1 Timothy 4:16

“Take heed unto thyself, etc.] Not as a man, or a Christian only, but as a minister; and as every minister should take heed to his life and conversation, that it be exemplary, as in <540412>1 Timothy 4:12 to his gifts, that they be not lost, or neglected, but used and improved; to the errors and heresies abroad, that he be not infected with them; and to his flock, which is the other part of himself, that he feed it with knowledge and understanding: and to thy doctrine: preached by him, that it be according to the Scriptures, be the doctrine of Christ, and his apostles, and according to godliness; that it tend to edification, and is pure, incorrupt, and all of a piece; and that it be expressed…”

“Take heed--Give heed (Act 3:5). thyself, and . . . doctrine--"and unto thy teaching." The two requisites of a good pastor: His teaching will be of no avail unless his own life accord with it; and his own purity of life is not enough unless he be diligent in teaching [CALVIN]. This verse is a summary of Ti1 4:12. continue in them-- (Ti2 3:14). in doing this--not "by doing this," as though he could save himself by works. thou shalt . . . save thyself, and them that hear thee-- (Eze 33:9; Jam 5:20). In performing faithfully his duty to others, the minister is promoting his own salvation. Indeed he cannot "give heed unto the teaching" of others, unless he be at the same time "giving heed unto…”

“Take heed unto thyself - This may be understood as relating to everything of a personal nature that would qualify him for his work. It may be applied to personal piety; to health; to manners; to habits of living; to temper; to the ruling purposes; to the contact with others. In relation to personal religion, a minister should take heed: (1) That he has true piety; and, (2) That he is advancing in the knowledge and love of God. In relation to morals, he should be upright; to his contact with others, and his personal habits, he should be correct, consistent, and gentlemanly, so as to give needless offence to none. The person of a minister should be neat and cleanly; his manners such as will…”

“Continue in them - In all the preceding advices. Next: 1 Timothy Chapter 5”

“Take: Ch1 28:10; Ch2 19:6; Mar 13:9; Luk 21:34; Act 20:28; Co1 3:10, Co1 3:11; Col 4:17; Ti2 4:2; Tit 2:7, Tit 2:15; Heb 12:15; Jo2 1:8 unto the: Ti1 4:6, Ti1 1:3; Rom 16:17; Eph 4:14; Tit 2:7; Heb 13:9; Jo2 1:9 continue: Act 6:4, Act 26:22; Rom 2:7; Ti2 3:14; Tit 1:9 thou shalt: Eze 3:19-21, Eze 33:7-9; Act 20:26, Act 20:27; Co1 9:27 them: Isa 55:11; Jer 23:22; Rom 10:10-14, Rom 11:14; Co1 9:22; Th1 2:16, Th1 2:19, Th1 2:20; Ti2 2:10; Plm 1:19; Jam 5:20 Next: 1 Timothy Chapter 5”