1 Timothy 4:9-16
9: It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.
10: For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
11: Prescribe and teach these things.
11: Prescribe and teach these things.
12: Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
13: Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
14: Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
13: Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
14: Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
15: Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
16: Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
What Paul just said in the prior verses is a trustworthy statement—that godliness is profitable both in this life and the one to come, and that it is important to remain true to sound doctrine. This is why the apostles labored. This is why they suffered through the hardship they did—because their hope was fixed on the loving God. It was all worth it to them. God and His gospel, His salvation, was worthy of anything they might have suffered on earth. Jesus is potentially the Savior of everyone, but especially those who believe. Only those who believe will benefit from the salvation Jesus Christ provided for all.
Paul told Timothy that these were the things he was to teach; not the useless, worldly fables that the false teachers were promoting. Paul told him not to let anyone despise his youth, and for him to conduct himself in such a way as to show his maturity in Christ. Not arrogantly of course, but to be an example of how believers in Christ are to behave. In all ways—words, motives, and actions.
Paul told Timothy to read the Scripture publicly, and to exhort and teach until Paul came. The Old Testament Scripture was read in light of the Messiah—Jesus Christ—having come. The New Testament gospels and epistles eventually became regarded as Scripture as well. Paul had instructed the Thessalonians to read his letter to all the brethren (1 Thessalonians 5:27) and the Colossians to read and exchange letters with the Laodiceans (Colossians 4:16). The Scripture was read and taught publicly, and of course privately.
Paul encouraged Timothy not to neglect the gift of God given to him by the presbytery when hands were laid on him, most likely to ordain him or set him apart for ministry. He was to keep the gift kindled and alive, and pay close attention to himself and his teaching. He was to persevere, so his salvation and the salvation of those who heard him would be ensured. We all need to take care and watch what we are thinking, listening to, and being led or instructed by. We also need to pay attention to what kind of example and influence we are having over others.
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What Paul just said in the prior verses is a trustworthy statement—that godliness is profitable both in this life and the one to come, and that it is important to remain true to sound doctrine. This is why the apostles labored. This is why they suffered through the hardship they did—because their hope was fixed on the loving God. It was all worth it to them. God and His gospel, His salvation, was worthy of anything they might have suffered on earth. Jesus is potentially the Savior of everyone, but especially those who believe. Only those who believe will benefit from the salvation Jesus Christ provided for all.
Paul told Timothy that these were the things he was to teach; not the useless, worldly fables that the false teachers were promoting. Paul told him not to let anyone despise his youth, and for him to conduct himself in such a way as to show his maturity in Christ. Not arrogantly of course, but to be an example of how believers in Christ are to behave. In all ways—words, motives, and actions.
Paul told Timothy to read the Scripture publicly, and to exhort and teach until Paul came. The Old Testament Scripture was read in light of the Messiah—Jesus Christ—having come. The New Testament gospels and epistles eventually became regarded as Scripture as well. Paul had instructed the Thessalonians to read his letter to all the brethren (1 Thessalonians 5:27) and the Colossians to read and exchange letters with the Laodiceans (Colossians 4:16). The Scripture was read and taught publicly, and of course privately.
Paul encouraged Timothy not to neglect the gift of God given to him by the presbytery when hands were laid on him, most likely to ordain him or set him apart for ministry. He was to keep the gift kindled and alive, and pay close attention to himself and his teaching. He was to persevere, so his salvation and the salvation of those who heard him would be ensured. We all need to take care and watch what we are thinking, listening to, and being led or instructed by. We also need to pay attention to what kind of example and influence we are having over others.
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