Good Advice: 1 Timothy 5:17-24

1 Timothy 5:17-24

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves to be paid.” Never accept any accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I warn you to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality. Do not ordain anyone hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

The sins of some people are conspicuous and precede them to judgment, while the sins of others follow them there.

As I was reading this bit of advice from Paul to his disciple, Timothy, I couldn't help but thing of the famous bit of advice from old Polonius to his son, Laertes, in Shakespeare's Hamlet. In addition to the famous "to thine own self be true," Polonius also gives a list of very practical things a young man needs to do.

And here, Paul does as well. In between all the theological instruction, Timothy's mentor gives some advice for his stomach!

It's helpful I think to remember that this is a letter from one man to another: from a mentor to a disciple.

That means that not all of it is exactly for us. 

It doesn't mean that it isn't all true. Or that the advice in it isn't all grounded in good theology, or good sense, or in faith.

In Paul's good counsel we will find good counsel for ourselves as well.

And a first century digestive remedy!

We do well to remember that as we read Paul's letters to Timothy, that we are stepping into a personal sphere as well. This isn't a book from God fallen from the sky.

There will be things in Timothy's letters that don't make as much sense for us as they did for him.

But there will also be truth. And with a discerning heart, we will see it.

Lord, grant me a discerning heart as I read your word in scripture that I may know the truth and the truth may set me free. Amen.