Fathers

1 Timothy 4

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Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 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. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 4:13

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

In what else did this blessed saint excel the rest of the apostles? and how comes it that up and down the world he is so much on every one's tongue?… Is it not from the power of his epistles? whereby not only to the faithful of to-day, but from his time to this, yea and up to the end, even the appearing of Christ, he has been and will be profitable, and will continue to be so as long as the human race shall last. …

Treatise on the Priesthood, Book 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

If the apostle commands Timothy to occupy himself with the reading of Holy Scripture, should we not do the same? Paul himself undoubtedly occupied himself with reading until the end of his life, urging this upon others as well. The apostle consoles Timothy by saying "till I come," for this gave him hope that he would soon see his teacher, since, being orphaned, he naturally sought Paul with his heart. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Until I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elders. Until I come, give attention to reading. It was likely that Timothy himself, as if deprived of Paul, wished for him. Therefore, he comforts him in two ways, both with the promise of his coming and with the consoling Scriptures. But notice that Timothy is instructed to read, which we ought to do. to exhortation. To the people. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, till I come, attend to reading, he shows how to become fit for teaching: first, he does this; second, he assigns the reason for the admonition, at do not neglect. For there are two things which make a person fit to teach, namely, reading, in which he acquires knowledge, and actual teaching, in which he is made ready; therefore, he says, till I come, attend to reading of holy books: having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands (1 Macc 12:9); search the Scriptures (John 5:39). …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗