1 Timothy 4:11-16
11 “Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 13 Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching.14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
Prescribe and teach: Paul wants Timothy to proclaim the good news of Christ’s freedom to all people. This message is contradictory to the false gospel being proclaimed by the Gnostics who denied Christ’s physicality and taught that salvation was through the acquiring of secret knowledge.
Example of those who believe: Paul is speaking of trusting in the Father and expressing love to all people. Paul does not have in mind a specific product but rather a lifestyle of participation in the Holy Spirit.
Public reading…teaching: In contrast to the modern Christian world, which sometimes focuses worship services on showing off bells and whistles, Paul was focused on content. A healthy worship service included reading from the Scriptures and seeking to better understand the Gospel of grace. The Gospel is the only message that can change lives.
Do not neglect: Paul is likely not talking about something mystical or overly supernatural. He is likely talking about laying on hands as a way of commissioning Timothy. The church was visibly identifying Timothy as a leader and a pastor. The church was also prophesying to Timothy about his gifting. Here prophecy is not some form of fortune telling but rather words of encouragement for Timothy. They are recognizing his giftedness and encouraging him to live from this giftedness.
Progress evident to all: Paul is telling Timothy to essentially be obsessed with the Gospel. As Timothy focuses on God’s grace he will mature in Christ. This maturation will be evident to all who will then continue to see Timothy’s calling to ministry clearly. The same is true for Christians. The more we know God’s love the more we will mature in all that we have in Christ.
Exhortation and teaching: Paul has a very simplified view of church. He encourages Timothy to simply exhort and teach the Gospel. For Paul, church was not about the presentation but about the substance.
Those who hear you: Salvation can be defined in two different ways. When we believe in Jesus we are spiritually saved in Christ. However, salvation can also speak of a saving of our experiences in life. If we keep pure our theology, then we will save ourselves from all types of bad theology, and consequently, earthly consequences. Paul wanted Timothy to maintain a pure theology about the Gospel so that his earthly experience will be one of victory over bad doctrine.
