1 Timothy 4:13 "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." Give attendance to reading; that is, of the Scriptures, which the Jews call (arqm) , "reading". Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. "Says R. Tanchum Bar Chanilai, for ever let a man divide his years or life into three parts; one third (let him spend) in the Mikra, (the Scriptures, and the reading of them,) another third in the Misna, and the other third in the Talmud. 9:48. of '', And this is to be understood, not of the reading of the Scriptures in public, for the advantage of others, a custom which obtained in the Jewish synagogues; see Acts 13:15 but in private, for his own use and service, that he might be more perfect, and more thoroughly furnished to the work and office to which he was called; for the Scriptures are the fund of spiritual knowledge, as well as the test and standard of doctrine, out of which all must be fetched, and by which it must be tried; and if Timothy, who had known the Scriptures from a child, had been trained up in them, and was always conversant with them, had need to give diligent attention to the reading of them, then much more others: as also. And so having been warned that as the day for Christ's return draws ever closer many will depart from the faith, and that sound doctrine will be replaced with ear-tickling fables, we find Paul once again urging Timothy to give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and to teaching. Failing to do this would mean danger for both Timothy himself and for those in his congregation. To exhortation, to doctrine.—These both most probably refer to the public ministry in the congregation. Dr. Hatch says: "It is probable that this practice of reading with comments... may account for the coordination of 'reading' with 'exhortation' and 'teaching' in 1 Timothy 4:13.". 3, 23, 20. Three times in N.T. Sadly today, in both public services and personal devotion there seems to be a greater emphasis on emotional music and a seeker friendly gospel, rather than on reading the Scriptures, which has caused the Bible to become a closed book in many assemblies and Christian homes. Give me discernment to know the truth and protect me from any teaching that has distorted the Word - this I pray in Jesus name, AMEN. That the reading of the “Gospels” very soon became a part of the regular service in the congregations of Christians is evident from the words of Justin Martyr, Apologia, i. To doctrine - To teaching - for so the word means; compare notes on Romans 12:7. reading—especially in the public congregation. He mentions this circumstance, not as if Timothy was to attend to the following things no longer, but to quicken him to an attendance to them from the consideration of his being shortly with him. Proud member Second: to exhortation or as the Greek word (paraklesei) implies.. sound, exegetical expounding of the Word of truth. 1 Timothy 4:13, NIV: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." Often in Paul. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. See on consolation, Luke 6:24, see on comfort, Acts 9:31, and see on comforter, John 14:16. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Lu 4:16-20; Ac 13:15; 15:21; 2Co 3:14). The “reading” was that public reading of Scripture in the congregation—a practice borrowed from the synagogue service, when publicly the Law and the Prophets were read to the people assembled. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the truths that it contains. I think that while public reading is the prominent thought, the Spirit intended also to teach that Scripture reading in private should be "the fountain of all wisdom from which pastors ought to draw whatever they bring before their flock" [Alford]. The word “doctrine” suggests a public teaching directed rather to the understanding of the hearers. exhortation—addressed to the feelings and will with a view to the regulation of the conduct. The first, “exhortation,” particularly applies to the feelings. (See Luke 4:16; Acts 13:15.) The reading of the Scriptures must be followed by an earnest practical application of their teaching to the affairs of that life in the midst of which the Christian listener was living. The idea of exposition, or even of dogmatic teaching, seems here included. See on Luke 4:16. 67, written in the first half of the first century. F12. 1 Timothy 6:2 , at the end; Romans 12:7-8 . Throughout Paul's epistles we discover an emphasis on God's Word and a devotion to it: reading it and studying it.. expounding, preaching and teaching it - rightly dividing the word of truth and standing firm on the gospel of grace.. for the word of God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and training in righteousness. (15) The private exercise of pastors, is the continual reading of the scriptures, from which they may draw water out of wholesome doctrine and exhortation, both for themselves and for others. For in this way believers are edified and encouraged to trust the Word of God and apply its important teachings to our personal lives. To this are added two principal genera: exhortation , which refers to conduct; and doctrine , which refers to knowledge; ch. i. 1 Timothy 4:13, KJV: "Till I come, give attendance to … till I come, give heed to the reading, to the exhortation, to the teaching; Although he was sending written directives to the young pastor Timothy, on how to shepherd the flock of God that was under his care, we can all take to heart the wise instruction given here, on how to become a man or woman of God, so that we conduct ourselves in a manner that is honouring to the Lord and faithful to our position in Christ.