Friday, March 02, 2012
Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-16
Personally (before we get started
with the text) I find it ironic that my first and middle names come from
pietistic epistles that are troublesome to me (Timothy and James). The author
of the book of James seems like, a pompous sycophant and the author of the
Pastoral Epistles (who I think was pseudonymously posing as Paul) is a product
of his hierarchal-sexist times. But, I digress; for, God’s grace is sufficient.
The passage of “The Overseer”
(v.1) has been one I’ve lived in tension with for years. Two words fascinate me,
make me cringe, and cause controversy: “above reproach” (v. 2). What does this
pastoral instruction even mean? Is it a call to perfection or something else?
The English dictionary defines reproach
as blame (among other things).
However, the Greek word that we translate to reproach (anepilēmptos)
appears to have a more specific meaning than blame – apprehension.
Context is everything. When we interpret scripture without context we
can seriously distort its contextual meaning. For one to be, “above reproach”
(in the first century Church) this term had legal implications (vv. 3-5).
First, having one wife; not a harem. Second, temperate;
not enraged. Third, sensible; not stupid. Fourth, respectable;
not disgraceful. There’s more but, for the sake of time, what might the legal
implications of reproach be? In the first century, it was not quite safe
to be a follower of Jesus the Christ. If one had a harem of wives, it likely
drew attention they didn’t need. Keeping one’s temper was and is a good way to
avoid undue trouble. Sensibility might keep a person from losing his head
(literally). If people respected Church leaders it might dissuade apprehension
(vv. 3-7).
Bishops, Deacons, Overseers, Pastors, etc., had a different role in the
Early Church – survival of believers and the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
There was great concern over false-teaching and blaspheme (possibly Gnosticism,
depending on the date of composition, ch. 1). The piety in 1 Timothy, like
other scriptures, was meant to set God’s people apart from idolatry and/or
heresy.
What does this all mean for us (and our Church leaders)? One who is “above
reproach,” in the Church today is one who does not bring ill fate to God’s
people or the Church. Instead, proclaim the truth of Christ, “He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in
spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in
throughout the world, taken up in glory” (v. 16).
Lord, God, you are holy and
your majesty is revealed in Christ. The grace of the cross, in death and
resurrection, has justified us. Who you are and what you’ve done continues to
be proclaimed and believed throughout the world. No human being is blameless in
what we do, but may our blame be met with grace and not reprehension. May you
free your captive servants around the world, who face death and persecution
because of your name and may we – who freely express the work of your cross –
pray for those who persecute our brothers and sisters. In your name O Lord:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment