1 Timothy 4 - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

The respect to be paid to elders. Timothy is to take care in rebuking offenders, in ordaining ministers, and as to his own health.

Outward acts of self-denial profit little. What will it avail us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to the life that now is, but especially to the life which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those who seek

and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new creatures. (1Ti 4:11-16)