1 Timothy 4:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"Until I come, give attention to reading, exhortation, and teaching." He commands Timothy to devote himself to reading. Let us all listen to this and learn not to neglect the study of the Divine Scriptures.

Again he says, "until I come." Do you see how he consoles him? Timothy himself probably longed for this, as one orphaned. "Until I come," he says, "give attention to the reading" of the Divine Scriptures, to mutual "exhortation," and to "teaching" addressed to all.

By what did this blessed one surpass the other apostles? Was it not by the worth of his epistles? Through them he benefited not only the faithful of that time, but also those who have lived from then until now.

"Until I come, give attention to reading."

If the Apostle commands Timothy to occupy himself with the reading of Holy Scripture, should we not do this as well? Paul himself undoubtedly occupied himself with reading until the end of his life, impressing this also upon others.

The Apostle consoles Timothy by saying, "until I come," for this gave him hope that he would soon see his teacher. Having been orphaned, he was certainly seeking Paul with his heart.

And this is another reason he said, "until I come." Since St. Timothy, being young, certainly did not know much and needed the presence of his teacher in order to learn it from him, the Apostle Paul says to him:

"Until I come, give attention to consolation from the Scriptures and to teaching," that is, devote yourself to prayer and to the reading of Scripture.

From this one may learn that we too must contribute labor from ourselves and then receive the grace of the Spirit. For even to the thrice-blessed Timothy, however spiritual he was, his teacher commanded him to attend to reading. Consolation differs from teaching in this: teaching, being unhindered, offers various instructions, while consolation either encourages the despondent or calms the angry with counsel.

"Until I come, give attention to reading." Apply all your zeal to the divine Scriptures. For after my arrival you will hear much from me personally, drawing instruction as from a living treasury of books.

"To consolation." Consolation should be directed to the brethren, encouraging them in the struggles of virtue and strengthening those weakened in soul.

"To teaching." That is, teach the people.

Though with great fear, endure manfully with God's help. Bear firmly and boldly the annoyances and insults, even threats and abuse, to which an ignorant mob may subject you if it is stirred up by someone's malice.

Remember the true Shepherd, our Lord and Savior, Who for the sake of His sheep deigned to endure not only torments, but even death.

You will have to endure many hardships if you wish to preserve true doctrine and diligently preach the word of God as you ought. The preaching of righteousness is always bitter to those who live wickedly.

Therefore I summon you today before God and His angels, and I proclaim in the Apostle's words: give attention to reading, exhortation, and teaching.

Timothy followed Paul from the very day he left his homeland with him. He was taught by him in the dogmas of the faith and the ordinances of the Gospel, and he served zealously in the preaching of the Gospel.

But when he had been ordained as hierarch, he necessarily parted from Paul in order to remain in the Church of Ephesus appointed to him. Therefore Paul, consoling him in the sorrow caused by their separation, promises to come to him.

"Until I come," he says, that is, until I come to you, "give attention to reading." Read the Divine Scripture attentively. Give attention to "exhortation": console the afflicted and persuade them to do good works.

Give attention to "teaching": teach all men faith in Christ and the ordinance of the Gospel.

"Until I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to teaching."

"Until I come, occupy yourself with reading, exhortation, and teaching."

In the Jewish synagogues there was a custom of reading the books of the Old Testament by sections. This custom was retained in the New Testament Church, as we see in the Gospel (Lk 4:16-20) and apostolic history (Acts 13:15-27; 2 Cor 3:15).

When the writings of the holy Evangelists and Apostles appeared in the Christian Church, then the New Testament sacred Scriptures also began to be read in church assemblies.

But the Apostle speaks here of reading the Old Testament books. St. Timothy had to read them for himself and for others, in order to learn and to teach others.

"Until I come to you," the grace of God says to the ascetic of God, "and, dwelling in you, replace by Myself every outward instruction, give attentive heed to reading, prayer, and the teaching of those who have advanced."

"Give attention to reading, consolation, and teaching." One may suppose that the Apostle here indicates the external order of service in the Christian Church, adapted to the order of Jewish synagogues. In synagogues a parashah from Holy Scripture was first read. Then its application for edification was made, which was called consolation. This is probably the reading of the sacred books that the Apostle now advises Timothy to undertake. The sacred books meant are those of the Old Testament, because the books of the New Testament did not yet exist, or were not yet read everywhere. Besides reading and consolation, teaching is required. This is instruction in Christian truths.

To neglect the gift means not to use it. Since every gift that is unused and neglected becomes dulled or is quenched, as it were, to neglect the gift also means to quench it (1 Thess 5:19).

Of what gift, then, does the Apostle speak here? Not of that gift of the Holy Spirit by which all believers are sealed on the day of redemption, that is, baptism (Eph 4:30). He speaks of a special gift given to Timothy through the laying on of hands at his ordination (cf. Acts 6:6).

In a completely similar passage in 2 Timothy, the Apostle writes: "I remind you to stir up the gift of God." Through zealous use every gift is kindled into flame, as it were. This gift, he says, "is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Tim 1:6).

What kind of reading does the holy Apostle Paul urge Timothy to attend to? Clearly, the reading of Holy Scripture, and specifically of the Old Testament. The sacred books of the New Testament had not yet been gathered and had not yet come into general use.

In apostolic times, the reading of the word of God in church assemblies was accompanied by various instructions and explanations. These concerned prophecies and types fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Moral exhortations were usually joined to these consoling instructions.

Saint Paul commands Timothy to devote himself to all these forms of church preaching until his coming. Of course, when he arrived, he intended to offer fuller instructions concerning Timothy's episcopal duties.

He said: be an example in everything for those you shepherd, so that they may hear your word and obey it submissively.

Now he indicates what one must do with them in order to edify them and lead them to perfection: reading, consolation, and teaching.

"Attend to the reading of the divine Scriptures, to the consolation of those who need it, and to teaching addressed to all in general" (St. Chrysostom).

Blessed Theodoret distinguishes consolation and teaching in this way: "Teaching, without being restrained, offers various instructions, generally to all the people, as Oecumenius says.

Consolation either encourages the despondent or calms the angry by counsels."