1 Timothy 4:12-16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:6-16

The apostle would have Timothy to instil into the minds of Christians such sentiments as might prevent their being seduced by the judaizing teachers. Observe, Those are good ministers of Jesus Christ who are diligent in their work; not that study to advance new notions, but that put the brethren in remembrance of those things which they have received and heard. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you knew them, 2 Pet. 1:12. And elsewhere,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 4:11-16

4:11-16 Make it your business to hand on and to teach these commandments. Do not give anyone a chance to despise you because you are young; but in your words and in your conduct, in love, in loyalty and in purity, show yourself an example of what believing people should be. Until I come, devote your attention to the public reading of the scriptures, to exhortation and to teaching. Do not neglect the special gift which was given to you, when the voices of the prophets picked you out for the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Certain duties are laid upon Timothy, the young leader designate of the Church. He is to devote himself to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation and to teaching. Here we have the pattern of the Christian Church service. The very first description of a church service which we possess is in the works of Justin Martyr. About the year A.D. 170 he wrote a defence of Christianity to the Roman government, and in it (Justin Martyr: First Apology, 1: 67) he says: "On the day called the day... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Here in this passage is set out in the most vivid way the personal duty of the Christian leader. (i) He must remember that he is a man set apart for a special task by the Church. The Christian leader does not make sense apart from the Church. His commission came from it; his work is within its fellowship; his duty is to build others into it. That is why the really important work of the Christian Church is never done by any itinerant evangelist but always by its settled ministry. (ii) He... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:12

Let no man despise thy youth ,.... Timothy was now a young man; some think he was about three and twenty years of age; but he might be older, and yet be so called. Saul is said to be a young man, when he held the clothes of them that stoned Stephen, when he must be at least thirty years of age, some say thirty five; since thirty years after that he styles himself Paul the aged, when he must be sixty years of age and upwards, Acts 7:58 . Young men are sometimes honoured by God with great... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:13

Till I come ,.... To Ephesus; where the apostle hoped to be shortly, but was prevented; he afterwards came to Miletus, and sent for the elders of Ephesus thither, when he took his final leave of them. He mentions this circumstance, not as if Timothy was to attend to the following things no longer, but to quicken him to an attendance to them from the consideration of his being shortly with him. Give attendance to reading ; that is, of the Scriptures, which the Jews call מקרא ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:14

Neglect not the gift that is in thee ,.... What qualifies men for the work of the ministry is a gift from God: it is not of nature, nor is it mere natural abilities and capacity; nor is it any thing acquired, it is not human learning, or the knowledge of languages, arts, and sciences; nor is it special saving grace; for a man may have all these, and yet not be apt to teach, or fit for the ministry; but it is a peculiar and distinct gift, it is a gift of interpreting the Scriptures, and of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:15

Meditate on these things ,.... Not only on those instructions, advices, and exhortations, which the apostle had given him, throughout this chapter, which might be very useful to him, often to think of, and revolve in his mind, and seriously consider and reflect upon; but upon the Scriptures, the reading of which he had recommended to him, and the doctrines contained therein; it becomes every man not only to read, but meditate on the word of God, and much more ministers of the Gospel. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed unto thyself ,.... Not as a man, or a Christian only, but as a minister; and as every minister should take heed to his life and conversation, that it be exemplary, as in 1 Timothy 4:12 to his gifts, that they be not lost, or neglected, but used and improved; to the errors and heresies abroad, that he be not infected with them; and to his flock, which is the other part of himself, that he feed it with knowledge and understanding: and to thy doctrine: preached by him, that it be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:12

Let no man despise thy youth - Act with all the gravity and decorum which become thy situation in the Church. As thou art in the place of an elder, act as an elder. Boyish playfulness ill becomes a minister of the Gospel, whatever his age may be. Concerning Timothy's age see the conclusion of the preface to this epistle. Be thou an example of the believers - It is natural for the flock to follow the shepherd; if he go wrong, they will go wrong also. "Himself a wanderer from the narrow... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:6-16

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 4:11-16

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 4:11-16

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 4:11-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:12

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