Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:12 - 4:16

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:12 - 4:16


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Timothy's spiritual growth:

v. 12. 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.

v. 13. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

v. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

v. 15. Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all.

v. 16. Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self, and them that hear thee.

The rules of conduct which the apostle here gives not only retain their interest, but also their full value to this day, and should be heeded by both pastors and hearers. A very important point is that made in the first admonition: Let no one despise thy youth, but set thyself as an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Timothy was at that time probably somewhat over thirty years old, thus being still regarded, especially in comparison with the apostle, as a young man. The admonition of Paul, therefore, although implying that a congregation owes due reverence to its pastors as God's representatives, is meant principally for Timothy. He should at all times comport himself in such a manlier as to give no one occasion to despise his youthfulness. How this may be done the apostle himself indicates by bidding him become, set himself as, an example of the believers. In full accordance with the dignity of his office and with the authority vested in him, his behavior should serve as an example to all Christian brethren. Whenever he spoke or taught, it was to be done with the consciousness that all men mere looking upon him as the teacher of the congregation, and that he must avoid all offense. The same was true in his daily conduct and life, where the people would expect him to practice what he preached. The wise pastor will keep this in remembrance at all times and therefore avoid even the appearance of evil and the giving of offense in matters indifferent, where this can be done without denial of the truth. In this way some of the great virtues may well be practiced, especially love and faith. Wherever true faith is found, the certainty of salvation resting in Christ Jesus, there its chief fruit will be love toward God and one's neighbor. Particularly in the case of the Christian minister the hearers must be able to notice and to feel that his knowledge is not a mere understanding of the mind, but a conviction of the heart. If a preacher is persuaded of this fact, then this faith will be reflected in his entire behavior in his ministry; his every act Till be an expression of the verse: "The love of Christ constraints us. " in that case also purity, cleanness of the soul in every respect, will be found. All laxity of morals in a preacher reacts upon his entire office and upon his whole congregation. A minister cannot be too careful in preserving his heart and mind unsullied from all forms of impurity.

In order to reach this ideal, however, to maintain the high standard demanded by the Word of God, one thing is necessary: Till I come, attend to thy reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. The apostle intended to visit or meet his pupil as soon as possible, but the arrangements had not yet been completed. Meanwhile, Timothy was to be actively engaged in the work of his calling, he was to give his entire attention to three functions of his office, reading, exhortation, and doctrine. The reading may refer to the public reciting or declaiming of the prescribed lessons from the Old Testament, but here probably at least includes Timothy's personal study. For his own person lie was to be most diligent in the study of the Holy Scriptures: he was ever to broaden and deepen his knowledge and understanding. And of the knowledge thus gained he was to make proper use and application in the work of his office, both in individual exhortation, in pastoral care, and in public teaching, in his sermons before the whole congregation. These three parts of a minister's work are still the most important in his office and should at all times be given the attention they deserve as such Or, as Luther puts it: "Watch, study, attend to reading! Pray, read, study, be diligent! Truly, there is no time to idle, to snore, and to sleep in this bad and wicked age. Use the gift which has been entrusted to you and reveal the mystery of Christ!"

This thought the apostle carries out more fully in writing: Do not neglect the gift of grace in thee, which was given thee through prophecy with laying on of hands of the presbytery. At the time when Timothy had been ordained for the ministerial office, he had received a special gift of grace, namely, that of teaching, of presenting matters of the Word of God clearly. Through prophecy this gift had come to him. Having learned the prophetic sections of the Word of God from his youth and having received further instruction in the Scriptures from Paul, especially also as to the Gospel-message, Timothy had been declared fully prepared for the office of a teacher in the Church. This declaration of his fitness had been made in the presence of the assembled congregation. The laying on of hands by the members of the presbytery at Lystra was therefore largely, if not entirely, symbolical. Thus Timothy was called and inducted into office, the Lord incidentally giving him the cheerful confidence and boldness to preach the Word without fear.

The apostle considers this point, that Timothy make use of the gift of teaching which he possessed with all diligence, of such importance that he summarizes: Practice these things, be wrapped up in them, that your progress may be open to all. These matters, study, exhortation, teaching, were to be Timothy's first care, they must be the prime concern of every true pastor. So assiduously was Timothy to attend to the work of his office, in doctrine and in life, that he would be entirely absorbed in them, in holly wrapped up in them, forgetting all other considerations. The minister that expects pleasure and an easy life in his office, that is always complaining and sighing for work of a different kind, has an altogether wrong conception of the highest of all offices. Only a complete and all absorbing devotion will satisfy the dignity and glory of this calling. In that case, however, the progress of the pastor in his work is bound to be noticed by his hearers as well as by others; it is the only proper may in which he may let his light shine, to the glory of Him who has counted him worthy of the grace to preach the unsearchable riches of God.

The apostle now concludes with the admonition: Attend to thyself and to the doctrine, continue herein; for in doing this thou wilt save as well thyself as those that hear thee. This verse would serve as an excellent motto for every minister. He that would teach others must begin with himself, must watch over his own person, over his every word and act. Incidentally, a faithful pastor, after the example of Timothy, cannot be too careful in preparing the matter which he uses in his public teaching. Every ambiguous, and above all, every false expression, must be avoided; vigilance in this point cannot be too strict. It is a case of restless, tireless watchfulness, of attending to these things, of heeding them always and always again. But the goal that is held out before the faithful pastor is certainly worth the most strenuous efforts, for, in the first place, it aids toward his own salvation, as a reward of grace, of course, not of merit. A faithful pastor searching the Word of God day by day, taking care of all the work of his office with loving devotion, will soon find that his trust in God and his certainty of salvation will be strengthened mightily, enabling him to overcome every attack of the old Evil Foe and to remain steadfast in his faith till the end. And the same wonderful object he will bring about in the case of many of his hearers. It is true, indeed, that many people hear with their ears only and do not accept the truth of God with their hearts. But where the entire counsel of God for the salvation of men is proclaimed with all faithfulness and in all purity, there will always be such as receive the Word with a willing heart and therefore will be kept unto life eternal. That fact is a source of comfort and strength to many a faithful pastor in his responsible work.

Summary.The apostle again discusses the errors of the latter times and then addresses himself to Timothy in words of counsel and admonition as to the work of his office and the preparation which he must continue in order to be an example to his hearers in both doctrine and life.