1 Timothy
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1 Timothy 4
1 Timothy 4
1But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Commentary · verse 1
2through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Commentary · verse 2
If these people state that they are following God's Doctrines, but they cannot support it with the Bible...and they continue to justify themselves instead of considering they are wrong, they will become hypocrites. Jesus said hypocrites go to hell: Matthew 24:51. Notice, continuing to justify one's self in this error while holding others to a higher standard (hypocrisy) would lead to these people having their consciences seared over. These people will eventually be unable to feel guilt or the conviction from the Holy Spirit. People who are unable to feel conviction to the extent they confess and repent are people who have prevented themselves from receiving Salvation.
3forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Commentary · verse 3
These people will place laws on others. Notice the two Doctrines that become corrupted: Marriage and dietary.
Doctrines on this passage
4For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Commentary · verses 4-5
The food we receive, if received with thanksgiving, is good. Paul covered this in detail over three chapters in 1 Corinthians 8-10. Next, Paul gave his solution to dealing with this.
6If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:
6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
Commentary · verse 6
Paul told Timothy to put the believers in mind of these things: make them aware of these issues. That was what would make Timothy a "good minister of Christ Jesus." Notice also that being nourished in the words of faith (God's Word) and His Doctrine would continue to help these believers. Doctrine is important and valuable.
7but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: 8for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.
9Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation.
7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
Commentary · verses 7-9
Physical exercise profits little (short term). Godliness is profitable to all things. Godliness is profitable in the long term.
Doctrines on this passage
10For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.
11These things command and teach.
12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.
10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11These things command and teach.
12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Commentary · verses 10-12
Paul explained how working now was tied to our eternal destination. Next, Paul stated youth should not be despised. Believers, young and old, ought to be examples in word (SAY), manner of life (DO), love, faith, and purity.
13Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Commentary · verse 13
Paul told Timothy to "give heed" (DO) to reading, exhorting, and teaching (Doctrine) from the time he read this letter until Paul came to visit.
14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Commentary · verse 14
We all have gifts that have been imparted onto us. Paul was not going to re-impart these gifts. That would be like re-sowing the same seed. These gifts had already been imparted. We ought to not neglect these gifts, which means we ought to remember and stir up these gifts. We ought to incubate these gifts so that they manifest.
15Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.
15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Commentary · verse 15
Meditate on these things (verses 12-14) and do them so your profitability appears to all.
16Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.
16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Commentary · verse 16
Doing and growing in God's Doctrine shall save you and those who hear (understand) you.
Theme of Chapter 4: Paul warned Timothy that there would be a falling away of believers before the end. Paul explained that understanding God's Word and doing God's Doctrines would help believers not be deceived by seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.
The Spirit spoke expressly that in the end times, some shall depart from the faith. The falling away will come from within the church, people forfeiting their Salvation. Notice, central to this falling away will be doctrines of demons: doctrines that are not God's non-contradictory Biblical Doctrines.