1 Timóteo 4
William Barclay · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Timóteo 4
Barclay - "It was from these evil spirits and demons that this false teaching came. But though it came from the demons, it came through men....Now here is the threatening and the terrible thing. We know that God and God's Spirit are everywhere looking for men to use. God is always searching for men who will be His instruments, His weapons, His tools in the world. But here we come face to face with the terrible fact that the forces of evil are also looking for men to use. Just as God seeks men for His purposes, the forces of evil seek men for their purposes. Here is the terrible responsibility of manhood. Man can accept the service of God, or the service of the devil. Man can become an instrument of the Supreme Good or the Supreme Evil. Men are faced with the eternal choice—to whom are we to give our lives, to God or to God's enemy? Are we to decide to be used by God, or are we to decide to be used by the devil?" ((1 Timothy 4 Commentary) The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, p.107). Explore the Bible Commentary on hypocrisy - It describes a play actor who wore a mask and pretended to be someone he was not. The false teachers in Ephesus looked like strong representatives of God but actually were leading people to believe a lie Paul described the opposite state of conscience in 1 Ti 1:5 writing that "the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." Seared ("scarred") in their own conscience as with a branding iron - They lied so much that they had in effect seared their own consciences! In effect they had come to believe their own lies! Seared is kausteriazo (used only here in Scripture - English cauterize as we do in surgery to stop bleeding) and is a verb meaning to brand with a red-hot iron. It described the marking of a slave with the owner's brand. That is an interesting secular use, as these men were in effect slaves to their sinful passions! One commentator (Guthrie) even says that these men are "branded" indicating ownership by Satan! (cf 2 Ti 2:26+). Quite a contrast with Paul who bore on his "body the brand-marks (stigma) of Jesus!" (Gal 6:17+). The idea is that the conscience is so destroyed that they refuse to listen any longer to their conscience! This reminds me of lepers who have had their sensory nerve endings destroyed by the leprae bacilli and as a result can no longer feel pain which results in frequent injury including burns which they cannot feel. Pain is a protective mechanism and a "pained" conscience is also a moral/ethically protective mechanism. Seared is in the perfect tense depicting this their continuing condition or state. The fact that their consciences were seared allowed them to teach the falsehoods without any hesitation, reservation or regret. My conscience must be well-informed From God's own sacred Word; For conscience may be much deformed When standards pure are spurned. --Fraser CONSCIENCE CAN BE OUR COMPASS IF THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR CHART. Don Anderson - When a person has fallen prey to a CAUTERIZED CONSCIENCE, he does not even realize that: HE IS LYING, or that HE IS A DRUNK, or that HE IS LIVING AN IMMORAL LIFESTYLE, or that HE IS GREEDY, or that HE IS SELFISH. (Study Notes) Guy King - Their conscience, once so sensitive, is now "seared," as flesh would be by the application of a "hot iron", rendering it almost dead. Time was when they would shrink in horror from the uttering of a "lie", but now that conscience is silenced, they can do it without blushing, with the tongue of "hypocrisy" in their cheek. How, if unchecked, evil grows in a man, on a man! (A Leader Led)
1 Timóteo 4
Barclay - Gnosticism was that spirit is altogether good and matter altogether evil. One of the consequences was that there were men who preached that everything to do with the body was evil and that everything in the world was evil. In Ephesus this issued in two definite errors. The heretics insisted that men must, as far as possible, abstain from food, for food was material and therefore evil; food ministered to the body and the body was evil. They also insisted that a man must abstain from marriage, for the instincts of the body were evil and must be entirely suppressed. (Commentary) Bible Knowledge Commentary - These are forerunners of the gnostics. They held to a dualism: the spirit is good and matter is evil. All appetites relating to the body are evil and should be rooted out, including normal desires for sex and food. (Bible teaching resources)
1 Timóteo 4
Barclay - This was an ever-recurring heresy in the Church; in every generation men arose who tried to be stricter than God. When the Apostolic Canons came to be written, it was necessary to set it down in black and white: "If any overseer, priest or deacon, or anyone on the priestly list, abstains from marriage and flesh and wine, not on the ground of asceticism (that is, for the sake of discipline), but through abhorrence of them as evil in themselves, forgetting that all things are very good, and that God made man male and female, but blaspheming and slandering the workmanship of God, either let him amend, or be deposed and cast out of the Church. Likewise a layman also" (Apostolic Canons 51). Irenaeus, writing towards the end of the second century, tells how certain followers of Saturninus "declare that marriage and generation are from Satan. Many likewise abstain from animal food, and draw away multitudes by a feigned temperance of this kind" (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 1, 24, 2). This kind of thing came to a head in the monks and hermits of the fourth century. They went away and lived in the Egyptian desert, entirely cut off from men. They spent their lives mortifying the flesh (ED: WHICH PAUL SAYS IS FUTILE! See Col 2:23+ = " of no value against fleshly indulgence."). One never ate cooked food and was famous for his "fleshlessness." Another stood all night by a jutting crag so that it was impossible for him to sleep. Another was famous because he allowed his body to become so dirty and neglected that vermin dropped from him as he walked. Another deliberately ate salt in midsummer and then abstained from drinking water. "A clean body," they said, "necessarily means an unclean soul."The answer to these men was that by doing things like that they were insulting God, for He is the creator of the world and repeatedly his creation is said to be good. (Genesis 1:31). (Commentary) Lange says: Whoso will shun false spirits must first beware of his own spirit. False teachers use for their craft hypocrisy and the appearance of sanctity. They go about in sheep's clothing and inwardly are ravening wolves. It is a sad evidence of the blindness and pride of the sinner that when God has freed him by grace from a law that can only condemn him, he will not rest until he has again put himself under the yoke of a law fashioned by himself. So eager are we to build up a righteousness of our own before God, so loath simply to be blessed by free grace; self-righteousness always remains the fond idol of the natural man, nor does he perceive that he must thus fall into new and worse unrighteousness. Forbid (prevent) (2967) koluo from kólos = docked, lopped, clipped, kolazo = curtail) means to cut off, to cut short, to weaken and generally to hinder, to prevent, to check, to restrain or to forbid by word or act. The idea is to cause something not to happen. Koluo can describe the keeping back of something from someone (Acts 10:47). To hinder means to make slow or difficult the progress of something by interfering in some way with the activity or progress thereof. In short koluo means to make it difficult for someone to do something or for something to happen. Abstaining (keeping away from, avoiding)(568) apechomai or apecho from apó = away from - conveys the idea of putting some distance between; serves as a marker of dissociation, implying a rupture from a former association + écho = have) means to be away or be at a distance. Apechomai is apecho in the middle voice (reflexive = the subject initiates the action and participates in the results) Believe (4103) pistos from peitho = to persuade - induce one by words to believe, have confidence) is something or someone who is worthy of faith or keeps promises and is applied to God, humans, His Word, etc Pistos means dependable (worthy of reliance or trust), trustworthy, steadfast, unswerving. Marvin
1 Timóteo 4
Barclay - Always there is to be grace before meat. The Jew always said his grace. He had a grace for different things. When he ate fruits he said: "Blessed art thou, King of the Universe, who createst the fruit of the tree." When he drank wine he said: "Blessed art thou, King of the Universe, who createst the fruit of the vine." When he ate vegetables he said: "Blessed art thou, King of the Universe, who createst the fruit of the earth." When he ate bread he said: "Blessed art thou, King of the Universe, who bringest forth bread from the ground." The very fact that we thank God for it makes a thing sacred. Not even the demons can touch it when it has been touched by the Spirit of God. The true Christian does not serve God by enslaving himself with rules and regulations and insulting his creation; he serves him by gratefully accepting his good gifts and remembering that this is a world where God made all things well and by never forgetting to share God's gifts with others. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary) Bible Knowledge Commentary says: Ordinary becomes extraordinary as they are consecrated by the word and prayer. In the light of the scriptures a Christian recognizes God's good hand behind the things provided and offers thanksgiving to the Lord. In this way the ordinary things, so easily taken for granted, become sanctified as occasions for worship and praise. Sanctified (hallowed) (37) hagiazo from hagios = holy, set apart) means to set apart for God, to sanctify, to make a person or thing (in the OT altars, days, priests, etc were set apart) the opposite of koinos, which means profane or common. The primary meaning of sanctify is "to set apart, to consecrate," but it also carries the thought of the resultant holiness of character in the consecrated. SANCTIFY IT BY PRAYER. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. —1 Timothy 4:5 Sanctify. Make holy. Separate. Consecrate. Dedicate. Set apart to be used exclusively by God. It. What’s “it?” It is anything and everything. It is anyone and everyone. It is anything you are about to do or say. Before you do it, make certain in prayer that the Father has told you to do it. Before you say it, be sure by prayer that the Father has told you to say it. It is everything you thing, feel or will. It is everything you plan, wish for or dream about. Some people refuse to go outside before checking out the weather on the TV or radio. Some people refuse to invest any of their money until they have checked with their broker. Some athletes and authors will not sign a deal until they have talked with their agent or attorney. What about you? Who sets things apart in your life? Who gives approval before you take the next step? True surrender means that everything in life is sanctified by prayer. No trip, no purchase, no decision, no word or action is taken without first sanctifying it by prayer. E.M. Bounds asserted that nothing happens without prayer. By prayer, the believer hears from God first and then communicates with others. By prayer, the believer sanctifies or dedicates everything to God’s use. A.W. Tozer counseled us to “own nothing.” If everything including possessions has been consecrated to God by prayer, then we have surrendered all rights and become stewards instead of owners. A steward knows that everything in his hand including his own life belongs to another. Once “it” is sanctified by prayer, you can no longer pick it up, claim it, use it, or neglect it according to your own volition. It belongs to God. (Larry Keefauver - Seventy-Seven Irrefutable Truths of Prayer) 1 Timothy 4:6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. KJV 1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. NKJ 1 Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. NET 1 Timothy 4:6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. BGT 1 Timothy 4:6 Ταῦτα ὑποτιθέμενος τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς καλὸς ἔσῃ διάκονος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ἐντρεφόμενος τοῖς λόγοις τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς καλῆς διδασκαλίας ᾗ παρηκολούθηκας· CSB 1 Timothy 4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed. ESV 1 Timothy 4:6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. NIV 1 Timothy 4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. NLT 1 Timothy 4:6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. YLT 1 Timothy 4:6 These things placing before the brethren, thou shalt be a good ministrant of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of the faith, and of the good teaching, which thou didst follow after, MIT 1 Timothy 4:6 If you inculcate these teachings to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will be a servant nourished on the themes of the faith—the wholesome teaching you have followed closely. NJB 1 Timothy 4:6 If you put all this to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus and show that you have really digested the teaching of the faith and the good doctrine which you have always followed. NRS 1 Timothy 4:6 If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. RSV 1 Timothy 4:6 If you put these instructions before the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed. NAB 1 Timothy 4:6 If you will give these instructions to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching you have followed. GWN 1 Timothy 4:6 You are a good servant of Christ Jesus when you point these things out to our brothers and sisters. Then you will be nourished by the words of the Christian faith and the excellent teachings which you have followed closely. BBE 1 Timothy 4:6 If you keep these things before the minds of the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the right teaching which has been your guide: In pointing out these things to the brethren Acts 20:31,35; Romans 15:15; 1 Cor 4:17; 2 Timothy 1:6; 2:14; 2 Pet 1:12-15; 3:1,2; Jude 1:5 a good Mt 13:52; 1 Cor 4:1,2; 2 Cor 3:6; 6:4; Eph 6:21; Col 4:7; 1 Th 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:15 nourished Jer 15:16; Eph 4:15,16; Col 2:19; 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Pet 2:2 sound doctrine 1 Ti 1:10; 1Ti 4:16; 1Ti 6:3; Ps 19:7; *marg:; Proverbs 4:2; John 7:16,17; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 2:1,7-10; 2 John 1:9 thou hast Philippians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:14 Related Passages: Romans 15:15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 1 Timothy 1:10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. 1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, Paul now shifts from the previous warning of false teachers and focuses on the true teacher Timothy. Vine summarizes it this way "While giving admonition to others concerning the things which had been mentioned, Timothy himself was now exhorted to fulfill in his own life the practical piety which the truths of the faith are designed to effect. The exercise of godliness would reap its own benefit in this life and its reward hereafter (vv. 6–8). The discharge of his duty in ministering to, and caring for, the saints would need courage, backed up by a godly example in character and conduct (vv. 11, 12). Three particulars of his oral ministry received special notice, the public reading of the Scripture, exhortation, and teaching. This required diligence and devotedness, with resulting manifest progress (vv. 13–15). By constantly taking heed to himself and his teaching he would save both himself and his hearers (v. 16)." (Collected Writings) In pointing out these things to the brethren - Pointing out (hupotithemi) means literally putting under What things? The dangers of false teaching (legalism, asceticism) in the previous passages. A good pastor or teacher won’t run from false teaching but will expose it. {point it out, help others to see it} :"We often shy from this so we don’t come across as negative, or as know-it-alls, or just afraid of offending someone. Don’t be afraid to say, “that’s wrong & here’s why.”" (Bell) Mounce on pointing out - The verb is a gentle one and carries the idea of suggesting rather than ordering. The best kind of leadership is not dictatorial but, as the word suggests, lead-ership. Men are motivated most strongly by what emerges from within, not what is demanded from without. A real leader helps others arrive at what they instinctively know is best. Note the family affection in the word “brothers.” The church is not rigidly structured like an unwieldy corporation with levels of management. It is primarily a family of believers who have committed themselves to God and to one another. (Pass it On) Pointing out (5294)(hupotithemi from hupo = under + tithemi = to place) has two general senses (1) to place under (Ro 16:4) and (2) to set before one, offer, suggest. To bring forward and present to the mind. to bring under the mind or notice of someone, suggest, put in mind of, as a teacher or otherwise In the only other NT use in Ro 16:4 "who for my life risked (hupotithemi) their own necks." pictures laying down one’s neck as under the sword or axe of the executioner and thus to hazard one’s life Brethren (80) adelphos from a = denotes unity + delphus = a womb) literally means brother referring to a physical brother or figuratively can refer to a brother in the spiritual sense. In this context this describes them as believers. you will be a good servant (minister) of Christ Jesus - "This should be the goal of all ministers." (Bell) Good (kalos) means useful, sound, fit. A good servant need good "food" which Paul goes on to describe. Brian Bell - Often times a pastor is evaluated by his eloquent speech, level of education, air of professionalism, or his busyness. But God wants to know, “Are you my servant?” But, all Christians are ministers(or servants). There is no higher goal in ministry than this! (1 Timothy 4) Servant (minister, deacon) (1249) diakonos focuses on the rendering or assistance or help by performing certain duties, often of a humble or menial nature. Diakonos has the idea of “serviceability,” or “usefulness.” Those who serve Christ are called to excellence in their usefulness to His cause. constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound (beautiful) doctrine - Amplified = "ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction" Nourished is entrepo which describes the process of educating and training from childhood (used only here in NT) This pictures continually feeding with the idea of reading and inwardly digesting.The principle is clear that Timothy was to be continually nourished by words of the faith, the basic objective truths of Christian faith, especially the Gospel. This is to be the lifetime endeavor of every good servant (minister)! And the practical reason for intake of sound doctrine is that you cannot point out false doctrine if you are not maintaining a steady diet of truth yourself! Sound (2570)(kalos) describes that which is inherently excellent or intrinsically good, providing some special or superior benefit. It signifies the absolute worth of a thing. Kalos is good with emphasis on that which is beautiful, handsome, excellent, surpassing, precious, commendable, admirable. Doctrine (teaching, instruction) (1319) didaskalia from didasko from dáo = to know or teach) is either the act of teaching or the thing taught and in this use denotes doctrine or what is taught. A key word in the pastoral epistles - 1 Tim. 1:10; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Tim. 4:6; 1 Tim. 4:13; 1 Tim. 4:16; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 3:10; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1; Titus 2:7; Titus 2:10 THOUGHT - You can mark it down -- If you are not anchored in sound doctrine based solely on the Word of Truth, you will be vulnerable to counterfeit truth. Spiritual leaders of the church must uncompromisingly minister the Word of Truth, sound doctrine, to the saints in the church so the saints can minister this life giving Word in a world dead it trespasses and sins. Does this description accurately describe your church? Which you have been following - Timothy had been following Paul's teaching with concentrated attention, the perfect tense indicating this was Timothy's state. Paul used the same verb in 2 Ti 3:10 writing to Timothy "Now you followed (parakoloutheo) my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance." (As as aside this is a clear picture of Paul discipling Timothy in accord with Jesus' command in Mt 28:19+) In his second letter Paul wrote "that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Ti 3:15+) Have been following (3877)(parakoloutheo from para = near + akolouthéo to follow) means literally to follow closely or to accompany side by side. Parakoloutheo combines the idea of understanding with that of practicing perseveringly. 4v in NT - Mk. 16:17; Lk. 1:3; 1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 3:10 Matthew
1 Timóteo 4
Barclay on exhortation - The Christian message must always end in Christian action. Someone has said that every sermon should end with the challenge: "What about it, chum?" It is not enough to present the Christian message as something to be studied and understood; it has to be presented as something to be done. Christianity is truth, but it is truth in action. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary) Lawson - True expository preaching is always doctrinal preaching. While “exhortation” is more application-oriented, “teaching” is more doctrine-oriented. The former deals with the building up of lives; the latter focuses on the establishing of sound doctrine....Diligent study is entirely necessary if the true meaning of the biblical text is to be conveyed. (cf 2 Ti 2:15) (Famine in the Land) Thomas Lea writes “Teaching makes an appeal to the intellect and informs listeners about the truths of the Christian faith." (1, 2 Timothy, Titus) Philip Ryken - The systematic exposition of Scripture remains the most effective means for the conversion of sinners and the confirmation of the saints. It is the most effective means because it is God’s chosen means. Indeed, it must be doubted whether worship which does not preserve a central place for preaching and teaching the Bible is proper Christian worship at all. (REC - 1 Timothy) Exhortation ((3874)(paraklesis from parakaléo = beseech <> para = side of, alongside, beside + kaleo = call) refers to calling to one's side or one's aid which can be for the purpose of providing solace, comfort, consolation, exhortation, encouragement. The primary sense in the NT is to urge someone to take some action, especially some ethical course of action. Even when it is translated exhortation as here it always has at the root the idea of enabling a person to meet some difficult situation with confidence and with gallantry. Paraklesis - 28v - appeal(1), comfort(13), consolation(1), encouragement(6), exhortation(7), urging(1). Lk. 2:25; Lk. 6:24; Acts 4:36; Acts 9:31; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:31; Ro 12:8; Ro 15:4; Ro 15:5; 1 Co. 14:3; 2 Co. 1:3; 2 Co. 1:4; 2 Co. 1:5; 2 Co. 1:6; 2 Co. 1:7; 2 Co. 7:4; 2 Co. 7:7; 2 Co. 7:13; 2 Co. 8:4; 2 Co. 8:17; Phil. 2:1; 1 Thess. 2:3; 2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Tim. 4:13; Phlm. 1:7; Heb. 6:18; Heb. 12:5; Heb. 13:22 Teaching (instruction, doctrine) (1319)(didaskalia from didasko from dáo = to know or teach) is either the act of teaching or the thing taught and in this use denotes doctrine or what is taught. Didaskalia - 21v - Note concentration in the pastoral epistles! Dear pastor please teach doctrine! (Be warned - Heb 13:17) Matt. 15:9; Mk. 7:7; Rom. 12:7; Rom. 15:4; Eph. 4:14; Col. 2:22; 1 Tim. 1:10; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Tim. 4:6; 1 Tim. 4:13; 1 Tim. 4:16; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 3:10; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1; Titus 2:7; Titus 2:10 1 Timothy 4:13, 14, 16, 6:11 (Oswald Chambers) Keep Bright by Use: General Maxims (a) If you lack education, first realise it; then cure it. (b) Beware of knowing what you don’t practise Cultivate Mental Habits 1 Timothy 4:13 Give attendance to reading) If we wish to excel in secular things, we concentrate; why should we be less careful in work for God? Don’t get dissipated; determine to develop your intellect for one purpose only—to make yourself of more use to God. Have a perfect machine ready for God to use. It is impossible to read too much, but always keep before you why you read. Remember that “the need to receive, recognise, and rely on the Holy Spirit” is before all else. Constantly Aim at the Highest 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine Remember that preaching is God’s ordained method of saving the world (see 1Corinthians 1:21). Take time before God and find out the highest ideal for an address. Never mind if you do not reach the ideal, but work at it, and never say fail. By work and steady application you will acquire the power to do with ease what at first seemed so difficult. Avoid the temptation to be slovenly in your mind and be deluded into calling it “depending on the Spirit.” Don’t misapply Matthew 10:19, 20. Carelessness in spiritual matters is a crime. Concentrate on Personal Resources 1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee. In immediate preparation don’t call in the aid of other minds; rely on the Holy Spirit and on your own resources, and He will select for you. Discipline your mind by reading and by building in stuff in private, then all that you have assimilated will come back. Keep yourself full to the brim in reading; but remember that the first great Resource is the Holy Ghost Who lays at your disposal the Word of God. The thing to prepare is not the sermon, but the preacher. Constrain Yourself to Be Spiritually Minded 1 Timothy 6:11 Follow after righteousness It is possible to have a saved and sanctified experience and a stagnant mind. Learn how to make your mind awake and fervid, and when once your mind is awake never let it go to sleep. The brain does not need rest, it only needs change of work. The intellect works with the greatest intensity when it works continuously; the more you do, the more you can do. We must work hard to keep in trim for God. Clean off the rust and keep bright by use (BORROW Chambers, Oswald: Approved Unto God) Steven Lawson gives an illustration of John Calvin's "giving attention" to Biblical preaching - One noted expositor who “gave attention” to biblical preaching was the monumental reformer of Geneva, John Calvin. His passionate commitment to Word-centered, text-driven preaching remains second to none. For twenty-three years (1541–1564), this Swiss pastor carefully expounded God’s Word to his congregation. Calvin preached from the New Testament twice each Sunday, and every other week he expounded portions of the Old Testament each weekday evening. Before this long period of extended ministry, Calvin had been missing from his pulpit ministry, banished on Easter Day 1538 by the Geneva city council. Yet upon his return from a three-year exile, Calvin entered his Geneva church (in September 1541) triumphant and resumed his exposition exactly where he had stopped three years earlier—on the next verse. Later, Calvin became seriously ill in the first week of October 1558 and did not return to the pulpit until Monday, June 12, 1559—an absence of eight months. But when he resumed his ministry, he commenced again at the very next verse in the Book of Isaiah. He was consumed with a passion for expository preaching. In fact, Calvin was so devoted to preaching through books in the Bible that his expositional series often took several years to complete. For example, his weekly preaching through the Book of Acts took over four years. He then preached 46 sermons on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 186 sermons on 1 and 2 Corinthians, 86 sermons on the Pastoral Epistles, 43 sermons on Galatians, and 48 sermons on Ephesians. In his latter years he began preaching a harmony of the Gospels in the spring of 1559 and continued to do so until he died five years later, on May 27, 1564. During this same time he preached 159 sermons on Job, 200 on Deuteronomy, 353 on Isaiah, 123 on Genesis, along with other expositions as well. John Calvin’s meaty sermons were of such substance that his expositions eventually became the basis of his luminous commentaries. Through his pulpit preaching, he produced commentaries on twenty-three Old Testament books (including ten of the twelve Minor Prophets books), a harmony of the Gospels, Acts, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus. The great majority of this vast, rich legacy flowed out of his faithful expository preaching. Is biblical preaching relevant? When one considers that Calvin’s expository preaching dramatically influenced two continents—both religiously and culturally—the answer must be affirmative. What could possibly be more relevant than the life-changing power of preaching God’s Word? The famed Genevan Reformer towers over the centuries as an example worth emulating in the passionate pursuit of biblical exposition. (Famine in the Land - Recommended Read for Pastors) Read It Aloud Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. —1 Timothy 4:13 Today's Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-16 We are blessed with many wonderful translations of the Bible these days, so it’s hard for us to realize that for more than 350 years one version was used by much of the English-speaking world. Today some people recoil at the King James’ “thees,” “thous,” and “verilys.” Yet there is something beautiful about hearing it read aloud, especially familiar passages like the 23rd Psalm. In God’s Secretaries, author Adam Nicolson chronicles the King James translators’ sensitivity to sound. He says that the 12 men sat around the room listening to the text being read aloud. They felt that what governed the acceptability of a particular verse was not only accuracy to the original language, but a pleasant sound of the words. Paul understood the power of the spoken Word. To the young pastor Timothy he instructed public Bible reading: “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13). We need to take the time each day To read God’s Word and pray, And listen for what He might say To guide us on our way. —Sper God speaks through His Word—take time to listen. 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery KJV 1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. NKJ 1 Timothy 4:14 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 eldership. NET 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you. BGT 1 Timothy 4:14 μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου. CSB 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. ESV 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. NIV 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. NLT 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. YLT 1 Timothy 4:14 be not careless of the gift in thee, that was given thee through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the eldership; MIT 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not be negligent of your spiritual gift accorded you through prophecy, accompanied by the presbytery's laying their hands on you. NJB 1 Timothy 4:14 You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not neglect it. NRS 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. RSV 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. NAB 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate. GWN 1 Timothy 4:14 Don't neglect the gift which you received through prophecy when the spiritual leaders placed their hands on you to ordain you. BBE 1 Timothy 4:14 Make use of that grace in you, which was given to you by the word of the prophets, when the rulers of the church put their hands on you. Neglect Mt 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-26; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Th 5:19; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Pet 4:9-11 with 1 Ti 5:22; Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; 2 Ti 1:6 Related Passages: Romans 12:6-8 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 1 Peter 4:9-11 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. USE YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT! Do not neglect (ameleo) the spiritual gift (charisma) within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance (propheteia) with the laying on of hands by the presbytery - Do not neglect is a present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey. Paul commands Timothy to either stop doing this or do not start doing this. Lawson - In essence, Paul challenged this young preacher, “No matter what difficulty is being thrown at you, keep on preaching!”...Regardless of what might prompt a moment of weakness, Timothy was exhorted to endure faithfully in his preaching. Every preacher today must exhibit such unwavering resolve to preach the Word, no matter what may oppose him. The commitment must be constant and intentional. (Ibid)