“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)
What is most important in the life of the local church? What is most important in the life of the individual believer? Is it unity within the church and within the family? Or is biblical truth to be pursued at all costs, perhaps at the expense of unity?
When instructing His Twelve Disciples, Jesus said some provocative words to them, which are found in Matthew 10:34-39.
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34–39 (ESV)
In the context, Jesus spoke of the divisions the Gospel causes between the unconverted and the converted. This extends to all manner of people groups, and gatherings, including churches.
“Faith not only creates division between one race and another, one people and another, one church and another; it even brings about division in the family, in fact often the sharpest division of all,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.[1]
It is for the sake of biblical truth believers in Christ toil and strive, even at the expense of superficial, shallow and artificial unity. True unity among believers in Christ is based upon biblical truth. There can be no alternative.
To toil (κοπιῶμεν; kopiomen) means believers are to presently, actively and collectively work hard in the pursuit of godliness (4:6-9). The task will not be easy. This is because true godliness is rooted in the truth of the Gospel, which is attacked and compromised by many; even by those within the church.
To strive (ὀνειδιζόμεθα; oneidizometha) means to presently and collectively work hard for godliness in the midst of insults, reproach, mockery, and other people’s reviling. This also happens within the church. Remember other instructions Jesus gave His disciples.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ (John 15:18–25 (ESV)
“It is true that we are deeply convinced of the truth expressed in the faithful saying, for otherwise we missionaries (I, Paul, and you, Timothy) would not be toiling and striving so hard. That seems to be the connection between verses 7b, 8, 9, on the one hand, and 10, on the other,” continues Dr. Hendriksen.[2]
“The end or purpose for which Paul and Timothy are toiling and striving is, of course, this, that men from all over the world, be they Jews or Gentiles, shall hear the blessed gospel of salvation, and better still, shall accept it and obtain everlasting life. It is this life, that is, salvation, that God has promised (verse 8).”[3]
These missionaries labor or toil. They exert themselves to the utmost in the work of bringing the gospel, applying it to concrete situations, warning, admonishing, helping, and encouraging, generally amid great difficulties. Paul uses this word labor or toil with reference to manual labor (1 Cor. 4:12; Eph. 4:28; 2 Tim. 2:6; cf. the noun in 1 Thess. 1:3; 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8) and also in connection with religious work (Rom. 16:12 twice; 1 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 4:11; Phil. 2:16; 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 5:17; and in our present passage). They strive, that is, in the spiritual arena they struggle against the forces of darkness, in order that they may bring men out of the darkness into the light. They suffer agonies. Cf. 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7; then Col. 1:29; 4:12. See N.T.C. on 1 Thess. 2:2.[4]
Why are we to toil and strive for the biblical truth of godliness? Isn’t it much to do about nothing? Are there not greater goals to pursue as a Christian and for a church congregation? Why did the Apostle Paul place such importance upon this doctrine to his young protégé Timothy?
The answers to these questions are found in the biblical text. It is the latter portion of I Timothy 4:10 we will examine when next we meet. Until then, may the Lord’s truth and grace be found here and in us. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 475.
[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 152-153.
Ibid., 152–153.
[3] Ibid., 152-153.
[4] Ibid., 152-153.
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