Growing in the Word (1 Timothy 4:11-13)

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The emphasis is clearly on the Word of God understood and applied.

  1. Dwell on biblical teaching and godliness.
    • 4:11. The ‘these things’ could look back to verses 6-10, but it is probably looking ahead, as in the paragraphing of the ESV and NIV. Paul wants Timothy to persevere and be authoritative.
  2. Overcome critics by a good example.
    • 4:12. In the second century, Irenaeus said that one was considered to be young up until the age of forty. William Pitt the Younger became Prime Minister of Britain in 1783 at the age of 24. Charles Spurgeon was virtually the pastor of a Baptist congregation at Waterbeach at the age of sixteen. Timothy must have been over 35, and possibly 40.
    • They will not look down on your youth if they must look up to your example. Peter says something similar – 1 Peter 5:3. Paul lists five areas (the NKJV has six, with the addition of the word ‘spirit’). The five areas are:
      1. Speech or word.
      2. Conduct.
      3. Love. See Col.3:14.
      4. Faith. This is day-to-day faith in all the circumstances of life.
      5. Purity – a guarding of heart and mind.
  3. Focus on the public ministry of the Word.
    • 4:13. Paul addresses Timothy in strong language: ‘Devote yourself’.
      1. The public reading of Scripture – Neh.8:8; Luke 4:16-21; Acts 13:15; Col.4:16; 1 Thess.5:27; 1 Peter 4:11. Entertainment is in vogue everywhere today.
      2. Exhortation. Calvin: ‘Exhortation must be added to give life to our teaching, so that it is fresh and able to arouse us as it should.’
      3. Teaching. Calvin: ‘undoubtedly, the Scripture is the foundation of all wisdom, from which pastors must draw all that they place before their flock.’