1 Timothy 4:6

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

Ταῦτα

G5023

of these things

these things

ὑποτιθέμενος

G5294

If thou put

to place underneath, i.e., (figuratively) to hazard, (reflexively) to suggest

τοῖς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφοῖς

G80

the brethren

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

καλῆς

G2570

a good

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

ἔσῃ

G2071

thou shalt be

will be

διάκονος

G1249

minister

an attendant, i.e., (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon)

Ἰησοῦ

G2424

of Jesus

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ

G5547

Christ

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

#10

ἐντρεφόμενος

G1789

nourished up

(figuratively) to educate

#11

τοῖς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#12

λόγοις

G3056

in the words

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

#13

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#14

πίστεως

G4102

of faith

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

#15

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#16

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#17

καλῆς

G2570

a good

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

#18

διδασκαλίας

G1319

doctrine

instruction (the function or the information)

#19

ᾗ

G3739

whereunto

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#20

παρηκολούθηκας·

G3877

thou hast attained

to follow near, i.e., (figuratively) attend (as a result), trace out, conform to

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing faith central to epistemology and the means by which humans receive divine revelation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Timothy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes faith in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of faith differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?