Command and Teach 1 Timothy 4:11

Paul the apostle told Timothy that he labored and suffered “reproach”, “because” he trusted “in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe”. “Godliness” rather than “profane and old wives fables” was to be promoted among the church in Ephesus by Timothy who was the pastor of the church there. In chapter four and verse eleven of his letter to Timothy, Paul directed tells Timothy to “command and teach” these things where we read:

These things command and teach.

The verse begins, “These things command...” Paul is brief and direct as he wrote, “These things” which are “the same or as directed” “command” which means “to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, announce, order and charge”. Timothy was to not only examine himself with the idea of “Godliness”, but he was also to declare “Godliness” to those within the church.

The verse continues, “...and teach.” In addition to commanding the truth of “Godliness”, Paul added, “and teach” which means “to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, to impart instruction, instill doctrine into one, the thing taught or enjoined, and to explain or expound a thing”. Timothy was to not only “command” the things of “Godliness”, but he was also give instructions and explain what “Godliness” is and looks like.

As we ponder these two short directives from Paul, we may be inclined to think this was only for Timothy because he was to be the pastor of the church in Ephesus. However, when we think about them for a while, we might see ourselves instructed by Paul as well. Could we “command and teach” “Godliness” to others? Have we examined ourselves enough to understand the importance of “Godliness” in our own lives in order to know what to “teach” others about it? Though we may or may not be a “pastor” who is to oversee a group of people, “Godliness” is important because it is very simply put “being like God”. Rather than following the “profane” words and ideas of men, let us follow after “Godliness” in such a manner that others will not only hear us “command and teach” it, but observe it being demonstrated in our lives.

Next time Paul tells Timothy to not allow anyone to “despise” his “youth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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