My God and My Country

1 Timothy 4:12 - 1599 Geneva Bible

12 Let no man despise thy youth, but be unto them that believe, an ensample, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith and in pureness.

15 These things exercise, and give thyself unto them, that it may be seen how thou profitest among all men.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto learning: continue therein: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.


Lord forgive my stumbling of yesterday. I gave into idle talk and did not edify my brother. Help me in my failings, and lift me up to study your word this morning. - Amen


“The quality of mercy is twice blessed, it blesses both he that receives and he that grants”


Brethren:

Paul herein states that although his pupil is a young man he is now and older man in the faith. That is to say that his teachings and learning accelerated faster than most men. Therefore allow no persons dispute or despise his age. In this he goes on to say, that in all things to show himself approved, thereby blessing himself and those that hear the Gospel of Christ being preached. - R.P. Woitowitz Sr.


“Paul here gives Timothy directions concerning his own conduct, especially as he was yet a young man, and had such difficulties upon his hands. He advises him to take a great deal of care how he behaved both in public and private, and particularly that he gave himself entirely to the work of the ministry, 1 Timothy 4:12-16. St. Paul wrote in a popular style; and, therefore, uses many words to the same purpose, to express the thing more vehemently. However, if any desire to distinguish, they may refer in word to his speech, and in conversation to his behaviour. In charity, may possibly refer more especially to that love which they owed the Gentile Christians. In spirit, means in the temper or disposition of mind;—"in a candid, yet zealous spirit.


The word ΄ελετα is used to denote all the preparatory exercises of mind or body made use of by those who were desirous of excelling in any art or science. St. Paul therefore recommends it to Timothy, by proper previous exercises to qualify himself for excelling in the discharge of the work of an evangelist: "Make these things your daily care and study." They who had the gifts of the Spirit in a supernatural manner, were to read and study, as well as to teach others; thus they stirred up the gift that was in them, which by negligence they would have quenched. Surely then, the pastors of the church now-a-days have much more reason to read and to study. As Timothy's taking heed to himself through divine grace, and to his teaching of others, and persevering therein, was necessary to his own salvation; so it was necessary in those who were instructed by him, that they, through the same grace of God, should take heed to themselves, practise the duties of the Christian life, and persevere therein; otherwise it was not in Timothy's power to become the instrument of saving them. It seems an obvious remark here, that the salvation of others may, under the blessing of God, have considerable influence upon a man's own salvation; as the better those about him are, the more advantage he has for religious improvement; the fewer hindrances from duty, and temptations to sin. But certainly, the thought chiefly referred to, is, the necessity of acting faithfully in the ministry, if pastors desire to be partakers of the divine promise of salvation; in which persons who betray so important a trust can have no part.” Thomas Coke