1 Timothy 4 Study Notes

4:13 Public reading refers to the reading of Scripture in corporate worship (Ac 13:15; 2Co 3:14).

4:14 Gift probably refers to Timothy’s calling and gifting for ministry indicated by God (through prophecy) and recognized by the church (laying on of hands by the elders).

4:15 These things that Paul called on Timothy to practice and be committed to are the things commanded in vv. 12-13. These encompassed his behavior and teaching.

Outside the NT, the title sotÄ“r (savior, deliverer) was applied to deserving men, leading officials, rulers, or deities (e.g., of Roman emperors Julius Caesar, Nero, and Vespasian). The term had connotations of protector, deliverer, preserver, or savior. In the NT, sotÄ“r refers exclusively to Jesus Christ and to God the Father, with a focus on their saving, delivering character as expressed through their actions. As Savior, Christ grants repentance and forgiveness of sin (Ac 5:31), protects and saves the church (Eph 5:23), will come again to deliver his people from this world (Php 3:20), has made possible the outpouring of the Spirit (Ti 3:6), has abolished death (2Tm 1:10), and has authority in his kingdom (2Pt 1:11). God is “the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1Tm 4:10), and “wants everyone to be saved” (1Tm 2:4). He manifested his love in his saving acts toward the church (Ti 3:4), he poured out the Holy Spirit (Ti 3:6), and he deserves praise and adoration (Jd 25).

4:16 Ultimately, salvation requires perseverance in faith (cp. Rm 11:22; 1Co 9:27; 15:1-2; Php 2:12; Col 1:23).