1 Timothy 4:6-16

4:6 | Christians should continually feed on the truth, nourishing their souls in the words of faith and good doctrine every day. Wisdom is found in reading, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word.

4:7-8 | Bodily exercise is important, because the body is god’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19). But exercising unto godliness is profitably both now and in eternity. People are foolish if they take care of their decaying bodies while ignoring their spiritual lives which will last into eternity and which can be renewed day by day (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:16).

4:7 | Like physical fitness, godliness is not developed by being passive and does not just happen; it requires effort and I maximized through daily exercise (spiritual discipline).

4:9-11 | The key decision in life is to determine in whom or in what to place one’s trust. Trusting God requires dying to self and sometimes suffering reproach, as Paul did. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). No other choice makes sense!

4:12 | Timothy was a young man striving to lead a church with many older members, and they might at times criticize or intimidate him. So Paul exhorts him to be an example, especially in word (his speech), in conduct (his lifestyle), in love (his relationships), in spirit (his attitude and outlook on life), in faith (his doctrine and dependance on Christ alone), and in purity (his sexual morality). This is a profound outline – and often the best response – for all believers (Phil. 3:17; Titus 2:7; 1 Pet. 5:3).

4:13 | Pastoral ministry – indeed, any believer’s strength of faith – flows from giving attention to the truths of God’s Word. A careful study of Scripture builds solid belief, which then leads people to apply and obey the Word. For Timothy to fulfill his role as pastor, Paul urges him to take the lead by presenting the Word, expounding its truths, and helping his listeners to apply it (exhortation). It is spiritually detrimental to the church when the teaching and preaching of God’s Word takes a backseat to other things (such as worship styles, capital campaigns, and programs).

4:14-16 | When Paul speaks of laying on of hands of the eldership, he refers to what is today called ordination. Evidently both Paul and the leaders of the church at Ephesus had recognized Timothy’s gift for ministry, affirmed him, and commissioned him for his pastoral role (Acts 16:1-4). Paul reminds Timothy of that experience, saying in effect, “Keep using your gift. And if you ever have doubts about your call, remember your ordination!”