Introduction
The word “resilience” has gained widespread recognition for its role in describing how
mankind has adapted positively despite facing difficulties. In their book, Biblical and
Theological Visions of Resilience: Pastoral and Clinical Insights, authors Nathan White and
Christopher Cook state that, “Resilience dates back to biblical times, with early Christians
employing various physical and spiritual techniques to sustain their mental and physical well-
being amidst challenges.”1 This paper will aim to show the idea of what makes a person more
resilient and how chaplains can promote resilience and enhance their care within their role as a
chaplain, and how it is essential to what has become an ever-growing concern among chaplains
in ministry today.
Author Ron Immink, in his book titled Resilience, defines the word resilience as being “the
capability to bounce-back quickly from challenges.”2 As chaplains, we must be able to learn how
to be resilient and face the many challenges that we are going to face during our time in ministry.
From the military perspective, military chaplains may have to encounter a lot of pushbacks from
their chain-of-command, whether that be not allowing funding for items that you may need for
your chapel ministry, or not being willing to fund essential marriage retreats. In 2 Timothy 2:1-
10 (NKJV), the Apostle Paul encourages Timothy as he prepares for ministry and the challenges
that he would face: “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the
things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who
will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus
Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may
1 Christopher Cook and Nathan H White, Biblical and Theological Visions of Resilience:
Pastoral and Clinical Insights (London, UK: Routledge, 2019), 20.
2 Ron Immink, Resilience (Cork, IE: Oak Tree Press, 2018), 3.
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please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not
crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to
partake of the crops Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my
gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God
is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
The Description of 1 Timothy 4:6-11
From a chaplain’s perspective, 1 Timothy 4:6-11 (NKJV) is essential to showing resilience in
the ministry. The Apostle Paul states, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a
good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you
have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward
godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having
promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy
of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, who is the Savior of all
men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach.”
Chapter One of 1 Timothy begins with the words, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the
commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, To Timothy, a true son in
the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” Because of
the way that 1 Timothy starts out, many scholars have concluded that the Apostle Paul was the
author of 1 Timothy. In his New Testament commentary on 1 Timothy, John MacArthur notes
that 1 Timothy belongs to the series of Pastoral Epistles authored by the Apostle Paul.3 The title
3 John MacArthur, First Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago, IL:
Moody Publishers, 1995), 14.
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of this Epistle is derived from its intended audience, Timothy, who pastored the church in
Ephesus as we see in 1 Timothy 1:3 (NKJV) which reads, “As I urged you when I went into
Macedonia – remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine”.
Following his release from prison, the Apostle Paul returned to several churches that he had
served with, including the church of Ephesus, where he would observe, firsthand, some of the
challenges that the church was facing. In verse 3, we see that the Apostle Paul entrusted Timothy
with the task of remaining in Ephesus and addressing these challenges while he would travel into
Macedonia. MacArthur notes that around A.D. 62-66, the Apostle Paul wrote the letter of 1
Timothy, offering Timothy clear guidance of how to navigate the challenges of ministry that he
would face while evangelizing the Gospel.4
In 1 Timothy 4, we see the Apostle Paul warning Timothy about the rise of the false teachings
and doctrines that would lead believers astray. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the need for
Timothy to remain steadfast in his faith and to diligently teach God’s Word. Applying 1 Timothy
4 to my chaplain prison ministry today, it is important that I stay resilient by ensuring that no
matter what opposition comes my way, I will remain steadfast in my doctrine and my faith in
God. A clear example of some opposition that I am currently facing right now within the military
prison, is that I am facing pushback on the issue of LGBTQ, which has become a growing
problem within ministry. As a man of God, who was raised where to acknowledge that marriage
was supposed to be between 1 man and 1 woman, as Ephesians 5:31 states, “For this reason a
man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one
flesh.” While preaching the Gospel to some of the military prisoners, I was explaining how we
need to be careful in today’s modern society when dealing with this idea of marriage between 1
man and 1 wife. A few of the prisoners did not take the preaching well and have been trying to
4 Ibid., 14.
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complain to the higher-ups. I explained to the prisoners that as a man of God with a strong,
Biblical conviction to love the sinner but hate the sin as Ezekiel 33:11 (NKJV) reminds us of
when it says, “Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of
the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For
why should you die, O house of Israel?’”
The Prescription of 1 Timothy 4:6-11
Being a chaplain in today’s modern-day society, we will face numerous challenges during our
ministry, but be able remain resilient and patient for the cause of evangelizing the Gospel for
Jesus. In Timothy 2:24-26, the Apostle Paul reminds us of this when he says, “And a servant of
the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those
who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the
truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been
taken captive by him to do his will.” Paul encourages the chaplain that by remaining resilient to
the cause of Jesus Christ, that he would remain a “good minister of Jesus Christ” by not falling
prey to the devil’s attacks that will come. Paul also shows, in verse 7, the importance of having
spiritual exercise when he says, “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself
toward godliness.” As chaplains, we must remain vigilant and when the devils’ attacks come, we
must look to God for strength to overcome the attacks. Many times, I find myself having to stop
and get on my hands and knees and cry out to God to give me the strength to get through the
difficult circumstances that I am facing. Paul also encourages the chaplain to continue diligently
studying the Word of God. By studying the Scriptures daily, we can become better equipped to
handle the challenges that will come our way.
Conclusion
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In conclusion, as chaplains in ministry today, we need to carefully consider the circumstances
which were outlined by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:6-11. Paul reminds us that we need to
remain physically and spiritually disciplined so that we can better navigate the challenges that
will arise as we evangelize the Gospel. Looking at all the problems going on in the world today,
such as “pastors” spreading false doctrine and the constant growing hatred for Jesus and the
Gospel, it is very easy to get caught up and be discouraged. I find encouragement in the end of 1
Timothy 4:12-16 (NKJV), where the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Let no one despise your youth,
but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I
come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you,
which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on
these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed
to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself
and those who hear you.” As we press on for the cause of Christ, we need to remember to
remain steadfast in our Calling to the Ministry and know that our reward is not here on earth but
is in Heaven.
Bibliography
Cook, Christopher, and Nathan H White. Biblical and Theological Visions of Resilience:
Pastoral and Clinical Insights. London, UK: Routledge, 2019.
Immink, Ron. Resilience. Cork, IE: Oak Tree Press, 2018.
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