1 Timothy · chapter 4 of 6
Updated on
1 Timothy 4 warns that in later times some will depart from the faith and teach people to forbid marriage and certain foods that God created good. Paul encourages Timothy to be a good minister, to train himself in godliness, which holds promise for this life and the next, to set an example despite his youth, to devote himself to reading, exhortation and teaching, and to keep watch on himself and his teaching.
Paul has described the order of the church and now warns about the dangers that threaten it and how Timothy should respond. The chapter is one of the most used to encourage young people to serve, and also to remember that ministry begins with one's own life and doctrine.
The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared. They forbid marriage and require abstaining from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by believers. Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
If Timothy puts these things before the brothers, he will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine. He must have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths, and train himself for godliness: bodily training is of some value, but godliness is of value in every way, holding promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. For this they toil and strive, because they have put their hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Paul commands and teaches these things. Let no one despise Timothy for his youth, but let him set the believers an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Until Paul comes, he is to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and to teaching. He must not neglect the gift he has, which was given him by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on him. He must practice these things, immerse himself in them, so that all may see his progress. And he must keep a close watch on himself and on the teaching; persist in this, for by so doing he will save both himself and his hearers.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if received with gratitude, because it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. Paul thus affirms the goodness of creation against those who despised it with prohibitions.
Timothy must train himself for godliness. Bodily training is of some value, but godliness is useful for everything, promising life now and in the life to come. The spiritual life needs discipline, just as the body does.
No one should despise Timothy's youth; he must set an example for believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. A young servant's authority is earned by a consistent life, not by age.
Timothy must watch himself and his teaching and persevere in both, because in doing so he will save himself and those who hear him. A teacher teaches with doctrine and with life, and both need constant attention.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Marriage and certain foods. — 1 Timothy 4:3
Answer: Because it is good and is made holy by the word of God and prayer, if received with thanksgiving. — 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Answer: For godliness, which holds promise for this life and the next. — 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Answer: In speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. — 1 Timothy 4:12
Answer: The public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching. — 1 Timothy 4:13
Answer: Himself and the teaching, persevering in both. — 1 Timothy 4:16
The chapter encourages young leaders and those who accompany them. A Sunday school can give teenagers and young adults room to serve, read Scripture aloud or teach, while reminding them that their authority grows out of their example. It invites older members not to look down on the young.
It also proposes a simple plan of spiritual training: Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and service, practiced steadily. And it helps us discern teachings that add rules where God has not: to receive with gratitude what God has given, without falling into excess or into excessive prohibition.
Paul has shown what Christ's minister should be like: formed by the Word, exemplary and persevering. In chapter 5 he applies those principles to relationships within the church: how to treat older people, widows and the elders who lead.
Paul uses the phrase later times for the period between Christ's first and second coming, which had already begun. He is not only predicting a distant future: the errors he mentions were already at work. That is why Timothy must respond with sound teaching and example.
Paul does not despise caring for the body, but compares. Physical exercise helps in this life, while godliness helps in this life and the next. His point is priority: spiritual formation deserves more effort than any other discipline.
It was the act in which the elders recognized Timothy and commended him in prayer for ministry. Paul also mentions his own laying on of hands in 2 Timothy 1:6. The passage teaches that the gift comes from God, and that the community recognizes and supports it.