, Christians should not be dismissive of modern medical advice.

          Second: Drinking alcohol in moderation is perfectly acceptable. Christians should not think of it as bad. Drunkenness is a sin. Also a sin, causing people to stumble by drinking alcohol – whether those people are addicted or convinced that drinking is wrong. So, be aware of who is around you, don’t cause people to stumble, and enjoy the good gifts God has given- in moderation.

          But the larger principle of verse 23, is that Paul wanted Timothy to take care of his body. Indeed, it’s hard to minister from the sickbed. It’s difficult to care for the church when you repeatedly need to be cared for. I’m not talking about sicknesses beyond a person’s control. Rather, control the controllables.

All of us should be doing this. Make healthy choices. Exercise. Don’t neglect your health or make prolonged choices that will negatively impact your health. Your body is a temple of the living God – treat it as such!

          Read vs 24

          As Timothy is careful to appoint new leaders, carefully exercising as much discernment as he can, mistakes are inevitable. Because some people’s sins are obvious, some sins are easy to discern. Others, not so much.

          Paul uses an illustration of a procession. Think of the movie Aladdin, when the genie creates that elaborate procession into Agrabah. An array of exotic and exciting characters enters the city before Aladdin does. In a similar manner, the sins of some people are conspicuous, and go before them. “Your reputation precedes you,” sort of idea.

          But the sins of others appear later; like if Aladdin arrived first and then all those other characters keep showing up. Or, a person is appointed to leadership, and then, only later, do their less obvious sins start showing up.

But for some, their sins will be so hidden they will not appear until judgment day. Not amount of human discernment will uncover them. Timothy does not need to think he will get it right every time, nor does the church. Bad eggs in leadership are inevitable. But take comfort, God will bring justice to those who hurt his sheep!

          Jesus said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”                  -Luke 12:1-3

          Obvious sins receive judgment now – at least in part. Less obvious sins will receive their due on the final day. Nothing that is covered up will not be made known.

          At this moment, let me remind you of the context, because I know some sensitive souls will think I am talking about them. Foremost in Paul’s mind are persistent sins; the type of sins that would initiate the church discipline of verses 20-21. Paul is talking about unrepentant sins and corrupted character, particularly found among the type of hypocrites Jesus talked about – who hide their sins to gain leadership and influence and power. They want to be rushed into high positions. What they hide for their own advantage, God will reveal.

          For you, brother or sister, earnestly seeking repentance yet still struggling with sin: God will see you through! Keep battling. Fight the good fight of faith. Exercise self-control. God is for you, who can be against you? You are beloved by the Father! He promises, you are saved! Keep clinging to Christ!

It is a good thing for all of us to confess our sins now, expose them now, bear fruit in keeping with repentance now. If you are pursuing a life of repentance, fear not!

But if you conceal your sins, and keep them like hidden idols in the dark, then you play with fire. There is a place of darkness and fire you do not want to experience! It is reserved for all those who reject God for their idols of selfishness, indulgence, and pride. You cannot serve two masters! For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also! (Matthew 10:24 and 10:21)

          Your persistent and hidden sins will be revealed. But just as sins will be revealed, so also will good works.

          Read vs 25

          Truly, I think Paul adds this line so Timothy doesn’t become cynical. If you’re around people enough, you get plenty of run-ins with their unwise character and painful sins. It’s easy in ministry to become cynical, seeing hidden evils behind people’s actions. Though everyone has their flaws, Paul cares for Timtohy, and does not want him to look at everyone like a brooding cop, who’s seen the worst of the world and sees everyone with suspicion.

          Because, just as ugly things can stay hidden, so also can beautiful things. In fact, Jesus instructs us not to broadcast our good works.

“When you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” -Matthew 6:2-4

          We don’t need to tell people about the good things we do, they will be made known. It is better for someone else to testify about you, than for you to testify about yourself. Learn to hope in God’s reward rather than seek man’s approval.

          Still, some good words will be more obvious than others. For instance, I stand up here and preach. If it is a good work, it’s pretty obvious. (Same if it’s not good!) But some of you are visiting people in nursing homes, or giving rides to people, or generously giving funds to those in need, or dropping an encouraging letter in the mail. Virtually no one sees those good deeds. I am blessed to get occasional glimpses into these good works, and they are beautiful! Church, so many of you serve selflessly, seeking no attention, and it is awesome!

          Think of how God created the universe. How many beautiful things has God hidden from every human eye? The precious stones buried where no man has found them, a brilliant nebula in a galaxy light years beyond the range of our telescopes, stunning sunsets in landscapes devoid of people. God loves hidden beauty. He can’t get enough of it. Every day he paints landscapes no one sees but him. Even more than these, God loves your hidden good works, because they are done for his eye, and his eye alone.

          Perhaps today it looks like I am substantial in the kingdom of God. But I am convinced that far more of you, spending yourself for Christ in hidden ways, will receive mountains of more reward than me.

          For all of us, let’s heed what Paul wrote to the Galatian church.

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.                                -Galatians 6:9-10

          What should we know? The character of some people is obvious and the character of some is much harder to discern. Take time to observe people before you entrust responsibility to them.

          What should we believe? Everything done in secret will be brought into the light. It will either happen through the circumstances of life, or on that final judgment day.

          What should we do? Honor God with your public life and your private life. Live to be a person of integrity as you seek to do good to everyone, especially those in the household of God.

          This week, delight God by doing good to someone, and let no one else know about it. Seek joy in the fact that God sees, and he is delighted.