Bible Phrasing: 1 Timothy 4:11–16

At this point in the letter, almost the entirety of Paul's instruction shifts to focus on Timothy the man. This section focuses entirely on Paul's commands for Timothy. While the overarching theme of these verses in Timothy's public ministry toward the community of faith, there are three aspects Paul focuses on 4:11–16. 

The phrase "these things" occurs seven times in 1 Timothy and usually refers back material from the previous section. It also appears to function as a transition to new material. Verse 4:11 refers back to the theological instruction early in 4:1–5, the rejection of myths (4:6–8), and the emphasis on godliness (4:9–10). But the transition from 4:11 to 4:12 leads Paul to introduce the first aspect on how Timothy should handle his youth. 

Paul expects Timothy not to allow people to despise him for his youth. The prohibition alone would likely not be sufficient for the youthful Timothy, which is perhaps why Paul emphasizes the need for Timothy to be an example for believers. Paul highlights five important areas: speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. 

While verse 12 has focused on Timothy's personal qualities, 4:13 and 4:14 focus on Timothy's corporate responsibilities. The public reading of the word would have been a hallmark of corporate worship. It was accompanied by exhortation and teaching. The main difference between the two acts lies in the distinction between belief and practice. Timothy's role was not only to expound the Scriptures but to appeal to the believers at Ephesus to adopt a new manner of life in light of the establishment of new belief. 

Paul obviously found in Timothy a special gift to be up for this task. This gift was given by prophecy and confirmed by the elders when they they laid their hands on him. A ceremony like this would have been public and would likely have communicated a spiritual commissioning for the work of the Lord. Laying on of hands is not a new practice, and would have been a feature of Israel's early history (Num 27:18–23; Deut 34:9). The act was prevalent in the early church as leaders were chosen from among Jesus's follows (Acts 6:6 and 13:3). 

Finally, 4:15 and 4:16 brings the two aspects of Timothy's responsibilities, both the personal and corporate, together into a succinct summary. There are two commands, each followed by a reason. The first command is intense and doubled up with the exhortation to practice and to immerse. The reason for Timothy to do so is clear: so that all may see your progress. In the second command, Paul emphasizes Timothy's need to look inwardly at his manner of life and teaching. He exhorts Timothy to remain in these commands. The reason is because it will save (σώσεις) Timothy and his hearers. 

Did Paul mean that Timothy can save people? In light of the context, it is unlikely Paul meant that Timothy provides salvation through his personal and public example. Rather, it is more likely that Paul takes up an earlier theme of the letter from 2:15. There, a woman will be saved through childbearing -- as I noted there, that does not mean that childbearing will save a woman. There are women who cannot have children. And the Scriptures are clear that salvation is through Christ alone. Rather, Paul's point is that both women and men have specific roles assigned through the created order and therefore, must persist in their God-given roles. By doing so, they acknowledge their manner of lives conform to God's good design. 

Here then, Paul is emphasizing the need for Timothy to remain in God's sovereign plan and will for his life. Timothy's manner of life should conform to the gift he has, which confirmed by prophecies and the leadership of the church. If he persists in his God-given role, he'll be a good servant of Jesus Christ and a good example to believers. Unlike the false teachers he's called to combat (1 Tim 1:3–5), he'll be able to spread true doctrine. And paired with exhortation, he'll be able to establish an important pattern for other believers to follow. Ultimately, the pattern Timothy sets will allow other believers to persist in their God-given manner of life, leading ultimately to God's salvation. 




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