Welcome to the Riches of Christ commentary on the book of 1 Timothy 4 vs 13.
We will begin with a little foundation on the books of Timothy, the Life of Timothy, and how he met Apostle Paul.
The books of 1st and 2nd Timothy are Pastoral Letters written by the Apostle Paul.
1st Timothy is the first Letter Paul wrote to Timothy at Ephesus and shortly after this, he must have been arrested and taken back to Rome as a Prisoner, where he wrote the second letter to Timothy.
Timothy was born at Lystra and had a Greek Father and a Jewish Mother who taught him the Scriptures from childhood.
When Paul came to Lystra on his second missionary journey, he enlisted Timothy who was associated with Paul till the end of his Ministry, Acts 16 vs 1 – 3).
Timothy himself was finally imprisoned but later released, Hebrews 13 vs 23.
1 Timothy Chapter 1 talks about the personal life of Apostle Paul and how he was walking in ignorance but the mercy and grace of Christ Jesus rescued him.
He also warned believers to keep away from fables, myths, and endless genealogies for they cannot save a man, and therefore advised Timothy to wage a good warfare by holding on to the Gospel which is Christ alone that can save.
1 Timothy Chapter 2 to Chapter 3 were instructions for the Church like responsibilities and Character of Church Leaders, godliness, Christian conduct, and the Character of God regarding Salvation, etc.
Let’s now move over to 1 Timothy 4.
WHAT DOES 1 TIMOTHY 4 TEACH US
1 Timothy 4 teaches us to be watchful against false doctrine spread by Professional liars who do not know Christ or have abandoned the Gospel and embraced another Gospel.
This Paul warned in Galatians saying let him be accursed, Galatians 1 vs 6 – 9.
Paul highlighted that their consciences were dead and further admonished Timothy to keep on with the true teachings of the Gospel that he received.
This Gospel was called “the mystery of godliness” in the book of Timothy. So, what is godliness according to the Scriptures:
He (God) made visible in human flesh, justified by the Spirit, was seen by angels, and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory, 1 Timothy 3 vs 16.
John tells us that anyone who denies that God didn’t come in the flesh is an antichrist.
1 John 4:2-3:
“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”
2 John 1:7:
“I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
These passages emphasize the importance of early Christian teaching of affirming that Jesus Christ truly became incarnate as a human being.
Apostle John’s letters were countering early heresies that denied Christ’s physical embodiment.
You now see why Paul told Timothy to wage the good warfare of preserving the Gospel, see 1 Timothy 4 vs 7: Do not waste time arguing about godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself or exercise yourself unto godliness.
We can now confidently say godliness is the “Gospel message”.
Another important lesson in 1 Timothy 4 that we can’t ignore is the importance of reading.
THE IMPORTANCE OF READING
Our bible text is 1 Timothy 4:13 – Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (KJV)
1 Timothy 4 vs 13 (Amplified version): Till I come, devote yourself to (public and private) reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine.
1 Timothy 4 vs 13 (New Living Translation): Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
1 Timothy 4 vs 13 (NIV): Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching.
To truly understand and interpret scriptures, reading is involved. This means you have to be a diligent student of the Bible for this is what we are called to do, this is the Believer’s custom.
In today’s world, there are two basic types of reading; Intensive reading involves the learner reading in detail with specific learning tasks while extensive reading involves the learner reading for enjoyment and to develop general habits.
Oftentimes, we find ourselves applying texts without trying to find out their meaning.
Reading is beyond glancing at a verse and merely giving it your intended meaning.
The art of Bible reading takes the narrative of a school (academic) it is intensive, rigorous, concentrated, and comprehensive.
Reading is a vital aspect of the Christian faith. When reading is rushed or assumed, the meaning is lost, and where this happens, true worship is obstructed.
Reading is so emphasized that Paul instructed Timothy, a minister of the gospel, and a bible teacher to give attendance to READING.
When Paul told Timothy to “give attendance” means, to pay attention to, to apply oneself, to adhere, and to have regard.
Thus, the reading of scriptures must not be done frivolously or in a lackadaisical manner.
He spoke about the importance of reading also in his letter to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 3:3-4, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ”.
Paul wrote to them so that it (the epistle) could be read. It must be read. The essence was for them to READ and UNDERSTAND.
The word “read” means, a continual reading or to keep reading. It would thus mean – to read properly, to pay attention to details as you read.
In historical times, it was a reference (applied) for judges when they read their judgment on matters of justice brought before them.
It was also referenced to relive an experience. When Paul said to the church at Ephesus can be better understood as “As you keep reading, you may understand”.
Paul, again pointed out that understanding is related to how dutiful we are in reading.
Therefore, the believer has a duty not just to have read the scriptures but to keep reading the same.
Furthermore, Reading must be deliberate; it must be planned and consistent. Bible reading is not what we do in our idle time but what we make time to do.
If we relegate bible reading to our idle time, we may not get time in some of the days to read.
Reading should not be just a glance but reading for understanding which requires intensive reading.
We must assure ourselves of understanding when we read. This is when we pay attention to details.
Understanding comes by reading. Reading calls for discipline. We shall always have what spears as good reasons for not reading the bible at a particular period.
We need to start now. Let’s attend to reading the scriptures.
Below are other references to reading the scriptures:
Mathew 21:42:
Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.
Matthew 12:3-5:
Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
He went to the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat.
And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the temple may work on the Sabbath?
Mathew 19:4-5:
Haven’t you read the Scriptures? Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female ‘.
And he said, this explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
WHAT IS THE MORAL LESSON OF 1 TIMOTHY 4 VS 12?
1 Timothy 4 vs 12 says: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
The moral lesson here is this: Never think you are too young to engage with the Scriptures and in matters regarding the Gospel.
Jesus and Timothy started at a young age. Understanding the Gospel message will enable you to walk in love, build your faith, affect your confession, and show you God has made you holy and accepted.
1 TIMOTHY 4 VS 16 MEANING
1 Timothy 4 vs 16: Take heed unto thyself; and unto the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.
Here, Paul admonished Timothy to pay attention to Doctrine (teachings regarding Christ), not his message, and to continue in the Gospel for in doing so, he will save himself and those who listen to him.
Paul warned the believers several times in the Epistles to guard the Gospel which they have received from being perverted.
Acts 2 vs 42: tells us that the Church continued steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine.
You would agree with me that the Present Church should also continue in the Apostles Doctrine so we can all enjoy all the benefits of redemption.
Halleluiah!
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
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