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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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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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