Tread Carefully.1 Timothy 5:22-25.
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments). The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
Dear Saints,
Paul concludes the matter of elders with a caution about their ordination. Some things must not be rushed.
Avoid Haste (v. 22). People were set apart for service through the laying on of hands. Many denominations still ordain ministers in this manner. Such action should not be hurried, because those who ordain bear responsibility for the actions of the one ordained. Of course, caution can be taken too far and no one gets ordained, or the delays hinder ministry, but if we rush to lay hands on a person we do not know well, we risk being partakers in his sins. Purity is not just about staying away from the pollution of sin, it is also distancing ourselves from those who practice sin.
Adapt for Health (v. 23). This verse is often taken out of context as justification for drinking. The wine was used extensively in Jewish and Christian communities of that time but for some reason, probably as an extra precaution against the possibility of abusing alcohol, or to set an example for other Christians, Timothy did not drink. The wine was a proven remedy for many ailments, including stomach problems, which Timothy seems to have suffered enough of. Paul advises Timothy to use a little wine for medicinal purposes. This verse is not about whether Christians may drink alcohol or not. The discussion about that belongs on another platform. It is about Timothy’s health and the need for him to relax his strict, personal regime for the sake of his health.
Acknowledge Habits (vv. 24-25). These two verses are related to the issue of ordination in the sense that nothing can be hidden forever. Some people are overt, whether in their sins or in their good works. Other peoples works are hidden from the public but with time they will come out. Appearances can be deceiving, hence the need for caution when ordaining ministers. This also reminds us that we can only fool people for so long. If you are struggling with a sinful habit, seek help. If you hide it, be sure it will come out in the end. Likewise, there is no need for you to blow your own trumpet about your good deeds. They will become evident to all, in the end.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.