Question on 1 Timothy 4:13

[Not of the World]

To whom was the author speaking and can we correctly deduce that we are also commanded to reading the scripture in public?  

 

1 Timothy 4:13

English Standard Version

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

[OneLight]

If we consider how scripture was taught in the writers days, when there was no printing press and scrolls were very expensive, reading in public was the only way to know Gods word.  Should we do that today?  Of course.  It's done a lot in bible studies and church services.  Some may even do it at home as a personal bible study.  I also have met a few people who read to themselves out loud to help them remember what they just read better.

[com7fy8]

On 11/21/2022 at 11:09 PM, Not of the World said:

To whom was the author speaking and can we correctly deduce that we are also commanded to reading the scripture in public?  

 

1 Timothy 4:13

English Standard Version

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Well, I would say Paul is writing to Timothy, but what applies to Timothy is our example of all that is for us, too.

And it is good to share with others while we are reading God's word.

So . . . here we are! 

[Jayne]

Paul wrote to Timothy, the young man and new preacher.  1 Timothy contains instructions to Timothy from Paul the much older man and seasoned preacher.

Here's the whole verse and the next verse -

"Until I [Paul] come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders." 1 Timothy 4:13

He is telling Timothy to just keep preaching, teaching, and giving people the word - that is what he is gifted with and ordained to do.

If for us, we want to apply this verse universally to all Christians, we could say that we need to ATTEND preaching, teaching, and reading of the word.

If God wants you to bring people to your home or share online or have a public Bible study - do it.

[farouk]

12 minutes ago, Jayne said:

Paul wrote to Timothy, the young man and new preacher.  1 Timothy contains instructions to Timothy from Paul the much older man and seasoned preacher.

Here's the whole verse and the next verse -

"Until I [Paul] come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders." 1 Timothy 4:13

He is telling Timothy to just keep preaching, teaching, and giving people the word - that is what he is gifted with and ordained to do.

If for us, we want to apply this verse universally to all Christians, we could say that we need to ATTEND preaching, teaching, and reading of the word.

If God wants you to bring people to your home or share online or have a public Bible study - do it.

Hi @Jayne Paul elsewhere exhorts prayer indeed 'that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified' (2 Thess. 3.1).

[heartwashed3]

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are pastoral epistles written by Paul to someone who was called to be a pastor of the church at Ephesus.

 

The teachings found in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus can apply to anyone who wishes to operate as a pastor and are specifically written to those who are called to be a pastor.

[com7fy8]

On 11/21/2022 at 11:09 PM, Not of the World said:

To whom was the author speaking and can we correctly deduce that we are also commanded to reading the scripture in public?  

 

1 Timothy 4:13

English Standard Version

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

I looked at the literal Greek wording and "public" is not there. It simply says, "to reading". And the definition of the Greek word according to my source is simply "reading". But there are a lot of translations which include "public". And I would not start a heretic hunt, about this. 

Exhortation can be with one other person. So can be teaching. Or both can be public or in a private prayer meeting. So, I would say this is likewise what would go for reading > it can be public or with one other person or in a private group. 

 

[kwikphilly]

45 minutes ago, com7fy8 said:

I looked at the literal Greek wording and "public" is not there. It simply says, "to reading". And the definition of the Greek word according to my source is simply "reading". But there are a lot of translations which include "public". And I would not start a heretic hunt, about this. 

Exhortation can be with one other person. So can be teaching. Or both can be public or in a private prayer meeting. So, I would say this is likewise what would go for reading > it can be public or with one other person or in a private group. 

 

These are not define able with one word & therefore we must transliterate....

I especially like that you mention it can be in public or with one other.... For as we know God Word Tells us that where there are 2 or more Gathered in His Name He is in our Midst!!!!!

It only takes 2 to have " Church"😀- if you get what I mean lol

God Inhabits the Praises of His People - Glory to God!

Great Topic,wonderful replies!

With love in Christ, Kwik

[com7fy8]

I just got this > if you read scripture together with others, this can help make clear what the Bible actually says.

If someone simply summarized a message from Paul, for example, that messenger could reinterpret a thing or two, or others could say he or she did.

And in summarizing to others, you might skip important parts.

So, it can be good to read a whole portion of scripture, then comment and discuss and help each other to get good things from it.

And in speaking to one another we can minister God's grace to each other >

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)

And reading scripture to one another can be a good way of speaking what can edify each other with God's grace.

 

[heartwashed3]

1Ti 4:13 (NLT)

Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.