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, ¹  and purity. 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, ²  to exhortation, to teaching. 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, ³  given to you and confirmed by prophetic words ⁴  when the elders laid hands on you. ⁵  4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. ⁶  4:16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. ⁷  Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

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¹ tn Or “faith.”

² 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.

³ tn Grk “in you.”

⁴ 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).

⁵ tn Grk “with the imposition of the hands of the presbytery” (i.e., the council of elders).

⁶ tn Grk “that your progress may be evident to all.”

⁷ tn Grk “about yourself and your teaching.”