1 Timóteo 4
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Timóteo 4
Guzik - Because of the danger of the latter times, if Timothy were to remain a faithful minister to God’s people, he must keep a dead reckoning on the truth – the faith. If this were lost, not much else really mattered. A June 1997 article in U.S. News and World Report described a Virginia pastor who “Would rather preach on ‘Bosnia, justice, or world peace’ than on Bible stories or personal salvation.” This is an example of a man who departed from the faith and followed his own direction. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary)
1 Timóteo 4
Guzik has an interesting comment - It is hard to say if there is more false teaching today, or if it is merely a case of modern technology being able to spread the lie better. But the old saying is certainly true today: a lie travels express, the truth goes on foot – and more people within the church are following these doctrines of demons. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary) One is reminded of Jim Jones and also the Waco situation with David Koresh when it comes to the power of deception and the horrible consequences that result. Paying attention (beware) (4337) prosecho from pros = before, toward + echo = hold) means literally to hold to, toward or before. Originally it was followed by the word "the mind" (nous) but at times "the mind" was omitted but still the idea of "the mind" was implied. To apply one’s self to. To attach one’s self to. Prosecho means to moor a ship, to tie it up. Prosecho was also used to mean “to remain on course”. Figuratively (see also below) the idea is to hold one's mind before then to take heed, to pay attention, to give heed, be in a state of alert, to watch out for or to be on guard. The word implies the giving one’s consent, as well as one’s attention. When used in this manner prosecho always warns of some type of danger (usually spiritual danger but occasionally physical)! Prosecho is not a call simply to notice or sense something, but to be on guard against it because it is so harmful (eg, the danger of practicing your righteousness for others to see, the danger of false prophets, false teachers and false teaching, the danger of the Pharisees and Sadducees). The idea is to turn one’s mind or attention to a thing by being on one’s guard against it. 14v - Lk. 2:37; Lk. 4:13; Lk. 8:13; Lk. 13:27; Acts 5:37; Acts 5:38; Acts 12:10; Acts 15:38; Acts 19:9; Acts 22:29; 2 Co. 12:8; 1 Ti 4:1; 2 Ti 2:19; Heb. 3:12 Deceitful (4108)(planos) wandering, leading astray (adj.), a deceiver (subst.). It is used metaphorically for deliberately and deceptively leading people away from the right path, lying to people about God or about the reality of life and thus getting them off course. Used in 1 Ti 4:1 as an adjective and in the other 3 NT uses (Mt. 27:63 "that Deceiver" referring to Jesus Who is The Truth!; 2 Co. 6:8 = "deceivers"; 1 2 Jn. 1:7 = "deceivers...deceiver") as a noun. Septuagint = Job 19:4 and Jeremiah 23:32 ('led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting;") where Jeremiah denounces prophets who led Israel astray. Planos is in a family of words that means “wander off” or “lead astray.” In classical Greek the verb planaō (3966) means “to wander about” or “to lead (someone) astray.” planētēs, is used in combination with astēr, “star,” to designate a star that has no fixed position but “wanders,” that is, a planet. Liddell-Scott - 1. Act., leading astray, deceiving, π. κατέσειον ἐδωδάν the bait, Theoc.21.43, cf. AP7.702 (Apollonid.); π. δῶρα, ἄγρα, Mosch.1.29, Fr.1.10; πνεύματα 1Ep.Ti.4.1. 2. Pass., wandering, roaming, fickle, ποικίλον πρᾶγμʼ ἐστὶ καὶ πλάνον τύχη Men.Kith.Fr.8; π. φέγγη planets, Man.4.3. II. Subst. πλάνος, ὁ, = πλάνη, wandering, roaming, S.OC1114, E.Alc.482, etc.: in pl., Ar.V.873 (lyr.), etc. b. κερκίδος πλάνοι, of the act of weaving, E.Ion1491 (lyr.). 2. metaph., φροντίδος πλάνοι wanderings of thought, S.OT67; π. φρενῶν wandering of mind, madness, E.Hipp.283; π. τε καρδίᾳ προσίσταται Id.Fr.1038; πλάνοις uncertain fits, of a disease, S.Ph.758; = πλάνη II. 1, Pl.Phd.79d. 3. digression, Id.Ep.344d. 4. error, Ceb.25, Diog.Oen.26; grammatical mistake, A.D.Pron.84.11. III. of persons, πλάνος, ὁ, vagabond, impostor, Nicostr.Com.34, Dionys.Com.4, D.S.34/5.2.14, Ev.Matt.27.63. Spirits (breath, wind)(4151) pneuma from pneo = to breath). the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated, the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one. In 1 Ti 4:1 we see a clash between Holy Spirit and unholy spirits! Doctrines (teaching, instruction) (1319) didaskalia from didasko from dáo = to know or teach) is either the act of teaching or the thing taught and in this use denotes doctrine or what is taught. The character and quality of the didaskalia or doctrine is absolutely critical as it can cause one to be tossed and carried about if false (Eph 4:14), some such false doctrines being actually demonically inspired! (1Ti 4:1). Sound doctrine is necessary to nourish our souls as taught by Paul in (1Ti 4:6) 21v - Matt 15:9; Mark 7:7; Rom 12:7; 15:4; Eph 4:14; Col 2:22; 1 Tim 1:10; 4:1, 6, 13, 16; 5:17; 6:1, 3; 2 Tim 3:10, 16; 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1, 7, 10 Technical note - "Doctrines of demons" is a subjective genitive and does not mean doctrines about demons (that would be "objective genitive"), but the doctrines which demons teach. SATAN fired a missile of: TEMPER at MOSES, LUST at DAVID, TOTAL DEVASTATION AND SUFFERING at JOB, FEAR at PETER, A THORN OF SUFFERING IN THE FLESH of the APOSTLE PAUL, DISHONESTY at ABRAHAM, DEPRESSION at ELIJAH, PRIDE at SAUL, IDOLATRY at GIDEON, GREED at JUDAS. Demons (1140) daimonion see detailed discussion of daimonion. Daimonion is used 63 times in the NT and all but the use in Acts 17:18+ are translated demon or demons! And so it is most ironic that daimonion is used most often to describe demons or fallen angels under the dominion of the head fallen angel, Satan! The irony of course is that demons were behind these idols worshiped by the Greeks in Acts 17:18! (cf 1 Cor 10:20, 21+). The true and living God is Jesus Whom these "foolish philosophical babblers" (another irony!) classified as "daimonion"! Related Resources: What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org Are there different types of demons? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about demons? | GotQuestions.org Where do demons come from? What is the origin of demons? | GotQuestions.org Do demons exist? | GotQuestions.org Can demons attach themselves to non-living/inanimate objects? | GotQuestions.org 1 TIMOTHY 4:1–2—Does this verse indicate that the early church would fall into total apostasy, thereby pointing to the need for a restoration? MISINTERPRETATION: This passage says that in the latter days “some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits, and doctrines of demons” (NKJV). Mormons say this is a prophecy of a total apostasy of the entire church (McConkie, 1977, 205). CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: Though this verse speaks of apostasy, it does not speak of a total apostasy of the entire church. Notice that the text does not say, “in the latter times all shall depart from the faith.” Rather it says, “some shall depart from the faith.” The apostasy of 1 Timothy 4:1–3 is a particular kind of apostasy related to Gnostic dualism. This school of thought said spirit is good and matter is evil. Apparently, there were some false teachers who believed that all appetites relating to the (material) body—including sex and food—were evil and should be avoided. Hence these false teachers forbade people to get married and ordered them to abstain from certain foods. The apostasy to which Paul referred occurred specifically in Timothy’s day (see use of present tense in vv. 2–3). The phrase last days often means the period beginning with Christ’s first coming (cf. Acts 2:16–17; Heb. 1:1) and extending to his second coming (2 Peter 3:3–4), or any era of it. Even if this were a reference to the later apostasy of the whole church, it would not thereby justify the Mormon claims that the text of the Bible was corrupted and/or that Mormonism is the true restoration of the New Testament church. (Norman Geisler - When Cultists Ask) David Reed - Mormons Answered Verse by Verse - 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 To a Mormon the many Bible passages foretelling false teachers and false teachings are all proof that true Christianity disappeared from the earth centuries ago and was restored by Joseph Smith in the early 1800s. However, such passages do not say that Christianity would disappear entirely, or that all would depart from the faith. Rather, as in the case of the verses quoted here from 1 Timothy, they predict that “some shall depart from the faith.” But others kept the faith and kept preaching the true message of Christianity. As Peter promised, “the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:25). (BORROW Mormons : answered verse by verse) GOING FORWARD IN A BACKWARD WORLD Much of the world we live in rotates on Satan's standards, which are backwards from the Christian standpoint. See John 14:30, Isa. 55:8. It's a challenge to think and live biblically in this world. Biblical success involves servanthood (Matt. 20, Phil. 2). Biblical power comes from being yielded to God's [standards] given us here (Luke 12:13-34 and I Tim. 6:6-19, Phil. 4:12). Biblical pleasure comes from doing right, and brings peace and joy. (Psalm 1, John 15). "Going forward in a backward world" by Joseph M. Stowell A POWERFUL ADVERSARY If you go to Wartburg, they will show you a dark spot on the old walls which they say was caused by the breaking of an ink bottle that Martin Luther supposedly threw at the devil. Skeptics say it was just the rats inside of the wall that Luther heard. Whether the evil one caused the actual physical disturbance, we do not know. What is important is that Luther recognized that Satan sets himself in opposition to those who champion the Word, and that he never hesitated in fighting him. THE GREAT IMPOSTOR Nature provides us with an illustration that closely parallels the insidious tactics employed by our adversary. According to scientists, Arctic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. To enjoy such a meal, they sometimes resort to a cunning bit of trickery. If the hole through which the seal gets his food is near the edge of the ice, the polar bear will take a deep breath and swim under water to its exact location. Remaining below the surface, he will then make a tiny scratching sound imitating a fish. When the charmed seal hears this, he dives in for a quick supper, only to find himself suddenly entrapped in the huge, hungry embrace of his predator. Growing More Like Jesus by Richard L. Strauss - Satan's attacks can be ferocious. And we are weak and vulnerable; we need protection. It is the Word of God that provides our major defense against Satan's assaults. "Thy word have I treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:11). The apostle Paul reminded us that in order to stand against the schemes of the devil, we need to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). There is Scripture to help us handle every temptation Satan hurls at us. If you will begin to saturate your mind and soul with the Word, as Jesus did, you will begin to enjoy victory. DON'T GET HOOKED! It's a quiet spring morning. The mists are still rising as the fisherman glides to his favorite fishing spot. He's after one of those giant bass that hide among the weeds and sunken logs. Now, this fisherman is probably an honest man who wouldn't cheat on his taxes. But when he's fishing, he's a cunning deceiver. He is out there to snare and to capture. To do that, he's not going to throw a bare hook in the water. That wouldn't fool the fish. So he disguises it with an attractive lure. He may even hide it with that old reliable--the night crawler. He wants the fish to take the bait without noticing the hook. By that time it will be too late. A skilled angler will give just the right jerk and set the hook. And that's the end of the fish's freedom. Satan is also fishing. We are the fish. And the bait is whatever will lure us to take the hook. It usually appeals to a natural desire--such as our need for intimacy or success or security. He uses legitimate needs to hide his real intent, which is to get us to disobey God. He knows that to entice us to take the bait, he has to hide the hook. And he'll make it look as appealing as he can. Satan is a cunning deceiver. Don't be fooled by his tactics. CHRISTIANITY AND SIN 1 Timothy 4:1–16 (Croft Pentz) I. THE CARELESSNESS—vv. 1–5 1. Sinfulness—v. 1. Following those with devilish ideas. A fourfold threat against Christianity is: a) Communism, b) Cults, c) Catholicism, d) Compromise. These are the greatest enemies of Christianity. 2. Sensual—v. 2. They will harden their consciences and do wrong without feeling convicted. 3. Selfish—v. 3. They will teach it is wrong to marry and to eat meat. They will twist the Bible to teach “their own” doctrine. 4. Sanctification—vv. 4–5. All things made by God are good to eat, if we are thankful for them. II. THE CONSECRATION—vv. 6–11 1. Remembrance—v. 6. A good minister will explain the evils of vv. 1–5, and expose all sin. 2. Rejection—v. 7. Do not waste your time in arguing with people about spiritual matters. Let your life speak God’s truth to mankind. 3. Renewing—v. 8. Practice holy and godly living. 4. Reproach—vv. 9–11. Be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. III. THE CONCERN—vv. 12–16 1. Example—v. 12. More people are won to Christ through example than words. Example in our life, love, faith and our thoughts. 2. Exhort—v. 13. Read God’s Word. Encourage others to read it. Teach God’s Word to others. 3. Enduement—v. 14. The presbytery laying hands upon those who would be preachers. This was after they had proven themselves. 4. Examination—vv. 15–16. Put your abilities to work for the Lord. Hold nothing back from Him. Question - What are doctrines of demons in 1 Timothy 4:1? Answer: In many places, Scripture warns us against false doctrine. One such place is 1 Timothy 4:1: “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (NASB). The KJV words it as “seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons.” A doctrine is a teaching or a set of principles. The “doctrines of demons,” then, are things that demons teach. There can be good and bad doctrines. The word doctrine can refer to the biblical teachings of a church or a pastor. Or, in the case of 1 Timothy 4:1, the ungodly teachings of Satan. Those who follow the doctrines of demons “will fall away from the faith.” That is, heeding the doctrine of demons is a serious matter because it involves a departure from the truth of Christ’s gospel. How are the doctrines of demons promulgated? They are delivered through human instructors: “Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). These false teachers are hypocritical; that is, their lives do not evidence the holiness they seemingly espouse. They are liars; that is, they deal in falsehood and knowingly lead others into apostasy. And they are beyond the reach of conscience; that is, they have found a way, in their own minds, to justify their lies. These false teachers may be personable, charming, and persuasive, but they do not receive their message from the Holy Spirit; rather, they spout the suggestions of evil spirits, whose work it is to lead people astray. What exactly are the doctrines of demons? The immediate context gives an idea of the teachings to look out for: “They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:2–5). According to this passage, we should not follow any person or group that forbids marriage or that places restrictions on certain foods. Any person or group that says holiness comes through a select diet or complete sexual abstinence is lying. In the Garden of Eden, Eve encountered the doctrines of demons as the serpent spoke to her: “He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’” (Genesis 3:1). At the beginning of the conversation, Satan questioned the teaching of God, and, as they continued to talk, he substituted his own teaching for God’s. Satan has continued to use deception, doubt, and subtlety to lead people astray. Satan is the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44), and the doctrines taught by his demons through the agency of willing human accomplices continue to separate people from God and His blessing. Satan knows how to manipulate us, and that is why the doctrines of demons are so effective. We can identify the doctrines of demons by immersing ourselves in the truth. We must read and study our Bibles. When we know what God says on any given subject, then any deviation from that teaching will send up a red flag. When we are in tune with God’s Word, aberrations from that keynote will ring hollow and off-key. GotQuestions.org Related Resources: Should Catholic tradition have equal or greater authority than the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why do so many preachers' kids walk away from the faith? | GotQuestions.org Why are so many young people falling away from the faith? | GotQuestions.org 1 Timothy 4:1-10 Legalism We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. - 1 Timothy 4:10 Some rules have changed on many Christian college campuses over the past few decades. There was a time when few Christian colleges permitted students to watch movies, play cards, or leave campus in the evening. Most enforced a stricter dress code. Now many colleges have relaxed these policies, and some lament a creeping moral laxity among Christians. Others celebrate the move away from what they call legalism. Christians struggle to define the “gray” areas of Christian conduct. We easily commit errors of either permitting too much or too little. Today we read about one of those extremes, the tragic consequences of legalism in the church. Chapter four begins with a reference to “later times,” but Paul obviously believes these problems have begun in the Ephesian church. False teachers have told believers to avoid marriage and certain foods in order to grow spiritually (1Ti 4:3). And that's usually the formula of legalism: restrictions of external behavior without regard for the sins of the heart. The effects were devastating. When we are tempted to think that legalism is a minor error, we should be warned that it's one of Satan's greatest strategies in the church. The teachers had become desensitized to sin. Those who followed their teaching had and would soon “abandon the faith” (1Ti 4:1). Legalism keeps us from many of God's blessings that He intended us to receive with thanksgiving (1Ti 4:4). And it fails to ensure greater holiness! Timothy received instructions from Paul to avoid these errors and keep his hope in Jesus. By Christ and in Christ, we are saved and sanctified. This is the message of Scripture where we find the sum of all “the truths of the faith” (1Ti 4:6). We must stick with the message of the Bible, avoiding formulas or rules and restrictions as a method to get us closer to God, instead embracing a living faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Related Resource: Excellent Sermon by Ray Stedman on Legalism 1 Timothy 4:1-11 Faith And Medicine By Dennis J. De Haan Several years ago a young boy died of an illness because his parents refused to call a doctor. They believed that to use medicine implied a lack of faith in God. After the boy’s death, they said, “It is God’s will.” In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advised Timothy to take wine for his stomach’s sake and for his “frequent infirmities.” Bible scholars aren’t sure what Timothy suffered from. Some say he had a nervous condition. Others say that Paul advised wine as a substitute for unsafe drinking water. Whatever the problem, Paul was recommending that Timothy take wine as a remedy for a physical or emotional condition. Earlier Paul had told Timothy that every created thing is good and is not “to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:4-5). This assures us that God approves of our using available means to promote health, including medicine. But there is one important requirement: We must pray about it and receive it with thanksgiving. The God who graciously imparts the skill To hands that practice healing arts is still The solitary source of every breath, And He alone delivers us from death. —Gustafson Asking God for miracles is no substitute for using God-given means. 1 Timothy 4:1-5a Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure. - Hebrews 13:4 TODAY IN THE WORD In a recent issue of Worldwide Challenge magazine, Mike Clapper tells of a decision he made before his marriage in August 1999. “As I grew in my faith, I developed a strong desire to honor the woman I would marry. What would make my wife feel special?I would think. It occurred to me that saving my first kiss for my wife (not just my fiancée) would make her feel special. I came to believe that unless I actually committed myself to a woman for life, I had not earned the right to kiss her.” Clapper kept his pledge; his wedding-day kiss to his wife Lauri was their first. A commitment like this is certainly out of the ordinary, yet we need to see this young man’s deep desire before God to honor his marriage and his future partner. This desire reflects God’s will concerning the value of marriage. God wants all of His people to give a high degree of honor to the marriage covenant. Paul affirmed the honorable nature of marriage in the middle of a serious warning to his spiritual son, Timothy. Although marriage was not the apostle’s main subject here, he used it as a prime example of a gift that God had ordained and blessed and that false teachers tried to distort. These pseudo-disciples picked out marriage as something to be renounced for no reason other than their attempt at self-righteousness by replacing God’s standards with man-made regulations. This kind of false religion is useless; it carries no weight with God. The Bible affirms that marriage is one of God’s good gifts, to be enjoyed with thanksgiving. The people about whom Paul was writing denigrated and dishonored marriage by their teaching. It’s fair to say we are living in the “later times” (v. 1), and we have seen this brand of false spirituality in several cults over the past few years. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Know Your Limits - Dennis J. De Haan Dogs are intelligent, but Charles Medley of Rockford, Illinois, had some doubts about his dog Bullet. Whenever Bullet heard a squirrel, a rabbit, or a person, he would take off like a shot in the direction of that sound. It didn’t matter that he was tied up. By the time he reached the end of his rope, he’d be traveling at maximum velocity, heading straight for his target. But in an instant, his strong rope would pull taut and jerk Bullet to a jarring, sprawling halt. That beagle never learned his limits. God has built into us a moral tug on the soul whenever we go beyond what is good for us. It’s called conscience. Unlike Bullet’s rope, however, it doesn’t stop us from going too far. Furthermore, conscience can be deadened when we violate it repeatedly, and it can be programmed with wrong information so that we may feel guilty when no real guilt exists, or we may be guilty and not feel it. My conscience must be well-informed From God's own sacred Word; For conscience may be much deformed When standards pure are spurned. —Fraser Conscience can be our compass if the Word of God is our chart. 1 Timothy 4:1-11 Training For Life By David C. McCasland When Dean Karnazes completed the 26.2-mile New York Marathon in November 2006, it marked the end of an almost impossible feat of endurance. Karnazes had run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. This exceptional athlete’s ultra-endurance feats include: running 350 continuous miles, mountain biking for 24 hours straight, and swimming across San Francisco Bay. That level of fitness requires relentless, dedicated training. Spiritual fitness, Paul told Timothy, also takes much more than a relaxed approach to live a God-honoring life. In a culture marked by false teaching, along with extreme forms of self-indulgence and self-denial, Paul wrote: “Exercise [train] yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Our bodies and our minds are to be dedicated to God and prepared for His service (Rom. 12:1-2). The goal is not spiritual muscle-flexing but godliness—a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Vigorous study of the Word, focused prayer, and bodily discipline are all part of the process. Just as the body grows in strength With exercise each day, Our spirit grows in godliness By living life God’s way. —D. De Haan Godly exercise is the key to godly character. 1 Timothy 4:1-5b The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. - Psalm 24:1 TODAY IN THE WORD On March 26, 1997, police discovered the dead bodies of 39 people in a large mansion in southern California, all of whom had apparently committed suicide. For most people, news of this horrific event was the first time that they'd ever heard of the Heaven's Gate cult and its bizarre leader, Marshall Applewhite. He taught that the earth was about to be wiped clean and the presence of the Hale-Bopp comet in 1997 was the sign that his followers had to leave “their earthly containers.” The cult stressed hatred of this world, including one's own body. They practiced extreme forms of self- denial, including giving away most of their possessions and renouncing anything considered to be indulgent. Although the final events of the Heaven's Gate cult shocked many people, their grotesque practices and strange beliefs aren't new. Apparently some in Ephesus were teaching similar ideas. This explains the context of Paul's comments to Timothy, who was shepherding the Ephesian church. In his letter to the young pastor, Paul indicates clearly that the source of all such teaching is ultimately demonic. The individuals who teach these deceptions have completely rejected the truth and their consciences have become seared. No doubt these heretics taught that their fanatical practices, including the prohibition of marriage and severe dietary restrictions, were the path to true spiritual knowledge and life. But Paul exposes this deception for what it truly is—a fundamental denial of God's creation. As we saw at the beginning of our study, the Garden of Eden is a depiction of God's perfect provision of humanity's need. Paul affirms this truth in verse 4. True spirituality can never come from denying any part of God's good creation. All that God has created is to be received gratefully. This truth is related to what we read in Romans 1 at the beginning of our study. Those who refuse to give thanks to the Creator God end up in deception and perversity. TODAY ALONG THE WAY Today's passage reminds us to receive gratefully all that God gives. Perhaps you regularly give thanks before meals. This is an excellent way to remind ourselves that everything comes from God. If you've let this habit slip in the midst of a hectic schedule, today would be a good time to start it up again. Why not consider thanking the Lord after each meal as well! As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. - 1 Timothy 4:4 TODAY IN THE WORD Washington D.C.’s famous cherry trees gloriously signal the coming of spring. Every year at the end of March or the beginning of April, the National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts thousands of visitors, who come to see the annual profusion of pink and white blossoms on the city’s 3,700 cherry trees. This incredible beauty was a gift. In 1912, Japan presented a gift of cherry trees to the United States--more than 3,000 cherry trees from twelve different strains. The first two trees, which are still standing today, were planted on the north bank of the Tidal Basin, near what is now Independence Avenue. Today’s reading shows that all genuine pleasure and beauty are gifts from God. In thinking about the Christian life, we sometimes gravitate to the ideas of suffering and sacrifice, but there are other truths that complete the picture. “God’s will” is not some nasty medicine we must swallow--He has prepared pleasures for us in the here-and-now as well as eternity. Ecclesiastes advises, “I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun” (Eccl. 8:15). Paul warned Timothy about legalists and gnostics who rejected this truth. For example, God gave sexual pleasure as a gift within marriage, but some taught against it. And He gave food as well, but some had made rules about it. Such people are condemned in very strong language here! APPLY THE WORD Paul exhorted us, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Eph. 5:1). TODAY IN THE WORD Working in the early 1970s, engineers Irwin Lachman, Ronald Lewis, and Rodney Bagley designed a catalytic converter for automobiles. The ceramic converter, with which almost all cars today are equipped, turns toxic fumes into water vapor, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. In the last 30 years, this device has kept an estimated three billion tons of pollutants out of the atmosphere. Last spring, President Bush awarded each of the men a National Medal of Technology. Fighting environmental pollution is part of our stewardship of creation. Analogously, the Bible fights spiritual pollution in our lives as believers. Since God's Word is true, anything that deviates from it is false. Through Paul, the Spirit warned the church about false teachers, who “follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (v. 1). Clearly, part of spiritual warfare is discerning truth from error. These false teachers earned a harsh description—“hypocritical liars” with hardened consciences (v. 2). What teachings deserved such strong words? Legalistic prohibitions against marriage and certain foods (v. 3). Since God's Word is holy, it consecrates not only marriage and food, but also “everything God created” (vv. 4-5). God's purpose is that we enjoy His created blessings, receiving them as blessings with thankful hearts. We believe and know the truth that He is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17). To reject this is not merely a “lifestyle choice,” but blasphemous opposition to His purposes. This truth is integrally connected to a godly life and must be clearly taught by pastors and elders (vv. 6-8). Despite the Fall and gnostic heresies, God's material creation remains “good” and “very good” (Gen. 1). The truth of the Word gives us the right orientations: first, a grateful focus on the Giver rather than the gift; and second, a submissive attitude to the King rather than a possessive or self-centered attitude toward His world. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Thanks By Haddon W. Robinson A small boy visited his friend’s home for dinner. When the youngster sat down at the table, he bowed his head and waited for someone to give thanks for the meal. The others at the table, however, began passing the food. The boy looked up and said, “You guys are just like my dog. You start right in!” Writing to counter false teachers who prohibited the eating of certain foods, the apostle Paul told Timothy that all food is to be received with appreciation to God (1 Tim. 4:4-5). Food has been given to us for our nourishment and enjoyment. Our expression of thanks acknowledges that what we eat is a gift from God. When Paul wrote to his friends in Rome, he singled out the sin of ingratitude among the pagans. He said, “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful” (Rom. 1:21). What does it say about our society when people sit down to a full table, while pictures of starving masses flicker on their TV screens, and never bow their heads to express appreciation for their food? The world says, "I've earned all these delights! By my own hand I'm clothed and kept well-fed"; But Christ our Lord looked up to loftier sights And gave His Father thanks for daily bread. —Gustafson Gratitude is a mark of godliness. 1 Timothy 4:2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, KJV 1 Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; NKJ 1 Timothy 4:2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, NET 1 Timothy 4:2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. BGT 1 Timothy 4:2 ἐν ὑποκρίσει ψευδολόγων, κεκαυστηριασμένων τὴν ἰδίαν συνείδησιν, CSB 1 Timothy 4:2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. ESV 1 Timothy 4:2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, NIV 1 Timothy 4:2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. NLT 1 Timothy 4:2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. YLT 1 Timothy 4:2 in hypocrisy speaking lies, being seared in their own conscience, MIT 1 Timothy 4:2 Influenced by the underhanded tactics of liars, their own conscience having been cauterized, NJB 1 Timothy 4:2 seduced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are branded as though with a red-hot iron: NRS 1 Timothy 4:2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. RSV 1 Timothy 4:2 through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, NAB 1 Timothy 4:2 through the hypocrisy of liars with branded consciences. GWN 1 Timothy 4:2 These people will speak lies disguised as truth. Their consciences have been scarred as if branded by a red-hot iron. BBE 1 Timothy 4:2 Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron; liars 1 Kings 13:18; 22:22; Isaiah 9:15; Jer 5:21; 23:14,32; Daniel 8:23-25; Mt 7:15; Mt 24:24; Acts 20:30; Romans 16:18; Eph 4:14; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 Pet 2:1-3; Rev 16:14 their Romans 1:28; Eph 4:17-19 Related Passages: Romans 1:28+ And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, Ephesians 4:17-19+ So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous (apalgeo in perfect tense = their state of ceasing to feel pain, loss of sensitivity, dead to all feeling, feeling no shame), have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. Romans 16:17-18+ Now I urge you, brethren, (present tense - continually) keep your eye (skopeo - "scope" them out!) on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. Colossians 2:8+ See to it (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Titus 1:16+ They (present tense - continually) profess to know God, but by their deeds they (present tense - continually) deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. Hebrews 13:9+ Do not be carried away (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. THE HUMAN INSTRUMENTS WITH DEADENED CONSCIENCES & DEMONIC COMMUNICATIONS By means of (influenced by) the hypocrisy (insincerity) of liars - "Influenced by the underhanded tactics of liars" (1Ti 4:2 MIT) Hypocrisy depicts the various forms of pretense (counterfeit acts) to which deceit (cf "deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons") resorts in its endeavor to throw the hearer of the lies off guard. They were hypocrites because they claimed to be devoted followers Christ, but were in reality tools of the devil having been ensnared by him to do his will (in effect they were little "antichrists") (2 Ti 2:26+).. Liars is pseudologos (only here in Bible) and means one who speaks falsely. Robertson (quoting Parry) says pseudologos is "A good classical word for liars on a large scale." These purveyors of falsehood were in effect the "mouthpieces" for the deceitful demonic messages. They are not necessarily speaking overt lies (that would be too easily detected) but half truths, especially about the Gospel. Brian Bell - As God speaks truth & uses people to share it; so Satan speaks lies & uses people to share it! Never does material read, “Danger: Satanic Doctrine Enclosed. Open at your own risk!” No, false teaching is often accompanied by people well dressed, well manicured, attractive, friendly, & convincing. That’s why we need to know the Scriptures so we can discern truth from error. (1 Timothy 4) Pulpit Commentary - In the Gospels, the speech of the devils, and of those possessed by devils, is often interchanged, as e.g. Luke 4:33, 34, 41; Mark 1:23, 24. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary)
1 Timóteo 4
Guzik - Paul knew what it was to have a dead, burned conscience. Before he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he felt completely justified in his persecution of Christians and hatred of Jesus. He could feel justified because his conscience was seared and needed a wake-up call – which the Lord graciously provided. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary) What the Bible teaches – These are human agents, moved by evil spirits, marked by hypocrisy (ED: A STRIKING CONTRAST WITH TRUE PROPHETS WHO WERE "moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." - 2 Pet 1:21+). Their acts of devotion and hyper-spirituality are only a specious mask. They wore a mask of holiness derived from false asceticism and abstinence from things legitimate. (What the Bible teaches – 1 Thessalonians through Titus) Explore the Bible Commentary – These teachers practiced their deception to the point of no longer being aware of or caring about the difference between right and wrong, truth and error. Their consciences were seared, burned as with a hot iron. Such a burn destroys nerves and leaves an insensitive scar. The meaning is that their consciences were dead or insensitive. The twisted moral nature of these false teachers prohibited them from knowing or caring about the difference between the ways of God and the ways of evil. How can the church defend against evil forces that lead people away from God? Teaching sound Christian doctrine is a key defense. Regular and systematic teaching of biblical truths from pulpits and classrooms helps Christians to grow in correct understanding and belief. When people know biblical teachings, they are less likely to be sidetracked by error. Thomas Lea - By teaching what was actually false, they had been branded by Satan as his possession and therefore did his will. This shade of meaning emphasizes that the false teachers were willing tools of Satan. Since the context had already emphasized demonic involvement in spreading error, this likely was Paul’s chief emphasis. (New American Commentary – Volume 34: 1, 2 Timothy, Titus) Hypocrisy (5272) (hupokrisis/hypokrisis from hupo = under + krino =to judge;cf hupokrites) refers literally to delivery of a speech, along with interpretive gestures and imitation. The word hypocrisy comes from the Greek theater and referred to the practice of putting on a mask and playing a part on stage. This person was the actor on the Greek stage, one who took the part of another. The Pharisees were religious actors, so to speak, in that they pretended to be on the outside, what they were not on the inside. It referred originally to one who judged from under the cover of a mask, thus, assuming an identity and a character which he was not.. The NT gives hupokrisis only a negative connotation referring to hypocrisy, duplicity (the quality of being double - belying of one’s true intentions by deceptive words or action), insincerity, dissimulation (hiding under a false appearance; hiding or disguising one's thoughts or feelings - don't we all do this from time to time?!). The idea is to pretend, to act as something one is not and so to act deceitfully, pretending to manifest traits like piety and love. It means to create a public impression that is at odds with one’s real purposes or motivations, and thus is characterized by play-acting, pretense or outward show. It means to give an impression of having certain purposes or motivations, while in reality having quite different ones. Conscience (4893) suneidesis is derived from sun/syn = with + eido = know) literally means a "knowing with", a co-knowledge with oneself or a being of one's own witness in the sense that one's own conscience "takes the stand" as the chief witness, testifying either to one's innocence or guilt. It describes the witness borne to one's conduct by that faculty by which we apprehend the will of God. Related Resources: In Depth Discussion of Conscience - including multiple quotes, illustrations, etc related to conscience Baker Evangelical Dictionary Conscience What is the conscience? | GotQuestions.org How can I get a clear conscience? | GotQuestions.org What are the causes and solutions for a hardened heart? | GotQuestions.org KNOW YOUR LIMITS . . . some will depart from the faith . . ., having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. --1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Dogs are intelligent, but Charles Medley of Rockford, Illinois, had some doubts about his dog Bullet. Whenever Bullet heard a squirrel, a rabbit, or a person, he would take off like a shot in the direction of that sound. It didn't matter that he was tied up. By the time he reached the end of his rope, he'd be traveling at maximum velocity, heading straight for his target. But in an instant, his strong rope would pull taut and jerk Bullet to a jarring, sprawling halt. That beagle never learned his limits. God has built into us a moral tug on the soul whenever we go beyond what is good for us. It's called conscience. Unlike Bullet's rope, however, it doesn't stop us from going too far. Furthermore, conscience can be deadened when we violate it repeatedly, and it can be programmed with wrong information so that we may feel guilty when no real guilt exists, or we may be guilty and not feel it. We must learn the moral limits God places on us for our own good and then choose to live within them. By reading God's Word and trusting His Spirit to teach us, our conscience becomes attuned to God's standard of right and wrong. This helps us to know our limits and to experience the freedom and joy that living within them brings. --D.J.D. MY CONSCIENCE, MY FRIEND I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. --Acts 24:16 Paul viewed his conscience as his friend. As he lived before God and his peers, he listened to this inner voice because he knew that a clear conscience is essential to a happy Christian life. Many people, however, wrongly think of conscience as a fun-killer, a nuisance. That's how Willie in the Moon Mullins comic strip thought of it. In the first picture he is slumped in a chair in front of the TV set, his coffee cup resting on his pot belly, as he says, "You're awful quiet this morning, Mamie." She replies, "I've decided to let your conscience be your guide on your day off, Willie." The next picture shows Willie outside washing a window, the lawnmower and rake in the background. He mutters, "Every time I listen to that blame thing, I end up ruinin' my relaxin'!" From my own experience, I would say that Willie had a better day than he would have had if he had rejected the message of his conscience. Paul worked at keeping on good terms with his conscience. In Romans 14:23 he said that whatever is not from faith is sin. This tells us that when we do something we feel is wrong, we sin. Let's begin seeing our conscience as our friend. --HVL The conscience of a Christian man Can be a guiding light, Befriending him through life's short span To stand for truth and right. --Fraser A CLEAR CONSCIENCE IS ONE OF THE BEST FRIENDS YOU WILL EVER HAVE. Question - What does it mean to have a seared conscience? Answer: The Bible speaks of a seared conscience in 1 Timothy 4:2. The conscience is the God-given moral consciousness within each of us (Romans 2:15). If the conscience is “seared”—literally “cauterized”—then it has been rendered insensitive. Such a conscience does not work properly; it’s as if “spiritual scar tissue” has dulled the sense of right and wrong. Just as the hide of an animal scarred with a branding iron becomes numb to further pain, so the heart of an individual with a seared conscience is desensitized to moral pangs. Paul identifies those who have a seared conscience in 1 Timothy 4:1–2: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” In this passage, we learn three things about false teachers who lead others into apostasy: 1) they are mouthpieces for evil spirits, since they promulgate “things taught by demons”; 2) they are hypocritical liars, since they wear a mask of holiness but are full of falsehood; and 3) they are unscrupulous, since their consciences have been cauterized. This explains much. How can false teachers lie with no shame and spread deception with no compunction? Because they have seared consciences. They are past feeling that lying is wrong. Earlier in the epistle, Paul speaks of the “good conscience” as opposed to the seared conscience. “Advancing God’s work,” he says, comes by faith, and love “comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:4–5). A good conscience has the capability to tell right from wrong and is free from guilt. A person with a good conscience maintains his integrity. He enjoys fellowship with those who “walk in the light, as [Jesus] is in the light” (1 John 1:7). The lies of the devil are anathema to the one with a good conscience. Rather than follow the lies of apostates, he will “fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18–19). Proverbs 6:27 asks a rhetorical question to illustrate the consequences of adultery: “Can a man scoop fire into his lap / without his clothes being burned?” To paraphrase the question in relation to false teaching, “Can an apostate dispense the fiery lies of hell without his conscience being seared?” GotQuestions.org Question - What does the Bible say about hypocrisy? Answer: In essence, “hypocrisy” refers to the act of claiming to believe something but acting in a different manner. The word is derived from the Greek term for “actor”—literally, “one who wears a mask”—in other words, someone who pretends to be what he is not. The Bible calls hypocrisy a sin. There are two forms hypocrisy can take: that of professing belief in something and then acting in a manner contrary to that belief, and that of looking down on others when we ourselves are flawed. The prophet Isaiah condemned the hypocrisy of his day: “The Lord says, ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men’” (Isaiah 29:13). Centuries later, Jesus quoted this verse, aiming the same condemnation at the religious leaders of His day (Matthew 15:8-9). John the Baptist refused to give hypocrites a pass, telling them to produce “fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8). Jesus took an equally staunch stand against sanctimony—He called hypocrites “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15), “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27), “snakes,” and “brood of vipers” (Matthew 23:33). We cannot say we love God if we do not love our brothers (1 John 2:9). Love must be “without hypocrisy” (Romans 12:9, NKJV). A hypocrite may look righteous on the outside, but it is a façade. True righteousness comes from the inner transformation of the Holy Spirit not an external conformity to a set of rules (Matthew 23:5; 2 Corinthians 3:8). Jesus addressed the other form of hypocrisy in the Sermon on the Mount: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5). Jesus is not teaching against discernment or helping others overcome sin; instead, He is telling us not be so prideful and convinced of our own goodness that we criticize others from a position of self-righteousness. We should do some introspection first and correct our own shortcomings before we go after the “specks” in others (cf. Romans 2:1). During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He had many run-ins with the religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees. These men were well versed in the Scriptures and zealous about following every letter of the Law (Acts 26:5). However, in adhering to the letter of the Law, they actively sought loopholes that allowed them to violate the spirit of the Law. Also, they displayed a lack of compassion toward their fellow man and were often overly demonstrative of their so-called spirituality in order to garner praise (Matthew 23:5–7; Luke 18:11). Jesus denounced their behavior in no uncertain terms, pointing out that “justice, mercy, and faithfulness” are more important than pursuing a perfection based on faulty standards (Matthew 23:23). Jesus made it clear that the problem was not with the Law but the way in which the Pharisees implemented it (Matthew 23:2-3). Today, the word pharisee has become synonymous with hypocrite. It must be noted that hypocrisy is not the same as taking a stand against sin. For example, it is not hypocrisy to teach that drunkenness is a sin, unless the one teaching against drunkenness gets drunk every weekend—that would be hypocrisy. As children of God, we are called to strive for holiness (1 Peter 1:16). We are to “hate what is evil” and “cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). We should never imply an acceptance of sin, especially in our own lives. All we do should be consistent with what we believe and who we are in Christ. Play-acting is meant for the stage, not for real life. GotQuestions.org Tabletalk - The Defiled Conscience (1 Tim. 4:2). The reason people do not live by the law of God is because of sin. Sin is the disrupter of all that is good, and as Paul says, the law is good. But the law has no power to change the heart of sinful man. Only the Spirit can transform our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Even though sin disrupts that which is good, unbelievers do not act on every evil impulse. In some, the conscience is more intact than in others. While sin reigns in us, the conscience can still function. It can cause someone who has never been enlightened by the Spirit of Christ to live an exceptionally moral life. Such a person can be easily deceived by their own “righteousness,” thinking they do not need salvation. Because of this danger, those who live moral and upright lives must be warned about the depth of sin in their hearts, as Jesus warned the rich, young ruler. Sin blinds us to the truth of God’s ways, and only by the proclamation of the law from the Scriptures can we be confronted by the truth that we are already held accountable to know. This is why Paul could say he would not have known what it meant to covet unless the law had revealed it to him. But even when the law is proclaimed from without, our evil desires can sear our consciences. And the more we allow those desires to gain strength, the more our consciences will grow silent. James Buchanan wrote, “The conscience becomes weaker in proportion as sin grows stronger in the soul, till the sinner may arrive at a point of degeneracy at which he is wholly given over to a reprobate mind, and so far from being condemned by his conscience, he may dare to justify his wickedness by ‘calling good evil, and evil good.’ Instead of being ashamed of his guilt, he may even ‘glory in his shame.’ ” The more a person gives into his sin, the more the restraints of church, family, and the legal system are ignored through corruption or apathy, the more that person’s conscience will be defiled. When this happens on a societal level, it can create a shameless, sin-infested environment very much like that in the days before the flood and in Sodom when men pursued every desire of their evil hearts. CORAM DEO Read the passages below. Will God judge both those who have not heard the law and those who have heard it? While both will be held accountable, who will be more accountable? Have you turned a deaf ear to certain commandments? If so confess it to God, ask Him to make your conscience tender that you might keep His ways. 1 Timothy 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. KJV 1 Timothy 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. NKJ 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. NET 1 Timothy 4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. BGT 1 Timothy 4:3 κωλυόντων γαμεῖν, ἀπέχεσθαι βρωμάτων, ἃ ὁ θεὸς ἔκτισεν εἰς μετάλημψιν μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τοῖς πιστοῖς καὶ ἐπεγνωκόσι τὴν ἀλήθειαν. CSB 1 Timothy 4:3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. ESV 1 Timothy 4:3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. NIV 1 Timothy 4:3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. NLT 1 Timothy 4:3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. YLT 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding to marry -- to abstain from meats that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those believing and acknowledging the truth, MIT 1 Timothy 4:3 they prohibit marriage, and certain foods—foods God created to be consumable with thanksgiving by the faithful who understand the truth. NJB 1 Timothy 4:3 they forbid marriage and prohibit foods which God created to be accepted with thanksgiving by all who believe and who know the truth. NRS 1 Timothy 4:3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. RSV 1 Timothy 4:3 who forbid marriage and enjoin abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. NAB 1 Timothy 4:3 They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. GWN 1 Timothy 4:3 They will try to stop others from getting married and from eating certain foods. God created food to be received with prayers of thanks by those who believe and know the truth. BBE 1 Timothy 4:3 Who keep men from being married and from taking food which God made to be taken with praise by those who have faith and true knowledge. Forbid Daniel 11:37; 1 Cor 7:28,36-39; Hebrews 13:4 abstaining Romans 14:3,17; 1 Cor 8:8; Col 2:20-23; Hebrews 13:9 which Genesis 1:29,30; 9:3; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Acts 10:13-15; 1 Cor 6:13 with 1 Ti 4:4; 1 Samuel 9:13; Mt 14:19; 15:36; Luke 24:30; John 6:23; Acts 27:35; Romans 14:6; 1 Cor 10:30,31; Col 3:17 believe 1 Ti 2:4; John 8:31,32; 2 Th 2:13,14 Related Passages: Colossians 2:16-23+ Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day– 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)–in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. 1 Timothy 6:17+ Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Revelation 4:11+ (GOD HAS CREATED) “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created (ktizo) all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created (ktizo).” BEWARE OF LEGALISTIC TEACHING Men who (Present tense = continually) forbid marriage and advocate (Present tense = continually) abstaining (apechomai) from foods which God has created (ktizo) to be gratefully shared (eucharistia) in by those who believe (pistos) and know (epiginosko in perfect tense - settled state of belief in) the truth (aletheia) - Abstaining is used in a positive sense by Peter calling on saints to "abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against our souls." (1 Pe 2:11+) In this setting the false teachers were advocating avoiding marriage to achieve higher levels of holiness. However bodily disciplines do not automatically advance spiritual life and if practiced from a spirit of legalism actually diminish spiritual life. Note first reason for not abstaining - God has created to be gratefully shared Many writers feel these prohibitions point to "incipient Gnosticism" (see so-called "Christian gnosticism") which considered spirit good but matter evil. Brian Bell - How to spot them?–They might teeter towards Asceticism[self-denying] (1 Timothy 4) Vine - two Jewish sects, the Essenes and Therapeute, were already advocating abstinence from marriage as meritorious, and the warning would perhaps be especially against their doctrines. The apostle makes clear that such teaching was antagonistic to the ordinance of God. These earlier sects were the precursors of the monastic system of Christendom. In the first period of the fourth century, the insistence of the celibacy of the clergy in the Romish system was put forward tentatively, ere long it became rigidly enforced. Whilst the apostle’s prediction was a wider scope than this particular form of celibacy, it is not without a bearing upon it. The verb kōluō more usually signifies to hinder or restrain. Certain cults, such as that of Spiritism, advocate the abandonment of the marriage bond, an indication of the lawlessness of the last days. (Abstaining from foods) The cults increased in number, and Chrysostom (in the latter part of the fourth century) speaks in this connection of the Manicheans, the Encratites and the Marcionites, all of which advocated this and other forms of asceticism. (Collected Writings)
1 Timóteo 4
Guzik - This describes the legalistic teaching of those who have departed from the faith. They taught that it was by following this list of man-made rules that one was justified in God’s sight – that you would be more holy to God if you didn’t marry, and if you did not eat certain foods. There have always been those in the church who regard themselves as more spiritual than God Himself, and have a stricter set of rules for living than God does. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary) William
1 Timóteo 4
Guzik - He must give attention to these things in both his private life and in his public ministry. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary)
1 Timóteo 4
Guzik - Paul called Timothy to meditation on God’s Word and the work of God in his life. This is not emptying our minds (the goal of Eastern meditation), but filling our minds with God’s Word. (1 Timothy 4 Commentary) Swindoll points out that "there's no more effective means of spiritual leadership than a growing minister. Paul urged Timothy to show himself an example (1 Ti 4:12) and to let his progress be evident to all (1 Ti 4:15). When a pastor or other Christian minister becomes steeped in biblical truth and grows in wisdom and godliness, people notice. Authenticity is observed and respected. Eventually, people begin to believe they can experience the same transformation. Keep growing in your walk. As you grow older, grow deeper." (Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary - 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus) Warren