Pastors, by definition, are the ones who care for their flocks, but if they do not take care of themselves, will they not be able to graze the church of God, which he bought with his own blood?(TO 20. 28). Paul therefore exhorts, “Take care of yourself and the whole flock upon which the Holy Ghost has placed you as bishops?”(TO 20. 28).
In 1 Timothy 4:16, Paul lists two things a pastor should take care of himself: his life and his teaching. You can then read John Calvin’s commentary on the verse. Be sure to access the library, which is available for free. Ministry of Faith, to access these and other comments from the author.
- 16.
- Take care of yourself and your teaching.
- A good shepherd must be wise in two things: be diligent in his teaching and preserve his personal integrity; it is not enough for you to model your life as recommended and be careful not to set the wrong example.
- If you do not.
- Add to the life of constant diligence in teaching.
- And teaching will have little value if there is no corresponding justice and holiness in life.
- Paul therefore has good reason to urge Timothy to pay attention to both his particular person and his indoctrination for the good of the Church.
- Again.
- It recommends consistency.
- So that it never runs out.
- Because many things are happening that can divert us from the right path.
- If we are not firmly established to support them.
Because, in doing so. The zeal of the shepherds will be deeply solidified when they are told that their own salvation and that of their people depends on serious and attentive dedication to their role, but as a teaching containing a solid building does not usually produce an explosive display, Paul warns him to worry about what is profitable; as if to say, “Men who seek glory to feed on their own ambition and welcome their own ingenuity; but you are content to dedicate yourself exclusively to the salvation of yourself and your people. “
Here is a council that applies well to the whole body of the Church, that is, no one is bored of this simplicity that gives life to souls and preserves them from their robustness, nor should it be surprising that Paul attributes to Timothy the work of saving the Church, because all who are gained for God are saved, and it is through the preaching of the Gospel that we join Christ; and so, because a pastor’s infidelity or carelessness is fatal to the Church, it is also right that his salvation is attributed to his faithfulness and diligence; it is true that it is God alone who saves, and that not a small part of his glory is transferred to men; but God’s glory is not overshadowed in any way by using his human work to grant salvation.
Therefore, our salvation is a gift from God, because it emanates exclusively from Him and is done only by His power, so that He is His only Author. But this fact does not exclude human ministry, nor does it deny that such ministry may be the means of salvation, for the welfare of the Church [Ef] depends on this ministry, according to Paul elsewhere. 4:11]. This ministry is by nature the work of God, because it is God who forms men to be good shepherds, guides them with his Spirit, and blesses their work so that it is not fruitless. If a good shepherd is in this sense the salvation of those who hear him, let the wicked and the indifferent know that his ruin will be attributed to those responsible for it. For just as the salvation of his flock is the crown of the shepherd, so all who perish will be required by the hand of carefree shepherds.
It is said that a shepherd escapes when he obeys his vocation, faithfully fulfilling the role entrusted to him, not only because he thus avoids the terrible judgment that threatens the Lord by the mouth of Ezekiel?[33. 8], but because it is customary to speak of believers as if they were gaining salvation while remaining in the course of their salvation.
A good biblical commentary is an essential tool in the life of a preacher of the Word, so the Faithful Ministérium makes available several comments from Calvin, with the aim of making the entire collection freely accessible.
By: Joel Calvino; Original: “A Shepherd’s First Job: Taking Care of Yourself. “Copyright © Return to the Gospel, website: www. VoltemosAoEvangelho. com.
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