The Grace Notes devotions in 2024 are based on verses from 1 Timothy. Each devotion includes Greek, pastoral ministry notes, and prayer.

In verses 11–16, Paul repeats the encouragements of verses 6–10 with this difference: he is more personal, emphasizing for Timothy that in all of these things he is an example to the flock and promising that Timothy’s ministry will bring blessings to himself and his hearers. Timothy’s diligence mattered immensely. Dear brother, your diligence matters immensely.

¹¹ Παράγγελλε ταῦτα καὶ δίδασκε.  ¹² μηδείς σου τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ.  ¹³ ἕως ἔρχομαι πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ.  ¹⁴ μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου.  ¹⁵ ταῦτα μελέτα, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι, ἵνα σου ἡ προκοπὴ φανερὰ ᾖ πᾶσιν·  ¹⁶ ἔπεχε σεαυτῷ καὶ τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ· ἐπίμενε αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν καὶ σεαυτὸν σώσεις καὶ τοὺς ἀκούοντάς σου.

¹¹ Παράγγελλε ταῦτα καὶ δίδασκε. 

This verse is parallel with verse 6 (notice the ταῦτα in both) and shows that verses 11–16 repeat with variation the content of verses 6–10. These are the ongoing tasks of the minister of Christ: Command and teach. Exhort and explain. Inspire and guide. Encourage God’s people to walk in the truth. Tell them what that truth is.

¹² μηδείς σου τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ. 

I’ve heard it said and maybe you have too: “It is hard for me to submit to my pastor’s teaching because he is younger than me.” Timothy was probably in his 30s at this time, but many believers in Ephesus would have been older than him. Timothy is to win older nay-sayers over to the truth by his mature Christian example. That mature example will be in two areas—in words (ἐν λόγῳ) and deeds (ἐν ἀναστροφῇ)—and it will be characterized by three things—by love, by faith, and by purity. All Christians are to pursue such godliness. For Timothy the pursuit of such godliness will make it easier for other believers to listen to his exhortation and teaching.    

¹³ ἕως ἔρχομαι πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ.

Paul is going to visit Timothy. Until that time, Timothy is to devote himself to three things: to public reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. The public ministry of the Gospel begins with the reading of God’s word to his gathered people. Based on that word, the minister exhorts believers to respond to that word appropriately—being admonished by the law, being comforted by the gospel, and being guided in holiness. This requires the clear and true teaching of God’s word.

 ¹⁴ μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου. 

Paul reminds Timothy of his public ordination, when the word of God was spoken and the leaders of the church laid their hands on him. Timothy was given the grace of public ministry and all the gifts needed to carry out that ministry. Do not neglect/forget this gift, Timothy. Pastor, remember this personal gift to you from God through his church.

¹⁵ ταῦτα μελέτα, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι, ἵνα σου ἡ προκοπὴ φανερὰ ᾖ πᾶσιν·  ¹⁶ ἔπεχε σεαυτῷ καὶ τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ· ἐπίμενε αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν καὶ σεαυτὸν σώσεις καὶ τοὺς ἀκούοντάς σου.

These two verses conclude the section with commands and encouragements. “Make these things your business and be completely absorbed in these things, with the result that your progress may be evident to all” (v. 15). “Give attention to yourself and to the teachings. Remain/persevere in them. For in/by doing this, both yourself you will save and those hearing/obeying you” (verse 16). 

The goal of gospel ministry is to lead the sick to the Great Physician, to lead sinners dead in their sins to the Resurrection and the Life, and to lead lowly shepherds to the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Pastor, during this time of Christmas and always, drink in the life-giving waters of God’s word, and may the Lord equip you for every good work.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of your Son and for all the blessings we have in him. Be with the pastors of our beloved church body also during this Christmas season as they publicly read your word, as they exhort others to respond in faith, and as they faithfully teach your word. By your grace save them and their hearers. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

P.S. For further reading, I recommend Pres. emeritus David Valleskey’s recent book, The Splendid Task of the Ministry: A Pastoral Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (NPH, 2023).

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