1 Timoteo 4:3-13

3 prohibiendo casarse y mandando abstenerse de alimentos que Dios ha creado para que con acción de gracias participen de ellos los que creen y que han conocido la verdad.

4 Porque todo lo creado por Dios es bueno y nada se debe rechazar si se recibe con acción de gracias;

5 porque es santificado mediante la palabra de Dios y la oración.

6 Al señalar estas cosas a los hermanos serás un buen ministro de Cristo Jesús, nutrido con las palabras de la fe y de la buena doctrina que has seguido.

7 Pero nada tengas que ver con las fábulas profanas propias de viejas. Más bien disciplínate a ti mismo para la piedad;

8 porque el ejercicio físico aprovecha poco, pero la piedad es provechosa para todo, pues tiene promesa para la vida presente y también para la futura.

9 Palabra fiel es ésta, y digna de ser aceptada por todos.

10 Porque por esto trabajamos y nos esforzamos, porque hemos puesto nuestra esperanza en el Dios vivo, que es el Salvador de todos los hombres, especialmente de los creyentes.

11 Esto manda y enseña.

12 No permitas que nadie menosprecie tu juventud; antes, sé ejemplo de los creyentes en palabra, conducta, amor, fe y pureza.

13 Entretanto que llego, ocúpate en la lectura de las Escrituras, la exhortación y la enseñanza.

1 Timoteo 4:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

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.