1 Timothy 4:12-16
New English Translation
12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness,[a] and purity. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture,[b] to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have,[c] given to you and confirmed by prophetic words[d] when the elders laid hands on you.[e] 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.[f] 16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach.[g] Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
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- 1 Timothy 4:12 tn Or “faith.”
- 1 Timothy 4:13 tn Grk “reading.” sn The public reading of scripture refers to reading the scripture out loud in the church services. In a context where many were illiterate and few could afford private copies of scripture, such public reading was especially important.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 tn Grk “in you.”
- 1 Timothy 4:14 tn Grk “which was given to you through prophecy.” Here as in 2:15 the preposition “through” denotes not “means” but accompanying circumstances: “accompanied by prophecy.”sn These prophetic words perhaps spoke of what God would do through Timothy in his ministry (cf. 1 Tim 1:18).
- 1 Timothy 4:14 tn Grk “with the imposition of the hands of the presbytery” (i.e., the council of elders).
- 1 Timothy 4:15 tn Grk “that your progress may be evident to all.”
- 1 Timothy 4:16 tn Grk “about yourself and your teaching.”
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