Paul makes a big deal about young Timothy's responsibilities. The books of 1 and 2 Timothy are literal a "how to book" on how to "do the ministry" and "how to do preaching." It should be weekly required reading for all those in the ministry. Note in particular how Paul tells young Timothy to handle his job in light of false teachers and the end time (something we are closer to than Timothy was). Paul is talking to him about using God's Word to fight false teachers:
4:6 - "In pointing out these things ..."
4:7 - "... on the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."
4:10 - "For it is for this we labor and strive ..."
4:11 - "Prescribe and teach these things."
4:13 - "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture."
Paul was concerned about Timothy's content both in character and in message. The two must go together if we are to profitable in our fight of false teachers. The life of the ministry depends upon our ability to teach the Word and live the Word. In any generation God demands that His spokesmen handle the Word and all the Word to handle them. That is the defense against apostasy.
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