1 Timothy Chapter 4
1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron,
3 forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving.
5 For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
6 If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself towards godliness.
8 For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.
9 This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance.
10 For to this end we both labour and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.
12 Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
13 Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.
14 Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.
15 Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.
16 Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
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1 Timothy Chapter 4 Guide
Having thus dealt with the Church, the apostle showed Timothy how he was to fulfil his responsibility. He had a duty toward the truth, and therefore toward the Church. In order to correct errors which would arise, Timothy was to give definite instruction. Abstinence from lawful things is a matter for personal decision and action, and must never be made a necessity of religious life or godliness. The apostle then described the secrets of strength for those who were called upon to defend the truth against error. A faithful saying, and worthy of acceptation, is that God is "the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe."
The teacher must be such a man as to carry conviction. The injunction, "Let no man despise thy youth," has the force of, "Do not be despicable." How Timothy may fulfil this injunction is then stated. He is to be an example of the believers in godliness of life The apostle's final instructions concerning Timothy's duty to the truth are strikingly comprehensive in their description of the true method and habit of the Christian minister. They may be divided thus: (1) his public work (verse 13), (2) his private work (verses 14,15), and (3) his general attitude, and its consequent issue (verse 16). The greatest power of the preacher is personality; continuity in his work is the way of his salvation, and so also the way of salvation for others.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Timothy Chapter 4 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Of departures from the faith that began already to appear. -- (1-5)
- Several directions, with motives for due discharge of duties. -- (6-16)
Verses 1-5
The Holy Spirit, both in the Old and the New Testament, spoke of a general turning from the faith of Christ, and the pure worship of God. This should come during the Christian dispensation, for those are called the latter days. False teachers forbid as evil what God has allowed, and command as a duty what he has left indifferent. We find exercise for watchfulness and self-denial, in attending to the requirements of God's law, without being tasked to imaginary duties, which reject what he has allowed. But nothing justifies an intemperate or improper use of things; and nothing will be good to us, unless we seek by prayer for the Lord's blessing upon it.
Verses 6-10
Outward acts of self-denial profit little. What will it avail us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to the life that now is, but especially to the life which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those who seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new creatures.
Verses 11-16
Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others. The doctrine of a minister of Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated, explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for wordly pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is mere amusement, and only ornamental. May every believer be enabled to let his profiting appear unto all men; seeking to experience the power of the gospel in his own soul, and to bring forth its fruits in his life.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.