1 Timothy 4:11

These things command and teach.

In the first part of his letter Paul had summarized the doctrine of the Gospel, reaching the climax of his exposition in the burst of poetry with which he closed the third chapter. Timothy is now to pass the information on: in laying this before the brethren, thou wilt be an excellent minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed till now. Herein the office of Timothy consisted, and herein the office of all true pastors consists, that they teach the brethren, all the Christians entrusted to their care, the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, the Catechism truths. The subsidiary doctrines must indeed be treated also, but only in so far as they serve the fundamentals. By teaching first things first, by keeping the basic doctrines of the Bible before the Christians at all times, pastors prove themselves excellent servants of Christ Jesus, whose ministry accords with the precepts of the Lord of the Church. The Lord takes pleasure in their work and blesses it accordingly. Such a minister, furthermore, is nourished in the words of faith and of good doctrine. The words of faith, the words of Holy Scripture that teach faith, the doctrine of the Gospel, that is the daily spiritual food of every true pastor, in the use of which he must apply untiring diligence. The matter really should require little urging, since the words of the Gospel are those of a fine, excellent doctrine, which assures all sinners of the full and free forgiveness of all their sins through the atonement of Jesus. Only he that unceasingly receives the comfort and the strength of this doctrine is able to impart some of it to others. Timothy had followed the course of this doctrine, he had yielded a ready obedience to its instruction, he had made his whole conduct and life agree with its precepts. Thus he had a firm foundation in faith and love, and could therefore preach the doctrine of faith with conviction.

The apostle, in this connection, finds it profitable to repeat his warning of chap. 1:4 in a slightly different form: But the profane and old women's fables avoid. Fables, or myths, are not only stories that were invented, but especially doctrines and expositions, additions and traditions, that were the product of the false teachers. The Judaizing errorists were so firmly addicted to fantastic ideas and useless argumentation after the manner of the Talmud that they seemed to find it impossible to break away from their influence. But the introduction of such subject-matter into the Church invariably reacts upon the proclamation of the divine truth as contained in the Gospel, thus profaning its holy content. Besides, the employment of a minister of God with such trifles, with such old women's talk, as the apostle designates the speculations of the false teachers, is unworthy of the Christian pastor's calling. Therefore Timothy should avoid them, refuse to discuss them at all. In all cases of human doctrines and speculation it is the best plan to ignore their foolishness, and to give the errorists the good advice that they study the Bible as the inspired Word of God. Timothy could spend his time and strength to better advantage: Rather exercise thyself unto godliness. Just as he took care to obtain the proper strength through daily use of the spiritual food offered in the Word of God, so he should be careful to train his spiritual ability by such exercises as tended to confirm and to deepen true piety in his heart, Philippians 2:12. The word used by the apostle implies a ceaseless activity in self-denial, in self-command, exercise in the various Christian virtues. If all these are practiced without self-righteous enthusiasm, the chances are that a proper reverence of God, as shown in a holy life, will result.

In connection with this admonition the apostle continues: For bodily exercise is of little value; godliness, on the other hand, has value for all things, having the promise of the present life and of that to come. Training of the body indeed has its value, it may be of great assistance in the exercise of many virtues, since the old maxim of a sound mind in a sound body holds good also in the life of the Christians. But in comparison with that other training which the apostle here urges, its secondary position must at all times be emphasized; for godliness, true piety, is of value at all times and under all circumstances. The strengthening of faith, of love, of hope, of patience, of all Christian virtues takes place at the same rate as its growth. Real contentment, true happiness, can be found only where piety is at home. This value, which follows the exercise of godliness, is so great for the reason, as St. Paul writes, that the promise which the Lord has given it includes the present life as well as that which is still in the future. We have the promise of God in His Word that He will give eternal life, with all the blessings included in this life, also in this world, as a reward of grace to the believers. To those that love Him God has promised all the things which they need for the present life; but the greatest and most glorious blessing is that which Christ has earned for all men through His vicarious suffering and death salvation, eternal life, with joy in His presence forevermore. And lest Timothy and the Christians of all time overlook the emphasis of this admonition, the apostle adds: Trustworthy is this word and worthy of all acceptance. His urgent exhortation should be heeded at all times, should serve as a spur to all disciples of Christ to make progress in true holiness.

But there is another reason which the apostle urges in order to bring about a faithful observance of all the duties of the Christian ministry on the part of Timothy: To this end, namely, we toil and strive, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of the believers. Command these things and teach them. With perfection in godliness as the goal before their eyes at all times, the apostle, Timothy, and all ministers of the Gospel are most seriously concerned about the welfare of their souls Paul wants no gap to be found in his training, he wants to be ready to throw every ounce of his strength into the battle for Christ and the Gospel at the proper time. And this he does because his hope rests in the living God, 1 Corinthians 15:19; 2 Corinthians 1:10, who is the Source of all life. He thus has a firm and immovable foundation for the hope of his faith. Every believer whose confidence rests in the Lord, who receives life and strength from Him, will also have courage to meet all the conditions which may offer themselves in his life, and strength to overcome all attacks of his enemies. His faith rests in the Lord, who is the Savior of all men, who wants all men to be saved, whose gracious will extends over all mankind. If the apostle is obliged to add: "Above all of the believers," it is not because God does not desire the salvation of the unbelievers just as seriously as that of the believers, but because the latter deliberately and maliciously reject the offered grace of God. This is the reason why the gracious will of God for the salvation of all men is actually realized only in the case of the believers, and He is thus chiefly the Savior of the believers. This entire doctrine of justification and sanctification Timothy was to transmit to the souls entrusted to his care, and that with all emphasis; he should command and teach. Only by constant teaching, repetition, admonition, and application is it possible to gain a satisfactory knowledge of the Christian doctrine and to make a perfect use of it in life.