Spiritual Health and Wellness

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1Tim 1:13).

With healthcare costs going into orbit, there’s a HUGE emphasis these days on staying healthy. If we don’t get sick in the first place, we don’t have to shell out the copay and the insurance company doesn’t have to pony up the rest. It’s all about health and wellness. You know the drill. Eat right. Get some exercise. (Don’t freak out. This isn’t some never-ending open enrollment meeting.)

So what in the Wide World of Sports does the frustrating world of health insurance have to do with Paul’s second letter to Timothy? So glad you asked. The apostle writes his spiritual son a prescription for a healthy lifestyle in Jesus. “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (v13). Eat right by consuming a high protein diet of God’s Word. Get some exercise as you trust Jesus and serve others. It probably comes as no surprise that they are the keys to a lifestyle of spiritual health and wellness.

But Paul’s not writing to Tim from some squeaky clean doctor’s office or ultramodern research hospital. He’s in jail. On Death Row to be specific. There’s no doubt he realizes his days are numbered (2Tim 4:6-7). He writes with a couple of important purposes. First, the apostle begs the young pastor to drop everything and come see him before its too late (2Tim 4:9, 21). Second, he writes critical instructions to his protege just in case they never see each other again (2Tim 2:1-4:5). 

Paul tells Pastor Tim, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me” (v13). The folks at the ESV make an interesting choice in using the word “follow” here. The original language is a command which is probably better translated as hold tightly or hang on securely. Whatever this is, don’t lose it, don’t drop it, don’t fumble it. Get a firm grip and don’t let go!

The apostle instructs his young friend to grab on to “the pattern of sound words” (v13). Here’s where the picture of spiritual wellness becomes clear. First of all, Paul talks about a “pattern” and uses the Greek word hupotuposis, which is literally a description of an outline or sketch. Tim has a basic outline of what to do. He doesn’t get a specific point-by-point to-do list. Think of it as rough instructions that apply to any and all circumstances. When we’re following Jesus and walking in His Spirit, there’s a LOT of freedom in how we do it. It’s a general prescription for spiritual health.

Tim is to follow the outline of Paul’s “sound words” (v13). And by “sound,” he uses a word (Gr. hugiaino) which certainly can mean accurate and correct. But it carries the idea of healthy and thriving. You see, it’s a medical term often thrown around by the apostle’s personal physician Luke. Dr. Luke knows all about wellness. He quotes Jesus’ words to the religious do-gooders at Levi’s big party, “Those who are well (Gr. hugiaino) have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Lk 5:31). 

Later in the good doctor’s bio of Christ, he describes how the Lord healed a Roman army officer’s civilian staff member without even making a house call. “When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well (Gr. hugiaino)” (Lk 7:10). Since Luke is currently the only person visiting him in prison (2Tim 4:11), it makes sense that Paul is using medical terminology.

In his prequel to Tim, the apostle describes our Savior’s teaching as “the sound (Gr. hugiaino) words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Tim 6:3). There’s that phrase again. “Sound words.” Words of wellness from the Great Physician. The message of the Gospel is anything but a 98-pound wimp. The grace of Jesus is here to pump…you up! These are healthy words. Thriving words. Buff words. Words with six-pack abs.

The apostle reminds his protege how these are the same healthy words “that you have heard from me” (v13). Paul didn’t just think good thoughts. He said good stuff. Mentoring requires not only demonstration but explanation. Do it and then describe it. Give the “why” behind the “what.” If you’re the student in a discipling relationship, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know the reason why something is done. Actions do speak louder than words, but words explain your actions. Just like a good doctor with great bedside manner not only tells you to cut back on the french fries but why you should do it.

The two keys to spiritual wellness are “the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (v13). Faith is trusting totally in the Son of God as our cosmic Hero who came to our rescue. The Second Person of the Godhead left heaven to do for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. He lived the life of 100% obedience to God’s commands that when we failed to do so. He died the death for our disobedience in our place. He rose to new life we certainly don’t deserve. And we trust Him to lead us by following His guidelines to an overflowing life.

But there’s a powerful connection between faith and love. Think of it like a spiritual drug interaction. Did you realize that trust in Christ produces love for people? So it’s no mistake that Jesus went out of His way to command His followers to love one another (Jn 13:34-35). And when the Lord and the human authors of Scripture talk about love, they’re not simply talking about the warm and fuzzy feelings you see greeting cards. Agape is like Boston’s song “More than a Feeling.” While there is certainly emotion involved, it’s a whole lot more. It’s love in action. Love that sacrifices. Love that does. Love that goes. 

Jesus clearly demonstrated His love for us by living and dying for us when we still a total dumpster fire of sin (Rom 5:8). Because of trusting in His ultimate act of love to us, we sacrificially love and serve the people He puts in our path. He calls me to a love-is-a-verb lifestyle. Someone once called it a “Me Third” attitude. God first. Others second. Me third. I worship God by getting my eyes off the doofus in the mirror and look around for whoever needs a hand. 

Our ultimate source of wellness is found “in Christ Jesus” (v13). Unlike the skyrocketing price of medicine, your spiritual healthcare costs are NOT going up. That bill was paid in full and paid in advance. Our Savior screamed it from the cross, “It is FINISHED!!!” (Jn 20:30, emphasis added). Believe it or not, there’s just one single word here (Gr. tetelestai). It’s no coincidence that this is the very same word someone in the first century would write on a receipt once the bill had been paid. Think of it as “PAID IN FULL.” There’s no payroll deduction or shared costs in God’s plan. He picks up the full tab for anyone and everyone who trusts in the sinless Son of God. Now THAT’S what I call universal health care!

Paul encourages Timothy to continue pursuing fitness by following this prescription through a healthy diet of the Gospel and getting plenty of exercise trusting Jesus and loving others. While there have been limitless breakthroughs in medicine since the apostle wrote his friend, these are timeless principles for holy health. So hang on tight to the words of spiritual health and wellness the apostle talks about. You know you’re trusting Jesus when you’re serving others.