1st Timothy Chapter 4

From The Open Bible Project

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,

• (1) He contrasts that true doctrine, with false opinions, which he foretells that certain ones who shall fall away from God and his religion, will bring in by the suggestion of Satan, and so that a great number will give ear to them.
• (a) From the true doctrine of God.

4:2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

• (2) Even though heretics pretend holiness ever so much, yet they have no conscience.
• (b) For they will as it were practise the art of disguised persons and players, so that we may not think they will lie lurking in some one corner or keep any resemblance of being shameful.
• (c) Whose conscience became so hard, that there grew a callous over it, and so became to have a canker in it, and now at length required by very necessity to be burned with a hot iron.

4:3 forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

• (3) He sets down two types of this false doctrine, that is, the law of single life, and the difference of meats.
• (4) He proves that he justly called such doctrines devilish, first, because the teachers of them make laws of things which are not their own: for have they created the meats?
• (5) Secondly, because they overthrow with their decrees the reason why they were created by God, that is, that we should use them.
• (6) Thirdly, because by this means they rob God of his glory, who will be honoured in the use of them. And here with this, the apostle declares that we must use the liberality of God solemnly, and with a good conscience.

4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving.

• (7) He sets an apostolic rule for taking away the difference of meats, against that false doctrine.

4:5 For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

• (8) He properly uses God’s benefits who acknowledges the giver of them by his word, and calls upon him.
• (d) It is so made pure and holy in respect of us, so that we may use it with a good conscience, as received from the Lord’s hands.
• (e) We confess and acknowledge that God is the maker and giver of those creatures which we use. Secondly, that we are of the number of those, who through Christ’s benefit, have recovered that right over all creatures, which Adam lost by his fall. Thirdly, by our prayers we crave of the Lord that we may use those meats with a good conscience, which we receive from his hands. Fourthly, we make an end of our eating and drinking, with thanksgiving and prayer: and so are our meats sanctified to us.

4:6 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.

• (9) The conclusion with an exhortation to Timothy, to propound these things diligently to the churches, which he had gotten from the apostle even as though he were being fed.
• (f) Never departing from it in the least.

4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.

• (10) He contrasts again true doctrine not only with the false and apostate doctrine, but also with all vain and curious wiles.
• (11) It is not only necessary that the minister of the word be sound in doctrine, but also that his life is godly and religious.
• (g) In the true serving of God.

4:8 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.

• (12) Godliness consists in spiritual exercise, and not in outward strictness of life, which though it is something to be esteemed, if it is used correctly, yet it is in no way comparable with godliness. For it profits not in and of itself, but through the benefit of another; but godliness has the promise both of the present life, and of that which is to come.

4:9 This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance.

• (13) He goes a little from his matter, and shows that those who give themselves to godliness, even though they are afflicted and reproached, are nonetheless not to be considered miserable as other men are, because they are not afflicted for that reason that other men are, and the end of them both is far different one from the other. For how can God forsake his own, who is bountiful even towards his enemies? And he wishes that this doctrine is well learned by them.

4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

4:11 Command and teach these things.

4:12 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.

• (14) Now he returns to that exhortation, showing what are the true virtues of a pastor, by which he may come to be reverenced even though he is young, that is, such speech and life as are witnesses of charity, zeal, faith, and purity. But here there is no mention made of the hooked staff, ring, cloak, and such other foolish and childish toys.

4:13 Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.

• (15) The private exercise of pastors, is the continual reading of the scriptures, from which they may draw water out of wholesome doctrine and exhortation, both for themselves and for others.

4:14 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.

4:15 Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.

4:16 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.

• (h) Faith is by hearing, and hearing by preaching: and therefore the ministers of the word are so said to save themselves and others, because in them the Lord has put the word of reconciliation.