Ephesus: Home Economics in the Household of God

A well-run household has rules of conduct and procedures. Knowing the house rules helps day-to-day living run smoothly and avoids strife. Knowing in advance who's job it is to wash and put away the dishes prevents every night turning into a battle. And so it is with the household of God, which is the Church.

Today we will finish off our review of Paul's instructions for Timothy regarding the congregation in Ephesus. Chapters 4,5, and 6 of Paul's letter to Timothy provide additional guidance for congregational matters that are as relevant today as they were in 60 A.D.

Bad Teachings Affect Behavior 1 Timothy 4:1-15

Verses 1-4 Paul returns once again to his over-arching concern about sound doctrine. This time around we get more detail. False doctrine as affecting: 1) attitudes regarding sex and marriage 2) ideas regarding food and drink.

Food and drink controversies come up repeatedly in the Church. We find it in Romans, also Corinthians [ritual fasting, pure foods, who gets the best quality food etc.]. The first controversy that boils up in the newly founded church in Jerusalem [Acts 6:1-4] is about food.

A false teaching of our day is that these verses refer to abolishing food laws about clean and unclean meats: 1) abstaining from certain foods is classified as a doctrine of demons... Paul would never speak of levitical food laws as demonic... now way! 2) the false teaching Paul is addressing here is about acetic vegetarianism and should not be interpreted that prayer purifies biblically unclean meat.

Some people restrict their diet for health reasons but many do it as a form of spiritual discipline, or for moral reasons. However, beyond the basic command to the flesh of unclean animals what you eat or do not eat has on impact on your spiritual well-being.

Sex & marriage: The natural state for human beings is one man married to one woman and producing children. There may be times when holding off on marriage and children makes sense because of external circumstances. But to promote the idea that those who abstain therefore attain a higher spiritual plane is bogus. Paul will circle back to this later…

Paul considers the ideas circulating in Ephesus doctrines of demons who work through human false teachers;  hypocrites because they profess Christ but teach something very different, liars because what they teach is not true, and they sear their consciences by overriding the truth revealed by the spirit so often that they lose the ability to discern truth.

What IS Important?

Verses 6-10 Timothy is instructed to confront these errors by exposing them... which indicates a reasoned approach [proof, scriptures, logic, and persuasion] rather than bombast or harangue. He needs to back up what he teaches through his own behavior and personal integrity.

Some false teachings you need to point out and refute... others are just foolish and should be ignored. Paul says: " stick with the basic good teachings you have known since you were very young.  Novelty and intellectual excitement is not the point. Godly teaching is about training the mind [self control through obedience to God’s commands, constantly rehearsing the mechanics of salvation, exercising the attitudes and priorities of a Godly mind… humility, respect, fairness]. Much of our instruction is reminder, re-enforced by repetition... like physical training which is largely a matter of repetition. This Godly mental training is what we strive for... indicating it requires effort

verse 11-16 Timothy was possibly a bit unsure of himself, shy, perhaps timid. Timothy's gift appears to be an aptness for teaching which was noted when he was ordained. Paul wants him to add confidence and boldness to that gift... and work hard at the task.

 Timothy is given 3 priorities in teaching;

1. Read - to make known the content of scripture
2. Preach - to persuade and convict [to apply technique]
3. Teach - to guide people through doctrine and appeal to their intellect and reason

Money Matters Within The Church 1 Timothy 5:1 -- 6:10

Throughout the letter to Timothy Paul shows he sensed trouble crisis in Ephesus: false teaching, the role of women in the congregation in spreading these teachings, lack of respect for ordained ministry, and a need to discipline error.

You might think this strange but the correction zooms in on money matters: how to justly administer financial aid, attitudes toward payment for spiritual work, and employer/employee relations among members. Which leads me to believe much of the strife Paul refers to started off as doctrinal but ended up as squabbling over money matters.

Verse 1-2 before any correction begins Paul focuses on attitude. Any correction is to be administered as within a loving family: gentleness to those who are old, respect towards those who are young.

Application of the 5th commandment: Honor your father and mother

As Paul says "putting your religion into practice".

Verse 3-10 the Church at times will provide financial assistance for people in need, but the church is not a piggy bank. Paul mentions "a list" and indicates there is record keeping and a "process" to follow. Note: this concerns ongoing or regular assistance rather than one time instances where we might help someone with a crisis.

Building on the foundation of the 5th commandment… assistance should come from the immediate family or extended family [think of the kinsman redeemer int he OT]. The family model is God's preferred method. Refusing or neglecting to care for parents and elderly is serious sin.

For situations where there is no family we have some guidelines: 1) elderly female [those without the strength to work] 2) should have a good spiritual life and relationship to God 3) a record of good works.

Note: in our present welfare society the basic needs of most people are covered. The church is going to insist that people first get the assistance provided by the government. In short the church is willing to help people but we have a process, and we reserve the right to look into the fruits of a person's life when providing assistance.

I believe this is the real reason Paul addresses financial assistance to widows is what follows next. Verses 11-16

Think back to the false doctrine previously mentioned of teaching people to avoid marrying [4:3]. There appear to be younger women, who wanted to devote their lives to Christ and receive a dole from the Church. Paul says "NO", this is a recipe for trouble; its going to lead to sexual sin... and its going to lead to even more false teaching [2 Timothy 3:6-7].

If a woman wants to lead a Godly life the best arrangement is for her to be integrated into a family unit [this is true for men as well]. That is God's ideal model for church, for human government, and for the lives of Godly people. Remaining single is honorable as well, but you're going to have to pay your own way.

Respect For Congregational Leadership

Paul's warnings about false teaching and his instructions about who should and should not be a congregational leader indicate a leadership crisis in Ephesus. He now points out three contributing factors to the lack of respect: wrong ideas about money, slander, and favoritism.

Verses 17-24

1. Money: those who give leadership in spiritual affairs should expect financial support from the Church. The United Church of God maintains this model and supports a paid ministry. However, whenever money is introduced into an equation it brings with it baggage.

In Greek society teaching was a freelance operation. A person could make a living by gathering paying students or audiences to hear what they had to say. To generate cash customers had to consider what was taught as either useful, interesting, or entertaining. Audiences might pay more for a person with greater sophistication, or presentation skill.

This is not God's model... this is the error of Balaam. Balaam positioned himself as a prophet of God... but was ready to say what the client was willing to pay for.

God's model is: you pay your money to Me, I pick the teachers, they faithfully teach my true word. If they don't they will be punished... by Me.

On the flip-side some believe that a person who receives payment for spiritual work is somehow less sincere than someone who is a volunteer. A lot of that thinking comes from the example of Paul the tent-maker... yet that same man [Paul] is the one who gives us clear instruction that there should be a paid ministry. Note:  Paul did receive financial support at certain times during his ministry, whether or not depended on the circumstances of the local situation.

2. Slander: the warning about accusing an elder should not be construed as a biblical mandate  for special treatment... An elder is not above the law he teaches... rather is a call for just and fair treatment. Under God's system no person can be condemned unless there were at least two witnesses [elder or not].

A teaching elder has to get up in front of a large group of people and talk about what is good and what is evil… which is going to make him a target. Human nature wants to cut people down to size and the usual way of doing that is with words. You might think a person who gets up in front of others like that is fair game... Paul says be careful, treat such people justly and fairly, but Paul also says if they deserve correction they should get it. No special leniency, but no special criticism either.

Favoritism: finally there is a warning about partiality. This could be considered a the final word on the previous point about the treatment of congregational leaders. But it also leads into the next few verses about taking time to get to know the person and see the fruits of their lives before ordaining them.

Economic Relationships Among Members

1 Timothy 6:1-4 The slavery mentioned here is not like the slavery practiced in 19th century America. It was something very different. The Greek word doulos also means servant. The closest parallel we can come up with in our present economic system is employer / employee... although it was still slavery and not the same as our free market economy.

In the Church there were rich people and poor people... some who lived as masters... some who were slaves. God and the Church are not in favor of slavery... but the institution was not going away just to suit the Church... and God has decided to allow human beings to enslave one another as yet another of humanity's many failed experiments in governing themselves which will continue until Christ returns to establish Godly rule and government on earth.

The problem in the congregation of Ephesus was that when both master and servant were believers they begin to take each other for granted... and were not fulfilling their economic and social duties. So, if you ever get into a business relationship with other members approach it in a very businesslike manner.

Two principles are at play here: 1) we must show Godly respect for human authority even within social structures we find repellent 2) we must consider one another as brother and sisters even while trapped within different roles in an oppressive society.

Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:3-10 Paul returns to the subject of false teaching and directly ties it to greed. It applies to those who wish to be well paid orators and teachers generating excitement and controversy to a eager audience... and those who wish to become indigent mystics live at the church's expense in pursuit of a higher calling... or those who compromise God's commands to make a buck.

True and lasting treasure is the training of your mind that equips you for eternal life. It is not filled with excitement, controversy, or riches. It is simple, accessible to all, and somewhat repetitive. Everyone acknowledges the virtue of repetition when it comes to mastery at sports, or a musical instrument… why would training in righteousness be any different. [10,000 hours vs. 30,000 days]

Conclusion

1 Timothy 6:11-16 Paul ends the letter as he began with a charge to Timothy... flee evil, pursue good, fight, take hold!... and keep your eyes on the prize God has in store for you.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 For those who are already wealthy here are some positive ways to use wealth:  use it for good works and deeds with a generous spirit. That’s the antidote to greed.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 guard your heart and mind from any ideas or approaches to your spiritual life that try to lure you in a different direction.