1 Timothy 4:13

Timothy had other responsibilities as an apostolic representative in the Ephesian church. He should give attention to his public ministry as well as to his private life. Three duties were crucial. First, he should continue to make sure the church leaders read the Scriptures in the meetings of the church. This practice, carried over from temple and synagogue worship, was central in the corporate worship of God’s people (cf. Exodus 24:7; Deuteronomy 31:11; 2 Kings 23:2; Nehemiah 8:7-8; Luke 4:16; Acts 15:21; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). [Note: See Towner, The Letters . . ., p. 317.] Second, exhortation should continue to accompany the reading of the Word. "Exhortation" describes the explanation and application of the text the preacher reads (i.e., the expository sermon; cf. Acts 18:15). [Note: See Steven J. Lawson, "The Passion of Biblical Preaching: An Expository Study of 1 Timothy 4:13-16," Bibliotheca Sacra 159:633 (January-March 2002):79-95.] Third, teaching was necessary. This appears to have been systematic instruction in the doctrines of the faith. It may have been a thematic approach to instruction as contrasted with section by section exposition of a passage. [Note: Kelly, p. 105.]