1 Timothy 4:13 - Exposition

Heed for attendance , A.V.; teaching for doctrine , A.V. Till I come ( 1 Timothy 3:14 ; 1 Timothy 1:3 ). Reading ( τῇ ἀναγνώσει ). The public reading of the Scriptures (the Lessons, as we should say). This we know was the practice in the synagogue ( Luke 4:16 , etc.; Acts 13:27 ; Acts 15:21 ; 2 Corinthians 3:15 ). We see the beginning of reading the New Testament in the Christian assemblies in Ephesians 3:4 ; and Colossians 4:16 ; and generally in the fact of Epistles being addressed by the apostles to Churches. The ἀναγνώστης , the reader, lector, was a regular order in the third and fourth centuries. The Grace is being revived in our day. Exhortation ( τῇ παρακλήσει ); see Acts 4:36 , where Barnabas's name is interpreted as meaning " Son of exhortation" (R.V.), and Acts 13:15 ; comp. Romans 12:7 (where, as here, παράκλησις and διδασκαλία are coupled together); 1 Thessalonians 2:3 , etc. Teaching ( διδασκαλία ); almost always rendered "doctrine" in the A.V. But here, where the act of teaching (like the act of reading , the act of exhorting , in the two preceding clauses) is intended, "teaching" is perhaps the best word according to our modern usage. As regards the difference between διδασκαλία and παράκλησις , the former would express " doctrinal teaching," whether of dogma or of precept, the latter entreaties to believe the one and practice the other (see Acts 11:23 and Acts 14:22 for good examples of πράκλησις ).