1 Timothy 4:6-16·~1 min

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

Paul says Timothy will be a good servant of Christ Jesus by setting these things before the brothers and by being nourished on the words of faith and sound teaching. He is to reject silly myths, train for godliness, and labor with hope in the living God, because godliness holds promise for the present life and the life to come.

B⁶y pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed. ⁷But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. ⁸For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. ⁹This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance. ¹⁰To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.

Paul tells Timothy to command and teach these things and not let anyone despise his youth. Instead, he is to become an example to the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

¹¹Command and teach these things. ¹²Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Until Paul comes, Timothy is to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching, and not neglect the gift given through prophecy and the laying on of hands. He is to practice these things openly and persevere in both life and teaching, because that perseverance bears saving fruit for himself and his hearers.

¹³Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. ¹⁵Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ¹⁶Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Section summaryPaul tells Timothy that by setting these truths before the brothers he will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by sound instruction. He must reject myths, train for godliness, and labor in hope because the living God is the Savior of all, especially believers. Paul then urges him to teach with authority, model the life he commends, devote himself to Scripture, exhortation, and teaching, steward his gift carefully, and persevere in life and doctrine.

Role in the chapterThis closing section shows what faithful ministry looks like in response to error. Timothy's answer is not only to refute false teaching, but to become a visible example of truth-shaped life and sustained teaching.