The Meaning of 1 Timothy 4:6 Explained

1 Timothy 4:6

KJV: If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

YLT: These things placing before the brethren, thou shalt be a good ministrant of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of the faith, and of the good teaching, which thou didst follow after,

Darby: Laying these things before the brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which thou hast fully followed up.

ASV: If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now :

KJV Reverse Interlinear

If thou put  the brethren  in remembrance  of these things,  thou shalt be  a good  minister  of Jesus  Christ,  nourished up  in the words  of faith  and  of good  doctrine,  whereunto  thou hast attained. 

What does 1 Timothy 4:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Timothy was to "point out," a very mild approach, the truth about God"s good gifts that Paul had just articulated. Paul considered the Ephesian Christians "brethren," not enemies or antagonists. A faithful servant of Christ must pass along the truth God has revealed without distortion. To be such Timothy would have to continue to nourish himself on the truths of the faith contained in his Bible. He would have to abide in the sound teaching he had received from the Lord and His apostles as he had been doing so far (cf. 2 Timothy 3:14-17) rather than apostatizing. Sometimes ministers are so busy finding food for their people that they fail to feed themselves.

Context Summary

1 Timothy 4:1-8 - Reject False And Foolish Teaching
We have here the Apostle's forecast of the last times, i.e., the condition in which men will find themselves as the age draws to a close. Notwithstanding all that Christ has done, the prevalence of evil will be enormous, not because of any failure in God but because the Church has failed to be the organ through which His saving help could reach mankind. The symptoms are set forth with great clearness, such as demon spirits dwelling and working in men, error taught under the specious guise of excessive religious devotion, consciences seared, natural instincts thwarted and outraged. On the contrary, let us believe that the whole body, and all gifts that are natural and innocent, are to be cherished and used under three sanctions:
1.They must be accepted and enjoyed with thanksgiving to the Creator and Father.
2.They must be sanctioned by the Word of God.
3.Their use and enjoyment must, not interfere with our prayer-life.
The minister of Christ must be daily nourished by the words of Christian truth. If he is not fed on Christ's body and blood, his teaching will soon deteriorate, John 6:1-71. He must also exercise himself in godliness with as much care as the gymnast, who is continually exercising his joints and muscles so as to keep supple and alert. This is also God's purpose in the spiritual trials and discipline which He sends. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 4

1  He foretells that in the latter times there shall be a departure from the faith
6  And to the end that Timothy might not fail in doing his duty, he furnishes him with various precepts

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 4:6

If thou put the brethren in mind of these things [ταυτα υποτιτεμενος τοις αδελποις]
Present middle participle of υποτιτημι — hupotithēmi to place under, to suggest, old and common verb, here only in N.T., “suggesting these things to the brethren.” [source]
Thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus [καλος εσηι διακονος Χριστου Ιησου]
This beautiful phrase covers one‘s whole service for Christ (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Nourished in (εντρεπομενος — entrephomenos). Present passive participle of εντρεπω — entrephō old verb, to nourish in, used by Plato of “nourished in the laws,” here only in the N.T. The words of the faith Locative case. The right diet for babes in Christ. The Bolshevists in Russia are feeding the children on atheism to get rid of God. Which thou hast followed (ηι παρηκολουτηκας — hēi parēkolouthēkas). Perfect active indicative of παρακολουτεω — parakoloutheō old verb, to follow beside, of persons (often in old Greek) or of ideas and things (Luke 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:10). With associative instrumental case ηι — hēi (which). [source]
Nourished in [εντρεπομενος]
Present passive participle of εντρεπω — entrephō old verb, to nourish in, used by Plato of “nourished in the laws,” here only in the N.T. [source]
The words of the faith [τοις λογοις της πιστεως]
Locative case. The right diet for babes in Christ. The Bolshevists in Russia are feeding the children on atheism to get rid of God. Which thou hast followed (ηι παρηκολουτηκας — hēi parēkolouthēkas). Perfect active indicative of παρακολουτεω — parakoloutheō old verb, to follow beside, of persons (often in old Greek) or of ideas and things (Luke 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:10). With associative instrumental case ηι — hēi (which). [source]
Which thou hast followed [ηι παρηκολουτηκας]
Perfect active indicative of παρακολουτεω — parakoloutheō old verb, to follow beside, of persons (often in old Greek) or of ideas and things (Luke 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:10). With associative instrumental case ηι — hēi (which). [source]
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things [ταῦτα ὑποτιθέμενος τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς]
The verb only here and Romans 16:4. Lit. to put under; so almost without exception in lxx. See, for instance, Genesis 28:18; Genesis 47:29; Exodus 17:12. So Romans 16:4. Hence, metaphorically, to suggest, which is, literally, to carry or lay under. Ταῦτα thesethings are those mentioned 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:5. In the Pastorals it is only here that ἀδελφοί brethren means the members of the church to whose superintendent the letter is addressed. In 2 Timothy 4:21, they are the Christians of the church from which the letter comes; in 1 Timothy 6:2, Christians in general; and in 1 Timothy 5:1, without any ecclesiastical sense. [source]
Minister of Jesus Christ [διάκονος Χριστοῦ Ἱησοῦ]
Rendering Christ himself a service by setting himself against ascetic errors. For διάκονος ministersee on 1 Timothy 3:8. Here in the general sense of servant, without any official meaning. Paul's more usual phrase is servant of God: servant ( διάκονος ) of Christ twice, and διάκονος Ἱησοῦ Χριστοῦ not at all. Paul uses δοῦλος bond-servantwith Jesus Christ. See 2 Corinthians 11:23; Colossians 1:7; and comp. Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Philemon 1:1. [source]
Nourished up [ἐντρεφόμενος]
Better, nourishing thyself. N.T.oolxx. The participle indicates the means by which Timothy may become a good minister. Comp. Hebrews 5:12-14. [source]
In the words of faith []
The words in which the faith - the contents of belief - finds expression. Comp. 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13. The phrase only here. Paul has τὸ ῥῆμα τῆς πίστεως theword of the faith, Romans 10:8. [source]
Whereunto thou hast attained [ᾗ παρηκολούθηκας]
Wrong. Rend., which thou hast closely followed. Comp. 2 Timothy 3:10. The verb means, primarily, to follow beside, to attend closely. In this literal sense not in N.T. To attend to or follow up, as a disease. So Plato, Rep. 406 B, παρακολουθῶν τῷ νοσήματι θανασίμῳ perpetuallytending a mortal disease. To follow up a history or a succession of incidents, as Luke 1:3. oP. The writer means that Timothy, as a disciple, has closely attended to his course of Christian instruction. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 4:6

John 10:11 The good shepherd [ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλὸς]
Literally, the shepherd the good (shepherd). Καλὸς , though not of frequent occurrence in John, is more common than ἀγαθός , good, which occurs but four times and three times out of the four in the neuter gender, a good thing, or that which is good. Καλὸς in John is applied to wine (John 2:10), three times to the shepherd in this chapter, and twice to works (John 10:32, John 10:33). In classical usage, originally as descriptive of outward form, beautiful; of usefulness, as a fair haven, a fair wind. Auspicious, as sacrifices. Morally beautiful, noble; hence virtue is called τὸ καλὸν . The New Testament usage is similar. Outwardly fair, as the stones of the temple (Luke 21:5): well adapted to its purpose, as salt (Mark 9:50): competent for an office, as deacons (1 Timothy 4:6); a steward (1 Peter 4:10); a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3): expedient, wholesome (Mark 9:43, Mark 9:45, Mark 9:47): morally good, noble, as works (Matthew 5:16); conscience (Hebrews 13:18). The phrase it is good, i.e., a good or proper thing (Romans 14:21). In the Septuagint καλὸς is the most usual word for good as opposed to evil (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 24:50; Isaiah 5:20). In Luke 8:15, καλὸς and ἀγαθός are found together as epithets of the heart; honest (or virtuous, noble) and good. The epithet καλὸς , applied here to the shepherd, points to the essential goodness as nobly realized, and appealing to admiring respect and affection. As Canon Westcott observes, “in the fulfillment of His work, the Good Shepherd claims the admiration of all that is generous in man.” [source]
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd [εγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος]
Note repetition of the article, “the shepherd the good one.” Takes up the metaphor of John 10:2. Vulgate pastor bonus. Philo calls his good shepherd αγατος — agathos but καλος — kalos calls attention to the beauty in character and service like “good stewards” (1 Peter 4:10), “a good minister of Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 4:6). Often both adjectives appear together in the ancient Greek as once in the New Testament (Luke 8:15). “Beauty is as beauty does.” That is καλος — kalos Layeth down his life for his sheep For illustration see 1 Samuel 17:35 (David‘s experience) and Isaiah 31:4. Dods quotes Xenophon (Mem. ii. 7, 14) who pictures even the sheep dog as saying to the sheep: “For I am the one that saves you also so that you are neither stolen by men nor seized by wolves.” Hippocrates has πσυχην κατετετο — psuchēn katetheto (he laid down his life, i.e. died). In Judges 12:3 ετηκα την πσυχην — ethēka tēn psuchēn means “I risked my life.” The true physician does this for his patient as the shepherd for his sheep. The use of υπερ — huper here (over, in behalf of, instead of), but in the papyri υπερ — huper is the usual preposition for substitution rather than αντι — anti This shepherd gives his life for the sin of the world (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2). [source]
1 Timothy 1:12 That enabled me [τωι ενδυναμωσαντι με]
First aorist active articular participle of ενδυναμοω — endunamoō Late verb, but regular Pauline idiom (Romans 4:20; Philemon 4:13; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:17). Appointing me to his service (τεμενος εις διακονιαν — themenos eis diakonian). Second aorist middle participle. Pauline phrase and atmosphere (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:18, 1 Corinthians 12:28; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Colossians 1:23; Ephesians 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:11). [source]
1 Timothy 1:12 Appointing me to his service [τεμενος εις διακονιαν]
Second aorist middle participle. Pauline phrase and atmosphere (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:18, 1 Corinthians 12:28; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Colossians 1:23; Ephesians 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:11). [source]
1 Timothy 4:6 Thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus [καλος εσηι διακονος Χριστου Ιησου]
This beautiful phrase covers one‘s whole service for Christ (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Nourished in (εντρεπομενος — entrephomenos). Present passive participle of εντρεπω — entrephō old verb, to nourish in, used by Plato of “nourished in the laws,” here only in the N.T. The words of the faith Locative case. The right diet for babes in Christ. The Bolshevists in Russia are feeding the children on atheism to get rid of God. Which thou hast followed (ηι παρηκολουτηκας — hēi parēkolouthēkas). Perfect active indicative of παρακολουτεω — parakoloutheō old verb, to follow beside, of persons (often in old Greek) or of ideas and things (Luke 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:10). With associative instrumental case ηι — hēi (which). [source]
1 Timothy 4:6 The words of the faith [τοις λογοις της πιστεως]
Locative case. The right diet for babes in Christ. The Bolshevists in Russia are feeding the children on atheism to get rid of God. Which thou hast followed (ηι παρηκολουτηκας — hēi parēkolouthēkas). Perfect active indicative of παρακολουτεω — parakoloutheō old verb, to follow beside, of persons (often in old Greek) or of ideas and things (Luke 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:10). With associative instrumental case ηι — hēi (which). [source]
1 Timothy 4:6 Which thou hast followed [ηι παρηκολουτηκας]
Perfect active indicative of παρακολουτεω — parakoloutheō old verb, to follow beside, of persons (often in old Greek) or of ideas and things (Luke 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:10). With associative instrumental case ηι — hēi (which). [source]
2 Timothy 3:10 Hast fully known [παρηκολούθησας]
Better, thou didst follow. See on 1 Timothy 4:6. oP. [source]
2 Timothy 1:14 That good thing which was committed [τὴν καλὴν παραθήκην]
That fair, honorable trust, good and beautiful in itself, and honorable to him who receives it. The phrase N.T.oSee on 2 Timothy 1:12. Comp. the good warfare, 1 Timothy 1:18; teaching, 1 Timothy 4:6; fight, 1 Timothy 6:12; confession, 1 Timothy 6:12. [source]
2 Timothy 3:10 Didst follow [παρηκολουτησας]
First aorist active indicative of παρακολουτεω — parakoloutheō for which see note on 1 Timothy 4:6. Some MSS. have perfect active παρηκολουτηκας — parēkolouthēkas (thou hast followed). Nine associative-instrumental cases here after the verb (teaching, διδασκαλιαι — didaskaliāi Romans 12:7; conduct, αγωγηι — agōgēi old word here only in N.T.; purpose, προτεσει — prothesei Romans 8:28; faith, πιστει — pistei 1 Thessalonians 3:6; longsuffering, μακροτυμιαι — makrothumiāi Colossians 1:11; persecutions, διωγμοις — diōgmois 2 Thessalonians 1:4; sufferings, πατημασιν — pathēmasin 2 Corinthians 1:6.). The two last items belong to 2 Timothy 3:11. [source]
1 Peter 4:10 Ministering [διακονουντες]
Present active participle plural of διακονεω — diakoneō common verb (Matthew 20:28), though εκαστος — hekastos (each) is singular.As good stewards (ως καλοι οικονομοι — hōs kaloi oikonomoi). For “steward” (οικονομος — oikonomos house-manager) see Luke 16:1; 1 Corinthians 4:1 (used by Paul of himself) and of any bishop (Titus 1:7), but here of any Christian. See καλος — kalos used with διακονος — diakonos in 1 Timothy 4:6.Of the manifold grace of God For ποικιλος — poikilos (many-colored) see note on 1 Peter 1:6 and note on James 1:2. [source]
1 Peter 4:10 As good stewards [ως καλοι οικονομοι]
For “steward” (οικονομος — oikonomos house-manager) see Luke 16:1; 1 Corinthians 4:1 (used by Paul of himself) and of any bishop (Titus 1:7), but here of any Christian. See καλος — kalos used with διακονος — diakonos in 1 Timothy 4:6. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 4:6 mean?

These things laying before the brothers good you will be a servant of Christ Jesus being nourished in the words of the faith and good teaching that you have closely followed
Ταῦτα ὑποτιθέμενος τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς καλὸς ἔσῃ διάκονος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐντρεφόμενος τοῖς λόγοις τῆς πίστεως καὶ καλῆς διδασκαλίας παρηκολούθηκας

Ταῦτα  These  things 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ὑποτιθέμενος  laying  before 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὑποτίθημι  
Sense: to place under.
ἀδελφοῖς  brothers 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
καλὸς  good 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
ἔσῃ  you  will  be 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 2nd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
διάκονος  a  servant 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: διάκονος  
Sense: one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister.
Χριστοῦ  of  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
Ἰησοῦ  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
ἐντρεφόμενος  being  nourished 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐντρέφω  
Sense: to nourish in: a person or a thing.
τοῖς  in  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
λόγοις  words 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πίστεως  faith 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
καλῆς  good 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
διδασκαλίας  teaching 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: διδασκαλία  
Sense: teaching, instruction.
  that 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
παρηκολούθηκας  you  have  closely  followed 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: παρακολουθέω  
Sense: to follow after.