NOTES for Ti1 4:16

The covenant of the apostle Paul to Timothy, concerns us also probably. What does he mean by the word "doctrine", in another translation we have the word “teaching” (New American Standard Bible)? Apparently, it is what the teacher transmitted to his student (disciple). That is, firstly, the Holy Scriptures, God's word (at the time of the apostle Paul it is the Old Testament); secondly, the Good news, the Gospel, the narration of the fulfillment of ancient predictions about the terrestrial life of Jesus Christ; thirdly, the testimony of the first apostolic generation of Christians on the action of the Resuscitated in their life; fourthly, the theological understanding of all which took place...

We can probably continue with "fifthly", and "sixthly". One way or another, it is already many, and it is really constantly necessary to persevere in it. But how to persevere? Paul says: "take heed”. It means entering inside, depthward, making a way to the meeting with Christ Himself through the external forms of the expression of the teaching in one’s heart, the embodied word of God.

But besides it is also necessary to take heed of oneself, the light of teaching illuminate the dark places of the soul, in order to come to the meeting with Christ, having awareness of one own darkness and own desire to be purified and saved. Then salvation enters into us, and through us enters this world. We then become those who carry the light of salvation to their disciples, as Paul brought it to Timothy. The cleanness of the teaching and our own cleanness is what can make followers of all nations (see Matt. 28:19).