Three Minute Bible

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 

Summary: In this passage, Paul gives Timothy specific instructions; read, preach, and teach.   

Much of Paul’s letter to Timothy is background information. In Chapter One, Paul explains about false doctrine, where it comes from, and why. 

Paul gives Timothy three “trustworthy sayings” that are keystones of truth. These gems are to be passed on as “sayings,” unaltered. 

Timothy is encouraged to be faithful (1 Timothy 1:18-20), and then given three specific instructions about praying for all people (1 Timothy 2:1-2), how men are to pray (v 8), and how women should behave (v 11). 

Paul continues with a description of overseers, noting that they should be “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2). Timothy, of course, is an overseer himself, so we are given to understand that Paul has full confidence in Timothy’s ability to teach. 

In Chapter Four, Paul returns to the topic of false teachings. He describes false teachers as “hypocritical liars” (1 Timothy 4:2) and gives examples of the kinds of things they teach. Paul then explains that Christian living is the opposite of the false teacher’s “rules:” 

”For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4-5)

Now, finally having completed sharing his dossier of background information, Paul says, “Command and teach these things” (1 Timothy 4:11). Only then does he add the instruction, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching.” 

It is interesting to note here that the phrase “reading of Scripture” is not always translated this way. The Greek text does not specify what is being read. It simply says “reading.” This is why some translations follow the lead of the King James Version: 

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:13, KJV)

What was Timothy supposed to read? Much of the Old Testament would qualify. Perhaps Timothy read Paul’s letters aloud, or copies of Luke’s writings to Theophilus. 

While it is not clear exactly what Timothy was to read, the principles that would guide his choices are clear. Paul’s three “trusted sayings” are a reliable guide for anything Timothy would read, preach on, or teach. 

Application: Paul’s guidance to Timothy still holds true for all leaders in the Body of Christ.  

Food for Thought: How are preaching and teaching different? 

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