1 Timothy
Chapter 4
(What you will find here are my notes from a Bible Study I attended on 1 Timothy. I hope they will prove helpful. The text that I am using in the New American Standard Bible. Here are other Bible translations that were used: KJV – King James Version. AMP – Amplified Bible. MSG – Message Bible. BBE – Bible in Basic English. UDB – Unlocked Dynamic Bible. NET – New English Translation.)
Some Will Depart from the Faith
1Ti 4:1 – But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
Notice here that Paul is quoting the Spirit. What is quoted here is a prophecy of what will happen in the “later times”.
“later times” – “as time goes on” MSG – In the times that we await the second coming of Christ.
“some will fall away from the faith” – “depart from the faith” KJV – “turn away from the faith” AMP – “give up on the faith” MSG – “will be turned away from the faith” BBE – “will desert the faith” NET
It seems that this “falling away” has to do with false teachers which Paul will continue to discuss in the next two verses.
Note that this verse does not say, “fall away from their salvation." Is it possible to fall away from the faith and get back up? Is it possible to fall down and rise again? I believe it is.
“paying attention to” – “giving heed” KJV – “occupy themselves” NET – “giving their minds” BBE – their view was taken off that which was true and placed on that which was false. Rather then putting their thoughts on Christ they placed their thoughts on “deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons”.
Note that two opponents of the gospel are mentioned here – “deceitful spirits” and “demons”. Both of them are on Satan’s side.
It seems quite clear that Christians can be distracted. Satan deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real thing. It sounds very holy to live a celibate life just as it sounds very holy to abstain from “unclean” food. But do these restrictions on marriage and diet really lead to a holy life? To put it another way – is my salvation based on my marital status or what food I eat? No – it is given to me through the blood Christ.
Constable asks on this verse: Are these who fall away from the truth believers or unbelievers? The Greek verb Paul used to describe their activity (aphistemi, to withdraw from, lit. to stand away) and the noun he used to describe their action (apostasia, defection, apostasy) do not answer this question. Either could be in view… A Christian who follows the impulses of his or her sinful human nature rather than those of the Holy Spirit is a carnal believer (1Co_3:3).
1Ti 4:2 – by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
This verse centers on the false teachers. They are “liars”.
These false teachers were so set in their ways it is almost like they have been branded with a hot iron so that the imprint was forever embedded into their flesh. They had been lying so much that there was no longer any shame in it.
1Ti 4:3 – men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
In this verse we find some of their false teaching. They (1) forbid marriage and (2) advocate abstaining from some foods). The false teachers were developing a “to do” list that must be practiced in order to please God.
The old rules (the Law) said that there were only certain foods that one could eat in order to please God. But the rules changed. (Acts 11:5-9) Even Jesus said, "Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." Matthew 15:17-20
These false teachers were trying to impose the old law upon the new understanding that we have been free from the Law. We have died to the law (Romans chapter seven) but the false teachers want us to go back to living under the law rather than moving forward and living under grace.
1Ti 4:4 – For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;
Here in these two verses (verses 4 and 5) is the argument against obtaining holiness through a diet. Everything that God created is good. Nothing is to be rejected. We are to receive everything with a grateful heart.
Now let me make it plain here. Eating proper food is good. If a doctor tells you that you need to stay away from certain foods – you should do it for health reasons. But realize that it is not through what you eat or don’t eat that makes you acceptable to God. We are accepted by God by grace thorough faith and nothing else. Anything else would be an act of “works” – and no one is accepted by works but only through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. “
It is not through a diet that we are accepted by God – but by His grace through faith. Nothing that we do can make us more acceptable to Him.
1Ti 4:5 – for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
“sanctified” AMP – hallowed and consecrated MSG – holy UDB – set apart
Paul is saying here that all food is holy, sanctified, set apart. Why? Because God said it is good and we give thinks to Him for what we have to eat. We should give thanks to Him because we have something to eat. God is our provider and we should give thanks to Him for what He provides to us.
Notes from The Life Application Study Bible on verses 4-5 says:
“In opposition to the false teachers, Paul affirmed that everything God created is good (see Genesis 1). We should ask for God's blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. This doesn't mean that we should abuse what God has made (for example, gluttony abuses God's gift of good food, lust abuses God's gift of love, and murder abuses God's gift of life). Instead of abusing, we should enjoy these gifts by using them to serve and honor God. Have you thanked God for the good gifts he has given? Are you using the gifts in ways pleasing to you and to God?”
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
1Ti 4:6 – In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
“In pointing out these things” – Paul here is instructing Timothy to keep pointing out, telling, teaching, “these things.” What things? That which he has been talking about – that there are false teachers who want to have the people placed back under the law. Particularly that they need to have a certain diet in order to be accepted by God. Of course we know this is not true – it is not what we eat that makes us acceptable or unacceptable to God.
Paul tells Timothy that three things will happen if he remains faithful to proclaim the truth:
(1) You will be a good servant of Christ Jesus
(2) You will be constantly nourished on the words of the faith
(3) You will be constantly nourished on sound doctrine
1Ti 4:7 – But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
There are all kinds of things that can be speculated about. When will the rapture take place? When will the second coming be? What will heaven really be like? If we have no plain teaching on a subject perhaps it is better to leave it alone. What we should be focusing on is living a godly life. We should concentrate on disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness. J. C. Philpot has said:
"The Lord tries the righteous" (Ps 11:5). In fact, a righteous life is for the most part a tried life. There is not a child of God, whose graces are lively and active, that is not tried in his soul. I have no more belief that the soul can live without exercise than that the body can. The more the soul is exercised, the healthier it will be. Trial is one main source of exercise. If you are tried as to your standing; tried as to your state; tried as to the reality of the work of grace upon your soul; tried as to your experience; tried as to your manifestations, deliverances, and evidences; tried by your sins; tried by Satan; tried by professors; tried by profane; and above all tried by your own heart, and that continually—it will keep your soul in exercise. And this is "exercise unto godliness."
He continues on by saying, “Am I godly? Is there grace in my heart? Do I live? do I speak? do I think? do I act? do I walk? do I suffer as becomes a Christian? Is my life, my profession, my conduct—in the family, in the world—in the business, in the church—at home, abroad—openly, secretly—privately, publicly—is it such that I can take it and lay it down, step by step, with vital, real, experimental, scriptural godliness? "O," say you, "I shrink back from the test. There are many things in me, inwardly and outwardly, which will not bear to be weighed up with godliness as revealed in the Scriptures of truth. Well, your mind is exercised, I suppose, when you have these workings. Now, what is the result? It is an "exercise unto godliness." You want it; you strive for it; you cry for it; you press after it; you know that none but the Lord can work it in your soul; you feel needy, naked, and destitute; you know that without it you can neither happily live nor die; yet have it you must, or perish body and soul forever.”
Spiritual growth and discipline takes time and energy – but it is well worth the effort.
1Ti 4:8 – for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Paul is not saying that we should not exercise the body – but he is saying that what is more important is spiritual exercise – godliness. Godliness is important in this life as well as in the next. Godliness is something that we will carry with us.
Are you in shape both physically and spiritually? In our society, much emphasis is placed on physical fitness, but spiritual health is even more important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through any tragedy. To train ourselves to be godly, we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities in the service of the church. Are you developing your spiritual muscles?
1Ti 4:9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.
“trustworthy” – other versions use the word “faithful” KJV, AMP uses both words. The Message Bible says it this way, “You can count on this. Take it to heart.” But the question arises, “Take what to heart?” What he has been talking about of course. That the pursuit of godliness is of great importance. It is “profitable for all things…” Don’t neglect it.
1Ti 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
We labor and strive for godliness because we have our hope fixed on the living God. To serve Him – to please Him – should be our motivation – it is our goal. Not that we earn our salvation or favor with Him, because no one can do that. But that He first loved us and showed His grace and mercy to us, we labor and strive to please Him.
“who is the Savior of all men” – Jesus is the Savior of all men – but not all men will be saved. He saves those whom He has chosen and who He has chosen are believers in Him. In Acts 4:12 we find, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." He is the only Savior of the world. He himself said it, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6) Therefore, He is the Savior of all mankind, whether or not a person will be saved or not. Believers will experience the full benefits of Jesus as Savior.
1Ti 4:11 Prescribe and teach these things.
“prescribe” – command – KJV – AMP – NET – The BBE says, “Let these be your orders and your teaching.”
I think what is being said here is that the message needs to be presented in a more forceful manner than that of just everyday conversation. It is such an important message that it need to be proclaimed. The UBD says, “Declare and teach these things to the believers.”
1Ti 4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
Paul had just gone and told Timothy to “Declare and teach the message.” Now Paul is letting Timothy know, “Let no one look down on your youth” – the message has nothing to do with the age of the preacher. Truth is truth no matter who speaks it. But some will discount the massager is not the proper age. Timothy was a young pastor. It would have been easy for older Christians to look down on him because of his youth.
Paul encourages Timothy to do everything he could to earn the hearers respect. He would do this by setting an example in his speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Regardless of your age, God can use you. Whether you are young or old, don't think of your age as a handicap. Live so others can see Christ in you.
Paul lists 5 ways that Timothy can earn the respect to his listeners:
1. through his speech
2. through his conduct
3. through his love
4. through his faith
5. through his purity
1Ti 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
The Scripture should be read in public, open assembly. I have heard of churches in our time that do not even open a Bible during their service. How is one to know the Word of God if they do not open the Word of God? How is one to be taught? How is one to be exhorted? How is one to become more godly?
John Gill has said, “And this is to be understood, not (just) of the reading of the Scriptures in public, for the advantage of others, a custom which obtained in the Jewish synagogues; see Acts 13:15, but in private, for his own use and service, that he might be more perfect, and more thoroughly furnished to the work and office to which he was called; for the Scriptures are the fund of spiritual knowledge, as well as the test and standard of doctrine, out of which all must be fetched, and by which it must be tried; and if Timothy, who had known the Scriptures from a child, had been trained up in them, and was always conversant with them, had need to give diligent attention to the reading of them…”
1Ti 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
Here we are instructed not to “neglect the spiritual gift” that God has given to each of us. Of course this admonishment is given to Timothy – but it has also been passed on to us. What good is a gift if it is not used? It will not fulfill its purpose. The purpose of course is for the building up of the church as Paul tells us:
“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1Co 12:7
Ray Stedman has said: "To each" is given a manifestation of the Spirit... In other words, no one is left out. If you are a Christian you can never say that you were behind the door when the gifts were given out. You have one, at least one, probably more, because so marvelous is this divine blueprint, this divine pattern for the operation of the church, that God has an infinite variety of combinations of gifts to give and he chooses one combination just to suit you, for your personality, and puts you right where he wants you to use it, not only in the church among the other believers, but out in the world as well. That is where you begin to function as a member of the church. That is what the work of the church basically is, and no one is left out.
It seems that the gift that Timothy received was the gift of “prophetic utterance” which came about by the “laying on of hands by the presbytery.
“presbytery” – NASB, KJV – “elders” AMP, UDB, NET – “leaders of the church” MSG.
1Ti 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
“Take pains with these things” – “Meditate upon these things” KJV – “Practice and work on these things” AMP – “Cultivate these things” MSG – “Be sure to do these things” UDB – “Have a care for these things” BBE.
This was so important that Paul admonished Timothy to pay special attention to these things. He goes on to say:
“be absorbed in them” NET - [completely occupied in your ministry] AMP – “give thyself wholly to them” KJV – “Immerse yourself in them” MSG – “give yourself to them with all your heart” BBE
The Paul gives the reason why: “so that your progress will be evident to all”.
Timothy’s work and growth were not to be done in isolation. He was to work and grow in such a way that all could see it. Timothy is to live before believers and nonbelievers so that they will have no handle for criticism of the gospel or his ministry.
1Ti 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
Apparently Timothy needed some encouragement. Most likely, so do many people around you. Each day we have many opportunities to support and inspire family members, fellow workers, and even total strangers. People need help and affirmation all along the way. Paul modeled six important principles to help us encourage others:
(1) Begin with encouragement. People who know we will encourage them will be happy to work with us.
(2) Expect of others only what you expect of yourself. People will resist being held to unfair standards.
(3) Develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity, and experience. People will reject or fail to meet expectations that do not fit them. Be patient with distracted or slow learners.
(4) Monitor your expectations of others. Changing circumstances sometimes require revised or reduced expectations.
(5) Clarify your expectations with others. People are not likely to hit a target that no one has identified.
(6) End with encouragement. People love to be thanked for a job well done.
