These final chapters in 1 Timothy remind us how important it is to distinguish between descriptive and prescriptive text. If we read 1 Timothy 5-6 as prescriptive (think about a prescription that the doctor prescribes; it tells us how to do something), we’d have some odd behaviors for our context in what it means to take care of widows (or not), to drink wine, and to respect slaves. We could easily read Paul’s letter to Timothy and say, “Well, we’re not following the guidelines that Paul instructed,” and that would be true if this were prescriptive text to us today.
It’s critically important that we remember Paul’s words to Timothy are occasional – they speak to a specific context and occasion. Therefore, these are not prescriptive words; they’re descriptive. Paul is doing an excellent job instructing Timothy on the best practices for the church under his care in that specific time and context.
So, what can we take away from these final chapters of this letter to our context? Well, Paul always wants Timothy to care about others, whether widow, elder, or slave. Paul points Timothy to Jesus (1 Timothy 6:15-16). And he concludes by encouraging Timothy to be content with Christ, for that is all anyone ever needs.
Questions for reflection:
- Think about how descriptive text and prescriptive text matter as you read through Scripture. Are there chapters or books you’ve read as prescriptive, but now perhaps think are descriptive? How does this impact what we teach about Jesus?
- Read 1 Timothy 6:11-12. How can we ‘fight the good fight?’
- If someone asked you to describe in one sentence Paul’s first letter to Timothy, how might you sum this letter up? What do you think Paul would want readers today to take away from this letter?