1 Timothy – Page 4 – Three Minute Bible

June 6, 2026June 8, 2026

1 Timothy 4:16b – The Test of Fire

Cartoon: Two guys are talking. The one on the left looks cool and calm. The other one looks like he has been on fire. The first guy asks, "Did you pass the test?" (Grok)

Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Summary: Once again, Paul challenges us to dive into the Greek to understand what he is trying to tell us.

In the last meditation, “1 Timothy 4:16a – Me, Myself, and I,” we looked at Paul’s admonition to Timothy to “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” Paul wasn’t reprimanding Timothy in any way, but was instead encouraging and cautioning him as one worker does to a co-worker.

June 5, 2026June 7, 2026

1 Timothy 4:16a – Me, Myself, and I

Picture: Timothy stares at himself in a mirror (Grok)

Watch your life and doctrine closely.

Summary: Paul’s use of Greek once again challenges us to consider the deeper meaning of what he was trying to say.

We often talk about the difference between the meanings of the original Greek words and the English translations, but in this case, we have one more barrier to cross.

June 4, 2026June 5, 2026

1 Timothy 4:15 – A Mind Made New

Cartoon of a head getting a new "mind" (Grok)

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

Summary: Paul’s choice of words becomes important as we push hard to better understand his meaning.

Now and then, we have to stop, pause, and ask, “What did Paul really say?”

June 3, 2026June 5, 2026

1 Timothy 4:14 – A Gift from God

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Summary: Paul’s instruction in this verse is quite simple and straightforward.

Have you ever neglected a gift?

June 2, 2026June 3, 2026

1 Timothy 4:13 – Read, Preach & Teach

Timothy is shown reading aloud, preaching, and teaching (Grok)

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.

June 1, 2026June 2, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12f – Pure Faith

Timothy stands in the center of Ephesus with his hand out in welcome to you and I. (Grok)

[but set an example for the believers] … in purity.

Summary: Paul completes his example of Christian living with a simple word, “purity.”

The word “purity,” both in English and Greek, conveys two concepts. First is the idea of cleanliness; that is, being without contamination. The second is an absence of moral corruption, especially sexual immorality.

May 30, 2026June 2, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12e – Finding Faith

a cartoon like image of two wheat stalks and a tare. One wheat stalk is in the middle, his cartoon eyes have a worried look as he glances over at the tare. The tare has a cartoon eyes and a smile with a smug look and the other wheat stalk has a cartoon eyes and smile that look peaceful and happy. (Grok)

[but set an example for the believers] … in faith…

Summary: Paul’s instruction to set an example moves from things we can observe into a realm that is both less obvious and more substantial. Faith is both invisible and very personal. For the believer, it is the foundation of our relationship with God.

It is one thing to set an example in speech and conduct: we can see that. It is another to set an example in love (agapē): we can feel that. But when we get to faith, we are talking about a different kind of thing. We can’t see or feel someone’s faith in God. All we can do is observe them over time and try to discern with our minds why they do what they do.

May 29, 2026May 30, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12d – Godly Love

[but set an example for the believers] … in love…

Summary: Setting an example with our words and deeds is commendable. Making sure that our example is worthy of our Lord Jesus is a challenge.

Paul’s instruction to Timothy so far includes the following: “… set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love…”

May 28, 2026May 29, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12c – Faith & Feats

Picture of a man saying "Yes" out of one side of his mouth and "No" out of the other. (Grok)

[but set an example for the believers] … in conduct…

Summary: What we say and what we do are both important. What is best is when the two match up.

So far, the whole passage we are looking at reads:

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct…”

May 27, 2026May 28, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12b – Word Power

[but set an example for the believers] … in speech…

Summary: Paul provides a list of ways believers should be an example to others. The first item on his list is “speech.”

In our meditation on 1 Timothy 4:11, we took a close look at the context of Paul’s words, “Command and teach these things.” Authority in the Body of Christ is not universal. We each have authority over our own bodies, but when it comes to the Body of Christ, we submit to a higher authority — that of Jesus Christ.