1 Timothy 4:12-16

Timothy Is To Work Out This Salvation That God Has Given Him By Being An Example To Others And Utilising His God Given Gift Fully In Faithful Teaching (1 Timothy 4:12-16 ).

Just as the salvation of a Christian woman is to come to full fruition in childbearing and rearing (1 Timothy 2:15), so Timothy’s salvation is to come to full fruition by continuing to live and teach in the power that God has given him, so that all may see how he advances spiritually, as a result of which he will make salvation effective both in himself and in all who hear him.

Analysis.

a Let no man despise your youth, but you be an example to those who believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

b Until I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching (1 Timothy 4:13).

c Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14).

b Be diligent in these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your progress may be openly revealed to all. Take heed to yourself, and to your teaching (1 Timothy 4:15-16 a)

a Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you (1 Timothy 4:16 b).

Note how in ‘a’ he is to be an example to those who believe in every way, and in the parallel he is to continue in these things so that salvation might be effective in them all. In ‘b’ he is to give heed to reading, exhortation and teaching, and in the parallel he is to be diligent and take heed to himself and his teaching. Centrally in ‘c’ he must not neglect the gift that has been given to him.