What’s Cooking?
Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue after righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Youthful Lusts – A look at the Greek text provides a better picture of Paul’s warning. First, the Greek text says, “And the youthful lusts.” The inclusion of the definite article tells us that Paul has a particular list in mind, not a general sort of category. So we need to ask, “What are these youthful lusts and why are they called ‘youthful’?” After all, I’m well past the age of youthful so maybe Paul’s warning doesn’t apply to me. In fact, by first century standards, I should already be dead. That would spare me all this struggle, wouldn’t it?
What is particularly characteristic of the lusts of youth as opposed to the lusts of old age? Well, we might reflect on our own younger days to notice the changes. Somewhere near the top of the list must be sex. The desire for sexual pleasure comes to life like a raging bull in those early years. It slays every inhibition, including the rational consideration of consequences. Certainly Paul had this one on the list.
Along with sex must come the lust for possessions. Time after time I have noticed that those who do not yet have are driven to possess as soon as possible. It takes some life experience to realize that having it all is just another form of imprisonment. It takes even more to realize that accumulation is not the goal.
Invulnerability is symptom of the lust of power in young people. By the time we have suffered accidents, health issues and some aging, we are more than aware of the fragile nature of life. But youth are immune to commonsense, believing that they are more than capable of handling whatever life dishes out. This leads to severely inflated egos and a general disregard for the wisdom of elders.
With a bit more reflection, I am sure you can add a few additional youthful lusts. Perhaps money (but that is usually a substitute for power) or self-sufficiency or external attractiveness could be added. Along the way, it’s worth considering how many of these signs of youth (read immaturity) are still the drivers of those past the half-century mark. Some of us really don’t want to grow up, do we?
The Greek words (tas neoterikas epithumias) describes those actions and attitudes that “boil over” in young men and women. Unfortunately, some of these continue to simmer into old age. Notice that Paul contrasts everything on the list with righteousness, faith, love and peace. We can use James’ negative theology to identify Paul’s positive list. Whatever isn’t righteousness, faith, love and peace is probably sitting in a pot on the fire. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes too hot to handle.
Ah, there’s one other thing to note. Pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace is a communal enterprise (“with those”). While the youthful lusts may belong to individual hubris, none of the characteristics of God can be pursued alone. Age helps us realize that we need each other. Perhaps that’s one more to add to the list – the lust of doing what I want when I want with who I want – the “no rules” and no responsibility view of those too young to understand the difference between animal and human being.
Topical Index: youthful lusts, tas neoterikas epithumias, 2 Timothy 2:22
Being among the elderly, I can sure see what Skip is describing in my adult children and grand children. What is a little more difficult is admitting to some of those things of which I have not outgrown. Wo is me. Paul speaks to me and sometimes I do not want to listen. The one thing, however, that I have become accutlely aware of is how much I and others need each other for accountability, for relating, for manifesting the traits God would have us to cultivate. Thanks, Skip, for reminding me of the continual need to grow up.
Shalom,
This past Shabbat a discussion arose regarding just two of the distinct purposes of Torah and it was framed in the exact context which Skip comments upon.
We have discussed in the past many times how Torah is about purpose … personal, communal and imperial. Important to note is that personal submission and obedience to these mitzvot does indeed represent the fleeing from “sin”. When we flee we don’t just take off like a chicken with it’s head cut off … rather we turn or in some cases re-turn to the “terms of endearment” established by our Lord and Master.
But we noted that getting away from the sin by itself does not really satisfy the purpose of Torah does it? Fleeing from the sin really does not necessarily mean spreading the light as a witness to the glory and loving kindness of the creator. We need to move beyond survive and get to thrive!
Often we forget that Torah was given to Israel (the chosen people) not just so they would spread this light to all nations but so that they would also be recognized by the nations of the world. Israel (natural and grafted in branches) is the servant and witness. But Israel is not a person it is a community … an entity … people belonging to the kingdom which is here and now.
Sadly …. as we discussed …. most of the grafted in Israelites are separated and struggling with the “spreading the kingdom” purpose simply because it is something that is just not meant to be an individual endeavor. It is meant to be a family, a neighborhood, a town and kingdom affair … and for many of us we need to commute to another state just to find a community that even keeps Shabbat and acknowledges the purpose of Torah in the lives of man-kind!
But some day this will change! 🙂