1 Timothy 4:15

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Timothy 4:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.
1 Timothy 4:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Timothy 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Meditate on these things, etc.] Not only on those instructions, advices, and exhortations, which the apostle had given him, throughout this chapter, which might be very useful to him, often to think of, and revolve in his mind, and seriously consider and reflect upon; but upon the Scriptures, the reading of which he had recommended to him, and the doctrines contained therein; it becomes every man not only to read, but meditate on the word of God, and much more ministers of the Gospel. The Scriptures should be read with care, and be industriously and laboriously searched into, as men dig in mines for silver or golden ore; and passages in it should be carefully compared together, the more…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“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. 1 Timothy 4:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Meditate: Jos 1:8; Psa 1:2, Psa 19:14, Psa 49:3, Psa 63:6, Psa 77:12, Psa 104:34, Psa 105:5, Psa 119:15, Psa 119:23, Psa 119:48; Psa 119:97, Psa 119:99, Psa 119:148, Psa 143:5 give: Act 6:4; Co1 16:15; Co2 4:14, Co2 8:5; Tit 2:14 that: Ti1 4:6; Mat 5:16; Phi 2:15, Phi 2:16 to all: or, in all things 1 Timothy 4:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification