1 Timothy 4:15 Full immersion

1 Timothy 4:15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

These matters refers back to the call to Timothy to give himself to the public reading of Scripture and to preaching and pastoring and to verse 12 where he is told to be an example - in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. He is now told that he must Be diligent in these matters. The AV has "meditate on" and the ESV "practice". These things must fill his mind and he must take care to do them. He must give himself wholly to them. He must keep on in them. Be fully immersed in them. It cannot be a hobby or pastime. Although he may only be reading Scripture and preaching only a short time each week and although all his direct pastoring may only amount to so many hours work, he is an example whenever he is seen and so must arrange his week that everything is geared to this programme and centred around these things. The reason Paul gives for this unified and highly focussed approach is so that everyone may see your progress. You see tour guides in London holding up an umbrella or a stick and leading their party. The people in the group know to go where the guide leads. Timothy is to lead the way like that. It is the task of all ministers to do the same.