DEVOTE YOURSELF TO TEACHING

Passage: 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Key verse: 7

NIV

6 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) 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(C) rather, train yourself to be godly.(D) 8 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) 9 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

6 (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. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, (C)silly myths. Rather (D)train yourself for godliness; 8 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. 9 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

Paul charges Timothy to teach the believers the word of God carefully. The church was led astray by false teachers who taught them to deny themselves physically by not eating certain foods and not marrying. Paul teaches that though physical discipline has some merit, real spiritual training that builds people up in the word of God is of more value. Bible study requires commitment and discipline to come to the word of God regularly to read it, study it, and grow in the word. This training has great value in this life and the life to come. The ministry of the word is worth our labor to bring salvation to all people who are lost and dying.

At the same time, Timothy faces a tough battle to restore the church due to his youth. The other leaders and false teachers in the church in Ephesus are older, richer, and more successful. Still, he must not let anyone look down on him. By devoting himself to Bible teaching and persevering as a role model in his personal life, Timothy could win over believers and in the battle against false teaching.

Prayer: Father, help me to devote myself to Bible teaching and living according to your word. Help me to challenge the culture with your truth.

One Word: Devote yourself to teaching the word