Join us as we continue working our way through this chapter of Timothy.

1 Timothy 2:7 (NIV)
“And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.”
This verse for me is a perfect highlight of the difference amongst the body that is the Church. We all have a different function or purpose and that is actually a really good thing. If we look back at the roots of the Greek word used here this is what we find:
Appointed/Ordained (Greek: tithēmi) - To be placed horizontally, to set forth or give purpose.
Firstly, I think it’s important to recognise here that Paul was appointed by God. It doesn’t matter how many people may appoint an individual with a title, position or status, it’s ultimately down to God who is appointed with was role. We can often be quick to appoint people within Church and be brash about dishing out titles, but for they don’t mean anything if God isn’t doing the real appointing.
One of the things that really jumped out at me when looking in to the Greek origin of this word was the idea that it was horizontal, at first I was a little confused by that concept but after a bit of time reflecting on it I think that it actually captures the idea of us being one body perfectly. Paul was appointed as a preacher/herald because that the role God had given him, but in his writing he wanted to make it perfectly clear that he was no better or greater than anyone else, hence using the word tithēmi to show the horizontal nature of his appointment.
The idea of being place or set forth with purpose also brings us back to the concept that it is only God who can truly appoint and ordain His people for His work.
But, this doesn’t mean that we can’t recognise the gifts that others have or what they have been appointed to do. In fact I actually think it’s easier to recognise someone else’s calling rather than your own. A while ago we went around the room during a Bible study meeting and shared what we thought each other’s gifts were, most people were shocked and surprised at what others could see in them. However, you can be gifted and not appointed, so we have to take stock and recognise the difference between gifts and appointments. God may well give you an amazing musical talent and beautiful voice, but that doesn’t mean your appointment is that you should lead worship. Jesus was a gifted and talented man, we know he would of been a skilled carpenter, but his appointment was to teach and serve those around him.
What has God appointed you to do?
What are your gifts?
How can you use these things to serve God?
I pray that these notes will help to stir thoughts and questions within you and I would love to hear what you’ve got to add in the comments.
A South African lady came to our church several years ago and shared a simple but very much full of wisdom statement “A gift, is only a gift, if you give it away”