Till I come (εως ερχομα). "While I am coming" (present indicative with εως), not "till I come" (εως ελθω).

Give heed (προσεχε). Present active imperative, supply τον νουν, "keep on putting thy mind on."

The reading (τη αναγνωσε). Old word from αναγινωσκω. See 2. Corinthians 3:14. Probably in particular the public reading of the Scriptures (Acts 13:15), though surely private reading is not to be excluded.

To exhortation (τη παρακλησε), to teaching (τη διδασκαλια). Two other public functions of the minister. Probably Paul does not mean for the exhortation to precede the instruction, but the reverse in actual public work. Exhortation needs teaching to rest it upon, a hint for preachers today.

1Tim 4:14

Neglect not (μη αμελε). Present active imperative in prohibition of αμελεω, old verb, rare in N.T. (Matthew 22:5; 1. Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 8:9). From αμελης (α privative and μελε, not to care). Use with genitive.

The gift that is in thee (του εν σο χαρισματος). Late word of result from χαριζομα, in papyri (Preisigke), a regular Pauline word in N.T. (1. Corinthians 1:7; 2. Corinthians 1:11; Romans 1:11; etc.). Here it is God's gift to Timothy as in 2. Timothy 1:6.

By prophecy (δια προφητειας). Accompanied by prophecy (1. Timothy 1:18), not bestowed by prophecy.

With the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (μετα επιθεσεως των χειρων του πρεσβυτεριου). In Acts 13:2, when Barnabas and Saul were formally set apart to the mission campaign (not then ordained as ministers, for they were already that), there was the call of the Spirit and the laying on of hands with prayer. Here again μετα does not express instrument or means, but merely accompaniment. In 2. Timothy 1:6 Paul speaks only of his own laying on of hands, but the rest of the presbytery no doubt did so at the same time and the reference is to this incident. There is no way to tell when and where it was done, whether at Lystra when Timothy joined Paul's party or at Ephesus just before Paul left Timothy there (1. Timothy 1:3). Επιθεσις (φρομ επιτιθημ, to lay upon) is an old word, in LXX, etc. In the N.T. we find it only here, 2. Timothy 1:16; Acts 8:18; Hebrews 6:2, but the verb επιτιθημ with τας χειρας more frequently (Acts 6:6 of the deacons; 1. Timothy 8:19; 1. Timothy 13:3; 1. Timothy 5:22, etc.). Πρεσβυτεριον is a late word (ecclesiastical use also), first for the Jewish Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66; Acts 22:5), then (here only in N.T.) of Christian elders (common in Ignatius), though πρεσβυτερος (elder) for preachers (bishops) is common (Acts 11:30; Acts 15:2; Acts 20:17, etc.).