1 Timothy 4:6
What does 1 Timothy 4:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 4:6 means
Timothy will prove himself a good servant of Christ Jesus by continually reminding the church of these truths about error and creation. Pastoral faithfulness includes repetition: nourishing believers on the words of the faith and the sound teaching Timothy has long embraced. A good minister feeds others because he himself is being fed. Ministry does not invent novelty but passes on, with clarity and warmth, what the Lord has already revealed. Paul honors Timothy’s existing pattern, urging him to keep drawing strength from doctrine that is true, wholesome, and time-tested. Such steady instruction protects the flock from fads and frees consciences to enjoy God’s gifts rightly and pursue godliness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:
KJV
King James Version · 1611If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If you keep these things before the minds of the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the right teaching which has been your guide:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862These things placing before the brethren, thou shalt be a good ministrant of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of the faith, and of the good teaching, which thou didst follow after,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752These things proposing to the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished up in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which thou hast attained unto.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Laying these things before the brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which thou hast fully followed up.
Context
Having refuted the false asceticism, Paul shifts to exhorting Timothy personally. The charge is to put these matters before the brothers, showing that right teaching guards the church’s life. Timothy’s role is framed as both teacher and example, nourished by the very truths he communicates. This prepares for the next commands: to reject profane myths and to train for godliness. The flow moves from correcting error to cultivating health, emphasizing the proactive, disciplined nature of pastoral ministry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 20:31
Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
- 2 Timothy 3:10
But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
- Jude 1:5
Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
- 2 Peter 1:12
Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth which is with you.
- 1 Timothy 6:3
If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2
and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;
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