1 Timothy 4:8 - Robertson's Book Notes (NT)

1 Timothy 4:8

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, ^anourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

7 But ^areject profane and old wives’ fables, and ^bexercise yourself toward godliness.

8 For ^abodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, ^bhaving promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.

10 For to this end¹ we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, ^awho is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

11 These things command and teach.

Take Heed to Your Ministry

12 Let no one¹ despise your youth, but be an ^aexample to the believers in word, in conduct, in love,² in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Book Notes:

Robertson's Book Notes (NT)

I Timothy

Assuming the Pauline authorship the facts shape up after this fashion. Paul had been in Ephesus (I Timothy 1:3) after his arrival from Rome, which was certainly before the burning of Rome in AD 64. He had left Timothy in charge of the work in Ephesus and has gone on into Macedonia (I Timothy 1:3), possibly to Philippi as he had hoped (Philippians 2:24). He wishes to help Timothy meet the problems of doctrine (against the Gnostics), discipline, and church training which are increasingly urgent. There are personal touches of a natural kind about Timothy's own growth and leadership. There are wise words here from the greatest of all preachers to a young minister whom Paul loved.