Take Heed to Yourself 1 Timothy 4:16

As Paul the apostle continued instructing Timothy his “son in the faith”, he told him not to “neglect” the gift that was in him, and to “meditate upon these things” which included “reading, exhortation and doctrine”. If Timothy was to be an effective pastor and overseer of the church in Ephesus, it was important that he follow Paul's directives. In chapter four and verse sixteen, Paul concluded this chapter of his letter to Timothy by telling him, “Take heed to yourself” where we read:

Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:

for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you.

The verse begins, “Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine;” Paul began with the phrase, “Take heed” which means “to have or hold upon, apply, to observe, attend to and check” “unto yourself” or “your own self and that which pertains to you”. Timothy was to “check” himself or “examine” himself “and to unto the doctrine” which means “teachings, instruction and precepts”. If Timothy was to be an effective minister, he needed to begin with looking at himself to be sure he aligned with the teachings he not only knew but also was to keep.

The verse goes on to say, “ continue in them:” Paul went on to add, “continue” which means “to stay at or with, to tarry still, to abide, remain and persevere” “in them” or “in it or the same”. Timothy was not only to recall and recognize the disciplines of himself and the doctrine he kept, but he was also to be sure he consistently remained in the following of them.

Finally the verse says, “for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you.” As a final note Paul gave the reason for emphasizing that Timothy keep these things, “for” which means “because, since and on account of” “in doing this” or “making, producing, constructing, forming and fashioning this pattern” “you shall both save” which is the Greek phrase “sozo kai sozo” and means “keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction also, indeed and even” “yourself” or “your own self and that which pertains to you” “and them that hear you” which refers to those who “attend to, consider, understand and perceive what you have to say”. Timothy was to be an example to others, and the best way to reflect the way they were to live was to live in a godly manner himself.

When we think about Paul's words in this verse, we should be challenged with Timothy to examine our own lives. Do we live according to the “doctrine” we pontificate? Do we “continue in” that which we have previously learned and often reviewed? Have we considered that our attitudes, actions and activities reflect what we truly believe, and others are watching us as we live and speak before them every day? May the Lord put it upon our hearts to “Take heed to” ourselves, and should we find areas that need His help, may we call upon the Lord Jesus for strength and guidance to live before others according to His words.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see what Paul has to say about “elders” and “younger men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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