1 Timothy 4:5

5 For it is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 4:5

For it is sanctified
Or set apart for use, and may be lawfully used at all times:

by the word of God;
which declares that there is nothing in itself common, or unclean, or unfit for use, and that nothing that goes into a man defiles him; so that by virtue of this word of God, every creature may be made use of, that is fit for food: or else this designs the word of God, which gives a blessing to what is eaten; for it is not by bread or meat only, but through the word of God commanding a blessing on what is eaten, that man lives, ( Matthew 4:4 ) and therefore this blessing upon our food should be asked for: wherefore it follows,

and prayer;
this being used before eating for a blessing on the food, and after it, in a way of thanksgiving for it, sanctifies every creature of God, or gives men a free use of any, or all of them. So the Israelites, when they had eaten, and were full, were to bless the Lord, ( Deuteronomy 8:10 ) . And thus our Lord Jesus Christ, at meals, used to take the food, and bless it or ask a blessing on it, ( Matthew 14:19 ) . And so did the Essenes among the Jews ^F8, and the Christians in Tertullian's ^F9 time; and the practice is highly necessary and commendable, nor ought it to be disused.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Porphyr. de Abstinentia, l. 4. sect. 12.
F9 Apolog. c. 39.

1 Timothy 4:5 In-Context

3 Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth.

4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if received with thanksgiving:

5 For it is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer.

6 If thou shalt put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou wilt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and of good doctrine, to which thou hast attained.

7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] to godliness.