1 Timothy 4:6

1 Timothy 4;6 says, 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.  Paul told Timothy that if he called on people to remember these things, or to believe in God’s word in other words, that he would be a good minister to Jesus Christ and would be nourished by the Holy Spirit.  If a preacher today is going to be a faithful preacher, he must proclaim God’s word by the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit.

Verse seven adds, But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  Paul warned Timothy not to believe in old wives’ fables, but to exercise his faith in God.  A preacher, deacon, or any Christian cannot put their faith in anything but the word of God if they are to live successful spiritual lives.

Verse eight continues, For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Paul said that physical exercise to build up the body was spiritually of little importance, but people spend more time exercising physically than they do spiritually.  They may go to the gym and spend several hours exercising many days a week but not have time to gather with God’s people in the church to grow spiritually.  

Verse nine states, This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. Paul said this was a faithful saying, or I believe one that came from God, and it was therefore worthy of all acceptance.  We need to understand that the Bible is God’s Holy Word and therefore is worthy of all acceptance.  

Verse ten adds, For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. Paul said that they both labored and suffered because of their faith in God and his word.  We as Christians should be willing to do the same today and not think that being a follower of Christ is going to bring us material blessings.

Verse eleven continues, These things command and teach.  Paul told Timothy that he was to command and teach these things to others.  It is the responsibility of all Christians to teach the word of God and to follow Him faithfully, but it is especially true for preachers and those who teach others in the church to do so.  We cannot just preach and teach what we believe by our own knowledge but must preach and teach what God’s word says.