1 Timothy 4:13
What does 1 Timothy 4:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 4:13 means
Until Paul arrives, Timothy must devote himself to three public ministries: reading, exhortation, and teaching. The reading likely refers to the public reading of Scripture, the foundation of congregational worship and instruction. Exhortation applies the word to hearts and wills, urging obedience and comfort. Teaching explains and clarifies doctrine so that the church understands what God has said. Together they keep the church anchored in revelation, not speculation. Steady attention to these practices forms a people who think and live biblically. For Timothy, prioritizing Scripture in gathered life will both guard against error and nourish the godliness Paul has been commending.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Till I come, give attention to the reading of the holy Writings, to comforting the saints, and to teaching.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862till I come, give heed to the reading, to the exhortation, to the teaching;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation and to doctrine.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Till I come, give thyself to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
Context
After calling for exemplary conduct, Paul outlines the practical means by which Timothy will lead well: ministry rooted in Scripture. This instruction advances the chapter’s corrective to false teaching by showing the positive diet the church needs. Next, Paul will remind Timothy of the spiritual gift he received through prophecy and the laying on of hands, encouraging him not to neglect it but to use it fully in service of this word-centered work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 6:4
But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.
- Titus 2:15
These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
- 2 Timothy 4:2
preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
- Deuteronomy 17:19
and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear Jehovah his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them;
- John 5:39
Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;
- 1 Corinthians 14:3
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
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