Paul told Timothy that apostasy was certain: “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith…” (1 Timothy 4:1). He warned the brethren in Thessalonica of a great apostasy – “the apostasy” (2 Thessalonians 2:2) – which was coming. This apostasy would be widespread, yet that did not mean that every Christian or church must be doomed to fall away.
Timothy was to “hold fast the pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13, NKJV), and he was to pass this on to others (2 Timothy 2:2). He needed to continue teaching without compromise, even if others departed from the truth (2 Timothy 4:2-5). If he did this, there was hope that those who would listen would be saved (1 Timothy 4:16).
So how would Timothy approach his work as a preacher to help prevent apostasy? And how would the brethren need to respond in order to keep from falling away? Let us notice what Paul wrote after warning about the coming apostasy.
Put the Brethren in Remembrance
“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following” (1 Timothy 4:6).
Knowing that some would fall away, Timothy was to “put the brethren in remembrance” (KJV)* of what they had previously been taught. Yet this assumes we are building on a proper foundation. The word of God is truth (John 17:17), and it must be written on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10). Once we have this foundation established, reminders are essential. Peter stated the importance of such reminders: “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2 Peter 1:12). Truth does not change; therefore, we must be content with the “ancient paths” which are found in God’s word (Jeremiah 6:16).
But if preachers like Timothy have a responsibility to put the brethren in remembrance, that means the brethren have a responsibility to listen. When He gave the parable of the sower, Jesus declared, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 8:8). Timothy could only help those who would “hear” him (1 Timothy 4:16). We need to actively and intentionally listen to the word of God when it is taught.
Avoid Worldly Fables
“But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).
The Greek word for fables in this verse was translated as myths elsewhere in Paul’s writings to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:4). In those cases, the myths or fables were associated with false teaching. This is a logical connection. When a preacher departs from the truth, he needs to fill his message with something else, including worldly wisdom, denominational error, and entertaining stories. Instead, those who preach today must avoid false and frivolous words and focus on the “sound words…of our Lord Jesus Christ,” as these produce godliness (1 Timothy 6:3).
However, a preacher can be committed to preaching sound doctrine, but that will not prevent brethren from falling away if they have “itching ears” and “turn away their ears from the truth, and [turn] unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4, KJV). They need the attitude of Cornelius and his household, who came together “to hear all that [had been] commanded by the Lord” (Acts 10:33). This is the only way to hear the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
Be an Example of the Believers
“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Timothy was to show himself as an example in several areas of life. This would help himself (by being pleasing to God), but it would also help others by being a model to follow and a source of encouragement. It was also important in view of any possible apostasy. Timothy was to stand firm for the truth. Failing to live up to the standard he was defending would hurt his efforts. Paul told the Jews that their failure to live up to God’s law caused “the name of God [to be] blasphemed among the Gentiles” (Romans 2:24). A preacher’s hypocrisy can lead the brethren into the waiting arms of the false teachers he was trying to warn them about.
Yet if Timothy was to set a good example, the brethren needed to follow his example. Paul told the brethren in Corinth, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Good examples are those that are according to the pattern found in the New Testament, as Paul told the Philippians, “However, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Philippians 3:16-17). Brethren need to “imitate [the] faith” of others as they see “the result of their conduct” (Hebrews 13:7). This will keep them from going down the wrong path.
Give Attention to the Scriptures
“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).
Paul mentioned three things in that verse – reading, exhortation, and teaching. All of these focus on the Scriptures, which reminds us of our first point about putting the brethren in remembrance (1 Timothy 4:6). How does a preacher do this? By speaking “as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11, KJV). This requires “book, chapter, and verse” preaching.** Topics must be Biblical, and Scripture must be used to back up what is said. We must be careful to handle God’s word accurately (2 Timothy 2:15), and we do this by recognizing and respecting the context, not twisting it (cf. 2 Peter 3:16) to make a passage say what we want it to say.
This means that brethren need to test what they are being taught. Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica, “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). John warned, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). The only way to properly examine and test those who are teaching us is by searching the Scriptures, as the Bereans did, “to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). We can do as the church in Ephesus did and “put to the test” those who teach and see if they are teaching what is false (Revelation 2:2). This is commendable.
Fulfill Your Work
“Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:14-15).
Timothy’s “spiritual gift” was not something miraculous. It was bestowed upon him “by the presbytery,” not the apostles, who were the only ones who could impart miraculous spiritual gifts.*** Instead, this “spiritual gift” referred to his role in preaching the gospel. Timothy was to “fulfill [his] ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5), and he would accomplish this by doing what we have already discussed (providing reminders, setting a good example, and focusing on the Scriptures). He was to “take pains with these things.” There would be difficulties, as he would have to “endure hardship” (2 Timothy 4:5), but he was to overcome them in order to “fulfill [his] ministry.”
This meant that the brethren were to support those who engaged in this work. This can be done financially (Galatians 6:6; 3 John 7-8), through prayer (Ephesians 6:19), or by sharing in the work (Colossians 4:10-11). But by providing such support, the brethren would help faithful men continue their work into the future.
Pay Close Attention
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
The possibility of apostasy required Timothy to be alert. The threat could come from anywhere – from outside the flock and from within their number (Acts 20:29-30). Timothy was to pay attention to himself so as not to become “disqualified” by a failure to follow the standard he was preaching (1 Corinthians 9:27). But he was also to pay attention to his teaching and “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11, KJV), as we noticed earlier. Yet he could only help those who would listen. Regardless of their response, he was “innocent of the blood of all men” if he faithfully proclaimed “the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:26-27).
Therefore, brethren need to listen when warnings like this are given. The people of Israel hated “him who reproves in the gate” (Amos 5:10), even though this message was given to warn them about God’s judgment so they could repent and avoid it. After God destroyed Korah and those who rebelled with him, the people were upset and “grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘You are the ones who have caused the death of the Lord’s people’” (Numbers 16:41). When controversy and division happen, many brethren will blame the ones who are boldly preaching the word, yet they are not to blame. Jude explained that the “mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts…are the ones who cause divisions” (Jude 18-19), not those who proclaim and defend the truth.
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit warned that apostasy was coming. Many brethren and churches fell away. The same thing can happen to us if we do not heed the warnings found in the Scriptures.
Preachers have a responsibility to try to prevent this. They can do this by reminding the brethren of the truth, avoiding worldly fables, being a good example, focusing on the Scriptures, fulfilling their work, and paying attention to themselves and their teaching.
However, brethren also have a responsibility. They are to listen, not have “itching ears,” follow good examples, test what is taught, support faithful preachers, and pay attention to warnings like this.
The church at Smyrna was told to be “faithful until death” in order to receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). All of us need to strive to do this and help one another along the way.
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* I discussed the passage which addresses the need to put brethren in remembrance in a recent article: Point Out These Things to the Brethren.
** For more on the importance of citing “book, chapter, and verse,” see the article, Why “Book, Chapter, and Verse” Preaching?
*** For more explanation about how miracles have ceased since the time of the apostles has passed, see the article, Do Miracles Happen Today?
