1 Timothy 4:15

International Standard Version

Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Continue to do these things. Give your life to doing them. Then everyone can see that your work is progressing.

Revised Standard Version
Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
These thynges exercyse and geve thy silfe vnto them that it maye be sene how thou profetest in all thinges.

Hebrew Names Version
Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.

New American Standard Bible
Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

New Century Version
Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone.

Update Bible Version
Be diligent in these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your progress may be manifest to all.

Webster's Bible Translation
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

English Standard Version
Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

World English Bible
Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Meditate on these things; be wholly in them, that thy profiting may appear in all things.

Weymouth's New Testament
Habitually practise these duties, and be absorbed in them; so that your growing proficiency in them may be evident to all.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Thenke thou these thingis, in these be thou, that thi profiting be schewid to alle men.

English Revised Version
Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.

Berean Standard Bible
Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Contemporary English Version
Remember these things and think about them, so everyone can see how well you are doing.

Amplified Bible
Practice and work hard on these things; be absorbed in them [completely occupied in your ministry], so that your progress will be evident to all.

American Standard Version
Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.

Bible in Basic English
Have a care for these things; give yourself to them with all your heart, so that all may see how you go forward.

Complete Jewish Bible
Be diligent about this work, throw yourself into it, so that your progress may be clear to everyone.

Darby Translation
Occupy thyself with these things; be wholly in them, that thy progress may be manifest to all.

Etheridge Translation
In these meditate, and in them be, that it may be known to every man that thou goest onward.

Murdock Translation
On these things meditate; give thyself wholly to them: that it may be obvious to all that thou makest advances.

King James Version (1611)
Meditate vpon these things, giue thy selfe wholly to them, that thy profiting may appeare to all.

New Living Translation
Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.

New Life Bible
Think about all this. Work at it so everyone may see you are growing as a Christian.

New Revised Standard
Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

Geneva Bible (1587)
These things exercise, and giue thy selfe vnto them, that it may be seene howe thou profitest among all men.

George Lamsa Translation
Meditate upon these things; give yourself wholly to them; so that it may be known to all that you are progressing.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
These things, be thy care, in these things, be thou, that, thine advancement, may be, manifest, unto all:

Douay-Rheims Bible
Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Haue a care of these thinges, and geue thy selfe vnto them, that it may be seene howe thou profitest in all thynges.

Good News Translation
Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all.

Christian Standard Bible®
Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

King James Version
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Lexham English Bible
Practice these things. Be diligent in these things, in order that your progress may be evident to everyone.

Literal Translation
Give care to these things; be in these things in order that your progress may be plain in all.

Young's Literal Translation
of these things be careful; in these things be, that thy advancement may be manifest in all things;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
These thinges exercyse, and geue thy selfe vnto them, that thine increase maye be manifest vnto euery man.

Mace New Testament (1729)
meditate upon these things, be wholly employ'd about them, that your proficiency may appear to all.

THE MESSAGE
Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.

New English Translation
Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.

New King James Version
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't throw a leg over the saddle horn like you've accomplished your task already. Keep both feet in the stirrups and always ready to tell someone about Jesus. People will take notice that you never give in and you never give up.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Legacy Standard Bible
Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Contextual Overview

⁶ If you continue to point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the healthy teaching that you have followed closely.2 Timothy 3:14-15;">[xr] ⁷ Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women, but train yourself in godliness.1 Timothy 1:4; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16,23; 4:4; Titus 1:14; Hebrews 5:14;">[xr] ⁸ Physical exercise is of limited value, butPsalm 37:4; 84:11; 112:2-3; 145:19; Matthew 6:33; 19:29; Mark 10:30; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 8:8; Colossians 2:23; 1 Timothy 6:6;">[xr] Godliness is very dear, A pledge of life, both there and here. ⁹ This saying is trustworthy and deserves complete acceptance.[fn]1 Timothy 1:15;">[xr] ¹⁰ To this end we work hard and struggle,suffer abuse">[fn] because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, that is, of those who believe.Psalm 36:6; 1 Corinthians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:17;">[xr] ¹¹ These are the things you must insist on and teach.1 Timothy 6:2;">[xr] ¹² Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness,faith">[fn] and purity.1 Corinthians 16:11; Titus 2:7,15; 1 Peter 5:3;">[xr] ¹³ Until I arrive, concentrate on the public reading of Scripture,on the reading">[fn] on exhorting, and on teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglectStop neglecting">[fn] the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy, accompanied by the laying on of the elders' hands.Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Timothy 1:18; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6;">[xr] ¹⁵ Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Meditate: Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, Psalms 19:14, Psalms 49:3, Psalms 63:6, Psalms 77:12, Psalms 104:34, Psalms 105:5, Psalms 119:15, Psalms 119:23, Psalms 119:48, Psalms 119:97, Psalms 119:99, Psalms 119:148, Psalms 143:5

give: Acts 6:4, 1 Corinthians 16:15, 2 Corinthians 4:14, 2 Corinthians 8:5, Titus 2:14

that: 1 Timothy 4:6, Matthew 5:16, Philippians 2:15, Philippians 2:16

to all: or, in all things

Reciprocal: Leviticus 11:3 - cheweth Numbers 3:10 - they shall Numbers 8:26 - and shall Nehemiah 6:3 - I am doing Ecclesiastes 1:13 - I gave Song of Solomon 8:12 - vineyard Ezekiel 3:1 - eat Luke 10:2 - the labourers John 21:15 - Feed 2 Timothy 2:7 - Consider 2 Timothy 4:2 - be 2 Timothy 4:5 - an

Cross-References

Matthew 26:52
Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in its place! For all who use a sword will be killed by a sword.Genesis 9:6; Revelation 13:10;">[xr]

Revelation 14:9
Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying in a loud voice, "Whoever worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or his handRevelation 13:14-16;">[xr]

Revelation 14:11
The smoke from their torture goes up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image or for anyone who receives the mark of its name."Isaiah 34:10; Revelation 19:3;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Meditate on these things,.... Not only on those instructions, advices, and exhortations, which the apostle had given him, throughout this chapter, which might be very useful to him, often to think of, and revolve in his mind, and seriously consider and reflect upon; but upon the Scriptures, the reading of which he had recommended to him, and the doctrines contained therein; it becomes every man not only to read, but meditate on the word of God, and much more ministers of the Gospel. The Scriptures should be read with care, and be industriously and laboriously searched into, as men dig in mines for silver or golden ore; and passages in it should be carefully compared together, the more obscure with those that are more plain and easy; and the whole is to be studied with great attention and application:

give thyself wholly to them: to the reading of the Scriptures, meditation upon them, and preaching the doctrines contained in them, clear of all secular affairs, or worldly business and employment. The apostles threw off the branch of deaconship, or ministering to the poor, that they might give themselves up wholly to the ministry of the word, and prayer; and much more should worldly business be cast off, where the circumstances of ministers and churches will admit of it; a Christian soldier, or minister of the Gospel, ought not, if possible, to be entangled with the affairs of this life; he finds enough to do without, in the discharge of his ministerial function; and though the apostles sometimes wrought with their own hands, yet it was not because they had so much leisure from the ministry, or time on their hands, or because they had not a power of forbearing working, but out of necessity, see Acts 20:34, or these words may be rendered,

be thou in these things; let thine heart be in them; for if a minister's heart is not in his work, if he does not take delight in it, it will be a slavery and drudgery to him; spend all the time and strength in them, give thyself continually to them, and be always diligent and laborious in them:

that thy profiting may appear to all; that it may be manifest to all that attend the ministry of the word that there is an increase in gifts, a growing in spiritual knowledge, an improvement of the talents bestowed: or that this profiting or increase might appear in all things; in every branch of the ministry, both in exhortation or consolation, and in doctrine; or that it might be manifest among all; that is, all that hear might receive some profit, might learn, and be comforted and edified; faith might be increased, and the joy of it be furthered; and all under the ministry visibly thrive and flourish.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Meditate upon these things - Upon the train of events by which you have been led into the ministry, and upon the responsibilites and duties of the office. Let your mind be deeply impressed with these things; make them the subject of profound and serious thought.

Give thyself wholly to them - Greek “Be in them” - a phrase similar to that of Horace - “totus in illis.” The meaning is plain. He was to devote his life wholly to this work. He was to have no other grand aim of living. His time, attention, talents, were to be absorbed in the proper duties of the work. He was not to make that subordinate and tributary to any other purpose, nor was he to allow any other object to interfere with the appropriate duties of that office. He was not to live for money, fame, or pleasure; not to devote his time to the pursuits of literature or science for their own sakes; not to seek the reputation of an elegant or profound scholar; not to aim to be distinguished merely as an accomplished gentleman, or as a skillful farmer, teacher, or author. Whatever was done in any of these departments, was to be wholly consistent with the direction, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι en toutois isthi - “be in these things” - be absorbed in the appropriate duties of the ministerial office. It may be remarked here that no man will ever make much of himself, or accomplish much in any profession, who does not make this the rule of his life. He who has one great purpose of life to which he patiently and steadily devotes himself, and to which he makes everything else bend, will uniformly rise to high respectability, if not to eminence. He who does not do this can expect to accomplish nothing.

That thy profiting - Greek Thy going forward; that is, thy advancement, or progress. A minister of the gospel ought to make steady improvement in all that pertains to his office. No man ought to be satisfied with present attainments.

To all - Margin, “in all things.” The margin is the more correct rendering, but either of them makes good sense. It should be apparent to all persons who attend on the stated preaching of a minister of the gospel, that he is making steady advances in knowledge, wisdom, and piety, and in all things that pertain to the proper performance of the duties of his office. If a man really makes progress, it will be seen and appreciated by others; if he does not, that will be as well understood by his hearers.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 15. Meditate upon these things — ταυτα μελετα. Revolve them frequently in thy mind; consider deeply their nature and importance; get them deeply fastened in thy heart, and let all thy conduct flow from this inward feeling and conviction. Let the nature, reasons, and motives of thy ministry, be ever in the view of thy heart and conscience.

Give thyself wholly to them — εν τουτοις ισθι. Be thou in these things. Horace has a similar expression: Omnis in hoc sum. "I am absorbed in this." Occupy thyself wholly with them; make them not only thy chief but thy sole concern. Thou art called to save thy own soul, and the souls of them that hear thee; and God has given thee the Divine gifts for this and no other purpose. To this let all thy reading and study be directed; this is thy great business, and thou must perform it as the servant and steward of the Lord. Bengel has a good saying on this verse, which I will quote: In his qui est, minus erit in sodalitatibus mundanis, in studiis alienis, in colligendis libris, conchis, nummis, quibus multi pastores notabilem aetatis partem insistentes conterunt; "He who is wholly in these things will be little in worldly company, in foreign studies, in collecting books, shells, and coins, in which many ministers consume a principal part of their life." Such persons are worthy of the deepest reprehension, unless all these studies, collections, c., be formed with the express view, of illustrating the sacred records and to such awful drudgery few Christian ministers are called. Many, when they have made such collections, seem to know nothing of their use; they only see them and show them, but can never bring them to their assistance in the work of the ministry. These should be prayed for and pitied.

That thy profiting may appear to all. — By being made a universal blessing; convincing and converting sinners; and building up the Church of God on its most holy faith.