1 Timothy 4:11-13

THE TRUE SERVICE OF GOD. 1 Timothy 4:11-16

a.

In Public Life 1 Timothy 4:11-13

Text 4:11-13

11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.

Thought Questions 4:11-13

140.

Show the difference in the instructions given in 1 Timothy 4:6 and 1 Timothy 4:11.

141.

What is the distinction between commanding, and teaching?

142.

Why would anyone look down on Timothy? Who would do it?

143.

How was Timothy to avoid being despised?

144.

Is an ensample the same as an example? Explain.

145.

Explain in your own words, just how Timothy was to be an ensample.

146.

The meaning of the word reading of 1 Timothy 4:13, is not what we usually associate with the word. Give the meaning of the word as here used. (Cf. Acts 13:15)

Paraphrase 4:7 7-73

11 These things solemnly enjoin as God's express commands, and teach the believers to act suitably to them.
12 Let no one have reason to despise thy admonitions on account of thy youth; but be thou a pattern to the faithful in gravity of speech, in propriety of behaviour, in fervency of love to God and man, in meekness but firmness of spirit, in soundness of faith, in chastity.
13 Till I return, apply thyself to reading the scriptures to the people in the public assemblies. Read them likewise in private for thine own improvement: also apply thyself to exhorting those who err, and to teaching the young and ignorant.

Comment 4:11-13

1 Timothy 4:11. In contrast to suggesting to the brethren in 1 Timothy 4:6. Timothy is here told to command and teach. What is it that merits such importance? Are we to understand the command and teaching to relate to what follows in 1 Timothy 4:12-16, or what has preceded in 1 Timothy 4:6-11? The subject matter of 1 Timothy 4:12-16 is of such a personal nature that we cannot imagine Timothy is receiving a charge concerning it. We prefer rather, to think the command has reference to the truth and error of 1 Timothy 4:6-11. Timothy is to approach the brethren in the manner of a counselor, but he is at the same time to remember the necessity of getting his points across; to do this it will be necessary to instruct and inform. Open the minds of the brethren concerning these false teachers; impress upon them the imperativeness of your message; do all of this by way of instruction as a teacher.

1 Timothy 4:12. Now follows some very personal and practical instructions for Timothy as an individual. There are two misconceptions to be cleared up here: First, that Timothy was timid, this thought can not be demonstrated. The boldest of young men might need encouragement. It is just as easy to believe Timothy is being encouraged to continue in the right attitude and work.

Second, that Timothy was a mere stripling. He must have been in his teens when Paul chose him to help on the second journey. More than ten years have passed. Timothy could have been as old as forty when this word was written. There is abundant evidence to show that a man in Timothy's day was considered young until the age of forty.
The word despise means to look down upon. The way to avoid such an attitude from some of the older men, is not by way of demanding respect, but rather by earning it. If we do not look down on ourselves and yet maintain humility, it will not be long until we can convince others that they should adopt the same attitude; not toward us so much as toward the work we are trying to do. This earned respect will be gained by setting up a pattern in the following five areas:

(1)

In word or in conversation: Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. How carefully we should choose our words at all times. This should be a warning against the idle talk of so many present day preachers. Such talk not only wastes God's time but hurts God's work by a poor example,

(2)

In manner of life or in general demeanor: it isn-'t what we do on Sunday that gives the example, it is our conduct day by day. We might not like to live in a goldfish bowl; if such is your attitude, choose another work. The minister asks, by his very position, for examination of his daily conduct as an example to those who believe.

(3)

In love: Please read I Corinthians Chapter 13 each day for thirty days. Begin to see the members of your congregation in the applications of the expressions given in this chapter. Begin in a very practical way to use such expressions as: hopeth all thingsbelieveth all thingsendureth all thingstaketh not account of evil. God and man will see your good example.

(4)

In faith: Isit difficult to believe God for His promises? What boldness some men of this world have in their self-confidence, and yet we cannot believe God! Why can Khruschev say your grandchildren will all be Communists?because he believes in the power of Communism. Where is the man who will say to all the peoples of the world, because he believes in the power of the gospel, all your grandchildren will be Christians? It can be true! Who will believe it and preach it?

(5)

In purity: How difficult it is to be consistent in all areas. If the minister of the Word cannot convince the community that he is above reproach in his relations to the opposite sex, he has failed in a very serious realm; he had just as well move, for he is through as a representative of Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:13. The general consensus of opinion among commentators is that the public reading of the Scriptures, the public exhortation, and the public teaching from the preacher, is referred to here. The article the can appear before each word; so it becomes: the readingthe exhortationthe teaching. We are reminded of the order of service in the synagogues. In the synagogue, after reading a portion of scripture from the Old Testament, its application to life was pointed out; following this, the finer points of meaning from an exegetical viewpoint were given. It is quite possible, such was also the order in the congregations of Christians in Ephesus. Timothy was to carefully supervise each portion of the service in each congregation. Compare Luke 4:16 and Acts 13:15 for examples of the services in the Jewish assemblies.

Paul anticipated a visit to Timothy. We do not know the details of this visit. See our introduction for the possible time and place.

Fact Questions 4:11-13

113.

What was it Timothy was to command and teach?

114.

What are the two misconceptions to be cleared up?

115.

What is demanded respect?

116.

What is idle talk? Why is it used by many?

117.

How shall we earn the respect of older men?

118.

The preacher must live in a goldfish bowl. Explain.

119.

What was the very practical suggestion as to how we can become an example in love?

120.

How does our present world conflict demonstrate both a lack of faith and a possession of it?

121.

In what areas must the man of God be pure?

122.

Was Timothy the reader of the scripture in the church service? Explain.

123.

Did Paul visit Timothy at Ephesus? Explain.