1 Timothy 4

Some Will Depart from the Faith

1 Now ¹the Spirit expressly says that ²in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to ³deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

2 through the insincerity of ⁴liars whose consciences are seared,

3 ⁵who forbid marriage and ⁶require abstinence from foods ⁷that God created ⁸to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4 For ⁹everything created by God is good, and ¹⁰nothing is to be rejected if it is ¹¹received with thanksgiving,

5 for it is made holy ¹²by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6 ¹³If you put these things before the brothers,^[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have ¹⁴followed.

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, ¹⁵silly myths. Rather ¹⁶train yourself for godliness;

8 for while ¹⁷bodily training is of some value, godliness ¹⁸is of value in every way, as ¹⁹it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

9 The saying is ²⁰trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

10 For to this end we toil and strive,^[b] because we have our hope set on the living God, ²¹who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach ²²these things.

12 ²³Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers ²⁴an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

14 ²⁵Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you ²⁶by prophecy when the council of elders ²⁷laid their hands on you.

15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,^[c] so that ²⁸all may see your progress.

16 ²⁹Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save ³⁰both yourself and ³¹your hearers.

1 Timothy 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

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.

Cross References

• 1. See John 14:17
• 2. [2 Thessalonians 2:3-9; 2 Timothy 3:1]; See 1 Corinthians 11:19
• 3. 1 John 4:6(Gk.); See Matthew 7:15
• 4. [1 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:11]
• 5. [Daniel 11:37; Hebrews 13:4]
• 6. See Colossians 2:16
• 7. Genesis 1:29; Genesis 9:3
• 8. See Romans 14:6
• 9. Genesis 1:31
• 10. See Acts 10:15
• 11. [See ver. 3 above]
• 12. Genesis 1:25, 31
• 13. [2 Timothy 3:14, 15]
• 14. 2 Timothy 3:10
• 15. See 1 Timothy 1:4
• 16. Hebrews 5:14
• 17. [Colossians 2:23]
• 18. [1 Timothy 6:6]
• 19. Ps. 37:4, 9, 11; Psalms 84:11; Psalms 112:2; Psalms 145:19; Proverbs 19:23; Proverbs 22:4; Matthew 6:33; Mark 10:30; 1 Peter 3:9
• 20. See 1 Timothy 1:15
• 21. See 1 Timothy 2:4; John 4:42
• 22. 1 Timothy 5:7; 1 Timothy 6:2
• 23. 1 Corinthians 16:11; [2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 2:15]
• 24. Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 5:3
• 25. See 1 Thessalonians 5:19
• 26. 1 Timothy 1:18
• 27. See Acts 6:6
• 28. Philippians 1:12
• 29. [Acts 20:28]
• 30. Ezekiel 33:9
• 31. See Romans 11:14

Footnotes

• [a]. Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated "brothers") refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church
• [b]. Some manuscripts and suffer reproach
• [c]. Greek be in them

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 4

In this chapter the apostle foretells a dreadful apostasy which should happen in the last times, the particulars of which he gives; and on occasion of one branch of it, discourses of Christian liberty in eating all sorts of food fit for use; and delivers out exhortations to Timothy to various duties relating to himself, his doctrine, and his charge. The prophecy is in 1Ti 4:1-3, the author of this prophecy is the Spirit of God; the manner in which it was delivered was very clear and express; the time when it should be fulfilled, the last days; the thing itself, a departure of some from the faith; the means whereby it would come about are, some giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, and the hypocrisy and hardened consciences of others, who would forbid marriage, and order an abstinence from certain meats; the evil of which last is exposed by their being the creatures of God, and by their being made for this purpose to be received with thankfulness by all believers, and who know the truth: and the reasons why they should be received and used follow; because they are all good, as they are the creatures of God; and because there is nothing to be refused, provided it be received with a thankful heart; and because every creature is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer, 1Ti 4:4,5. And then Timothy is exhorted to put the brethren in mind of those things, by which he would show himself to be a faithful minister of Christ, and well instructed in the doctrines of the Gospel, 1Ti 4:6, and to reject things profane and fabulous, but use himself to internal and powerful godliness, since outward worship signifies little, but the former has the promise of this, and the other world annexed to it; which is a true saying, and to be depended on, 1Ti 4:7-9 and which is confirmed from the practice and experience of the apostles, and therefore should be taught with authority, 1Ti 4:10,11. And then the apostle gives Timothy some advice, which being taken, would prevent his being despised, on account of his youth; as with respect to his life and conversation, so to behave as to be a pattern to others, 1Ti 4:12, and with respect to the exercise of his ministry, to make use of such means, as reading and meditation, that his profiting might be manifest to all, 1Ti 4:13-15 and with respect to the doctrines he preached, to abide by them, whereby he would be a means of saving himself, and others, 1Ti 4:16.