I Timothy 4:16
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Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Take heed--Give heed (Act 3:5). thyself, and . . . doctrine--"and unto thy teaching." The two requisites of a good pastor: His teaching will be of no avail unless his own life accord with it; and his own purity of life is not enough unless he be diligent in teaching [CALVIN]. This verse is a summary of Ti1 4:12. continue in them-- (Ti2 3:14). in doing this--not "by doing this," as though he could save himself by works. thou shalt . . . save thyself, and them that hear thee-- (Eze 33:9; Jam 5:20). In performing faithfully his duty to others, the minister is promoting his own salvation. Indeed he cannot "give heed unto the teaching" of others, unless he be at the same time "giving heed unto himself." Next: 1 Timothy Chapter 5
Open source ↗Paul here foretels, I. A dreadful apostasy (Ti1 4:1-3). II. He treats of Christian liberty (Ti1 4:4, Ti1 4:5). III. He gives Timothy divers directions with respect to himself, his doctrine, and the people under his care (Ti1 4:6 to the end)
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.