1 Timothy 4

8. profiteth little--Greek, "profiteth to (but) a small extent." Paul does not deny that fasting and abstinence from conjugal intercourse for a time, with a view to reaching the inward man through the outward, do profit somewhat, Acts 13:3 , 1 Corinthians 7:5 1 Corinthians 7:7 , 1 Corinthians 9:26 1 Corinthians 9:27 (though in its degenerate form, asceticism, dwelling solely on what is outward, 1 Timothy 4:3 , is not only not profitable but injurious). Timothy seems to have had a leaning to such outward self-discipline (compare 1 Timothy 5:23 ). Paul, therefore, while not disapproving of this in its due proportion and place, shows the vast superiority of godliness or piety, as being profitable not merely "to a small extent," but unto all things; for, having its seat within, it extends thence to the whole outward life of a man. Not unto one portion only of his being, but to every portion of it, bodily and spiritual, temporal and eternal [ALFORD]. "He who has piety (which is 'profitable unto all things') wants nothing needed to his well-being, even though he be without those helps which, 'to a small extent,' bodily exercise furnishes" [CALVIN]. "Piety," which is the end for which thou art to "exercise thyself" ( 1 Timothy 4:7 ), is the essential thing: the means are secondary.
having promise, &c.--Translate as Greek, "Having promise of life, that which now is, and that which is to come." "Life" in its truest and best sense now and hereafter ( 2 Timothy 1:1 ). Length of life now so far as it is really good for the believer; life in its truest enjoyments and employments now, and life blessed and eternal hereafter ( Matthew 6:33 , Mark 10:29 Mark 10:30 ). "Now in this time" ( Psalms 84:11 , 112:1-10 , Romans 8:28 , 1 Corinthians 3:21 1 Corinthians 3:22 , "all things are yours . . . the world, life . . . things present, things to come"). Christianity, which seems to aim only at our happiness hereafter, effectually promotes it here ( 1 Timothy 6:6 , 2 Peter 1:3 ). Compare Solomon's prayer and the answer ( 1 Kings 3:7-13 ).

9. ( 1 Timothy 1:15 ). This verse (Greek), "faithful is the saying," &c. confirms the assertion as to the "promise" attached to "godliness," 1 Timothy 4:8 , and forms a prefatory introduction to 1 Timothy 4:10 , which is joined to 1 Timothy 4:9 by "For." So 2 Timothy 2:11 . Godly men seem to suffer loss as to this life: Paul hereby refutes the notion [BENGEL]. "God is the Saviour specially of those that believe" ( 1 Timothy 4:10 ), both as to "the life that now is," and also as to "the life which is to come" ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ).

10. therefore--Greek, "with a view to this." The reason why "we both ('both' is omitted in the oldest manuscripts) labor (endure hardship) and suffer reproach (some oldest manuscripts read 'strive') is because we have rested, and do rest our hope, on the living (and therefore, life-giving, 1 Timothy 4:8 ) God."
Saviour--even in this life ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ).
specially of those that believe--Their "labor and reproach" are not inconsistent with their having from the living God, their Saviour, even the present life ( Mark 10:30 , "a hundred fold now in this time . . . with persecutions"), much more the life to come. If God is in a sense "Saviour" of unbelievers ( 1 Timothy 2:4 , that is, is willing to be so everlastingly, and is temporally here their Preserver and Benefactor), much more of believers. He is the Saviour of all men potentially ( 1 Timothy 1:15 ); of believers alone effectually.

11. These truths, to the exclusion of those useless and even injurious teachings ( 1 Timothy 4:1-8 ), while weighing well thyself, charge also upon others.

12. Let no man despise thy youth--Act so as to be respected in spite of thy youth ( 1 Corinthians 16:11 , Titus 2:15 ); compare "youthful" as to Timothy ( 2 Timothy 2:22 ). He was but a mere youth when he joined Paul ( Acts 16:1-3 ). Eleven years had elapsed since then to the time subsequent to Paul's first imprisonment. He was, therefore, still young; especially in comparison with Paul, whose place he was filling; also in relation to elderly presbyters whom he should "entreat as a father" ( 1 Timothy 5:1 ), and generally in respect to his duties in rebuking, exhorting, and ordaining ( 1 Timothy 3:1 ), which ordinarily accord best with an elderly person ( 1 Timothy 5:19 ).
be thou an example--Greek, "become a pattern" ( Titus 2:7 ); the true way of making men not to despise (slight, or disregard) thy youth.
in word--in all that thou sayest in public and private.
conversation--that is, "behavior" the Old English sense of the word.
in charity . . . faith--the two cardinal principles of the Christian ( Galatians 5:6 ). The oldest manuscripts omit, "in spirit."
in purity--simplicity of holy motive followed out in consistency of holy action [ALFORD] ( 1 Timothy 5:22 , 2 Corinthians 6:6 , 3:17 , 4:8 , 1 Peter 1:22 ).

13. Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself ( 1 Timothy 1:3 , 3:14 ).
reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church ( Luke 4:16-20 , Acts 13:15 , 15:21 , 2 Corinthians 3:14 ). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church ( 1 Thessalonians 5:21 1 Thessalonians 5:27 , Colossians 4:16 ), [JUSTIN MARTYR, Apology, 1.67]. I think that while public reading is the prominent thought, the Spirit intended also to teach that Scripture reading in private should be "the fountain of all wisdom from which pastors ought to draw whatever they bring before their flock" [ALFORD].
exhortation--addressed to the feelings and will with a view to the regulation of the conduct.
doctrine--Greek (ministerial), "teaching" or instruction. Addressed to the understanding, so as to impart knowledge ( 1 Timothy 6:2 , Romans 12:7 Romans 12:8 ). Whether in public or private, exhortation and instruction should be based on Scripture reading.

14. Neglect not the gift--by letting it lie unused. In 2 Timothy 1:6 the gift is represented as a spark of the Spirit lying within him, and sure to smoulder by neglect, the stirring up or keeping in lively exercise of which depends on the will of him on whom it is bestowed ( Matthew 25:18 Matthew 25:25 Matthew 25:27 Matthew 25:28 ). The charism or spiritual gift, is that of the Spirit which qualified him for "the work of an evangelist" ( Ephesians 4:11 , 2 Timothy 4:5 ), or perhaps the gift of discerning spirits, specially needed in his function of ordaining, as overseer [BISHOP HINDS].
given thee--by God ( 1 Corinthians 12:4 1 Corinthians 12:6 ).
by prophecy--that is, by the Holy Spirit, at his general ordination, or else consecration, to the special see of Ephesus, speaking through the prophets God's will to give him the graces needed to qualify him for his work ( 1 Timothy 1:18 , Acts 13:1-3 ).
with . . . laying on of . . . hands--So in Joshua's case ( Numbers 27:18-20 , Deuteronomy 34:9 ). The gift was connected with the symbolical act of laying on hands. But the Greek "with" implies that the presbyter's laying on hands was the mere accompaniment of the conferring of the gift. "By" ( 2 Timothy 1:6 ) implies that Paul's laying on his hands was the actual instrument of its being conferred.
of the presbytery--In 2 Timothy 1:6 the apostle mentions only his own laying on of hands. But there his aim is to remind Timothy specially of the part he himself took in imparting to him the gift. Here he mentions the fact, quite consistent with the other, that the neighboring presbyters took part in the ordination or consecration, he, however, taking the foremost part. Paul, though having the general oversight of the elders everywhere, was an elder himself ( 1 Peter 5:1 , 2 John 1:1 ). The Jewish council was composed of the elders of the Church (the presbytery, Luke 22:66 , Acts 22:5 ), and a presiding rabbi; so the Christian Church was composed of apostles, elders, and a president ( Acts 15:16 ). As the president of the synagogue was of the same order as his presbyters, so the bishop was of the same order as his presbyters. At the ordination of the president of the synagogue there were always three presbyters present to lay on hands, so the early Church canons required three bishops to be present at the consecration of a bishop. As the president of the synagogue, so the bishop of the Church alone could ordain, he acting as the representative, and in the name of the whole presbytery [VITRINGA]. So, in the Anglican Church, the bishop ordains, the presbyters or priests present joining with him in laying on hands.

15. Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" ( Psalms 1:2 , 119:15 ; compare "Isaac," Genesis 24:63 ).
these things--( 1 Timothy 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.
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.
profiting--Greek, "progress" towards perfection in the Christian life, and especially towards the fullest realization of the ideal of a Christian minister ( 1 Timothy 4:12 ).
may appear to all--not for thy glory, but for the winning of souls ( Matthew 5:16 ).

16. Take heed--Give heed ( Acts 3:5 ).
thyself, and . . . doctrine--"and unto thy teaching." The two requisites of a good pastor: His teaching will be of no avail unless his own life accord with it; and his own purity of life is not enough unless he be diligent in teaching [CALVIN]. This verse is a summary of 1 Timothy 4:12 .
continue in them--( 2 Timothy 3:14 ).
in doing this--not "by doing this," as though he could save himself by works.
thou shalt . . . save thyself, and them that hear thee--( Ezekiel 33:9 , 5:20 ). In performing faithfully his duty to others, the minister is promoting his own salvation. Indeed he cannot "give heed unto the teaching" of others, unless he be at the same time "giving heed unto himself."