1 Timothy 4:16

In summary, Timothy was to watch both his personal life and his public ministry carefully. [Note: See Joseph M. Stowell III, "The Effective Leader," in Integrity of Heart, Skillfulness of Hands, pp. 315-22.]

"No matter how straight a person may be in his doctrine or how effective he may be in his teaching, if there is a flaw in his inner or outer life, it will ruin him. This is where many ministers have failed tragically. While he is watching over others, the pastor must keep an eye on himself." [Note: Earle, p. 375.]

Timothy should not grow slack but should keep up the good work he had begun.

"Stickability is an essential quality for effective leadership." [Note: King, p. 83.]

The rewards would be deliverance for him from failure and a wasted life (cf. 1 Timothy 2:15; James 1:21) and the deliverance of those to whom he ministered from error and retrogression. Obviously Paul was not saying God justifies us because we perform our duties faithfully. [Note: Cf. Dillow, pp. 126-27.]

Christians do not always remain faithful to the Lord either in their beliefs or in their behavior. Hymenaeus and Alexander, who were evidently fellow workers with Paul and possibly elders in the Ephesian church, denied truth regarding the resurrection (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:17) and vigorously opposed Paul’s teaching (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 4:14). Paul warned Timothy not to wander away from the true teachings of the faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21). When cultists come knocking on the door, they want people to adopt their unbiblical views and to abandon their belief in the truths of orthodox Christianity. Paul’s warning in chapter 4 is very relevant, much needed, and vital for us to heed as genuine believers. [Note: See Robert N. Wilkin, "Saving Faith and Apostasy: Do Believers Ever Stop Believing?" Grace Evangelical Society News 6:11 (November 1991):1, 4.]

Even though Timothy was an apostolic legate his responsibilities were mainly pastoral. Consequently what Paul said to him is directly applicable to pastors today.