1 Timóteo 4
John Calvin · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Timóteo 4
Calvin - “Thus we learn how foolish and ridiculous it is for people to complain that they receive no honour, when in fact there is nothing about them that is worth honouring, but rather they expose themselves to contempt by their ignorance, the example of their impure lives, their lightmindedness and other faults. The only way to win respect is by outstanding virtues which will protect us against contempt.” Be such a man and live such a life that if every man were such as you and every life such as yours this earth would be Paradise. Be what you wish others to become. Let yourself, and not your words, preach for you. AMIEL. 1 Timothy 4:12-16 Sarah Winchester CAVEAT- WHILE THE FOLLOWING STORY IS FREQUENTLY QUOTED AS AN ILLUSTRATION, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT MOST OF THE STORY IS LEGEND AND NOT TRUTH. FOR A REVISED ENTRY SEE "WE WILL ALL FACE DEATH." SARAH Winchester's husband acquired a fortune by manufacturing and selling rifles. After he died of influenza in 1918, Sarah moved to San Jose, California. Lonely for her husband, Sarah consulted a medium to help her contact him in the afterlife. The medium told her, "As long as you keep building your home, you will never face death." Sarah believed the advice, so she bought an unfinished seventeen-room mansion and started to expand it. The project continued until she died at age 85. The mansion has 150 rooms, 13 bathrooms, 2,000 doors, 47 fireplaces, and 10,000 windows. In addition, Mrs. Winchester left behind enough materials so that workers could have continued building for another eighty years. John Bennett - 1 Timothy 4:12–16 NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE One of the problems that Timothy would inevitably face was that of his age. When challenged by men of long experience who may oppose and look down upon him, he is to be resolute. But, as Paul states, what will confirm the truth of his message is his own ability to live that message. He is, as GUY KING puts it, to ‘offset the fewness of his years by the richness of his character’. He is to manifest all the graces of an ideal believer in his public teaching, in his general conduct, in his sacrificial love to others, spiritually and morally. What a tremendous responsibility for a relatively young man! If, like Timothy, we are to be examples, we must obey the six imperatives in relation to the Word of God in this section. First, in verse 13, ‘give attendance to’ three things: the public reading of the scriptures, the application of the truth read to encourage the saints to right living, and the teaching of doctrine or exposition of truth. Systematic teaching is of paramount importance in any man of God. Second, in verse 14, ‘Neglect not the gift that is in thee’. This does not imply that Timothy was negligent but that the maintenance of a gift is the responsibility of the person to whom the gift is given. A fire that is not fed soon dies! Thirdly, in verse 15, ‘Be diligent in these things’, RV. Paul stresses the need for diligence in the personal practice of all the things taught. He is keen to ensure that Timothy’s personal testimony should be unassailable and the means whereby that testimony is maintained would be equally apparent to all. Hence, fourthly, verse 15, ‘give thyself wholly to them’. The only useful testimony is that of an out-and-out believer. Fifthly, verse 16, ‘Take heed unto thyself’. How important that his personal testimony bore out the truth that he was seeking to impart. A man of God cannot say, ‘do as I say but not as I do’. Apply the truth of God to yourself before you seek to apply it to others! Finally, verse 16, ‘Continue in them’. If you meet opposition from false teachers, if your youth is despised and your ministry disparaged, don’t give up. Stick to the truth! Fulfil the ministry that God has given you. A man of God is a man who can stay the course! 1 Timothy 4:12 Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. TODAY IN THE WORD Last November, Dutch scientists created the largest digital panoramic photo in the world. They began by programming a camera to take 600 individual pictures of their city, Delft. Then they fed the results into five PCs that worked over three days to stitch the photos together into a seamless whole. The result was a single 2.5 billion-pixel panorama of the Delft skyline. Talk about “seeing the big picture”! In today's reading, Paul wanted to give Timothy the “big picture” of what the Christian life is all about. We've skipped forward in time to about 65 A.D. Timothy, then in his 30s, was a pastor in the church at Ephesus. Paul had seen his young protégé grow from a godly teenager into a gifted church leader, and they logged many ministry miles together. Within this friendship and their shared passion for Christ, Paul wrote as a mentor to encourage Timothy and summarize the key points of a life well-lived. One key was the necessity of truth. We cannot live a purpose-filled life without it! Timothy was to live out the truth and guard doctrinal purity against, for example, false teaching that failed to accept thankfully the blessings of God's creation (vv. 4-5). This extended beyond his individual life, for as a minister he was to exercise his gift of preaching and teaching in order to serve and edify the church. Another key was the necessity of training. Godliness doesn't just happen—one must pursue it in the same way an athlete trains to win a gold medal. Timothy was in fact commanded to set the pace, serving as an example for the other believers (v. 12). As a leader, he lived in a glass house, which meant that his actions would be seen by all. A final key was the necessity of holding on to hope. As believers, our trust is in a living God who is the Savior of the world. Living in this hope takes courage—we must “fight the good fight of faith” (6:12). If you persevere in these God-given purposes, Paul told his friend, “you will save both yourself and your hearers” (v. 16). APPLY THE WORD Storing the treasure of God's Word in your heart is always a wise application (Ps. 119:93). Today, make it your goal to memorize two verses—any two verses you choose—from 1 Timothy 4. Verses 4-5 might be a good choice to build up our thankful hearts, or verse 8 as an exhortation to godliness, or verse 10 as an encouragement to hope in the Lord. If you're feeling ambitious, you could memorize this entire short chapter during the coming week or month. 1 Timothy 4:12 Walk The Walk By Bill Crowder The preacher was speaking tongue-in-cheek when he complained, “My wife is absolutely unreasonable. She actually expects me to live everything I preach!” It’s so much easier to tell someone what is right than to practice it personally. When my son and I play golf together, I can tell him exactly how to play the hole and hit the shots. But my own ability to hit those shots is sadly limited. I suppose this is what is meant when we refer to athletes who “talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.” Anyone can talk a good game, but actually performing well is far more difficult. This is particularly true in the challenge of following Jesus Christ. It is not enough for us to talk about faith—we must live out our faith. Perhaps that is why Paul, after giving instructions to his young protégé Timothy about how to preach, included this reminder: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity… Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them” (1 Tim. 4:12,15). Do others know from how we act At home, at work, at play, That we have Jesus in our heart And live for Him each day? —D. De Haan We please God when our walk matches our talk. Let And Set READ: 1 TIMOTHY 4:11-16 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 Timothy had been given a very difficult task. By this time he was in his mid-thirties, having spent fifteen years traveling with the apostle all through the Roman Empire. Back in those days, you were not considered to be over the hill until you got to forty at least, and that is why Paul tells Timothy, Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. But it was a difficult situation, because Timothy had to minister with men who had already been elders of the church in Ephesus for a number of years. The apostle Paul had taught these men himself, and yet Timothy was expected to correct some of the things that were going on in the church. That was a tough assignment for a young man. Timothy had to know how to go about it in a way that would not arouse the ire and opposition of others. There are two things the apostle tells Timothy to do, and both are highlighted by two similarly sounding words, the monosyllables let and set Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers . . . When Paul says, Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, he does not mean, of course, that Timothy is to go around and take issue with anybody who does not like him. He means, rather, that Timothy is to be concerned about and aware of how he comes across to people; he is to be sensitive to how others see him. How then is a young man to proceed? The apostle says by setting a good example in two areas--speech and conduct--and three qualities ought to come through--love, faithfulness, and purity. Those are the things that ought to characterize every young preacher: loving, faithful, pure speech and loving, faithful, pure behavior. A young preacher must first of all be loving rather than arrogant, rude, censorious, critical, cruel, or sharp in either word or deed. And he must be faithful to his commitments, not toadying and flattering, using insincere words. He must not be irresponsible, unreliable, or a promise breaker. The third quality is purity. I do not know anything that has destroyed more young ministers than impurity. Ephesus was a city given over to sexual immorality, yet Timothy was expected to maintain a pure standard in the midst of that. There was to be no vulgar, obscene, or profane words in his speech; no dirty stories or double meanings; and no sexual misconduct, including indulging in pornography on the side. A pure life is the platform from which an effective ministry proceeds; without that all the words mean nothing. Lord, in both my speech and my conduct teach me to be loving, faithful, and pure. Life Application Persons who exemplify purity in speech and action are truly an endangered species. The need for such is critical. Are we seriously aiming to be this kind of example? (Ray Stedman) PROGRESSIVE FOLLOWERS BE DILIGENT IN THESE MATTERS . . . SO THAT EVERYONE MAY SEE YOUR PROGRESS. —1 Timothy 4:12–16 I’m reminded of the husband who gloated that he and his wife didn’t have a perfect relationship, but he was certainly doing his part. Like the typical male, he was totally self-deceived. “Perfect” is what God will make us when we step across the threshold into heaven. What Christ is looking for is “progress.” But if we feel that we are just about perfect and that the few faults in our lives are attributable to everyone else, we make little or no progress. I am so thankful that perfection is not what God expects. Progress is something I can get my life and hands around. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just has to be progress. And, I might add, there is power in progress. Whether we are parents, pastors, leaders in the marketplace, or in any way an influencer of others, progress is our main asset. While most of us recoil from admitting our imperfections, the real power is in admitting that we are not perfect and showing those who are around us that we are making progress. I love to be around people who are farther down the road with Jesus than I am. They stimulate my heart to say, I want to grow like they are. Their progress is magnetic and it gives me hope that I too can grow. When I envision perfection, I shrug my shoulders and say, “I can’t get there!” But progress motivates me. Followers who are making progress humbly admit their failures, refuse the mediocrity of getting stuck in the same faults, make friends with followers who are out in front of them, and ask for the grace, wisdom, and courage to grow in accelerated ways toward the likeness of Jesus. We will know that we are making progress when people say of us, “You know, they’re more like Christ today than they were six months . . . two years ago.” Has anyone noticed the progress you have made in your life recently . . . or are you stuck? (Joe Stowell - Strength for the Journey) 1 Timothy 4:12a Preaching With Your Life Be an example to the believers… in love, in spirit, in faith, hi purity Believers exert a positive influence on others by setting a good example with the consistency of their lives. Will Houghton, president of Moody Bible Institute during the 1940s, was such a person. Before Houghton became president of Moody, he pastored a church in New York City. An agnostic living there was contemplating suicide, but he decided that if he could find a minister who lived what he professed, he would listen to him. Since Will Houghton was a prominent figure in the city and a pastor, the man chose Houghton for his case study. He hired a private detective to watch him. When the investigator's report came back, it revealed that Houghton's life was above reproach. The agnostic went to Houghton's church, accepted Christ, and later sent his daughter to Moody Bible Institute. Nehemiah was another believer who dramatically affected the lives of those around him. Even rich nobles and high officials listened respectfully as he rebuked them. Why? Because of the quality of his life. Whatever he asked of others, he was willing to do himself. And because Nehemiah joined in the hard work and refrained from using his position to accumulate wealth, the leaders couldn't help but listen to what he said. We can preach a better sermon with our lives than with our lips. 1 Timothy 4:12 Be An Example By David C. McCasland A high school senior honored as one of the “Best & Brightest” in our community has provided a forceful demonstration of integrity. When his school team was given the word auditorium in a regional spelling bee, Brady Davis glanced down to ponder his response and noticed that the word was printed on the microphone stand. He called this to the attention of the judges who responded with a more difficult word. Brady did what he knew was right whether others noticed or not. We don’t know when our actions might become an example to others. But if we live each day to honor Jesus, our behavior will model His righteousness, no matter who is watching. Idealism and enthusiasm are often best expressed by the young. But uprightness and honor should be goals for Christians of every age. Paul told his young protégé Timothy: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care. I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare. —Walter A good example always makes a good sermon. 1 Timothy 4:12 A Walk In The Woods By David H. Roper A friend of mine wrote to me about certain “reservations” in his life—areas of secret sin that he reserved for himself and into which he frequently withdrew. These “reserves” are like the large tracts of wilderness in my home state of Idaho. It may sound exciting to wander around these untamed regions by oneself, but it’s dangerous. So too, each journey into sin takes its toll. We sacrifice our closeness with God, forfeiting His blessing (Psalm 24:1-5), and we lose our influence on others that comes from purity of mind and body (1 Timothy 4:12). The wild areas in us may never be fully tamed, but we can set up perimeters that keep us from wandering into them. One perimeter is to remember that we are dead to sin’s power (Romans 6:1-14). We do not have to give in to it. The second perimeter is to resist temptation when it first attracts us. Initial temptation may not be strong, but if we entertain it, it will in time gain power and overwhelm us. The third perimeter is accountability. Find a person who will commit to ask you each week, “Have you ‘taken a hike in the wild’? Have you gone where you should not go?” O Lord, help us to recognize When we begin to compromise; And give us strength to follow through With what we know is right and true. —Sper Beware—the more you look at temptation, the better it looks! Impact For Christ Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, . . . in faith, in purity. —1 Timothy 4:12 Today's Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:10-16 Over the past several years, I’ve been privileged to travel with teenagers on eight mission trips. One thing I’ve learned in those excursions is that teens are not too young to make an impact for Jesus—either on me or on others whose lives they touch. I’ve also noticed that the teens who make the biggest impact for Christ match the characteristics Paul told Timothy about in 1 Timothy 4:12. Trying to convince Timothy that his relative youth did not have to be a deterrent to his ministry, Paul told him to “be an example to the believers” in several areas. In word: Young people who make a difference for Christ control what they say, avoid negative talk, and speak words that honor God. In conduct: Teens who practice discretion in their behavior shine for all the world to see. In love: By taking heed of Jesus’ words to love God and their neighbor (Matt. 22:37-39) teens please Jesus and touch hearts. In faith: Those who put their faith into action change lives. In purity: It’s tough to be morally pure and doctrinally sound, but kids who are can set the bar for the rest of us. O Christians, remember, you bear His dear name, our lives are for others to view; You’re living examples—men praise you or blame, |And measure your Savior by you. —Anon. The most valuable commentary on the Bible is a godly life. Following Our Example Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers. —1 Timothy 4:12 Today's Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12-16 Alyssa, who is 6 and just learning to read, often saw her parents and grandparents reading their Bibles in the morning. Early one day, she woke up before everyone else. Grandma found her sitting on the couch, with her Bible and a devotional booklet on her lap. She wanted to follow the example of spending time with God at the beginning of the day. Timothy, a young pastor, faced heavy responsibilities in the church at Ephesus—training believers, leading in worship, countering false doctrine. The older, experienced apostle Paul gave him instruction on leading the church in these areas, but he also mentioned the importance of personal conduct. He said, “Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Paul challenged Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine” (v.16). If he paid attention to his own spiritual life and to solid doctrine, he would be a godly example to the church family. Lord, help me live a godly life Of faith and love and purity So those who follow what I do Will grow in their maturity. —Sper A good example has more value than good advice. 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the [public] reading [of Scripture], to exhortation and teaching. KJV 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. NKJ 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. NET 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. BGT 1 Timothy 4:13 ἕως ἔρχομαι πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ. CSB 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. ESV 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. NIV 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. NLT 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. YLT 1 Timothy 4:13 till I come, give heed to the reading, to the exhortation, to the teaching; MIT 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I arrive spend time in (public) reading, encouragement, and teaching. NJB 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I arrive, devote yourself to reading to the people, encouraging and teaching. NRS 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. RSV 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. NAB 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. GWN 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I get there, concentrate on reading Scripture in worship, giving encouraging messages, and teaching people. BBE 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attention to the reading of the holy Writings, to comforting the saints, and to teaching. I come 1 Ti 3:14,15 to reading Deut 17:19; Joshua 1:8; Ps 1:2,3; 119:97-104; Prs 2:4,5; Mt 13:51,52; John 5:39; Acts 6:4; 17:11; 2 Ti 2:15-17 to exhortation Romans 12:8; 1 Cor 14:3; Titus 2:15 to teaching 1 Ti 4:6,16; 1 Cor 14:6,26; 2 Ti 4:2 Related Passages: Deuteronomy 17:19 “It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, Colossians 4:16+ When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 1 Thessalonians 5:27+ I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. 2 Ti 4:1-2 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (Paul gives 5 "staccato-like" commands to his young charge!) A BALANCED APPROACH TO EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING Click here for more exposition of 1 Timothy 4:13. Martyn Lloyd-Jones “The work of preaching is the highest and the greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called.” Lawson comments that "Because the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of the living God, the call to proclaim the Word is the highest calling known to mankind."
1 Timóteo 4
Calvin observed that Paul “places reading before doctrine and exhortation; for, undoubtedly, the Scripture is the fountain of all wisdom, from which pastors must draw all that they place before their flock.” The Old Testament was regularly read in synagogue worship, Luke recording "After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” (Acts 13:15+) Give attention (4337)(prosecho from pros = before, toward + echo = hold) means literally to hold to, toward or before. Originally it was followed by the word "the mind" (nous) but at times "the mind" was omitted but still the idea of "the mind" was implied. To apply one’s self to. To attach one’s self to. Prosecho means to moor a ship, to tie it up. Prosecho was also used to mean “to remain on course” which would certainly be Paul's intent for Timothy. Don't veer off course! Prosecho is used 5 times in the pastoral epistles - 1 Tim. 1:4; 1 Tim. 3:8; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Tim. 4:13; Titus 1:14 Figuratively prosecho has the idea is to hold one's mind before then to take heed, to pay attention, to give heed, be in a state of alert, to watch out for or to be on guard. The word implies the giving one’s consent, as well as one’s attention. When used in this manner prosecho always warns of some type of danger (usually spiritual danger but occasionally physical)! Prosecho is not a call simply to notice or sense something, but to be on guard against it because it is so harmful (eg, the danger of practicing your righteousness for others to see, the danger of false prophets, false teachers and false teaching, the danger of the Pharisees and Sadducees). The idea is to turn one’s mind or attention to a thing by being on one’s guard against it. To the reading of (320)(anagnosis from ana = again + gnosis = knowledge) is related to anaginosko which means to know certainly and hence to read. There are only 3 uses in the NT and 2 refer to the reading of the OT in a Jewish context = Acts 13:15 and 2 Co. 3:14 = "the reading of the old covenant". The third use here in 1 Ti 4:13 refers to reading of the Scripture in the context of the Church. There is one related word (anaginosko) used in the Septuagint of Neh 8:8 "They read (Lxx = anaginosko) from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading" which God used to bring about revival (Neh 8:1-18). In 1 Ti 4:1 it is used in a negative sense to describe those who are "paying attention to deceitful spirits." (cf similar negative use in 1 Ti 1:4 = "to myths and endless genealogies.") Devotion to the public reading of Scripture would serve to combat these paying attention to deceitful spirits, myths and endless genealogies. Peter tells us "we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." (2 Pe 1:19) Steven Lawson writes that "the ultimate goal of Bible exposition is changed lives. Preaching must do more than simply inform the mind; it must grip the heart and challenge the will. The entire person—mind, emotion, and will—must be impacted. Thus, exposition is not merely for the transmitting of information; it is for the effecting of transformation. It presses for a decision and calls for a verdict." (Famine in the Land) R. W. Dale writes of Jonathan Edwards’ preaching, “In the elaborate doctrinal part of Jonathan Edwards’ sermons, the great preacher was only getting his guns into position; but in his applications, he opened fire on the enemy. There are too many of us, I am afraid, who take so much time getting our guns into position that we have to finish without firing a shot.” Marshall writes, “Timothy is to summon his hearers, to respond to the Scripture that has been read. Whether he does so in exhortation or in comfort will depend on the message of the passage, but common to these two senses is the noted encouragement” (The Pastoral Epistles, 208). John Stott - It was taken for granted from the beginning that Christian preaching would be expository preaching, that is, that all Christian instruction and exhortation would be drawn out of the passage which had been read. We note, however, that the public reading of Scripture came first, identifying the authority. What followed was exposition and application, whether in the form of doctrinal instruction or of moral appeal, or both. Timothy’s own authority was thus seen to be secondary, both to the Scripture and to the apostle. All Christian teachers occupy the same subordinate position as Timothy did. They will be wise, therefore, especially if they are young, to demonstrate both their submission to the authority of Scripture and their conscientious integrity in expounding it, so that their teaching is seen to be not theirs but the word of God. (BORROW Guard the truth : the message of 1 Timothy & Titus To exhortation (paraklesis) and teaching (didaskalia) - The NIV translates it "preaching and teaching." Teaching is more literally "the teaching." The text is explained, giving meaning to the text which has been read publically. Earle comments that exhortation “is an important part of every pastor’s duties. He must not only read the Word of God to his people, but also exhort them to obey it.” (1,2 Timothy, Titus)