Solid Biblical Foundation: 1 Timothy 1:3-4
“3) As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4) nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.” 1 Timothy 1:3-4
Ministry has two significant callings. One is to preach the Word and lay down a solid biblical foundation. (See 2 Timothy 3:16-4:8) The second is to expose false and erroneous beliefs, doctrines and speculations. According to our text, this was why Paul left Timothy in Ephesus. The church had become a gathering place for people with erroneous religious teachings and ideas. There has never been a lack tavern theologians who have no clue what they believe or why.
But why did Paul pick Timothy for the task? The answer is simple. He had an unusually strong biblical heritage. 2 Timothy 1:5 and 2 Timothy 3:14-17 stresses the fact that he was nurtured by his mother and grandmother in the sacred writings. He was taught the Word of God from childhood. He had a solid biblical foundation.
Paul’s final admonition to Timothy was to “preach the Word.” He was to be diligent in season and out of season. He was to stick to the Word of God no matter where culture or went or what was tending in pop theology in the church.
This is absolutely imperative in our day. Every Christian should make a priority of daily personal Bible study and seek out a church that is built on the solid rock of Scripture. There is an alarming amount of doctrinal junk and false teachings floating around Christian circles today.
We also need to follow the example of Lois and Eunice and make sure our children and grandchildren have a solid biblical foundation. (2 Timothy 1:5) Their future depends on it! Very possibly, they will be the ones God will tap to bring revival to the church and help spread the gospel to our broken world.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
