1 Timothy Chapter 4

vs 9-10

Verse 9 is basically a redundant verse on it's own theologically, but it does cause a problem, as do many statements like it - we don't know for sure whether the trustworthy saying is what Paul just said, or what he's about to say. The statement is a common enough one in greek, and yet it doesn't have a formal standardised useage. The translators of the NIV obviously think it links foward to vs 10. But in vs 10, try swapping the word "that" for the word "because" (the greek 'hoti' is translated 'because' 212 times in the NASB) and then see how it reads.

It makes me think that vs 9 actually refers to vs 8 and the value of godliness. And that is what Paul labours and strives towards, because he has faith in Christ who saves. If he didn't have faith in a savior, then perhaps physical training would be more valuable.

But that is absolutely nothing compared to this statement by Paul that Jesus is the saviour of all men, especially believers. Pantone (a declension of pas) is used to mean 'all' and declensions of pas are used well over a thousand times in the Bible. This is worth knowing, because the word means (when used collectively) 'some of all types'. So if you're talking about men (people), then God is the saviour of 'some of all types of people' - whether it be racial types, social class types, employment types, gender types, age types. It is to show that the salvation of Christ is not restricted. So Paul is basically saying that all types of people are saved by Christ - the thing they have in common is that they are all believers.

vs 11

The verse guy went nuts here, making every few syllables a verse it seems.

vs 12

How young was he? No idea. But young enough that people would make something of it. But as many of us know - young in years does not necessarily make young in Christian maturity. History has shown us that God takes some people by the hand and leads them in baby steps through their faith. Others he catapults forward in flaming balls of explosive maturity. Guess which ones tend to survive longer? In this world, those who mature in leaps and bounds usually tend to accomplish an enormous amount through God's grace and power, and then end up dying at a ripe young age of 35 or so. It's those people who take seriously Jesus' command to sow their lives as a seed, because whoever loses their life for the gospel will save it.

Paul's telling Timothy to set an example, and people might well have not taken him seriously for his "youthful" enthusiasm as much as his youth. But people who are on fire for God are still enthusiastic, even when old. People who talk about it wistfully as being in their youth but "now I'm old, and I've got some perspective" have really lost something.

vs 13

Public reading of Scripture is something that was going on well into the early 20th century. Somehow we lost it - around the same time people only wanted to come to church for an hour.

This command is fairly specific to Timothy - we can't all be dedicated to reading the Scriptures publically, preaching and teaching. Some just don't have the gifts. But that was what Timothy was there for, so that's what he was to be devoted to.

vs 14

And we shouldn't lose sight of the things God has given us to do. We might not have been given our gift through a prophetic message. Our elders may not have laid hands on us. But God gave him his giftings, and he gives us giftings. We should not neglect their use.

vs 15

And the more we do them, the more we will progress in them. Whether that means accomplishing more, or being able to do the job better, it will it will be an encouragement to others to see it happening.

vs 16

The NASB translates this as "ensure salvation" - but it's not like that in the greek. No, Paul said it in the confusing and problematic way. Of course he did. Not much I can say here really - that is what it says. We all know what it means, of course.

One thing is that it is both your life and your doctrine that will save (or proclaim the saving message of God). Not just doctrine. Knowing all the right stuff, and saying all the right stuff, isn't enough. People have to see it work, and you've got to put it into practice in your life. 1 John makes this painfully clear, and it is a biblical truth - that those who don't put their faith into practice must be questioned as to whether they really have faith at all.