Succeeding Through Balance (v. 16)

Paul’s ending advice to Timothy has given the church a famous, and on the surface enigmatic, saying: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (v. 16). The opening line is an exquisite summary. “Watch your life” refers to the fivefold example of godliness commanded in verse 12: “in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” “Watch your … doctrine” references his preaching and teaching (v. 13), which are to be exercised since he has been gifted for ministry (v. 14).

The balance of life and doctrine is the key to spiritual success. Doctrine has everything to do with life, because what we believe about God determines how we live. The more we know about God and his workings, the more we will love him, and the better we will serve him. Do you love him now? Will you love him less if you learn more of him and his Word? The great need of people today is to know more of God—to know more doctrine. Doctrine is the most practical thing in life!

On the other hand, godly lifestyle has everything to do with maintaining doctrine because if we do not live according to what we know of God and his Word, we will either disbelieve or will attempt to change his Word. This is exactly what has happened with so many who have departed from the faith.

So we need to “watch [our] life and doctrine.” What am I like? Am I consistent? How is my “speech”? How is my “life”? How is my “love,” my “faith,” my “purity”? How is my “doctrine”? Is it truly Biblical? Or is it secularized or syncretized? Do I really believe what I say I believe? And am I believing it more as time goes on?

This is all so important for your ministry because if you “persevere in them … you will save both yourself and your hearers” (v. 16). Paul is being instructively enigmatic here because he taught again and again that salvation comes only through God’s sovereign mercy and grace. He left no doubt—we do not and cannot save ourselves. His point is that those who persevere in life and doctrine will persevere in salvation.

Timid Timothy was in a tough spot—pastoring a church that had not called him—ministering to a people who despised his youth and inexperience. But he succeeded 1) because he was godly in character, 2) because he focused on the Word, 3) because he exercised his gift, 4) because he worked hard, and 5) because he carefully watched his life and doctrine.

Such lives work out their own salvation (Philippians 2:12). They save themselves and then save their hearers. How is your “life”? How is your “doctrine”?

14

 R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2000), 118–121.