8/ for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future.
9/ This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.
10/ For this we toil and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe.
11/ Command and teach these things.
12/ Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
13/ Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.
14/ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.
15/ Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone.
16/ Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
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.
Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness.
Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others. The doctrine of a minister of Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated, explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for wordly pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is mere amusement, and only ornamental.
May every believer be enabled to let his profiting appear unto all men; seeking to experience the power of the gospel in his own soul, and to bring forth its fruits in his life.
What are to be commanded, command, and what are to be taught, teach; command to refuse and reject all profane and fabulous doctrines, and exhort to the exercise of true godliness, and teach the profitableness of that, and declare the promises made unto it, and assert the truth and acceptableness of them; command, order, and encourage believers to labour and suffer reproach for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, in hope of enjoying the said promises, and teach them to trust in the God of their lives, and the Saviour of all men;
1 TIMOTHY involves the duty of weeding out the wayward elders, and leaders, and recreating good, and true ones, as Apostle Paul bids him to remain, and TEACH these NOT to teach strange, and false Doctrines to the believers; not an easy task, though despite his youth, he was empowered to do so. In the early Church, Apostle's travelled to KEEP the Church on course, true, and healthy, THAT the growth of CHRIST in believer's was ensured, enabled, empowered, and encouraged, and the duty continues even today...
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