For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. I Timothy 6:7 (I Timothy 1-6)
Paul has been released from house arrest and is in Macedonia when he writes this Pastoral Epistle to his friend, the young leader of the Church of Ephesus. Ephesus had become the numerical and geographical center of Christendom, but Timothy was a soft spoken and gentle man, the son of a Jewish mother and Greek father. There were no church buildings, so this large congregation met in hundreds of personal homes, each led by an elder/bishop. Since the early church had to grow their own preachers, Timothy was tasked with the tremendous responsibility of training, guiding and supervising these Shepherds and their flocks. The letter is meant to give Timothy the authority of Paul’s voice and presence even in his absence.
Timothy was dealing with matters of prayer, attitude toward and role of slaves, false doctrine, women in church, qualifications of deacons and support of widows. Under Nero, Christians throughout the Roman Empire were suffering greatly, including Paul, yet Paul directs Christians to live prayerfully toward their governmental leaders, good or bad. As for false teachers, remember it is more entertaining to distract with obtuse topics than to devote to Christian living. Don’t be fooled or misled. Solid ethical and moral lives were the qualifications of church leadership.
As for a woman’s role, yes, Eve brought sin into the world, but the Savior came through woman by no means of man. This fundamental gave women a significant upgrade, but not a license for gregarious, arrogant or offensive conduct. The Temple of Diana had female priestesses. They were prostitutes, so the Christian women of Ephesus were directed to be conduct conscious and be very aware of the optics. Understated humility was the order for appropriate behavior.
There is nothing in this age that will travel into the next. We will leave a great deal, agreed, but your knowledge, education, talents, work ethic, opinions, habits, and STUFF, will all cease to matter for you on the day your heart is fully examined and your eternity is determined. Essential verses superficial matters when Christians’ feet hit the ground and make tracks. May they always lead to the Throne of God.
Love,
Gretchen