Las Vegas, Nevada Church
Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

 
 
 Survey of the Letters of Paul:  1 Timothy 4:15  
  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
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1 Timothy 4:15
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
 
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Note:
before doing a study on any single verse, read all the verses from the beginning of the chapter to this point and maybe a verse or two beyond. Do this so you have the verse in context before you begin. click here
1 Timothy 4:11-16
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
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.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

THE PERSONAL DUTY OF THE CHRISTIAN LEADER

HERE in this passage is set out in the most vivid way the personal duty of every Christian leader.

(1) Christian leaders must remember that they have been set apart for a special task by the Church. Their position does not make sense apart from the Church. Their commission came from it; their work is within its fellowship; their duty is to build others into it. That is why the really important work of the Christian Church is never done by any travelling evangelist but always by its settled ministry.

(2) Christian leaders must remember the duty to think about these things. Their great danger is intellectual laziness and the closed mind, neglecting to study and allowing their thoughts to continue in well-worn grooves. The danger is that new truths, new methods and the attempt to restate the faith in contemporary terms may merely annoy them. Christian leaders must be Christian thinkers or they fail in their task; and to be a Christian thinker is to be an adventurous thinker as long as life lasts.

(3) Christian leaders must remember the duty of concentration. The danger is that they may waste their energies on many things which are not central to the Christian faith. They are presented with the invitation to many duties and confronted with the claims of many spheres of service. There was a prophet who confronted Ahab with a kind of parable. He said that in a battle a man brought him a prisoner to guard, telling him that if the prisoner escaped his own life would be forfeit; but he allowed his attention to wander, and ‘while your servant was busy here and there, he was gone’ (1 Kings 20:35–43). It is easy for a Christian leader to be busy here and there, and to let the central things go. Concentration is a prime duty of all Christian leaders.

(4) Christian leaders must remember the duty of progress. Their progress must be evident to all. It is all too true of most of us that the same things get the better of us year in and year out; that as year succeeds year, we are no further on. Christian leaders plead with others to become more like Christ. How can they do so with honesty unless daily they become more like the Master to whom they belong and whom they seek to serve? The first prayer of Christian leaders must be that they may grow more like Christ, for only in this way will they be able to lead others to him. ~Barclay's Commentary

This verse is broken out into three basic phrases though you will see further breakdowns in some commentaries as we will see tonight. The primary three phrases are:

1] Meditate upon these things.
2] Give thyself wholly to them.
3] That thy profiting may appear to all.

We will take one phrase at a time

1] MEDITATE UPON THESE THINGS
Notice as we go through this that the admonition here is for all firstfruits in the Salvation Process.

Meditate upon these things - Upon the train of events by which you have been led into the ministry, and upon the responsibilities and duties of the office. Let your mind be deeply impressed with these things; make them the subject of profound and serious thought. ~Barnes Notes

Meditate upon these things - Ταυτα μελετα· Revolve them frequently in thy mind; consider deeply their nature and importance; get them deeply fastened in thy heart, and let all thy conduct flow from this inward feeling and conviction. Let the nature, reasons, and motives of thy ministry, be ever in the view of thy heart and conscience. ~Adam Clarke [Emphasis mine].

Note: A heart and conscience governed by the Holy Spirit in you.

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 Scriptures should be read with care, and be industriously and laboriously searched into, as men dig in mines for silver or golden ore; and passages in it should be carefully compared together, the more obscure with those that are more plain and easy; and the whole is to be studied with great attention and application: ~John Gill  [Emphasis mine].

The Jamieson, Fausset, Brown breaks this phrase into two parts:

Meditate — Greek, “Meditate CAREFULLY upon” (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:15; compare “Isaac,” Genesis 24:63).  [Emphasis mine].

Quoted verses:
Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:15
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Genesis 24:63 ...as Isaac was waiting for Rebekah
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

Note: This is noteworthy here as it shows how we meditate on desires and the supplications we have made before God.

these things — (1Timothy 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation.

Quoted verse:
1 Timothy 4:12-14
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
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.

2] GIVE THYSELF WHOLLY TO THEM

Give thyself wholly to them - Greek “Be in them” - a phrase similar to that of Horace - “totus in illis.” The meaning is plain. He was to devote his life wholly to this work. He was to have no other grand aim of living. His time, attention, talents, were to be absorbed in the proper duties of the work. He was not to make that subordinate and tributary [contributing to something else] to any other purpose, nor was he to allow any other object to interfere with the appropriate duties of that office. He was not to live for money, fame, or pleasure; not to devote his time to the pursuits of literature or science for their own sakes; not to seek the reputation of an elegant or profound scholar; not to aim to be distinguished merely as an accomplished gentleman, or as a skillful farmer, teacher, or author. Whatever was done in any of these departments, was to be wholly consistent with the direction, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι en toutois isthi - “be in these things” - be absorbed in the appropriate duties of the ministerial office. It may be remarked here that no man will ever make much of himself, or accomplish much in any profession, who does not make this the rule of his life. He who has one great purpose of life to which he patiently and steadily devotes himself, and to which he makes everything else bend, will uniformly rise to high respectability, if not to eminence. He who does not do this can expect to accomplish nothing. ~Barnes Notes  [Emphasis mine].

Give thyself wholly to them - Εν τουτοις ισθι· Be thou in these things. Horace has a similar expression: Omnis in hoc sum. “I am absorbed in this.” Occupy thyself wholly with them; make them not only thy chief but thy sole concern. Thou art called to save thy own soul, and the souls of them that hear thee; and God has given thee the Divine gifts for this and no other purpose. To this let all thy reading and study be directed; this is thy great business, and thou must perform it as the servant and steward of the Lord. Bengel has a good saying on this verse, which I will quote: In his qui est, minus erit in sodalitatibus mundanis, in studiis alienis, in colligendis libris, conchis, nummis, quibus multi pastores notabilem aetatis partem insistentes conterunt; “He who is wholly in these things will be little in worldly company, in foreign studies, in collecting books, shells, and coins, in which many ministers consume a principal part of their life.” Such persons are worthy of the deepest reprehension, unless all these studies, collections, etc., be formed with the express view, of illustrating the sacred records; and to such awful drudgery few Christian ministers are called. Many, when they have made such collections, seem to know nothing of their use; they only see them and show them, but can never bring them to their assistance in the work of the ministry. These should be prayed for and pitied. ~Adam Clarke  [Emphasis mine].

give thyself wholly to them - to the reading of the Scriptures, meditation upon them, and preaching the doctrines contained in them, clear of all secular affairs, or worldly business and employment. The apostles threw off the branch of deaconship, or ministering to the poor, that they might give themselves up wholly to the ministry of the word, and prayer; and much more should worldly business be cast off, where the circumstances of ministers and churches will admit of it; a Christian soldier, or minister of the Gospel, ought not, if possible, to be entangled with the affairs of this life; he finds enough to do without, in the discharge of his ministerial function; and though the apostles sometimes wrought with their own hands, yet it was not because they had so much leisure from the ministry, or time on their hands, or because they had not a power of forbearing working, but out of necessity, see Acts 20:34, or these words may be rendered, ~John Gill

The reference here is to Acts 20:34. Let us read beginning in verse 31:

Acts 20:31-34
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

be thou in these things - let thine heart be in them; for if a minister's heart is not in his work, if he does not take delight in it, it will be a slavery and drudgery to him; spend all the time and strength in them, give thyself continually to them, and be always diligent and laborious in them: ~John Gill  [Emphasis mine].

give thyself wholly to — literally, “BE in these things”; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are changes as to all other studies, fashionable to-day, out of fashion to-morrow; this study alone is never obsolete, and when made the all-engrossing aim sanctifies all other studies. The exercise of the ministry threatens the spirit of the ministry, unless it be sustained within. The minister must be first his own scholar before he can be another’s teacher. ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown [Emphasis mine].

3] THAT THY PROFITING MAY APPEAR TO ALL

Barnes Notes breaks this phrase into two parts

That thy profiting - Greek Thy going forward; that is, thy advancement, or progress. A minister of the gospel ought to make steady improvement in all that pertains to his office. No man ought to be satisfied with present attainments. ~Barnes Notes

Note:  All firstfruits ought to make steady improvement.

To all - Margin, “in all things.” The margin is the more correct rendering, but either of them makes good sense. It should be apparent to all persons who attend on the stated preaching of a minister of the gospel, that he is making steady advances in knowledge, wisdom, and piety, and in all things that pertain to the proper performance of the duties of his office. If a man really makes progress, it will be seen and appreciated by others; if he does not, that will be as well understood by his hearers. ~Barnes Notes

That thy profiting may appear to all - By being made a universal blessing; convincing and converting sinners; and building up the Church of God on its most holy faith. ~Adam Clarke

That thy profiting may appear to all - that it may be manifest to all that attend the ministry of the word that there is an increase in gifts, a growing in spiritual knowledge, an improvement of the talents bestowed: or that this profiting or increase might appear in all things; in every branch of the ministry, both in exhortation or consolation, and in doctrine; or that it might be manifest among all; that is, all that hear might receive some profit, might learn, and be comforted and edified; faith might be increased, and the joy of it be furthered; and all under the ministry visibly thrive and flourish. ~John Gill  [Emphasis mine].

Let us finish with the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

Meditate upon these things:
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 1:2
Quoted above

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 49:3
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Psalm 63:6
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Psalm 77:12
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Psalm 104:34
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Psalm 105:5
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Psalm 119
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

Give thyself wholly to them:
Acts 6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

1 Corinthians 16:15
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

2 Corinthians 4:14
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

2 Corinthians 8:5
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

That thy profiting may appear to all: to all: or, in all things:

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.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Philippians 2:15-16
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Lesson Recap - What we learned today:

Meditate upon these things:
1] Immerse yourself in the Word of God.
2] Revolve them frequently in thy mind.
3] Meditate CAREFULLY upon the words and concepts of God.

Give thyself wholly to them:
1] Do not allow other elements or objects in your life interfere with your Salvation Process.
2] Remember that you are called to save thy own soul; that is, to stay in the Process and manifest forward movement by the power of the Holy Spirit in you.
3] Be diligent and laborious in the things of God.
4] BE in these things. BE these things.

That thy profiting may appear to all.
1] Make steady improvement.
2] Grow in spiritual knowledge.
3] Manifest the principles of God...Invoke the principles or fruit of the Spirit.
4] Allow your faith to increase continually.



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