Characteristics of a Good Minister. 1Timothy ch. 4.

By Thomas K. S. Mumbai

“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ.” 1Timothy 4:6a.

Introduction: - Apostle Paul outlines the essential qualities of a good and effective Servant of God. Though we do find many other useful traits elsewhere in the word of God, we will see only from this chapter (1Timothy ch. 4) what Paul; one of the greatest ministers of Jesus Christ wants to say about a good minister.

1. Nourished in the words of faith. V. 6.
Not only it speaks of the constant reading and meditation of God's word –it refers to the obedience of it. “Words of faith and of the good doctrine you have carefully followed”. Nourishment comes by obedience. A good minister would obey the word and then instructs. This verse speaks of a suitable spiritual diet.

2. Spiritual exercise. V. 7.
Just as in physical realm, first proper diet and then proper exercise is necessary to be healthy in spiritual life and service. To spiritually fit constant training of what we learned is a must for a minister. Cf. Heb 5:14. Eg. Paul. 1Cori 9:12 , 22, 27; Phil 4: 11 – 13. Exercise in regular prayer, meditation, keeping close fellowship with the Lord etc. are very much essential.

3. Labour and suffer reproach. V. 10.
Christian ministry demands entire concentration, consecration, devotion and willingness to bear the cross. Cf. Col 1:29 “to this end I also labour, striving...” cf. Act 20:22 – 24.

4. Command and teach. V. 11.
By virtue of his exemplary living a good minister obtains confidence to command and teach.

5. Be an example to the believers. V. 12.
“Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth.” (Amplified Bible). A servant of God should give no reason to others to underestimate him.

6. Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. V. 13.
Cf. Mal. 2:7: “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge”

7. A minister of God must be recognized by his gifts. V. 14.
This recognition by the local assembly is the commendation. (1Thess 5:12 , 13; 1Samuel 3:20 ; 1King 3:28 ). Laying on of hands also shows the recognition by the assembly. 2Timothy 1:6; Act 6:6; 13:2, 3.

Not only that the Lord's servant must have a personal assurance of God's calling, the local assembly must recognize it. It is then he gets a commendation from the local church

The so called evangelists and elders among God's people, who do not have these qualities, must realize it.

Cf. Act 7: 25, 27. Moses supposed that the brethren will understand that he is their divinely appointed leader. But they did not understand it, just pushed him away!

8. Progress. V. 15.
As the years go by, there should be evident progress in the life and ministry of a servant of God.

9. Take heed to yourself and doctrine. V. 16.
God-fearing life and conviction of the doctrine are most important as far as a good minister is concerned.

Conclusion: The Lord wants us to be His ‘good ministers'. Not just ‘some how ‘serving the Lord but effectively and fruitfully, for His glory.

TKS