1 Timothy 4:15

1 Timothy 4:15

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear unto all.

1. “Meditate upon these things…”

a. Meditate upon [Strong: 3191 meletao mel-et-ah'-o from a presumed derivative of 3199; to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind:--imagine, (pre-)meditate.] [Zodhiates: To consider, weigh, ponder over something so as to be able to perform well.]

b. these things [Strong: 5023 tauta tow'-tah nominative or accusative case neuter plural of 3778; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.]

1). There are two familiar passages in Scripture that illustrate that we as Covenant people cannot be successful in our relationship with God unless we meditate God’s word.

a). Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

(1) 1 Timothy 4:15 is the New Testament equivalent to Joshua 1:8.

b). Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

2. “…give thyself wholly to them…”

a. give thyself wholly [Strong: 2468 isthi is'-thee second person imperative present of 1510; be thou:--+ agree, be, X give thyself wholly to.] [Vines: In 1 Timothy 4:15, the sentence freely rendered “give thyself wholly to them” is, lit., ‘be in these (things)’.]

1). The Amplified reads, throw yourself wholly into them [your ministry]. The NASB reads “be absorbed in them”. The same idea is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Galatians.

a). Galatians 1:13, 14 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

1:14 And profited in the Jews religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”

b. to [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

c. them [Strong: 5125 toutois too'-toice dative case plural masculine or neuter of 3778; to (for, in, with or by) these (persons or things):--such, them, there(-in, -with), these, this, those.]

3. “…that thy profiting may appear unto all.”

a. that [Strong: 2443 hina hin'-ah probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

b. thy [Strong: 4675 sou soo genitive case of 4771; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.]

c. profiting [Strong: 4297 prokope prok-op-ay' from 4298; progress, i.e. advancement (subjectively or objectively):--furtherance, profit.] [Zodhiates: A going forward, used only figuratively of progress, advancement, furtherance, either for good or evil.]

d. may [Strong: 5600 o o, including the oblique forms, as well as es ace; e ay; etc. the subjunctive of 1510; (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with 1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be:--+ appear, are, (may, might, should) be, X have, is, + pass the flower of her age, should stand, were.]

e. appear [Strong: 5318 phaneros fan-er-os' from 5316; shining, i.e. apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally:--abroad, + appear, known, manifest, open (+ -ly), outward (+ -ly).]

f. to [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

g. all [Strong: 3956 pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

1). The main point being spoken here is spiritual growth. This is the same point being pushed in all the uses of the term “prosperous” in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1-3. Other verses emphasize spiritual growth and being taught by the Spirit of God.

a). 1 Samuel 3:19, 20  And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

1:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

b). Isaiah 48:17 Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

c). Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.