“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16 (ESV)
What was appropriate for Timothy to receive from the Apostle Paul, contained in today’s text, is also good for all individuals in the ministry to never forget. Recently, several nationally known and local pastors where I live have fallen because of a moral failure. However, arrogance and an attitude which says “It will never happen to me” puts any individual at risk. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV) says, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Pastors and other leaders must always remember these three commands and two promises Paul gave to his young protégé. Let’s examine each command and promise.
First Command: “Keep a close watch on yourself.” The phrase keep a close watch is actually one word in Greek language. It is the word (ἔπεχε; epeche) meaning to pay attention and to be on the lookout. It is a present, active, imperative verb. The object of such attention is the individual in question. The noun yourself (σεαυτῷ; seauto) in the immediate context referred to Timothy. Today, it refers to all believers in Christ, especially those in ministry. Believers in Christ are to keep a close watch on how they live.
Second Command: “Keep a close watch…on the teaching.” Teaching (διδασκαλίᾳ; didaskalia) refers to the instruction from and of biblical doctrine. Each minister is to pay attention to and be on the lookout for accuracy in teaching (See James 3:1). The reasons for such a command are found in I Timothy 4:1-14. Godly Living and faithful teaching go hand in hand.
Third Command: “Persist in this.” The words persist in this (ἐπίμενε αὐτοῖς; epimene autois) is also a present, active, imperative verb. To persist means to remain and to continue. It refers the reader back to the preceding two commands. We are to persist in godly living and faithful teaching.
Dr. William Hendriksen explains, “Holy living and sound teaching must go together if Timothy (or, for that matter, any apostolic representative, any minister, any elder, etc.) is to be a blessing. Hence, Paul admonishes Timothy to continue to focus (his mind, understood) on himself, that is, on his own duties, his own gift, his own privilege to go to the depths of God’s promise; particularly also upon the teaching (his own and that of others in the Ephesus district). He must stay on or persevere in them, that is, in holy living and in vigilance with respect to teaching.”[1]
First Promise: “By so doing you will save both yourself.” By doing so (ποιῶν; poion) means to presently and actively perform and practice these three previous commands. If Timothy would do this, Paul said to him you will save (σώσεις; soseis) or rescue both himself and others. This is not salvation from the penalty of sin, because it is always by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. In other words, justification, redemption and reconciliation. What Paul was speaking of was sanctification and delivering himself from the power of sin in the active pursuit of holiness.
Second Promise: “By so doing you will save…your hearers.” Paul also promised Timothy would rescue his hearers (ἀκούοντάς; akouontas) meaning the congregation of believers in Ephesus.
“The promise is: “for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” To be sure, a man is saved by grace, through faith; not by works (Titus 3:3; cf. Eph. 2:6–8); yet, since holy living and sound teaching are a fruit of faith, Paul is able to say that “by doing this” Timothy will save himself and his hearers. It is along the path of holy living and diligence in teaching and in watching over the life and teaching of others, that salvation (both present and future; see on 1 Tim. 1:15) is obtained. Besides, God promises a special reward to his faithful ministers, yes, to all his faithful witnesses (Dan. 12:3; Matt. 13:43; James 5:20); and threatens with severe punishment the unfaithful ones (Ezek. 33:7, 8).”[2]
The watching and persevering of v 16 reemphasize the same point. Paul is not urging self-examination but constant alertness, both in life and doctrine. The two things belong together. Right doctrine without a godly life is of no value; while a godly life without right doctrine is not possible. Paul was aware of the danger of neglecting his own salvation (cf. 1 Cor. 9:27). If the minister does not take care to persevere, others are unlikely to be influenced by him.[3]
Why are believers in Christ to carefully watch over and guard biblical doctrine and their personal lives? It is because people are watching how you live in light of what you teach and say you believe. How you act says more about what you truly believe than what you say. Any moral failure can seriously damage people’s faith in Christ and trust in pastoral leadership.
I encourage you to meditate today on the following Scripture references.
Proverbs 4:23–27 (ESV) – “23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. “
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (ESV) – “24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
2 Timothy 4:6–8 (ESV) – “6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 160.
[2] Ibid., 160.
[3] Donald Guthrie, “1 Timothy,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1301.
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