Dry wells cannot give forth water. Brethren will not long come to stagnate pools to drink. We cannot teach what we do not know any more than we can come back from where we have not been. A part of our cranium is not so arranged that it can be detached and knowledge deposited. There is no royal road to learning. Shallow, repetitive preaching is inexcusable. The preacher, and the congregation for whom he preaches, is no stronger than the diet he consumes and he correspondingly feeds the local church. Each of these observations simply emphasizes the indispensable importance of the preacher being a serious student of the Word.

What saith the scriptures?

Though Timothy was a constant companion of the apostle Paul, and though the apostle’s hands had been laid on him, resulting in the impartation/reception of some spiritual gift(s) (2 Timothy 1:6), Timothy was still instructed, “Study to show thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Paul is an example.

Though winter was fast approaching (2 Timothy 4:21), and Timothy was encouraged to come shortly (2 Timothy 4:9) and bring Paul’s cloak that he had left at Troas, he was instructed to bring “the books, but especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13). Yes, here we have study above necessary clothes.

Other illustrations.

Alexander Campbell, David Lipscomb, Hugo McCord and Franklin Camp are additional examples of great Bible students.

A word of caution.

Though his primary work is studying/delivering the sacred message, the preacher must avoid closeting himself to where he is never out by the river Kebar sitting where they are sitting. To do otherwise would render his preaching irrelevant and non-receptive, along with him being rendered insensitive and socially maladjusted.