1:13
We sometimes speak of the “apostolic faith”. This has nothing to do with the debate about whether or not there are apostles today, but about our faith being based on what the first apostles taught. So Timothy is urged to keep as the pattern of teaching the things he learnt from Paul. And this is to be done with “faith and love in Christ Jesus”. This latter part is very important. It is very easy to formally keep the “pattern of teaching” but to do so without faith or love. I guess we all know people who have taught what is superficially sound doctrine, but there is no life in it, and apparently very little life in them. And there are others who might preach with a passion, but there is no love. By love here we do not mean soppy sentimentalism, but a deep concern for the one’s hearers, a Christlike love.
1:14
A deposit had been entrusted to Timothy, and has been to all of us. We are not at liberty to play fast and loose with the gospel, we are not at liberty to “innovate” (which usually means to corrupt the gospel). And we guard it with the “help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us”. The Holy Spirit is active in our lives, and lives in us. Note the “us”, it is not just “special people” in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.
No comments:
Post a Comment