1 Timothy 4:16, commentary and pictures

Paul charged Timothy to guard his own life and his teaching and to stay with both, because by doing so he would save both himself and those who listened to him. The order stands, with self first and then teaching, since the heart must be purified and the life converted and consecrated before leading others, for without a holy root there is no sound fruit. Watching the self means living in harmony with God's law in purity, holy conduct and active goodness, examining every motive and habit by God's Word, surrendering wholly to be sanctified, and putting self out of sight to show Christ. Watching the teaching means holding to Scripture's sound, pure truth in belief and practice, with a godly life giving force to the words, since even the best words are powerless when the daily life contradicts them. Staying with both calls for steady perseverance without fitfulness, in vigilance, self-denial and prayerful work, sustained only as human effort cooperates with God's grace and Christ is formed within.

Charge and Setting

Paul delivered this charge as God's own word to Timothy to make known God's will for him. It called him to be an example to believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity, to give attention to reading, exhortation and doctrine, and not to neglect the gift given within him by prophecy with the laying on of hands. He was to meditate on these duties and give himself wholly to them, so that his growth and progress would appear to all. The same charge extends to every young man and young woman, to students, to those entering ministry, canvassing or any other line of work, to look their calling fairly in the face and devote time, strength and influence to the work nearest to God under the conditions of serving the crucified Redeemer. For students this means zeal and earnest effort, learning how to study, cultivating industry, and letting no second-class work come from the hand. For a minister such as Bro. D in Vermont it meant growing as a gospel worker and devoting time and strength to what God required, rather than letting temporal duties consume time needed for the cause.

The charge was given against turning from the faith to follow false spiritual teachings and deception, where holding to sound doctrine guards against being led away from the truth. It belongs to the very last period of earth's history, when the Lord's coming is near and must not be put off but prepared for because of what is coming upon the earth, when judgments upon the wicked cities have begun, when perils of the last days thicken around, iniquity abounds, and the love of many grows cold. In that setting the mind is to stay upon God, works are to correspond with faith, and influence is to tell for God and His truth, with no honoring of Him by carelessness, indifference or despondency. Everything else is secondary to earnestness to secure one's own soul's salvation and to save others, to keep watch over self in order to be ready to watch for others as sentinels on the watchtowers of Zion, and to devote powers to preparing for Christ's soon return and working earnestly and perseveringly for the conversion of others. The example of Enoch, who walked with God when the earth was so corrupt that God declared He would destroy man unless man repented, proves that walking with God in a polluted age is still possible.

The order in the charge matters, for thyself comes first and then the doctrine. Taking heed to self means controlling self, examining the inner life, surrendering the world, walking in the Lord's way and becoming a doer of the word, cleansing the soul-temple, trimming the inner lamp, preparing for the present and future life, and being first consecrated to God by entire surrender of the soul. The heart must be kept clean and pure as a temple for the Holy Spirit, with faith letting the Spirit abide within while God's Word speaks to the soul, and the person must be converted and live as a Bible Christian before leading others to Christ. Personal piety must accompany care for doctrine, with piety, virtue and godliness revealed in the home life and every precaution taken to keep children from growing up with objectionable traits of character. Without this, there is no admittance into the city of God, for God will not accept even the most splendid service or impressive gifts unless the one offering them is consecrated, since unless the root is holy there can be no sound or acceptable fruit.

Heeding Yourself

Taking heed to self means living in harmony with God's law and displaying active Christian virtues, with heart, affections and character made right first and then the same godly character sought in converts. It is purity of heart, holy conduct and conversation, goodness and doing good, supplying precious material for the living foundation. It is counting the cost, letting patience rule passion, keeping the affections of the heart wholly the Lord's, and watching character, words and conduct as a doer of the Word and not a forgetful hearer. The inner lamp of the soul must be trimmed and fed with holy oil, and when this watch is kept its light shines amid moral darkness. Those who would reform others must practice themselves what they enforce, watching life as carefully as doctrine, since words however good are powerless when contradicted by daily life.

Not excusing in oneself sins reproved in others, the worker exemplifies meekness and love in preaching them and is kind, courteous and attentive at home when urging that on others, so personal example gives force to admonition. Greater light increases responsibility, and neglect to do the Master's will brings punishment with many stripes. Taking heed calls for care first of one's own spiritual life and then of doctrine, guarding the heart from hardening through sin. It means stern dealing with self by close investigation, reviewing past experience, examining every motive, manner and habit by God's Word, cleansing the heart and soul from defilement and selfishness, and diligently seeking the Lord to find Him.

Every ambitious project and every plan or principle contrary to the Word that misrepresents the Lord in principle or action must be put aside, with the worker standing in preparedness before God, for unless the root is holy the fruit will show marked defects. It requires separating from every wrong habit and indulgence, seeking purification and sanctification, removing what is wrong, clearing the mind from selfish indulgence in eating, drinking and dressing, and learning the true principles of the truth. A godly life with teaching grounded in Scripture then gives words and example influence for good. Taking heed to self means giving self to the Lord without reserve for sanctification and service, seeking the Spirit's help and Christ's grace and power for purification.

Self must first be brought into close connection with Christ as branch to vine, with the soul-temple cleansed, the heart kept clean as a temple for the Holy Spirit, the lamp of the soul trimmed and replenished with the oil of the Spirit, and self controlled. This inward readiness brings sanctified influence in home and church, a sweet disposition in daily work, and faithful service, for service bound up in self cannot be accepted and only a holy root yields sound fruit and good fruit. A well-ordered, godly example speaks more strongly for the truth than the greatest eloquence without it, and Christ formed within is the hope, strength and source of effective ministry. Young workers are to go forth in Christ's humility and meekness where truth has not been proclaimed, obtaining strength from the source of all strength and clearness of comprehension to labor for those for whom He gave His life.

Faithful work requires vigilance with earnest, persevering effort, self-denial and self-sacrifice, so words and actions represent Him, divine power works through human effort, and divine love is revealed in thought, word and action. Taking heed also means not only preaching the Word but giving it power by practicing it. This includes educating, training and disciplining children in right habits, keeping children under control of father and mother while father and mother are under control of God, requiring obedience and order in the household, and setting correct example in eating, dressing and working in right lines, since neglecting this home work eclipses the light. Those who teach Bible doctrines must subdue self, hide self in God, put self out of sight, refuse self-exaltation, and yoke up with Christ in meekness and lowliness as the perfect pattern, showing far more of Christ and far less of self, with little talking and much prayer and faith.

They need the divine touch to catch the Master's Spirit and work out what Christ works in, and when truth is presented as it is in Jesus it bears the divine credentials. They must watch their own lives as well as their teaching, preach the Word, show Christ's meekness in home and life, speak truth from the heart with understanding, lift up Jesus, and let private and public life agree with Christ present in family life and ministry. They must stand aloof from everything savoring of undue familiarity as forbidden ground unsafe to tread, meditating on things pure and excellent with thoughtful consideration instead of thoughtlessness and impulsive action, for there is sin in such thoughtlessness. Every word and action must tend to elevate, refine and ennoble character and represent Christ's character, without weaving personal defects into work of infinite importance, so profiting appears to all and labor meets greater success, and words and actions must be guarded, with modest reserved conduct, so as to give no cause to speak evil of the truth.

Unless a person is converted and refined in heart and life he will continue doing what dishonors God, harden his heart, and choose to act against truth and righteousness. One unfit to teach must for his own soul's sake handle only his own individual self, become a learner before being entrusted as a teacher in charge of a church, and be withheld credentials or endorsement. He must separate from companionship with those with whom he cannot harmonize and take up some other business or labor with his hands rather than harm the flock, since no conference is authorized to pay him to work against fellow workers and create burdens, anxiety and worry.

Heeding the Doctrine

The doctrine to be heeded is the teaching of Scripture, sound doctrine, pure unadulterated truth in both belief and practice as golden oil. It is to be received, believed, and practiced, not merely known, and this watching over the teaching forms character for the great work of this life and fitness for eternity. Humble, diligent study of the Word with obedience sanctifies the teacher and qualifies him to teach others, guides conduct, leaves skepticism powerless, and guards against being led away. Careful, prayerful study joined to putting the teaching into practice does the work needed to clear the King's highway.

Teaching must be joined to example, for heart-piety and a pure, holy, well-ordered life give force to admonition. The greatest eloquence and ability, and words however good in themselves, are powerless and unacceptable when contradicted by the daily life. The minister preaches to himself and must be a doer of his own words, personally possessing living faith in Christ as Saviour and standing firmly in that faith in order to draw sinners to safety and influence a skeptical world.

Taking heed to self means the soul is purified and made ready as a cleansed vessel to receive the golden oil which the two olive branches pour through the two golden pipes, putting on the whole armor of righteousness rather than becoming so active there is no time to pray. Taking heed to the doctrine means those vessels in turn empty themselves of treasures of truth, bringing from the treasure house things new and old as heavenly messengers, the anointed ones supplying living workers that they may impart. This heart work reveals itself in actions, in waiting, praying, watching and working in preparation to bear witness, in zeal to give the light to others and communicate the light and knowledge received, and in earnest certainty of present and future truth. As chosen vessels they reflect the character of Christ, and through them the grace of Christ flows in rich, pure streams to bless all with whom they come in contact, while God's Word presented in love and received and obeyed in love convinces unbelievers and saves both teacher and taught.

Continuing Faithfully

To continue in them is to remain faithful in both personal conduct and doctrine, watching over life and teaching together and persevering in both to the saving of self and hearers. This continuance must be steady and not fitful or changeable, holding fast to doctrine through continued attention and study while the example of a transformed life gives life-giving power to influence. It calls for vigilance and earnest effort, for self-denial and self-sacrifice, and for zeal guided by God's Word into true and holy channels so that service benefits both the worker and others. Faithful witness in this way centers on repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, with continued growth essential to the work.

Continuing requires waiting and praying and watching and working, with meditation on things pure and excellent and thoughtful consideration that keeps the spiritual life strong. It requires keeping the mind clear in order to understand how to use the Lord's entrusted resources for advancing His work and winning souls. Each step must be guarded with fidelity and careful self-examination, especially by those entrusted with the last message of mercy, so as to remain steadfast and receive Christ's approval.

Such faithfulness is sustained only in cooperation with God, working out salvation with fear and trembling rather than walking in mere human wisdom. God's grace and power must assist effort, sanctify labor, and give strength to persevere, for system and order and human effort alone cannot save self or others. Christ's hand holds firmly through searching the Word of the living God, with Christ formed within as hope and strength.

Saving Self and Hearers

Doing this saves both the worker and those who hear, for obedience and faithfulness in personal life and in teaching bear directly on the salvation of both. As God's instrument the worker is to carry Christ's light and uphold Christ's standard among people, taking personal interest in their spiritual condition as a physician attends to the particular troubles of patients, speaking individually and adapting counsel to each soul's need, including in regions beyond established churches and in the harvest fields where workers should take their place. Carelessness in work and example can result in souls being lost, while faithful, self-sacrificing labor can bring many to salvation, so minor difficulties or the prospect of an easier field must not draw the worker away when people are ready to respond. The danger of losing a soul calls for deeper concern and effort than rescuing someone from physical death.

Influence becomes saving when receiving the Word transforms the life, and the worker as watchman hears the word from God and warns the wicked to turn from his way and warns the righteous not to trust in his own righteousness. Preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ and making all see the fellowship of the mystery hidden in God makes known the manifold wisdom of God, and the one who warns delivers his own soul, while silence leaves the blood of the wicked who dies in iniquity required at his hand. The worker is to warn, entreat and rebuke sin, showing faith through works and remaining steadfast despite hatred, reproach and false accusations, with careful, upright life and faithful teaching serving toward the salvation of both worker and hearers. That influence decisively supports or opposes the truth, so a minister's wife by conduct, conversation and example should help her husband's work and direct others toward heaven, giving the whole heart to serving God rather than working half-heartedly. The same law holds for youth surrounded by sin and for families, for becoming informed about the life-and-death stakes of choices equips the young to lead others away from evil, and an elder brother must love his brothers, pray with and for them, and not let personal interests or study lead him to neglect his duties, since the course pursued and the influence exerted affect the salvation of others.

Saving hearers means leading them to faith in Jesus, with disciplined Christian life and service in which believers seek their own salvation and by teaching and example seek the salvation of others. In sanitarium work this means watching personal life and teaching and persevering in them, having faith in God, moving step by step onward and upward, keeping a cheerful, happy temperament that acts as medicine, and associating with patients to impart God's word of comfort and hope so that words of truth become to them as a leaf from the tree of life. Sharing comfort and hope in that setting leads patients to faith in Christ so they decide to count the cost of sinful indulgence of intemperate habits and sensual propensities that would ruin soul as well as body if continued, and turn from habits that ruin both body and soul.

The promise reaches households, where tender, patient, merciful character wins the family and home life tests religious character, requiring the giving up of overbearing conduct. Fathers and mothers not yet ready for the Lord's coming must take heed to self and doctrine by reforming character, humbling the heart before God, overcoming defects, talking less and praying much more, and receiving the faith that works by love and purifies the soul, and only after this personal preparation are they fitted to do justice to their children and to themselves, with the inner lamp trimmed and burning shining in faithful, earnest, consecrated work for their children. Standing firm in faith, persevering with patient hope and looking to Jesus leads to one's own salvation, while God can use that faithful person to help save others, even a wife and children. Faithful instruction and godly example can lead children to Christ, and those influenced may in turn help many others be saved, so reconverted parents become saviours to their children who then help save many. A husband must act to help his wife's salvation as well as his own, undoing the harm of leading her toward worldly friendship and fulfilling his duty to lead her in the right way, and where a wife will not reform he must remember he is God's property bought by the blood of Christ and that the Lord has a work for him to do. He must not allow the enemy to thwart God's purpose through her, must not indulge her unconsecrated desires by his means or consent but must restrain them, and must go forth to his work independent of her influence giving himself wholly to God, and in doing this through the grace of Christ he will save his own soul and may become the means of saving her soul.

Charge for Every Calling

Those engaged in God's work and entrusted with souls are bound to take heed to themselves and to the doctrine, guarding both personal conduct and what they teach, for care for others begins with watchfulness over self. They must set the heart in order before God so the Holy Spirit can prepare them to speak for Him and make them fit mouthpieces for God. This requires putting spiritual interests first and keeping the soul pure and undefiled, refusing commercialism, business cares, and mingling with worldly practices that burden the mind and cause the ministry of healing to be neglected. Ministers and physicians are thus to bear a straightforward message with pen and with voice and exert a Christian influence, so that they become saviors of soul as well as of body, and by continuing in both self-watchfulness and sound teaching they save both themselves and those who hear them.

The same charge rests on every believer, every church member and every household, to take heed first to self and then to doctrine, keeping the inner life spiritually alert so it reflects heaven's light and discerns God's voice through Scripture and humble prayer. It calls for spiritual wakefulness, separation from the enemy, union with Christ and consecration to service, with vigilance lest God's standard be replaced. The very first work is to unite in Christian fellowship, putting away all unkind criticism, drawing together and standing shoulder to shoulder as soldiers of the cross, with a union between workers as close as that between Christ and His Father. Personal piety and diligent service belong together, for neither quiet meditation without labor nor constant activity that neglects inner character is enough, but personal faith and godliness must be guarded first and then the doctrine faithfully taught. Taking heed to self is Bible religion and Christian character shining in Christlike virtues, cultivated with humble contrite heart, love of God, fear to walk contrary to His will, unceasing watchfulness, sincere earnest prayer, keeping the lamp trimmed and burning, activity in every line of service and improvement of every opportunity, while neglect of personal piety makes even the most splendid endowments and service of no value unless soul, body and spirit are devoted. This earnest effort includes seeking everlasting life and leading others in the path of holiness, keeping a sweet disposition in daily work and staying spiritually awake.

Canvassers and students selling books on present truth must watch their own lives and hold firmly to the teaching, seeking God most earnestly and showing evidence of true conversion. Taking heed to self means self must be disciplined and constantly guarded amid many temptations and a multitude of petty temptations that test integrity and strength of religious principle, lest Satan obtain the advantage, requiring making God the trust every moment and standing firm as a rock to principle through life's brief season of trial. Inexperienced young men and women should be joined with experienced workers to learn how to work faithfully and intelligently in the Lord's way. Those truly converted who obey this instruction do a good work in canvassing, which is the very best preparation for the ministry because it involves the highest moral duties, and for other lines of missionary labor and other kinds of missionary service.

Sabbath school teachers are charged to watch their own lives and their teaching and remain in them, for their work done rightly has far-reaching influence unto the saving of both themselves and their pupils. Everyone connected with the Lord's work must give careful attention to personal life and to teaching, rising higher in service and not treating the work as common business, but acknowledging God and acting as faithful stewards. This means cultivating the best thoughts and noblest feelings and placing strong restraint on thoughts, words and actions in awareness of being in the presence of angels whose eyes are too pure to behold iniquity. When the heart is set in order before God, the Holy Spirit prepares the person to be a mouthpiece for God, giving moral strength and precious experience and a power and faith stronger than circumstances, with heavenly intelligences cooperating and an inward life and power felt by others; and this applies likewise to educators and all entrusted with far-reaching influence.

Every father and every mother is spoken to about watching self first, for before parents can do their children justice they must surrender themselves to God's training. They must be filled with high motives and noble aspirations and endeavor each day to make themselves more worthy of their trust, reforming character, talking less and praying much more, and receiving faith that works by love. When they take heed to themselves in this way, God cooperates with them, and their trimmed and burning lamp shines in consecrated work for their children.