Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you. (1 Tim. 6:20-21)
These last few chapters of 1 Timothy do sound a bit legalistic/moralistic–rules for behavior, relationships and leadership. And I get how people become disgruntled with Paul for emphasizing these external things that seem to reinforce hierarchy and other unhelpful categories. but I think that Paul’s heart and intention comes through a bit in this final word toTimothy. For Paul it comes down to guarding what has been entrusted to you and not giving in to false teaching. All his rules for behavior come from a conviction that the gospel–what God did in and through Jesus Christ for the sake of the world–CHANGES us and how we show up in the world…how we lead…how we live in community…how we live together with our family…all of it. Behavior flows from and demonstrates belief, obedience and transformation.
And I guess I can get behind that. I get just as frustrated with Christians whose lives don’t reflect their convictions as I do with Christians whose lives are consumed with the rules and behaviors without a foundation or filter of peace, grace and abundance.
So I’m not ready to dismiss Paul altogether. But I do think it’s not fair to evaluate one passage full of rules. I think Paul makes more sense when you let him finish his argument–you have to take the WHOLE message into account before you can draw conclusions about his perspective on one particular issue.
And with Timothy, Paul’s desire is that the community will align itself with sound teaching. Paul’s prayer is that Timothy will stay strong in his call and not compromise to the will and whim of other teachings. That’s solid, in my opinion.
So what has been entrusted to me? Where do I get tempted to get caught up in profane chatter and false knowledge (particularly within the church)?