1 Timothy 4 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1Expressly (retos). Late adverb, here alone in N.T., from verbal adjective retos (from root reo). The reference is to the Holy Spirit, but whether to O.T. prophecy (Ac 1:16 ) or to some Christian utterance (2Th 2:2; 1Co 14:1ff. ) we do not know. Parry recalls the words of Jesus in Mt 24:10,24 .
In later times (en usterois kairois). Old adjective (Mt 21:31 ) usually as adverb, usteron (Mt 4:2 ). Relative time from the prediction, now coming true (a present danger).
Some shall fall away (apostesonta tines). Future middle of aphistem, intransitive use, shall stand off from, to fall away, apostatize (2Co 12:8 ).
From the faith (tes pisteos). Ablative case (separation). Not creed, but faith in God through Christ.
Giving heed (prosechontes). Supply ton noun (the mind) as in 3:8.
Seducing spirits (pneumasin planois). Old adjective (plane, wandering), here active sense (deceiving). As substantive in 2Co 6:8 . Probably some heathen or the worst of the Gnostics.
Doctrines of devils (didaskaliais daimonion). "Teachings of daimons." Definite explanation of the preceding. Cf. 1Co 10:20f .
2Through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies (en upokrise pseudologon). For upokrisis, see Ga 2:13 . Pseudologos (pseudes, lego) Koine word from Aristophanes on. Here only in N.T. "A good classical word for liars on a large scale" (Parry).
Branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron (kekausteriasmenon ten idian suneidesin). Accusative case suneidesin retained with the perfect passive participle of kausteriazo, a rare verb only here and once in Strabo. Branded with the mark of Satan (2Ti 2:26 ) as Paul was with the marks of Christ (Ga 6:17 ). Agreeing in case with pseudologon.
3Forbidding to marry (koluonton gamein). Present active participle of common verb koluo, to hinder, genitive case agreeing with pseudologon. See Col 2:16,21f. , where Paul condemns the ascetic practices of the Gnostics. The Essenes, Therapeutae and other oriental sects forbade marriage. In 1Co 7 Paul does not condemn marriage.
To abstain from meats (apechestha bromaton). Infinitive dependent, not on koluonton, but on the positive idea keleuonton (implied, not expressed). Ablative case of bromaton after apechestha (present direct middle, to hold oneself away from). See 1Co 8-10; Ro 14; 15 for disputes about "meats offered to idols" and Co 1:22f. for the Gnostic asceticism.
Which God created (a o theos ektisen). First active indicative of ktizo (Co 1:16 ). Cf. 1Co 10:25 .
To be received (eis metalempsin). "For reception." Old word, only here in N.T.
By them that believe and know (tois pistois ka epegnokos). Dative case, "for the believers and those who (one article unites closely) have known fully" (perfect active participle of epiginosko), a Pauline use of the word (Col 1:6 ).
4Creature (ktisma). Late word from ktizo, result of creating. See Ge 1:31; Mr 7:15; Ro 14:14 for the idea stated.
To be rejected (apobleton). Old verbal adjective in passive sense from apoballo, to throw away, here only in N.T.
If it be received (lambanomenon). "Being received." Present passive participle of lambano, in conditional sense, "with thanksgiving."
5It is sanctified (agiazeta). Present passive indicative of agiazo, here "rendered holy" rather than "declared holy." Cf. verse 4.
Through the word of God and prayers (dia logou theou ka enteuxeos). See 2:1 for enteuxis. Paul seems to refer to Genesis 1. It is almost a hendiadys "by the use of Scripture in prayer."
6If thou put the brethren in mind of these things (tauta upotithemenos tois adelphois). Present middle participle of upotithem, to place under, to suggest, old and common verb, here only in N.T., "suggesting these things to the brethren."
Thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus (kalos ese diakonos Christou Iesou). This beautiful phrase covers one's whole service for Christ ( 3:1-7).
Nourished in (entrephomenos). Present passive participle of entrepho, old verb, to nourish in, used by Plato of "nourished in the laws," here only in the N.T.
The words of the faith (tois logois tes pisteos). Locative case. The right diet for babes in Christ. The Bolshevists in Russia are feeding the children on atheism to get rid of God.
Which thou hast followed (e parekolouthekas). Perfect active indicative of parakoloutheo, old verb, to follow beside, of persons (often in old Greek) or of ideas and things (Lu 1:3; 1Ti 4:6; 2Ti 3:10 ). With associative instrumental case e (which).
7Refuse (paraitou). Present middle imperative second person singular of paraiteo, old verb, to ask of one and then to beg off from one as in Lu 14:18f.; Ac 25:11; 1Ti 4:7; 5:11; Tit 3:10; 2Ti 2:23 .
Profane (bebelous). See 1:9.
Old wives' fables (graodeis muthous). On muthos, see 1:4. Graodeis, late word (Strabo, Galen) from graus, old woman, and eidos (look, appearance). Such as old women tell to children like the Gnostic aeons.
Exercise thyself (gumnaze seauton). Present active imperative of gumnazo, originally to exercise naked (gumnos). Old and common verb, but in N.T. only here and Heb 5:14; 12:11 .
8Bodily exercise (e somatike gumnasia). Gumnasia (from gumnazo), also a common old word, here only in N.T. So also somatike (from soma, body) in N.T. only here and Lu 3:22 .
Profitable (ophelimos). Another old word (from opheleo, to help, to profit), in N.T. only here, Tit 3:8; 2Ti 3:16 .
For a little (pros oligon). "For little." Probably extent in contrast to pros panta (for all things), though in Jas 4:14 it is time "for a little while."
Which now is (tes nun). "The now life."
Of that which is to come (tes mellouses). "Of the coming (future) life."
9See 1:15 for these very words, but here the phrase points to the preceding words, not to the following as there.
10To this end (eis touto). The godliness (eusebeia) of verse 8. See 2Co 6:10 as Paul's own commentary.
We labour (kopiomen, Col 1:29 )
and strive (ka agonizometha, Col 1:29 ). Both Pauline words.
Because we have set our hope (ot elpikamen). Perfect active indicative of elpizo (Ro 15:12 ).
Saviour of all men (soter panton anthropon). See 1:1 for soter applied to God as here. Not that all men "are saved" in the full sense, but God gives life ( 6:13) to all (Ac 17:28 ).
Specially of them that believe (malista piston). Making a distinction in the kinds of salvation meant. "While God is potentially Saviour of all, He is actually Saviour of the pisto" (White). So Jesus is termed "Saviour of the World" (Joh 4:42 ). Cf. Ga 6:10 .
12Despise (kataphroneito). Imperative active third singular of kataphroneo, old verb, to think down on, to despise (Ro 2:4 ).
Thy youth (sou tes neotetos). Genitive case of old word (from neos) as in Mr 10:20 .
Be thou (ginou). Present middle imperative of ginoma. "Keep on becoming thou."
An ensample (tupos). Old word from tupto, a type. Pauline use of the word (1Th 1:7; 2Th 3:9; Php 3:17; Tit 2:7 ).
To them that believe (ton piston). Objective genitive.
In word (en logo). In conversation as well as in public speech.
In manner of life (en anastrophe). "In bearing" (Ga 1:13; Eph 4:22 ).
In purity (en agneia). Old word from agneuo (agnos). Sinlessness of life. Used of a Nazirite (Nu 6:2,21 ). Only here and 5:2 in N.T.
13Till I come (eos erchoma). "While I am coming" (present indicative with eos), not "till I come" (eos eltho).
Give heed (proseche). Present active imperative, supply ton noun, "keep on putting thy mind on."
The reading (te anagnose). Old word from anaginosko. See 2Co 3:14 . Probably in particular the public reading of the Scriptures (Ac 13:15 ), though surely private reading is not to be excluded.
To exhortation (te paraklese),
to teaching (te didaskalia). Two other public functions of the minister. Probably Paul does not mean for the exhortation to precede the instruction, but the reverse in actual public work. Exhortation needs teaching to rest it upon, a hint for preachers today.
14Neglect not (me amele). Present active imperative in prohibition of ameleo, old verb, rare in N.T. (Mt 22:5; 1Ti 4:14; Heb 2:3; 8:9 ). From ameles (a privative and mele, not to care). Use with genitive.
The gift that is in thee (tou en so charismatos). Late word of result from charizoma, in papyri (Preisigke), a regular Pauline word in N.T. (1Co 1:7; 2Co 1:11; Ro 1:11 ; etc.). Here it is God's gift to Timothy as in 2Ti 1:6 .
By prophecy (dia propheteias). Accompanied by prophecy ( 1:18), not bestowed by prophecy.
With the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (meta epitheseos ton cheiron tou presbuteriou). In Ac 13:2f. , when Barnabas and Saul were formally set apart to the mission campaign (not then ordained as ministers, for they were already that), there was the call of the Spirit and the laying on of hands with prayer. Here again meta does not express instrument or means, but merely accompaniment. In 2Ti 1:6 Paul speaks only of his own laying on of hands, but the rest of the presbytery no doubt did so at the same time and the reference is to this incident. There is no way to tell when and where it was done, whether at Lystra when Timothy joined Paul's party or at Ephesus just before Paul left Timothy there ( 1:3). Epithesis (phrom epitithem, to lay upon) is an old word, in LXX, etc. In the N.T. we find it only here, 2Ti 1:16; Ac 8:18; Heb 6:2 , but the verb epitithem with tas cheiras more frequently (Ac 6:6 of the deacons; 8:19; 13:3; 1Ti 5:22 , etc.). Presbuterion is a late word (ecclesiastical use also), first for the Jewish Sanhedrin (Lu 22:66; Ac 22:5 ), then (here only in N.T.) of Christian elders (common in Ignatius), though presbuteros (elder) for preachers (bishops) is common (Ac 11:30; 15:2; 20:17 , etc.).
15Be diligent in these things (tauta meleta). Old verb from melete (care, practice), present active imperative, "keep on practising these things." In N.T. only here and Ac 4:25 .
Give thyself wholly to them (en toutois isth). Present imperative second person singular of eim, "keep on in these things." Note five uses of en in verse 12 and three datives in verse 14. Plutarch (Pomp. 656 B) says Caesar was en toutois ("in these things"). It is like our "up to his ears" in work (in medias res) and sticking to his task.
Thy progress (sou e prokope). Koine word from prokopto, to cut forward, to blaze the way, in N.T. only here and Php 1:12,25 . Paul's concern (purpose, ina and present subjunctive e of eim) is that Timothy's "progress" may be "manifest to all." It is inspiring to see a young preacher grow for then the church will grow with him.
16Take heed to thyself (epeche seauto). Present active imperative of old verb epecho, to hold upon (Php 2:1,16 ), but here ton noun (the mind) must be supplied as in Ac 3:5 and as is common with prosecho. With dative case seauto. "Keep on paying attention to thyself." Some young preachers are careless about their health and habits. Some are too finical.
And to the teaching (ka te didaskalia). This is important also.
Continue in these things (epimene autois). Present active imperative of epimeno, old and common verb to stay by the side of a person or thing. See Ro 6:1; Col 1:23 . "Stay by them," "stick to them," "see them through." "Stick to the business of framing your own life and your teaching on right lines" (Parry).
Thou shalt save (soseis). Future active of sozo, effective future, finally save. Cf. 1Co 9:27; Joh 10:9 .
1 Timothy 5