1 Timothy / Question
Paul tells Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching until Paul comes. These are listed as key priorities for his ministry. See 1 Timothy 4:13.
In 1 Timothy 4:13–16 Paul gives Timothy a focused set of priorities to keep practicing until Paul arrives. Timothy is to center public life on reading Scripture, urging the community, and teaching. He must not let his God-given ministry capacity sit unused, but devote himself to these tasks so that others can see steady growth. This paragraph sits inside a longer charge where Paul counters disruptive teaching and trains Timothy for steady leadership. Just before this, Paul urges Timothy not to be intimidated by youth and to model a credible life, while taking training in godliness seriously (1 Timothy 4:7–12).
Paul sets out what Timothy is to keep centered in the community’s public life while Paul is away: reading, urging, and teaching (verse 13). The passage presents these as steady priorities rather than occasional extras. It also treats Timothy’s ministry capacity as something recognized by the community and not to be left unused (verse 14).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with 1 Timothy 4:13, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
13Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.