Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 43

Paul Exhorts Timothy to Take Heed to his Ministry Part 4

1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. KJV

Over the many centuries since our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ (after His Resurrection from the dead) ascended back into heaven leaving the first Apostles and disciples to carry His Gospel of Grace to the entire earth (Matthew 28:19-20), the enemy (despite being completely defeated by Christ on the Cross) has continued his work of sowing tares in the earth (Matthew 13:24-30). The evidence of said tares are seen by the many spiritual paths that have captivated, captured, and carried away countless souls into eternal darkness, destruction, and death in hell. Some of these spiritual paths or pathways that the devil has sown include Hinduism, Buddhism, Spiritualism, Witchcraft, Wizardry, Sorcery, Islam, and many many more paths that are actually dead end roads that lead to the edge of a cliff metaphorically speaking. In most of these alternative spiritual paths meditation plays a big role in them. For example here is what the English dictionary says about Buddhism: The teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth. Note, meditation in the definition. These other pathways almost always require the person being introduced to them to empty themselves or open up themselves by meditating on nothing.

However, the Apostle Paul (who is a big fan of meditation) instructs Brother Timothy to meditate, that is, think intently and deeply on and about the things he has just previously written to him in verses 12-14. Paul does not instruct Timothy to empty his mind, but on the contrary he instructs him to fill his mind with love, faith, purity, reading, exhorting, doctrine, and teaching of the Word of God, so he instructs him to this with these words, "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." (1 Timothy 4:15) (KJV). The little English phrase 'Meditate upon' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word meletaō which means to take care of, that is, (by implication) revolve in the mind. The false spirituality sown by the devil through those things listed above all require people to empty their minds (as if that is possible) in order that he might inhabit their minds through the many demonic principalities and powers under his control. The mind is where all spiritual battles are won or lost by those of us who are redeemed and also by those who are still un-redeemed. The mind is not the brain. The brain is like the CPU of a computer telling the hardware what to do or perform on a repetative loop, that is, a closed circuit if you will. The human brain is just like that, it instructs the hands, feet, eyes, arms, etc. to carry out its function or task. The mind however, is what God has made in man/woman that is invisible (it cannot be taken out of man/woman and analyzed or dissected). Here is what our English dictionary defines the mind to be: That which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason. The Greek word for 'mind' used most often in the New Testament is nous which means the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication meaning: - mind, understanding.

The Apostle Paul surely recalls the first part of Proverb 23:7 "For as he thinks in his heart/mind, so is he." (Amplified Bible). Therefore, Paul wants Timothy and we true believers today to spend the bulk of our time meditating or thinking upon the things of God and the Word of Truth the Bible, just as he instructed the Philippian believers with these words, "Do not fret {or} have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance {and} in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison {and} mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence {and} is honorable {and} seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely {and} lovable, whatever is kind {and} winsome {and} gracious, if there is any virtue {and} excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on {and} weigh {and} take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." (Philippians 4:6-8) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes here, 'give thyself wholly to them', he means that Timothy should give himself fully to the exercising of his spiritual gift given to him by God the Holy Spirit and keep on practicing these things Paul has instructed him into. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this phrase, "Occupy thyself wholly with them; make them not only thy chief but thy sole concern. Thou art called to save thy own soul, and the souls of them that hear thee; and God has given thee the Divine gifts for this and no other purpose. To this let all thy reading and study be directed; this is thy great business, and thou must perform it as the servant and steward of the Lord."

When Paul writes here, 'that thy profiting may appear to all', he means that his progression towards maturity in the faith may be evident by all that he has graduated from the milk of the Word of God to now taking in the meat or solid food from the Word of God, just as Paul wrote detailing to the Hebrew Christians with these words, "For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced {and} unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]! But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses {and} mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate {and} distinguish between what is morally good {and} noble and what is evil {and} contrary either to divine or human law. Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings {and} doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness {and} perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance {and} abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God, With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment {and} punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.]" (Hebrews 5:13-14 & Hebrews 6:1-2) (Amplified Bible). The English word 'profiting' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word prokopē which means progress, that is, advancement (subjectively or objectively): - furtherance, profit. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning Timothy's progress, "That it may be manifest to all that attend the ministry of the word that there is an increase in gifts, a growing in spiritual knowledge, an improvement of the talents bestowed: or that this profiting or increase might appear in all things; in every branch of the ministry, both in exhortation or consolation, and in doctrine; or that it might be manifest among all; that is, all that hear might receive some profit, might learn, and be comforted and edified; faith might be increased, and the joy of it be furthered; and all under the ministry visibly thrive and flourish."

"The difference between 'faith in Christ' and those other spiritual paths sown by the devil listed above is simple, sweet, and short and that is, the false spiritual paths are all doctrine, dogma, and dissertations derived from a man or woman that had been or has been deceived by the devil with one of his seducing spirits (1 Timothy 4:1), but true 'faith in Jesus Christ' comes directly from Him through God the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth, just as our Lord Jesus told the first disciples with these words, 'But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce {and} declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. He will honor {and} glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.' (John 16:13-14) (Amplified Bible), for remember this is exactly where Paul the Apostle began in this Chapter to warn Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation of the Apostasy to come by virtue of these seducing spirits declaring and teaching lies to many." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…