Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 4:13

"Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching." — 1 Timothy 4:13 (ASV)

Until Paul comes, Timothy is to devote himself “to the public reading of Scripture.” The early church followed the example of the Jewish synagogue in publicly reading the Scriptures at every service. He is also to give himself to “preaching” (lit., “exhortation”; GK 4155). Every pastor must not only read the Word of God to the people but also exhort them to obey it. The third important function of the pastoral ministry is “teaching” (GK 1436). The people need instruction in Christian living, and the pastor should give it to them.