BE A GOOD MINISTER OF CHRIST JESUS

Passage: 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Key verse: 6

NIV

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(A) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(B) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(C) rather, train yourself to be godly.(D) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(E) holding promise for both the present life(F) and the life to come.(G) This is a trustworthy saying(H) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(I) who is the Savior of all people,(J) and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.(K) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(L) because you are young, but set an example(M) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(N) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(O) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(P) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(Q) when the body of elders(R) laid their hands on you.(S)

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(T) both yourself and your hearers.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

(A)If you put these things before the brothers,[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have (B)followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, (C)silly myths. Rather (D)train yourself for godliness; for while (E)bodily training is of some value, godliness (F)is of value in every way, as (G)it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is (H)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive,[b] because we have our hope set on the living God, (I)who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach (J)these things. 12 (K)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers (L)an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 (M)Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you (N)by prophecy when the council of elders (O)laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[c] so that (P)all may see your progress. 16 (Q)Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save (R)both yourself and (S)your hearers.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
  2. 1 Timothy 4:10 Some manuscripts and suffer reproach
  3. 1 Timothy 4:15 Greek be in them

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Train yourself to be godly (6-1 ). A good minister directs and nourishes God's people with God's truth. But this requires training one's self to be godly, avoiding myths and old wives' tales, focusing on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching one received. Exercise keeps our body healthy, to be ready for what comes. But godliness has value for all things. We need to take responsibility for our spiritual health, training to be aware of and imitate God. 2. Set a good example (11-16) If the good minister is growing in the faith, they are able to give a good example. True leadership comes from example and influence, not position or charisma. But this requires diligence and wholeheartedness, as well as transparency, so all will see the progress. To avoid hypocrisy, we must watch that faith and doctrine are aligned; that we practice what we preach. Doing so saves ourselves and our hearers.

Prayer: Father, thank you for good example. Help me train myself to be godly, a good minister.

One Word: A good minister gives a good example