Take heed to thyself.
[Strong 5794] Mood-Imperative
The imperative mood corresponds to the English imperative, and expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the one commanding. Thus, Jesus’ phrase, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mr 1:15) is not at all an "invitation," but an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers.
Only one other use of this word epecho, translated ‘heed’ in the AV.
Cp Acts 3:5
(AV) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
(NIV) So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
(PHIL) The man looked at them expectantly, hoping for a gift from them.
(RSV) He fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them.
He had stopped them with his cry for alms, and now he looked searchingly, attentively, expectantly at them.
This is the attitude that we must have towards ourselves!
Take Heed To Thyself
I THE INWARD APPLICATION
1. YOUR LIFE
‘Take heed unto thyself,
{epecw epecho ep-ekh’ - give heed unto: to give attention to} [Tense-Present: The present tense represents a simple statement of fact.]
Take heed to yourself’
Keep a critical eye … upon your own life [JBP]
"Keep on paying attention to thyself."
I Corinthians 11:28a ‘let a man examine himself’ . . .[21st C]
‘A man should thoroughly examine himself. [JBP]
examine: ‘to test, to see if a thing is genuine’.
I Corinthians 11:28b. ‘. . . then let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.’
The implication is of examination, confession and continuance. If, on examination, sin is found, then confession and correction make the adjustment – then comes the continuing!
2. YOUR DOCTRINE
. . . and unto the doctrine;
{didaskalia didaskalia did-as-kal-ee’ - teaching 1, learning 1;)
teaching, instruction that which is taught, doctrine. precepts}
‘Take heed to your doctrine’.
Be on your guard as to . . . your teaching (WEY)
a) WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
I Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. [NIV]
Always have your answers ready (W Barclay)
b) WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT?
Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. [NIV]
Resting on the base of the Apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief keystone, [BBE]
‘Continue in them’
continue
{epimenw epimeno ep-ee-men’ - to stay with, to persevere,}
in them:
{to carry out, to execute; to be the authors of a thing (to cause, bring about)}
‘Stay true to what is right’ [LB]
(Continue) Present active imperative, old and common verb to stay by the side of a person or thing. "Stay by them", "stick to them", "see them through." "Stick to the business of framing your own life and your teaching on right lines" (Parry).
II THE OUTWARD EFFECT
1. FIRSTLY UPON YOURSELF
‘You will save yourself’
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself,
{swzw sozo sode’ -zo make whole, heal, be whole;
keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; to make well, heal, restore to health}
ie. ‘Keep yourself spiritually sound’
a) YOU WILL RECOGNISE THE TRUTH
John 8:32a. ‘you will know the truth, . . .
b) YOU WILL RESPOND TO THE TRUTH
John 8:32:b. ‘. . . the truth will set you free’.
2. SECONDLY UPON OTHERS
‘You will save . . . them that hear thee’
and them that hear thee. [AV]
{akouw akouo ak-oo’ - hear, hearken, give audience;
to attend to, consider what is or has been said; to understand, perceive the sense of what is said}
a) BECAUSE OF YOUR EXAMPLE
I Thessalonians 1:7 ‘you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia’. [NIV] (Lit. a mould).
‘you became a pattern to all the believers throughout Macedonia and Greece’. [WEY]
b) BECAUSE OF YOUR MESSAGE
Faith is by hearing, and hearing by preaching. [Geneva Bible Commentary]
Romans 10:17 ‘Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ’. [NIV]
i. NOT SELF
II Corinthians 4:5 ‘we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake’. [NIV]
‘we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for Jesus’ sake’. [ASV]
ii. BUT THE SAVIOUR
I Corinthians 1:23 & 24 ‘but we preach Christ crucified: . . .Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God’. [NIV]
“Take heed to yourself and to the teaching; abide in these; for, doing this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” O the emphasis Paul lays on the teaching of God’s Word! What a mournful contrast with the diluted, humanized, de-spiritualized, and de-gospelised, misnamed gospel of the present day—little manufactured sermonettes substituted for a glorious banquet of God’s blessed, sweet, inspiring, reviving, convicting converting, reclaiming, sanctifying, and uplifting truth!
Paul here tells Timothy that it is by teaching the people God’s Word, the way of salvation, and a holy life, that he shall save both himself and those who hear him.
Godbey.
