1 Timothy 4:16

the doctrine Again, thy teaching; -thyself" sums up 1Ti 4:12; 1 Timothy 4:14, -thy teaching," 1 Timothy 4:13, so that the plural continue in them is quite natural. The best punctuation is, with Drs Hort and Westcott, to put only semicolons at the end of 1 Timothy 4:15 and in 1 Timothy 4:16, shewing that the reference is the same throughout. It is interesting to compare the version of this passage given in the Prayer-Book (the Form for Consecration of Bishops), to be said by the Archbishop on delivering the Bible: -Give heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained in this Book. Be diligent in them, that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men. Take heed unto thyself, and to doctrine, and be diligent in doing them; for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee."

continue in them Lit. -abide by them," -cling to them." This is the proper force of the compound verb in St Paul. See Romans 6:1; Colossians 1:23; Philippians 1:24.