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A LOCAL DIFFICULTY (1 TIMOTHY 1:18-2:15)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “A local difficulty” A local relates or is restricted to a particular area or one’s neighbourhood. Difficult means a thing that is hard to understand. A local difficulty is a challenging situation that is limited to a particular area or neighbourhood. We shall reflect on the fact that a local difficulty requires a local or contextual solution. Paul is known for writing letters to churches to encourage and instruct on matters of faith and the general conduct of the Christian life. His letters address both mutually shared difficulties of the various gentile churches and also local challenges and difficulties. Ageing Paul wrote to his young partner Timothy on how to address the challenges or difficulties faced by the local church in Ephesus.

Firstly, Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-8 admonished believers to live an exemplary life in their locality by praying for all people including the authorities. They are expected to be tolerant and peacefully coexist with people by remaining godly and holy as representatives of the truth and our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Paul, we have been sent to project the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as apostles and true and faithful teachers.

Secondly, Paul noticed that affluent women who had converted or joined the church newly failed to understand the Christian life is a totally transformed life which must reflect the image of Christ. No matter how rich and affluent are our life must totally be influenced and be guided by the examples and teachings of Christ. This is what sets us apart from the world. It is, for this reason that Paul wrote, “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10). In other words, the totality of the Christian life is a life of worship therefore we are not gods unto ourselves but sacrifices unto God. We must focus attention on ourselves but worship God through our deeds and decency. The world must be able to see Christ through us not perceive us as one of their own. Being in Christ or remaining Christ calls for a radical transformation of character and life of simplicity so that “He must become greater; I must become less. (John 3:30). Paul again encourages us, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Thirdly, Paul addressed the affluent women who are weak in faith and have become victims to fake teachers to desist from teaching merely because they are visible in society. They had not yet matured in faith to teach in public therefore in this particular locality or church, Paul wrote “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” (1 Timothy 2:11-15) Paul is not generally against women’s leadership in the Church of Christ. He was addressing the local difficulty that was created by a class of women in the Church of Ephesus. Paul did not discourage women from taking leadership roles in the early church or in households. We see Paul in his letter to the Romans commending some women and referring to them as co-workers when he wrote “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon, of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.” (Romans 16:1-4). Paul’s instruction is that new convent and those who are not mature in the faith must not assume leadership roles in the Church.

In summary, we have underscored some local difficulties that may arise in our congregation and Paul’s response to these difficulties. May the Holy Spirit lead us to overcome the local difficulties that bedevil the church.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit grant us wisdom, discernment and understanding of the Scripture to respond to the local difficulties in our churches so that we will continue to be the light of the world bringing light to where there is darkness. Amen.