training in godliness

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Isa. 65:1-12 1 Tim. 4:1-16 Mark 12:13-27

Initially I was reflecting on Paul's words about marriage and food:
...abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
(1 Tim. 4:3-5)

He continues on to say, "If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. " (v. 6) The RSV here reads "nourished on the words of the faith..." instead of "being trained," which actually is, I think, a better reading. A very quick look at the meaning of the word here has either "to live on" or "to feed on" - or this idea of training.

One meaning looks back to his previous words, the other to his words following.

Verses 4-5 reflect what I harp on with regard to saying "the blessing" before meals. We bless the Lord, not the food. "Everything created by God is good" - we don't make it good or better by our prayers, we do "nourish" ourselves first of all when we recognize God's gifts and thank and bless him. It was God's word that originally created all things good, that declared all things good; and as we align with his Word, intending through prayer to receive his gifts rightly, we set the gifts apart, and ourselves apart, as holy. [This same theme holds for marriage, and for sex within marriage. ]

Paul takes this theme of the goodness of marriage and of food, and says to Timothy that if he instructs the people about these things he be a good servant of Christ, nourished in (or being trained by) the words of faith and good teaching he has followed.

Paul then introduces the word "training" as he develops his argument, however it is a different word altogether.

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, [7] because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things.

This word for training is the word from which we get our word "gymnasium." Exercise yourself, train yourself, in godliness. There it is again: godliness, piety, religion (eusebia) - which we've considered a couple of times lately. Exercise at it, work on it, practice it. Godliness / piety is good for you in this life, and will reap benefits in the life to come. It is something in which to toil and strive, because our hope is in the living God, the Savior of all.

We can have an appearance of godliness, or the form of religion, but deny or be devoid of God's power (2 Tim. 3); the mystery of godliness is great, Jesus who has been revealed (1 Tim. 3:16), and who we are to reveal; and now the call to train ourselves in godliness, which, being inferred here, includes a right handling of God's Word, a right handling of our own words (no silly talk, ungodly conversation), prayer, setting oneself apart for God's use, a healthy and thankful partaking of all God's gifts, etc.

But let us note, with thanksgiving and graciousness, that it is training and exercise. Yes, that denotes toil and energetic striving, but it also means that we haven't arrived - and that that's okay. Just start "working out." Do what you can, today. Say your prayers. Read and meditate on and live out God's Word. Do good. Speak blessing and peace. Practice, experiment - and remember Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:8), your hope and the mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16); and remember your goal, your aim:
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Tim 1:5)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim:3:16-17)

And the God of grace will be with you.