14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that,
14 I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly;
14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
13 Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching.
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
(Read 1 Timothy 4:11-16)
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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:14
Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:14-16
(Read 1 Timothy 3:14-16)
The church is the house of God; he dwells there. The church holds forth the Scripture and the doctrine of Christ, as a pillar holds forth a proclamation. When a church ceases to be the pillar and ground of truth, we may and ought to forsake her; for our regard to truth should be first and greatest. The mystery of godliness is Christ. He is God, who was made flesh, and was manifest in the flesh. God was pleased to manifest himself to man, by his own Son taking the nature of man. Though reproached as a sinner, and put to death as a malefactor, Christ was raised again by the Spirit, and so was justified from all the false charges with which he was loaded. Angels ministered to him, for he is the Lord of angels. The Gentiles welcomed the gospel which the Jews rejected. Let us remember that God was manifest in the flesh, to take away our sins, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These doctrines must be shown forth by the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.