1 Timothy 4.13-15-Paul Issues Timothy A Command And A Prohibition That Will Advance Him Spiritually
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Sunday July 17, 2011
1 Timothy: 1 Timothy 4:13-15-Paul Issues Timothy A Command And A Prohibition That Will Advance Him Spiritually
Lesson # 92
Please turn in your Bibles to 1 Timothy 4:13.
In 1 Timothy 4:13, the apostle Paul issues another command to his young delegate and fellow pastor-teacher, Timothy.
In this passage, he commands Timothy to continue making it his habit of being occupied with the public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching.
1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. (NASU)
This verse teaches that during the period that Paul is away from Ephesus because of his trip to Macedonia, Timothy is to be occupied with the public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching.
“Give attention” is the verb prosecho, which means “to occupy your mind” and refers to the fact that Timothy must devote all his energy to the public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching and speaks of concentration upon these activities to the exclusion of others activities, which are trivial in comparison.
The present imperative form of the verb indicates that Timothy was already doing this and its force is for Timothy “to continue making it his habit of” being occupied with the public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching.
Paul’s statements in 1 Timothy 1:3 and 4:6 indicate that Timothy was already carrying out this command as well as the others in this epistle.
Thus, the command here to Timothy here in 1 Timothy 4:13, as is the case with the others in this chapter, are simply a reminder to him to continue doing what he and Paul talked about before the latter left for Macedonia.
Furthermore, Paul would not have delegated Timothy such a difficult task as the one in Ephesus unless he felt confident that his young delegate could carry out everything he required of him.
Therefore, the present imperative is simply a reminder to Timothy to continue doing what Paul told him to do before he left for Macedonia.
“The public reading of Scripture” refers to “reading aloud” or “the public reading” of the Old Testament and Paul’s epistles in the local assemblies that met in various homes or school rooms or other public settings in Ephesus.
It refers to the public reading of the Old Testament and Paul’s epistles in the corporate worship setting.
The Jews practiced the reading aloud of Scripture in a public setting in their synagogues (Luke 4:16-17; Acts 13:15; 2 Corinthians 3:14).
Ezra read the Old Testament to the returning Jewish exiles at the water gate in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 8:1-8).
Moses’ final words to Israel included a command for the Law to be read publicly to her when she has assembled to worship the Lord (Deuteronomy 31:11-12).
The apostles incorporated this practice into their corporate worship settings.
“Exhortation” refers to the believer being encouraged by the public reading of the Scriptures to live in a manner worthy of their calling, to grow up to become like Christ.
It refers to the wisdom received from the teaching of the Scriptures and under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.
It manifests itself by encouraging other believers to live according to the Father’s will and can involve not only encouraging but also warning other believers in a humble and loving way when they are going astray from doing the will of God.
This encouragement involves comforting through the Scriptures those believers who have lost love ones or are experiencing suffering whether emotionally or physically.
This public reading of the Scripture can encourage the believer in the sense that it provides help and gives support to them when they are having problems with a certain temptation or with a difficult trial that they are facing.
This encouragement from the Scriptures involves helping the believer deal with a particular burden that is too heavy to bear alone and manifests itself by encouraging the believer when they are depressed, frustrated or grieving.
“Teaching” is referring to teaching church age believers from the Scriptures and the various doctrines contained in them.
It refers to Timothy and the pastors in Ephesus teaching the Christian way of life to the Ephesian Christian community.
It would involve teaching them with regards to their union and identification with Christ.
Also, it would involve teaching them with regards to the character and nature of the Trinity as well as what each member has accomplished on their behalf.
In 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul issues the second prohibition that appears in this final section of First Timothy chapter four, which is 1 Timothy 4:11-16.
In this verse, he commands his young delegate to continue making it his habit of not neglecting the use of his spiritual gift of pastor-teacher, which was confirmed at his ordination through prophetic words with the laying on of hands by the elders.
1 Timothy 4:14 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. (NASU)
“Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you” serves to deny any idea of Timothy neglecting using or exercising his spiritual gift of pastor-teacher.
It denies any idea of Timothy not fulfilling his responsibility of exercising his spiritual gift of pastor-teacher.
It denies any idea of Timothy not fulfilling the four responsibilities of the pastor-teacher, which are the means by which he tends and shepherds the flock of God: (1) Study (2 Tim. 2:15) (2) Teach (1 Tim. 4:13) (3) Pray (Acts 6:1-4). (4) Exemplify the Christian way of life (1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:10).
“Which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance” refers to God the Holy Spirit giving Timothy the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher at the moment of his conversion to Christianity.
It refers to the prophecy that confirmed and identified Timothy as being given the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher by the Holy Spirit at the moment of his conversion.
This took place at his ordination as indicated by the prepositional phrase to follow “with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.”
This prophecy that confirmed and identified to the Christian community and Paul that Timothy possessed the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher divinely authorized Timothy’s ministry on behalf the body of Christ and the Lord.
It told everyone in the Christian community and Paul that Timothy was authorized by the Lord.
This Spirit inspired prophecy confirmed to the Christian community that Timothy was given the gift of pastor-teacher by Him.
“With the laying on of hands by the presbytery” refers to the ceremonial act of ordained pastors laying their hands on those men who possess the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher.
This act indicated that the congregation and the leadership of the church, through the Holy Spirit, were confirming that these men possess the gift of pastor-teacher.
Furthermore, it meant that these men were authorized to serve as overseers as a result of consistently manifesting the qualifications for the overseer over an indefinite period of years (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9).
This idea of laying on of hands is rooted in the Old Testament (Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 34:9).
It was used in Judaism in the ordination of rabbis (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, volume 9, page 429).
“By the presbytery” refers to those pastors who were ordained by other ordained pastors.
1 Timothy 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. (NASU)
“Take pains with these things” refers to Timothy meditating upon Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 4:12-14, which is indicated by the fact that the verb meletao means “to meditate.”
“Be absorbed in them” refers to Timothy living according to Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 4:12-14 since the verb eimi, “be absorbed” means “to live.”
After meditating upon these commands and prohibitions Paul wants Timothy to put these things into practice.
“So that your progress will be evident to all” presents Paul’s purpose for Timothy obeying his two previous commands to continue making it his habit of meditating and living by the two commands and prohibitions that appear in 1 Timothy 4:12-14.
It speaks of Timothy’s spiritual development that is reflected in a greater impact on the Christian community and the unsaved community in Ephesus.
This leads us to the communion service and so therefore, could we have our ushers pass out the communion elements and let us take a few minutes to meditate upon the Lord and prepare ourselves for the Lord’s Supper.
1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way {He took} the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink {it} in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. (NASU)