Our walk needs to be hand in hand with Him.

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 4:6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine, which you have been following. 

Application: So much of our walk depends wholly on our partnership we have with You Lord. Sometimes we convince ourselves that growth, maturity, and even how we are used will all happen independent of You. Scripture states otherwise throughout, including here. Notice Timothy is actively following the Word of God and teaching it to others. The original expresses a planned and constant “training” taking place:

ἐντρέφω entréphō; from en, in or with, and tréphō, to nourish.

To nourish up in anything, to bring or train up in.^[1]

 The words, “nourished up,” are a present participle in the Greek, indicating the means by which Timothy may become a good minister. The idea is, “constantly nourishing thyself.” This Timothy has been doing “in the words of faith and of good doctrine.” The article is used with the two nouns.

It is “the Faith and the good teachings,” namely, the body of Christian truth as it is found in the Word of God. The case is locative of sphere, indicating the sphere within which the nourishing is taking place, and instrumental of means, speaking of the means employed, namely, the Word of God.

The word “attained” is parakoloutheō (παρακολουθεω), “to follow beside, to attend closely.” The perfect tense is used, indicating that Timothy has done a finished piece of work in thus closely attending to his course of Christian instruction. One could translate, “which you have closely followed.” ^[2]

We cannot enter faith in Christ and then go to sleep! You, Lord are our strength, and You are the One that does battle for us, but You expect us to do our part. Remember, Scripture states many places that we should “put on”:

Rom 13:12, 14 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Eph 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Eph 6:11 Col 3:10, 12, 14, 1 Thess 5:8

Some verbs in scripture, though there are many more than will be mentioned here, paint for us a word picture that instructs us direct to yield, follow, commit, abide, etc., each term tells us WE have a have a part to play. Timothy was committed to grow and did what he needed to do to see that happen. This is a call to all of us Lord, we need to constantly be in Your Word! Knowing You, walking in prayer with You through out the day. 

Meditation Questions: In a 24 hour period, how much time are you conscious of God in your life? Do you take time to think and contemplate your life with God? Do you take time to think and contemplate on God? Would you say you immerse yourself in the Word, or just visit it? How long can you go without consciously connecting with God? What does that say?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[2] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (1 Ti 4:6). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.