The Duties of Timothy's Public Ministry
1 Timothy 4:13
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.


The apostle urges him to the diligent exercise of his calling. "Till I come give attention to the reading, the exhortation, the teaching."

I. THE READING. This referred to the public reading of the Scriptures in the Church. The Old Testament Scriptures, and probably part of the New Testament, would thus be read at such meeting of the saints. This reading was necessary because

(1) the Scriptures were the sources of all religious knowledge;

(2) the test or standard of doctrine by which opinions were to be tried;

(3) the means of sanctification (John 17:17);

(4) the spring of Christian hope and comfort (Romans 15:13).

II. THE EXHORTATION. This refers to public ministry. Timothy was practically to enforce the duties of Christian life out of the Scriptures.

III. THE TEACHING. This refers to the matter of doctrinal instruction. Thus full provision would be made for building up the saints in their most holy faith, and in all the graces and virtues of a holy life. - T.C.



Parallel Verses
KJV: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

WEB: Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.




Reading: a Talk with Young Folk
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