Bible Study 1 Timothy 4: 1-16

 

A Commentary of the Book of 1 Timothy

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study 1 Timothy 4: 1-16

Text:

Some Will Fall Away

4 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will [a]fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by the hypocrisy of liars, who have been seared in their own conscience, 3 who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God created to be shared in with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

6 In pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being nourished on the words of the faith and of the [b]sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But refuse godless myths fit only for old women. On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of godliness, 8 for bodily training 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. 9 It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance. 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.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but show yourself as a model to those who believe in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift within you, which was given to you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 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,”

The Holy Spirit states specifically “that in later times some will fall away from the faith.” The “later times” refers to the days of Paul through today. We know from reading chapters 3 and 4 of the Book of Revelation, that churches were struggling with falling away. To “fall away” literally means to apostatize. Apostatizing means to renounce a political or religious belief. When involving a religious belief, it means to rebel against God. “Deceitful spirits” means wandering, roving, and it comes from the word vagabond or deceiver or seducer. In fact, Satan is all those things. They shall give heed to satanic spirits. In our day, the world is full of demonic spirits that are doing their best to corrupt the morals of our young people with sin, pornography, homosexuality, transgenderism and sexual promiscuity. “Doctrines of demons” includes anything that deifies man and reduces God to an ineffective bystander subject to the “free will” of man. The evil doctrines make man’s free will the ultimate power in the universe. This began in Bible times but has grown so much that there are more false Christian churches than legitimate in our day.

Verse 2: “by the hypocrisy of liars, who have been seared in their own conscience,”

“By the hypocrisy of liars” refers to the human false teachers who propagate demon doctrine. Conscience refers to that inward voice that helps one know the difference between right and wrong. Searing is a medical term referring to cauterization. False teachers can teach their hypocritical lies because their consciences have been desensitized. The old time preachers referred to someone who has consistently resisted the gospel message as having “crossed the deadline.” This is someone who no longer has an inner voice wanting to be saved. They are lost and without hope. Paul is warning Timothy about these liars who do so without hesitation.

Verse 3: “who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God created to be shared in with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”

Neither celibacy nor any form of diet saves or sanctifies. That was the essence of the false teaching. It was perhaps a joint effort of the Jewish sect of the Essenes and Greek gnostics which described the body as evil and the spirit good. False teachers have a tendency to promote a works-based righteousness. They focus on the flesh and not on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 4: “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,”

The false teachers’ asceticism contradicted Scripture, which teaches that since God created both marriage and food they are good for mankind. Both food and marriage are gifts from God and intended to be enjoyed.

Verse 5: “for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

“Sanctified” means set apart or dedicated to God for holy use. The means of sanctification are being thankful in prayer and an understanding of the Word of God. 

Verse 6: “In pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”

Continual feeding on the truths of Scripture is essential to the spiritual health of all Christians. There are parallels between taking care of the physical body and the spirit. The body needs nourishment and exercise to be in good physical health. Likewise, the spirit man needs to feed on the Word of God and exercise. Spiritual exercises include worship, prayer and communion. As we tell others the truth from the Word, you will be a good servant. We are slaves to Christ, but servants to our brothers and sisters.

Verse 7: “But refuse godless myths fit only for old women. On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of godliness,”

There are a number of home remedies based more on fables than fact. Remember, there was a time that leeches were used to cure blood disorders and remove evil from the body. We want to train ourselves for spiritual war by practicing holiness, righteousness and sanctification. Just like in the physical you exercise, in the spiritual you exercise as well, e.g., prayer, worship, Bible study. Too many people emphasize the don’ts more than they do the exercise of godliness. Don’t neglect the do’s.

Verse 8: “for bodily training 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.”

Bodily exercise is limited both in extent and duration; it affects only the physical body during this earthly life. However, godliness lasts forever throughout all eternity.

Verse 9: “It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance.”

Paul is emphasizing the point he has just made in the previous verses. In other words, he says, “Here’s something you can count on.” You could count on it in the first century in Ephesus, and you can count on it today. We have a modern saying, “You can take that to the bank.” It is a guarantee.

Verse 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.”

Paul provides his reason for his efforts to preach the gospel. The last phrase, “God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers,” can create issues if taken out of context. The verse indicates that God is the Savior of all men, however, it is clear from the Scriptures that not all will be saved. The correct answer is that all men to some extent enjoy a type of salvation, e.g., food, air, a planet that is our home. Believers have the general sense of salvation as non believers, but we have so much more. We have a substitute for our sins, Christ’s imputation of righteousness on our lives, and a promise of eternity with Him. 

Verse 11: “Command and teach these things.”

Paul is making sure that Timothy knows he is under divine constraint to follow the command contained in this letter. Timothy is to teach what he has been taught. All good fellow. This is one reason why it is so important to attend a Bible believing church where the Word of God is preached.

Verse 12: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but show yourself as a model to those who believe in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity.”

The negative commands here and in v. 14 may suggest that Timothy may have had a tendency towards shyness. Timothy was to be a model in how he lived his life. Christians are to live a sanctified life above reproach walking in genuine holiness of heart.

Verse 13: “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.”

Paul’s instruction to Timothy was to be his way of life. “Reading” refers to the custom of public reading of Scripture during the worship service, followed by the explanation and discussion of the passage’s meaning. “Exhortation” challenges those who hear the Word to apply it in their daily lives. In Hebraic thinking, you don’t “hear” something unless it changes you. The Word must be applied to be “heard.” Exhortation could involve rebuke, warning, encouragement, or comfort. “Doctrine” (teaching) refers to systematic teaching from the Word of God, line upon line, precept upon precept.

Verse 14: “Do not neglect the gift within you, which was given to you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.”

The gift in Timothy was grace. The grace of God is a gift from God and all believers have it. The gift was confirmed by the elders when he was publicly recognized and confirmed by apostolic authority. 

Verse 15: “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.”

This is a reference to Timothy’s spiritual growth in his personal life, his ministry, or perhaps both. This is the believer’s life of sanctification (being set apart and becoming more Christlike every day). His sanctification should be apparent to all.

Verse 16: “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Paul summarizes his instructions to Timothy in this manner to suggest where the false teachers had gone astray, and, hence, where Christians in general can go astray. While the manner of sin can change over time, the nature of sin does not. Paul’s charge to Timothy is applicable to us today. Regarding saving those who heard Timothy, this is not an offense to the doctrine of grace. Timothy could save no one. Salvation is a divine act, but He does use secondary causes, i.e. people and circumstances, to bring His sheep to salvation. In addition, as Timothy walked in holiness, he would be saved as well. Salvation is a divine act, whereas sanctification is a joint effort between the believer and the Holy Spirit.