A YOUNG CHRISTIAN LEADER, Dr. Samuel Lee
TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY
Passage: 1_Timothy 4:6~16  
Key verse: 7
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(A) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(B) 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(C) rather, train yourself to be godly.(D) 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(E) holding promise for both the present life(F) and the life to come.(G) 9 This is a trustworthy saying(H) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(I) who is the Savior of all people,(J) and especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.(K) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(L) because you are young, but set an example(M) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(N) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(O) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(P) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(Q) when the body of elders(R) laid their hands on you.(S)
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(T) both yourself and your hearers.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
Cross references
- 1 Timothy 4:6 : 1Ti 1:10
- 1 Timothy 4:6 : 2Ti 3:15
- 1 Timothy 4:7 : 1Ti 1:4; 2Ti 2:16
- 1 Timothy 4:7 : S 1Ti 2:2
- 1 Timothy 4:8 : 1Ti 6:6
- 1 Timothy 4:8 : Ps 37:9, 11; Pr 22:4; Mt 6:33; Mk 10:29, 30
- 1 Timothy 4:8 : Mk 10:29, 30
- 1 Timothy 4:9 : S 1Ti 1:15
- 1 Timothy 4:10 : S Mt 16:16
- 1 Timothy 4:10 : S Lk 1:47; S 2:11
- 1 Timothy 4:11 : 1Ti 5:7; 6:2
- 1 Timothy 4:12 : S 2Ti 1:7; Tit 2:15
- 1 Timothy 4:12 : Php 3:17; 1Th 1:7; 2Th 3:9; Tit 2:7; 1Pe 5:3
- 1 Timothy 4:12 : 1Ti 1:14
- 1 Timothy 4:13 : 1Ti 3:14
- 1 Timothy 4:13 : Lk 4:16; Ac 13:14-16; Col 4:16; 1Th 5:27
- 1 Timothy 4:14 : 1Ti 1:18
- 1 Timothy 4:14 : S Ac 11:30
- 1 Timothy 4:14 : S Ac 6:6; 2Ti 1:6
- 1 Timothy 4:16 : S Ro 11:14
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
Paul encouraged Timothy to always point out the gospel to the church, being a good minister of the word of God. Good and disciplined teaching requires training. Those who compete in sports train their bodies. In the same way, God's people train themselves to be godly. This means avoiding any godless teaching that is not the gospel. It means recognizing the value of godliness in all things, both here and in the life to come. Our labor is in the Lord, and we strive to grow in hope.
2. Do not neglect your gift (11-16)
Timothy was young, but Paul commanded him to teach the gospel, to be an exemplary leader in the church, and to devote himself to the word of God. This was a spiritual gift that Timothy had received. Paul told him to be diligent in these matters, being a good steward of the word of God that was entrusted to him. Persevering in the word of God is salvation for both Timothy and his hearers.
Prayer: Lord, help me to persevere in the word and train myself to be godly.
One Word: The value of godliness