1 Timothy 4

Text

Textual witnesses

• Papyrus 133
• Codex Sinaiticus
• Codex Alexandrinus
• Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus
• Codex Freerianus
• Uncial 061
• Codex Claromontanus

The Charge to Timothy (4:6–16)

Verse 9

• "This is a faithful saying" : is a formula assuming 'general acceptance' and is stated 5 times in the Pastoral Epistles.

  Verse 10

• "Savior" : The last of three times in this letter that God is called "Savior", recalling the 'well-known appellation of Yahweh in the Greek Old Testament'.

  Verse 16

• "Take heed unto yourself": Not only as a Christian, but also as a minister, because every minister should be cautious that his conducts could be exemplary to his gifts to be used and improved, not to be infected with heresies; that he feed his flock with knowledge and understanding according to the Scriptures, the teaching of Christ and his apostles, according to godliness, so it tend purely to edification and is expressed in the best way and that he defend it against all opposition.
• "Continue in them": or "with them", that is, the church members at Ephesus to stay in the doctrines of the Gospel, even though rejected by the learned, wise, and rich people and though loaded with reproach and persecuted, even to death.
• "For in doing this, you will both save yourself and those who hear you": that is, by paying attention to himself and the doctrine, a minister saves himself from the pollution of the world, from the heresies of false teachers, to be an example to the congregation and faithfully preach the Gospel to his audience for their eternal salvation, about Jesus Christ as the only Savior, thus being the joyful instruments of converting sinners, and saving them from eternal death.