BUT YOU (contrast "but they") FOLLOWED: Su
de parekolouthesas (3SAAI):
"But you know from watching me"
(TLB)
"But as for
you, you were attracted as a disciple to me because of my teaching"
(Wuest)
"you have observed and diligently followed" (Amp)
"you carefully followed"
(NKJV)
"you have intimately known"
(WNT)
"But thou hast been thoroughly acquainted with" (Darby)
Followed
(3877)
(parakoloutheo from para = near +
akolouthéo to follow) means literally to follow
closely or to accompany side by side. Parakoloutheo combines the
idea of understanding with that of practicing perseveringly.
Parakoloutheo is found 4 times
in the NAS:
Mark;
Luke;
1 Timothy;
2 Timothy
Luke uses parakoloutheo
to mean to follow closely in mind and so to investigate so as to attain
knowledge. It indicates the mental tracing whereby one arrives at a
knowledge of the matter. The
perfect tense
is used by Luke to emphasize the state reached after the investigation.
"it seemed fitting for me as well, having
investigated
everything carefully from the beginning..." (Lu1:3)
In a sense Timothy was investigating Paul's teaching to see whether
Paul's life matched his lips and to watch how he endured persecutions
and sufferings. The verb pictures Timothy always at Paul's side,
attending Paul wherever he went. Thayer adds that the verb means to "conform one's
self to" so that ultimately a disciple is to become like his
mentor.
Parakoloutheo was actually a technical term used by philosophers to
describe the relationship of a disciple to his teacher (studying with
him in close quarters, carefully noting his life with a view to
reproducing, etc). It
includes the idea of following a teaching with concentrated attention so
as to make the teaching part of one's being. Timothy conformed to Paul's
belief and practice by paying special attention to his mentor. Paul is reminding Timothy "You were right by
my side from the beginning."
Barclay
(critique)
adds that parakoloutheo
"means to follow a
person physically,
to stick by him through thick and thin, to be by his side in fair
weather and in foul. It means to follow a person
mentally,
to attend diligently to his teaching, and fully to understand the
meaning and the significance of what he says. It means to follow a
person spiritually,
not only to understand what he says, but also to carry out his ideas,
and to be the kind of person that he wishes us to be."
|
Example is a living law, whose sway
Men more than all the written laws obey |
The question for each of us to ask is who
are we following closely? All of us tend to emulate those we
admire, so the charge is for us to be very careful about who we choose
to follow. We need to make sure by their teaching and their conduct that
they are on the "the ancient paths, where the good way is" (Jer6:16).
Hall adds that
"since we are more easily led by precedents than by precepts, the
apostle propounds his own example for our imitation, wherein we have the
lively pattern and portraiture of a faithful pastor, whose office it is
not only to preach sound doctrine, but also to practice what he
preacheth in his own life, that so he may be able to speak from the
heart to the hearts of his people, and may not bring his food as birds
do to their young ones — in their beaks, not in their breasts...Great
is the power of the example of superiors......God
hath set them before us as our copy to write by, and our pattern to live
by, and we must answer not only for sinning against the light of the
word, but against the light of good example also. It will be one day
said, "You had such and such to go before you in paths of piety, and yet
you would not follow. The faithful are called witnesses (Heb12:1).
Now if we walk contrary to their light they will witness against
us, as Noah and Lot did against the sinners of their age; but if we walk
answerable to their light they will witness for us. Their
practice may comfort and confirm us in God’s way; they declare the
possibility of obtaining such a grace, and make it thereby the more
easy, when we have seen it done before us. If a man have a torch to
light him in a dark and dangerous path, how glad is he: the godly
shine like lights in the midst of a crooked generation (Php2:15,
16),
their life is a commentary on the Scripture"
Now since the nature of man is apter to be guided by example then
precept, therefore God hath prepared abundance of glorious examples for
our imitation, and thus the saints that are now at rest and triumphant
in glory, their lives are to be our looking-glasses to dress ourselves
by, our compass to sail by, and our pillar of a cloud to walk"
(The
Biblical Illustrator)
This comment begs at least two questions:
"What commentary did I
write with my conduct this past week?"
"What saint am I following that I
might imitate their godly example?"
A parallel idea is that the great
truths of Scripture are as much "caught" as they are "taught",
and this happens most readily as one follows a "man of God who is
equipped for every good work" (3:17)
Parenthetically I might add that an often untapped resource of "godly
mentors" to emulate can be readily found in the many excellent Christian
biographies both in print and on the web (eg
be challenged by the life of men like
Adoniram Judson)
(Click "Christian
Biography")
"A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain
to be contemplated through eternity...the same may be said of each day. When it
is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will
exhibit forever...each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will
affect our everlasting destiny....How shall we then wish to see each day marked
with usefulness! It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is
in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity
in such a garb as we shall wish it to wear forever. And at night let us reflect
that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked." (Adoniram
Judson)
MacArthur notes that
"In the Greek text,
the definite article (Greek TE = English "THE")
precedes each of the descriptive nouns in verses 10 and 11 ,
grammatically connecting each to the possessive pronoun my
and thereby giving it repeated emphasis. The idea is, "But you followed
my teaching, [my] conduct, [my]
purpose, and so on."
Ray Pritchard
discussing following godly leaders points out that...
This principle is based on the truth
that we become like the people we associate with. If we follow the
ungodly, we will become like the ungodly. If we follow the arrogant, we
are likely to become arrogant. If we follow those who follow Jesus, we
are more likely to become like Jesus ourselves. In this case, Paul uses
himself as an example, and says in effect, “Follow me as I follow
Christ.”
These are the marks of the godly
people we should follow:
1. They have nothing to hide. “You know my way of life.”
2. They teach the truth. “You know my doctrine.”
3. They practice what they preach. “You know my faith, my love and my
patience.”
4. They aren’t afraid of persecution. “You know my sufferings and my
persecution.” (2
Timothy 3: Perilous Times)
MY TEACHING: mou te didaskalia:
(Lu1:3;
Php2:22;
1Ti4:6;2Ti3:16,17;
4:3;
Ac2:42;
Ro16:17;
Ep4:14;
1Ti1:3;
4:12;4:13
Titu2:7;
Heb13:9;
2Jn1:9
1:10)
The last part of this
chapter suggests three very practical survival strategies for the
perilous, difficult, dangerous days in which we live:
Follow Godly Leaders v. 10-13
Continue in What You Have Learned v. 14-15
Let the Word of God Make You Complete v. 16-17
"Teaching" (didaskalia from didasko
= teach to shape will of one being taught by content of what is taught)
and as noted in the first 2 chapters would include "the standard of
sound words which you have heard from me" (1:13)
as well as "the things which you have heard from me in the presence
of many witnesses" (2:2). Here we see Paul
practicing his preaching to "entrust to faithful men" (2:2).
The Pauline
school of doctrine and practice was not a building but a life, and
the curriculum included real-time, "hands on" training in character and content, practice and
precept!
CONDUCT: te agoge:
(Ac20:18;
26:4;
1Th1:5;
2Pe3:11)
"my way of life" (ISV)
"behaviour" (BBE)
"how I live" (NLT, CEV)
"you know from watching me that I am not that kind of
person" (TLB)
Conduct (agoge) means
literally leading or guidance then refers to the method in which one is
led, his manner of life or the way they lead their life. Timothy
was so closely associated with Paul that he could not fail to know all
aspects of his behavior and he knew that Paul was a man who practiced
what he preached. Someone has
written a poem that brings out the importance of this association:
|
"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one
any day,
I'd rather one should walk with me, than merely point the way.
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs." |
Hall reminds us
that
"Moral virtues may be found with a false faith; let not those
apples of Sodom deceive you, for as there may be good doctrine where the
life is bad, so there may be false doctrine where the life is seemingly
good. Look, therefore, in the first place to the doctrine, and in the
second place to the virtues which seem to commend it." (The
Biblical Illustrator)
Matthew Henry adds that Paul
"did
not pull down by his living what he built up by his preaching. Those
ministers are likely to do good, and leave lasting fruits of their
labors, whose manner of life agrees with their doctrine; as, on the
contrary, those cannot expect to profit the people at all that preach
well and live ill."
PURPOSE: te prothesei:
(Da1:8;
Ac11:23;
2Co1:17)
"my aims" (NJB)
"my aim in life" (ESV)
"Purpose" (prothesis from protíthemi
= set before oneself; purpose or plan) refers to the plans or designs of
his life, the guiding motive of
his life and work, the
driving passion of his heart. Having clear purpose in line with
the Father's will is an indispensable requirement in Christ's
school of discipleship for "If you aim at nothing,
you will hit it every time."
As we have seen though God
"has
saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose (prothesis)
and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" (2Ti1:9, cf
Ro8:28
Eph1:11,1Th4:7,
1Ti4:7)
Paul was consumed with a passion
to fulfill God's "purpose"
for saving him to
proclaim Christ writing
“I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I
do not preach the gospel.” (1Cor9:16).
In a more detailed parting statement to the Ephesian elders
"You
yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was
with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with
tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews
how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable,
and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying
to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ...I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God."
(Acts20:18-21,
27)
Peter adds that believers
"have been called for this purpose, (when you do what is right and suffer for it) since Christ also
suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps"
(1Pe2:21)
Matthew Henry
comments that Paul is saying to Timothy
"Thou hast known my purpose,
what I drive at, how far it is from any worldly, carnal, secular design,
and how sincerely I aim at the glory of God and the good of the souls of
men.”
FAITH: te pistei:
(2:22;
2Co6:4-10;
1Ti4:12;
6:11;
2Pe1:5-7)
Here Paul is
not referring to saving faith but to the faithfulness and
trustworthiness of those who are already saved. Paul uses "faith"
similarly writing to the Thessalonians "that Timothy has come to us
from you and has brought us good news of your
faith
and love..."
(1Th3:6). The idea is
to faithfully live the truth that one professes.
PATIENCE: te makrothumia:
Patience
(makrothumia
from makro = long + thumos = emotion) (Click
in depth study of
makrothumia) literally
means having a "long fuse" and thus
describes an individual who is opposed to haste, to
passionate expressions and thoughts or to irritability.
Makrothumia
denotes the state of mind which can bear long when oppressed, provoked,
falsely and maliciously accused or when one seeks to injure us.
The man of God must have a long fuse lest he explode
when he cannot afford to. Chrysostom defined "makrothumia" as
that "spirit which could take revenge if it liked but utterly refuses to do
so."
J Vernon McGee writes that
makrothumia...
"...means “long-burning”—it
burns a long time. We shouldn’t have a short fuse with our friends and
Christian brethren. We shouldn’t make snap judgments." (McGee, J. V.
Thru the Bible commentary. Vol. 5, Page 359. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
Evans writes that
makrothumia...
"could be translated “large
emotions,” signifying wells of endurance that will not dry up, no matter
how much is drawn from them. The Christian with this patience will have
refreshing water to sustain continual effectiveness even in the face of
unrelenting pressures. Those with such patience and faith are those who
receive or “inherit the promises.” (The Preacher's Commentary Series,
Volume 33 : Hebrews. Page 138. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc)
Calvin said makrothumia refers
to that quality of mind that disposes us
“to take everything in good part and
not to be easily offended.”
Larry Richards writes that...
The NT contains many
exhortations to be patient. But just what is patience? The Greek word
group (makrothumeo/makrothumia) focuses our attention on restraint: that
capacity for self-control despite circumstances that might arouse the
passions or cause agitation....This is not so much a trait as a way of
life. We keep on loving or forgiving despite provocation, as illustrated
in Jesus' pointed stories in Mt 18." (Expository Dictionary)
Hall
adds that patience
"is ornament of great worth, not only in the sight of man, but also
of God. Without it we are unfit for duty, as the troubled sea
unfit for voyage. Without it we double and increase our burdens; like a
wild bull in a net, or the untamed heifer, we may gall our necks, but
never break the yoke....By our patience we please God, displease the
devil, rejoice the angels, and many times melt and convert our enemies.
By this means we heap coals of conversion or coals of confusion upon
their heads (Ro12:20). This will keep us good in a bad condition, so that a man enjoys
himself when he hath nothing else; and though he have nothing, yet is as
one that possesses all things." (The
Biblical Illustrator)
LOVE: te agape:
Love
(26)
(agape)
is unconditional, sacrificial love and a love that God is (1Jn4:8,16),
that God shows (Jn3:16,
1Jn4:9) and that God is so as noted
above it is not surprising that Greek literature throws little light on
its distinctive NT meaning. Agape
is God's selfless, sacrificial, supernatural love providing for
the recipient's highest good and doing so whether appreciated or not.
Agape in
the Greek classics spoke of a love called out of one’s heart by the
preciousness of the object loved. This is the idea inherent in the
Father's proclamation "This is My beloved Son..." Agape is
the love that was shown at Calvary. Thus agape is God’s love, and
is the love that God is. It is not human affection but is a divine love,
commanded by God, produced as fruit in the heart of a surrendered saint
by the Holy Spirit (God Who is at work in us to will and to work to His
good pleasure) (Ro5:5
Gal5:22), self-sacrificial in nature
seeking the benefit of the one who is loved, a love which means death to
self and defeat for sin since the essence of sin is self-will and
self-gratification, a love activated by personal choice of our will
(working out our salvation in fear and trembling) not based on our
feelings toward the object of our love and manifested by specific
actions (1Co13:4-8
is an excellent source definition of "love in action") not just to
fellow believers but to all men everywhere.
Love
is so crucial to the Christian life that “the one who does not love
does not know God, for God is love”
(1Jn4:8).
On the other hand,
“the one who abides in love
abides in God, and God abides in him”
(1Jn4:16).
Jesus’ final petition to the Father on our behalf was
“that
the love
wherewith Thou didst love Me may be in them, and I in them”
(Jn17:26).
As
Edwards has said
love
"is the badge of discipleship, the
landmark of heaven." Jesus said that "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if
you have love (agape) one for another." (Jn13:35)
Tertullian wrote,
"It is our care for the helpless, our practice
of lovingkindness, that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents.
'Look!' they say, 'How they love one another!' Look how they are
prepared to die for one another."'
People do not care how much we know
until they know how much we care.
PERSEVERANCE: te hupomone:
"my steadfastness" (ESV), "my endurance" (GWT), "my
quiet undergoing of trouble"
(BBE), "resignation" (WNT).
Perseverance (hupomone
from
hupo = under + meno = abide) (Click
for in depth study of
hupomone) means to abide
under a trial or difficult circumstance in a way that honors God.
Perseverance
describes the suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity,
provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper and is
endurance without murmuring or fretfulness and springs from Christian
submission to God's perfect will. The one so submitted to God's will
exhibits a calm temper which bears evils without murmuring or
discontent. It is a God-honoring
endurance which undergoes life's fiery trials because of the glory that
lies ahead.
C H Spurgeon
quipped that "By perseverance the snail reached the ark."
Samuel Johnson claimed: "Great works
are performed not by strength but by perseverance."
William
Wilberforce, a 19th-century parliamentarian, was moved by the Lord to
oppose the slave trade. In 1807 he brought about the banning of the
slave trade in England. But not until 1833 was slavery as an institution
abolished, and the news reached Wilberforce on his deathbed.
Eternity will reveal the reward of
the redeemed who persevere under persecution ("If anyone is
destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the
sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance
and the faith of the saints" Rev 13:10; "Here is the perseverance
of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in
Jesus." Rev14:12). So there is no doubt that perseverance is a
high priority in the plan of God for Christians, both individually and
collectively.
Puritan Thomas Watson wrote
that...
"God's decree is the very pillar and
basis on which the saints' perseverance depends. That decree ties the
knot of adoption so fast that neither sin, death, nor hell can break it
asunder."
Perseverance is graphically described by
William Barclay
(critique)
as a
"lithe spirit which can bear thing, not simply with resignation, but
with blazing hope; it is not the spirit which sits statically enduring
in the one place, but the spirit which bears things because it knows
that these things are leading to a goal of glory; it is not the patience
which grimly waits for the end, but the patience which radiantly hopes
for the dawn. It is the quality which keeps a man on his feet with his
face to the wind. It is the virtue which can transmute the hardest trial
into glory because beyond the pain it sees the goal." It is this
character quality which will determine whether we finish our course or
not for as the writer of Hebrews exhorted "let us run with
endurance
the race that is set before us"
(Heb12:1) and that all believers "have need of
endurance,
so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was
promised." (Heb10:36)
Wayne A Detzler writes that...
True Christian perseverance is
not tied to tenacity. It is rather the work of God the Holy Spirit in a
believer's life. The starch in a saint's spine is shown by Scripture to
be nothing less than the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Only in
this way can one explain the work of
Gladys Aylward,
a London parlor maid. Societies scorned her missionary application. She
seemed too dull to master Chinese and fulfill her vision of serving in
China. Realizing this, she scoured up her own fare to China and sailed
in 1930. After slogging her way across Siberia she reached her field in
remote Yangcheng. When the Japanese invaded in 1940 she led 100 children
on an epic journey that caught the imagination of Hollywood. In 1947
failing health forced her back to England where she crusaded for
missions until her death in 1970. That was tenacity, not just British
grit. It is God's persevering grace. (New Testament Words in Today's
Language) (Bolding added)
