1 Timothy 4:6
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.
1 Timothy 4:6
This verse sits within Paul’s pastoral guidance to Timothy, his protégé, as he leads a fragile early Christian community. The letter emphasizes sound doctrine, faithful teaching, and the nurturing of spiritual life in the face of false teachings, distractions, and practical pressures. “Putting the brethren in remembrance of these things” means regularly recalling core truths—Christ’s gospel, the role of Scripture, the importance of doctrinal integrity, and the responsibilities of ministry. The Greek noun for “minister” here is diakonos, a servant-leader; Paul is reminding Timothy that a good minister serves by feeding the flock with nourishment—“the words of faith and of good doctrine” (words that align with the gospel and God’s revealed will). The phrase “nourished up” echoes dietary imagery: spiritual sustenance that sustains ministry over time. The context suggests a disciplined life of teaching, exhortation, and example for believers to grow in faith. The instruction is not merely about knowledge, but about lived faith, reliability, and integrity in preaching and pastoral care.
Key themes include the sufficiency of Scripture for life and ministry and the ethical discipline of leadership. The verse asserts that ministry is built on “the words of faith and of good doctrine,” highlighting the objective standard of truth against which all teaching must be measured. It also emphasizes the educator’s responsibility to remind and reinforce, not merely to entertain, a people formed by the gospel. Theologically, it ties nourishment to faith and doctrine—faith is fed by sound teaching; doctrine is not abstract speculation but the organic food that sustains spiritual growth. The call to nourishment presupposes church leadership as custodians and conveyors of truth who model integrity. This has implications for measuring success: a good minister is marked by faithfulness to the gospel, not by popularity or clever rhetoric.
For today’s readers, this verse invites pastors, teachers, and Christian mentors to be consistent, clear, and compassionate stewards of truth. It’s a call to regular teaching that aligns with Scripture, and to remind believers of essentials—Jesus’ lordship, grace, resurrection, and the call to holy living. Practically, this can look like weekly catechesis for new believers, sermon series that revisit core gospel truths, and small-group discussions that anchor faith in biblical doctrine. For lay leaders, it means encouraging families and adults to memorize key verses, to ground decisions in biblical principles, and to avoid “novel fads” that divert trust from Christ. It also urges humility: ministry should nourish others, not elevate personal prestige. In everyday life, practice “nourishment” by sharing Scripture daily, praying for the flock, and offering steady care through grief, doubt, or transition.
Cross-References: Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:2; Colossians 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13