I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different teachings and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training [economy of God] that is known by faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-4
“The term oikonomia is multifaceted, and English translations are all over the map. Such translations as “godly edifying” (KJV) and “divine training” (NRSV) miss the point, while “God’s work” (NIV) is vague. The root idea is household management, but the word could refer to administration of a household, city, empire, or as Stoics applied it, to divine administration of the cosmos.”
Because “the economy of God” is connected to the phrase “in the faith,” scholars have related it to “God’s way of creating and saving the world.” This reading seems fitting based our findings related to the local heresy. Artemis was revered as the author of all life and everything in the local economy of Ephesus revolved around maintaining that international distinction. The charge to Timothy urges him to promote sound teaching that reflects a whole new economy—a new order of things and way of salvation—that revolves around Christ rather than Artemis.”
Christopher R. Hutson in First and Second Timothy and Titus (PCNT; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2019) 32, and Luke Timothy Johnson, The First and Second Letters to Timothy: A New Translation and Introduction (AB35A; New York: Doubleday, 2001) 164.
I have appreciated the many responses from people to my recent posts.
This excerpt from my paper delivered this week in Amsterdam aims to define a multifaceted phrase: economy of God in the faith.
The proverbial orders to Timothy to remain in Ephesus relate to teaching people how to live.
For them, life revolved around money and the goddess. Now, in God’s economy or order of things, it needs to revolve around Christ. Around what does your life revolve?
If it relates to working so many years, making money and then retiring, I have news for you.
That’s the “economy of this world” thinking. Don’t go there. Economy of God thinking puts God in the center, walks in obedience, and lets Him sort everything better than you can.
If this sounds too countercultural or too hard. Try it anyway.
I leave you with the words of G.K. Chesterton. “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”