1 Timothy 4:6

4:6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, ¹  you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ² 

1 Timothy 4:12-16

4:12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, ³  and purity. 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, ⁴  to exhortation, to teaching. 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, ⁵  given to you and confirmed by prophetic words ⁶  when the elders laid hands on you. ⁷  4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. ⁸  4:16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. ⁹  Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

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¹ tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).

² sn By pointing out…you have followed. This verse gives a theme statement for what follows in the chapter about Timothy’s ministry. The situation in Ephesus requires him to be a good servant of Christ, and he will do that by sound teaching and by living an exemplary life himself.

³ tn Or “faith.”

⁴ tn Grk “reading.”

sn The public reading of scripture refers to reading the scripture out loud in the church services. In a context where many were illiterate and few could afford private copies of scripture, such public reading was especially important.

⁵ tn Grk “in you.”

⁶ tn Grk “which was given to you through prophecy.” Here as in 2:15 the preposition “through” denotes not “means” but accompanying circumstances: “accompanied by prophecy.”

sn These prophetic words perhaps spoke of what God would do through Timothy in his ministry (cf. 1 Tim 1:18).

⁷ tn Grk “with the imposition of the hands of the presbytery” (i.e., the council of elders).

⁸ tn Grk “that your progress may be evident to all.”

⁹ tn Grk “about yourself and your teaching.”