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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 4:15 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Ti 4:15 |
Strong Concordance |
Meditate upon [3191] these things [5023]; give thyself [2468] wholly to [1722] them [5125]; that [2443] thy [4675] profiting [4297] may [5600] appear [5318] to [1722] all [3956]. |
| |
King James |
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" (Psa 1:2; Psa 119:15; compare "Isaac," Gen 24:63).
these things-- (Ti1 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation.
give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are changes as to all other studies, fashionable to-day, out of fashion to-morrow; this study alone is never obsolete, and when made the all-engrossing aim sanctifies all other studies. The exercise of the ministry threatens the spirit of the ministry, unless it be sustained within. The minister must be first his own scholar before he can be another's teacher.
profiting--Greek, "progress" towards perfection in the Christian life, and especially towards the fullest realization of the ideal of a Christian minister (Ti1 4:12).
may appear to all--not for thy glory, but for the winning of souls (Mat 5:16). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Meditate upon these things - Upon the train of events by which you have been led into the ministry, and upon the responsibilites and duties of the office. Let your mind be deeply impressed with these things; make them the subject of profound and serious thought.
Give thyself wholly to them - Greek "Be in them" - a phrase similar to that of Horace - "totus in illis." The meaning is plain. He was to devote his life wholly to this work. He was to have no other grand aim of living. His time, attention, talents, were to be absorbed in the proper duties of the work. He was not to make that subordinate and tributary to any other purpose, nor was he to allow any other object to interfere with the appropriate duties of that office. He was not to live for money, fame, or pleasure; not to devote his time to the pursuits of literature or science for their own sakes; not to seek the reputation of an elegant or profound scholar; not to aim to be distinguished merely as an accomplished gentleman, or as a skillful farmer, teacher, or author. Whatever was done in any of these departments, was to be wholly consistent with the direction, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι en toutois isthi - "be in these things" - be absorbed in the appropriate duties of the ministerial office. It may be remarked here that no man will ever make much of himself, or accomplish much in any profession, who does not make this the rule of his life. He who has one great purpose of life to which he patiently and steadily devotes himself, and to which he makes everything else bend, will uniformly rise to high respectability, if not to eminence. He who does not do this can expect to accomplish nothing.
That thy profiting - Greek Thy going forward; that is, thy advancement, or progress. A minister of the gospel ought to make steady improvement in all that pertains to his office. No man ought to be satisfied with present attainments.
To all - Margin, "in all things." The margin is the more correct rendering, but either of them makes good sense. It should be apparent to all persons who attend on the stated preaching of a minister of the gospel, that he is making steady advances in knowledge, wisdom, and piety, and in all things that pertain to the proper performance of the duties of his office. If a man really makes progress, it will be seen and appreciated by others; if he does not, that will be as well understood by his hearers. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Meditate (μελέτα)
Only here and Act 4:25 (citation). Often in Class. and lxx. Most translators reject the A.V. meditate, and substitute be diligent in, or practice, or take care for. Meditate, however, is legitimate, although in Class. the word commonly appears in one of the other senses. The connection between the different meanings is apparent. Exercise or practice applied to the mind becomes thinking or meditation. In lxx it represents seven Hebrew equivalents, and signifies to meditate, talk of, murmur, delight one's self in, attend to. Often to meditate, Jos 1:8; Psa 1:2; Psa 2:1; Psa 37:12; Psa 72:6; Sir. 6:7. Meditation is a talking within the mind, and issues in speech; hence to speak, as Psa 35:28; Psa 37:30; Isaiah 69:3. Similarly, λόγος signifies both reason and discourse. In Lat. meditari, "to reflect," is also "to exercise in," "to practice," as Virgil, Ecc 1:2. In the Vulg. meditabor is the translation of murmur or mourn in Isa 38:14. The Hebrew הָגָהֽ means to murmur, whisper; hence the inner whispering of the heart; hence to think, meditate, consider, as Psa 63:7; Psa 78:13.
Give thyself wholly to them (ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι)
Lit. be in these things. The phrase N.T.o. The only parallel in lxx is Pro 23:17. The meaning is that he is to throw himself wholly into his ministry. Comp. "totus in illis," Horace, Sat. i. 9, 2.
Profiting (προκοπὴ)
Better, advance or progress. Only here and Phi 1:12. The verb προκόπτειν in Ti2 2:16; Ti2 3:9, Ti2 3:13. In lxx, see Sir. 51:17; 2 Macc. 8:8. The figure in the word is uncertain, but is supposed to be that of pioneers cutting (κόπτω) a way before (πρὸ) an army, and so furthering its advance. The opposite is ἐγκόπτειν to cut into, throw obstacles in the way, and so hinder. See Gal 5:7; Th1 2:18; Pe1 3:7. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Meditate - The Bible makes no distinction between this and to contemplate, whatever others do. True meditation is no other than faith, hope, love, joy, melted down together, as it were, by the fire of God's Holy Spirit; and offered up to God in secret. He that is wholly in these, will be little in worldly company, in other studies, in collecting books, medals, or butterflies: wherein many pastors drone away so considerable a part of their lives. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Meditate upon these things - Ταυτα μελετα· Revolve them frequently in thy mind; consider deeply their nature and importance; get them deeply fastened in thy heart, and let all thy conduct flow from this inward feeling and conviction. Let the nature, reasons, and motives of thy ministry, be ever in the view of thy heart and conscience.
Give thyself wholly to them - Εν τουτοις ισθι· Be thou in these things. Horace has a similar expression: Omnis in hoc sum. "I am absorbed in this." 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. Bengel has a good saying on this verse, which I will quote: In his qui est, minus erit in sodalitatibus mundanis, in studiis alienis, in colligendis libris, conchis, nummis, quibus multi pastores notabilem aetatis partem insistentes conterunt; "He who is wholly in these things will be little in worldly company, in foreign studies, in collecting books, shells, and coins, in which many ministers consume a principal part of their life." Such persons are worthy of the deepest reprehension, unless all these studies, collections, etc., be formed with the express view, of illustrating the sacred records; and to such awful drudgery few Christian ministers are called. Many, when they have made such collections, seem to know nothing of their use; they only see them and show them, but can never bring them to their assistance in the work of the ministry. These should be prayed for and pitied.
That thy profiting may appear to all - By being made a universal blessing; convincing and converting sinners; and building up the Church of God on its most holy faith. |
16 Let your [5216] light [5457] so [3779] shine [2989] before [1715] men [444], that [3704] they may see [1492] your [5216] good [2570] works [2041], and [2532] glorify [1392] your [5216] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772].
12 Let [2706] no man [3367] despise [2706] thy [4675] youth [3503]; but [235] be thou [1096] an example [5179] of the believers [4103], in [1722] word [3056], in [1722] conversation [391], in [1722] charity [26], in [1722] spirit [4151], in [1722] faith [4102], in [1722] purity [47].
12 Let [2706] no man [3367] despise [2706] thy [4675] youth [3503]; but [235] be thou [1096] an example [5179] of the believers [4103], in [1722] word [3056], in [1722] conversation [391], in [1722] charity [26], in [1722] spirit [4151], in [1722] faith [4102], in [1722] purity [47].
13 Till [2193] I come [2064], give attendance [4337] to reading [320], to exhortation [3874], to doctrine [1319].
14 Neglect [272] not [3361] the gift [5486] that is in [1722] thee [4671], which [3739] was given [1325] thee [4671] by [1223] prophecy [4394], with [3326] the laying on [1936] of the hands [5495] of the presbytery [4244].
63 And Isaac [03327] went out [03318] to meditate [07742] in the field [07704] at [06437] the eventide [06153]: and he lifted up [05375] his eyes [05869], and saw [07200], and, behold, the camels [01581] were coming [0935].
15 I will meditate [07878] in thy precepts [06490], and have respect [05027] unto thy ways [0734].
2 But his delight [02656] is in the law [08451] of the LORD [03068]; and in his law [08451] doth he meditate [01897] day [03119] and night [03915].
7 Likewise [3668], ye husbands [435], dwell with [4924] them according to [2596] knowledge [1108], giving [632] honour [5092] unto the wife [1134], as [5613] unto the weaker [772] vessel [4632], and [2532] as [5613] being heirs together [4789] of the grace [5485] of life [2222]; that [1519] your [5216] prayers [4335] be [1581] not [3361] hindered [1581].
18 Wherefore [1352] we would [2309] have come [2064] unto [4314] you [5209], even [3303] I [1473] Paul [3972], once [2532] [530] and [2532] again [1364]; but [2532] Satan [4567] hindered [1465] us [2248].
7 Ye did run [5143] well [2573]; who [5101] did hinder [348] [1465] you [5209] that ye should [3982] not [3361] obey [3982] the truth [225]?
13 But [1161] evil [4190] men [444] and [2532] seducers [1114] shall wax [4298] worse and worse [1909] [5501], deceiving [4105], and [2532] being deceived [4105].
9 But [235] they shall proceed [4298] no [3756] further [1909] [4119]: for [1063] their [846] folly [454] shall be [2071] manifest [1552] unto all [3956] men, as [5613] theirs [1565] also [2532] was [1096].
16 But [1161] shun [4026] profane [952] and vain babblings [2757]: for [1063] they will increase [4298] unto [1909] more [4119] ungodliness [763].
12 But [1161] I would [1014] ye [5209] should understand [1097], brethren [80], that [3754] the things which happened unto [2596] me [1691] have fallen out [2064] rather [3123] unto [1519] the furtherance [4297] of the gospel [2098];
17 Let not thine heart [03820] envy [07065] sinners [02400]: but be thou in the fear [03374] of the LORD [03068] all the day [03117] long.
13 He divided [01234] the sea [03220], and caused them to pass through [05674]; and he made the waters [04325] to stand [05324] as an heap [05067].
7 Because thou hast been my help [05833], therefore in the shadow [06738] of thy wings [03671] will I rejoice [07442].
14 Like a crane [05483] or a swallow [05693], so did I chatter [06850]: I did mourn [01897] as a dove [03123]: mine eyes [05869] fail [01809] with looking upward [04791]: O LORD [03068], I am oppressed [06234]; undertake [06148] for me.
2 Vanity [01892] of vanities [01892], saith [0559] the Preacher [06953], vanity [01892] of vanities [01892]; all is vanity [01892].
30 The mouth [06310] of the righteous [06662] speaketh [01897] wisdom [02451], and his tongue [03956] talketh [01696] of judgment [04941].
28 And my tongue [03956] shall speak [01897] of thy righteousness [06664] and of thy praise [08416] all the day [03117] long.
6 He shall come down [03381] like rain [04306] upon the mown [01488] grass: as showers [07241] that water [02222] the earth [0776].
12 The wicked [07563] plotteth [02161] against the just [06662], and gnasheth [02786] upon him with his teeth [08127].
1 Why do the heathen [01471] rage [07283], and the people [03816] imagine [01897] a vain thing [07385]?
2 But his delight [02656] is in the law [08451] of the LORD [03068]; and in his law [08451] doth he meditate [01897] day [03119] and night [03915].
8 This book [05612] of the law [08451] shall not depart [04185] out of thy mouth [06310]; but thou shalt meditate [01897] therein day [03119] and night [03915], that thou mayest observe [08104] to do [06213] according to all that is written [03789] therein: for then thou shalt make [06743] thy way [01870] prosperous [06743], and then thou shalt have good success [07919].
25 Who [3588] by [1223] the mouth [4750] of thy [4675] servant [3816] David [1138] hast said [2036], Why [2444] did [5433] the heathen [1484] rage [5433], and [2532] the people [2992] imagine [3191] vain things [2756]?