Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 4

Verse 1

A GOOD MINISTER’S WORK

1) "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly" (to de pneuma hertos legei) "Now the Spirit in strong rhetoric says;" This is an emphasis that affirms inspiration of-the Holy Spirit for things Paul wrote regarding the walk or course of life a good minister should take. New Testament writers wrote by Divine inspiration as surely as Old Testament writers, Exodus 4:15; John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:21.

2) "That in the latter times" (hoti en husterois kairois) "That in the latter seasons," the seasons of the Gentile dispensation; conditions of apostasy, falling away from the body of Christian and church truth, in belief and walk, had already begun and was here predicted to continue, 2 Timothy 3:1-8.

3) "Some shall depart from the faith" (apostesontai tines tes pisteos) "Some will depart from the faith," the body of Christian truth, the system of faith; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Luke 18:8.

4) "Giving heed to seducing spirits" (prosechontes pneumasin planois) "Holding on to, having, or containing misleading or deceptive spirits." Those departing from the faith, falling away, or apostatizing, shall be hearers and followers of demon spirits that incite, seduce, speak to, and lead their hearers to turn their backs on the Word and ways of God, 1 John 4:1; 1 John 4:6; Revelation 16:13-14.

5) "And doctrines of devils;" (kai didaskaliais daimonion) "Even teachings of demons," or fallen, deranged spirits. These deranged, fallen demon spirits speak through false teachers and prophets, leading them in moral anarchy against Christian principles, 2 Peter 2:1-22; Judges 1:4; Judges 1:8-16.

Verse 2

1) "Speaking lies in hypocrisy;" (en hupokrisei pseudologon) "In hypocrisy (of men) speaking lies," evil, seducing, deluding, demon spirits speak, whisper evil things, deceptive things, lies into the ears of those who furnish them a garbage container Matthew 7:15-20, Acts 19:11-18; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

2) "Having their conscience" (ten idian soneidesin) "The (their) own conscience." It is the men speaking lies, false teachers, and false prophets who have seared or scarred or marred conscience, not the demon spirits; they have no conscience.

3) "Seared with a hot iron;" (kekausteriastiretion) "Having been seared," or branded, as with an hot iron. Demon spirits breathe breezes of lies upon the minds of willing listeners, that when long-listened to, sear or scar ones’ conscience, with relationship to Divine truth. Spirits of demons are just as real, in existence of personal being, as good angels are real. Their evil witness and callous influence on men is to be avoided always, Mark 5:8-13; Luke 7:21; 1 John 4:3.

Verse 3

1) "Forbidding to marry" (koluonton gamein) "Forbidding or commanding (not) to marry," such as spurious popery issues, false asceticism, without Bible sanction. Marriage is honorable in all for propagation of the human race and harmony in sex life, Hebrews 13:4; Proverbs 5:18-23.

2) "And commanding them to abstain from meats" (apechesthai bromaton) "Arid commanding or bidding to abstain from food." Demon and seducing spirits ignore the teachings of Christ or distort them. The eating or not eating of meats, restricted under the Law of Moses, has no law jurisdiction over Christians today, Colossians 2:16; Colossians 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 10:25.

3) "Which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving" (ha ho theos ektisen eis metalempesin meta eucharistias) "Which the God created for partaking (according to a need) with gratitude." Both partaking of food and the sanctity of marriage are of Divine authority for the good of humanity.

4) "Of them which believe and know the truth." (tois pistois kai epegnokosi ten aletheian) "By the believers, even those having fully known the truth;" Paul vindicated the use of all (not just some) of God’s creatures, so far as they are not injurious, for food for mankind, as originally created, Genesis 1:31. Both food and marriage, as sanctioned in the Scriptures, are to be accepted with gratitude by believers who comprehend Gospel truth in spite of false teachers, Romans 14:6; Ephesians 5:20.

Verse 4

1) "For every creature of God is good" (hoti pan ktisma theou kalon) "Because every creature (creation) of God is (exists) as good;" This is a reiteration of the previous statement, echoed by our Lord, Mark 7:15; Acts 10:15, and by Paul, Romans 14:14; Titus 1:15.

2) "And nothing to be refused" (kai ouden apobleton) "And not one thing (is) to be put away, or refused." Neither regulations of the Law, concerning eating and drinking, or commands to follow them, were to be accepted, (but refused) -- nor orders to forego marriage as done by the Essenes. Marriage, ordained of God, was not to be put aside, Hebrews 13:4.

3) "If it be received with thanksgiving;" (meta eucharistias lambanomenon) "When or if with gratitude or thanksgiving it is being received." 1 Corinthians 10:30-31. Both New Testament Christian liberties, in eating and marriage, are to be exercised with thanksgiving by those who comprehend the truth, John 9:32; John 9:26; Galatians 5:13; Colossians 2:14-17.

Verse 5

1) "For it is sanctified" (hagiazetai gar) "For it is set apart, sanctified." Marriage and partaking to God’s divine order or instructions for continuity of human life, Acts 27:35; 1 Corinthians 7:13-14.

2) "By the word of God" (dia logou theou) “through a word of God," God’s Word, instruction, concerning marriage and marital relations is to be accepted as the Christian standard accepted with daily prayer and gratitude.

3) "And prayer" (kai enteukseos) "And petition." Petitions and gratitude to God, in every matter of daily life, are to be made until the coming of Jesus Christ, Matthew 6:11-12; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31; James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:7.

Verse 6

1) "If thou put the brethren" (tauta hupotiihemos tois adelphois) “(If thou put, place, or set, or are suggesting to the brethren." Bible truths must be repeatedly taught in the church, to help members resist evil teachers.

2) "In remembrance of these things" the matters that have been discussed in the previous verses:

a) Some shall depart from the faith,

b) giving heed to demon-serving teachers and preachers,

c) who oppose marriage,

d) and seek to control what one can and cannot eat, in the name of religion.

3) "Thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ." (kalos este diakonos christou iesou) "Thou wilt be a constructive, helpful, or practical worker of Jesus Christ." The idea is that teaching and instructing men in truth is a good thing, 2 Timothy 4:2-5.

4) "Nourished up" (entrephomenos) "Being continually nourished." He who teaches others is at the same time nourished, strengthened by his help of others, be it offensive or defensive teaching, confirming faithful truth or exposing error, 2 Peter 3:18; Judges 1:1-4.

5) "In the words of faith and of good doctrine" (tois logois tes pisteos kai tes kales didaskalias) "By the words of the faith (system of Christian truth), even of the good teachings." The Word of God builds one up in the faith, Acts 20:32; Ephesians 6:11-18.

6) "Whereunto thou hast attained" (he parekolouthekas) "Which thou hast followed to this hour or day." Timothy was instructed to pursue the same pattern of truth and conduct that he had followed in his gospel ministry and missionary labors, 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15.

Verse 7

1) "But refuse" (de paraiton) "But decline, refuse, or turn away from." Certain principles and practices of moral and doctrinal wrong are simply to be avoided, shunned, or turned away:

a) fornication, 1 Corinthians 7:2;

b) unlearned questions; 2 Timothy 2:23;

c) foolish questions, vain babblings, 1 Timothy 6:20.

2) "Profane and old wives’ fables" (tous bebolous kai graodeis muthos) "The profane and old-womanish myths." Fables and myths, recounted by the illiterate and literate, were to be rejected, refused, as hurtful falsehoods among early Christians, 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16.

3) "And exercise thyself rather unto godliness." (gumnaze de seauton pros eusebeian) "And exercise thyself toward piety," a godly Christian standard of life. James 1:22. To be a "doer of the Word" and to cultivate Christian virtues is to honor the Lord in fruitbearing, 2 Peter 1:4-11.

Verse 8

1) "For bodily exercise profiteth little;" (he gar somatike gumnasia pros holigon estin ophelimos) "For the bodily exercise, gymnastics, for a little (time) is profitable," as a vapor appears for a little time, then vanishes, James 4:14.

2) "But godliness is profitable unto all things" (he de eusebeia pros panta ophelimos estin) "But piety, a godly Christian life, is profitable for all things," all kinds of things. The godly Christian life brings joy and peace to the one living it, blessings in its influence over others, and rewards for the future, Psalms 1:1-3; Matthew 6:33.

3) "Having promise of the life that now is" (epangelian echousa zoes tes nun) "Having, holding, or possessing now, with continuity, the present life-promise," John 10:27-29. Eternal life is now held or possessed by every believer and this same life is promised every believer in an adopted, resurrection body; John 3:36; John 5:24; Romans 8:11.

4) "And of that which is to come" (kai tes melouses) and o which is about to come," the adoption, resurrection of the body (natural) changed. to a supernatural body. The Lord shall sustain His promise of integrity to every person saved, by bringing him into eventual, future possession of his own resurrected, adopted, glorified body, likened to that of His Lord. John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-56; Romans 8:23; Philippians 1:20-21; Happy Day!

THE NOTE OF TRIUMPH!

That useful and beloved Jewish- Christian, the Rev. Joseph S. Flacks, who passed to glory recently, mailed on the very day of death the following post card message to his friends:

Triumphant Through Grace

This is to announce: I moved out of the old mud house (2 Corinthians 5:1); arrived in Glory-land instantly, in charge of the angelic escort (Luke 16:22); absent from the body, at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6).

I find, as foretold (Psalms 16:11), "in thy presence fullness of joy...pleasures forever more!!"

Will look for YOU on the way up at the redemption of the body (Romans 8:23). Till then, look up!

-J. S. Flacks

Verse 9

1) "This is a faithful saying" (pistos ho logos) "Faithful is the word," or trustworthy. The teaching of verse 8 is the word. And the word of every matter is true, from the beginning, Psalms 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

2) "And worthy of all acceptation." (kai pases apodoches haksios) "And meritorious, worthy, or deserving of acceptation of all," men and angels. Each who has ears to hear should hear, Luke 14:35; Acts 3:22-23; Romans 10:17; 1 Timothy 1:15. That Christ Jesus came to save the souls and lives of men, these passages affirm.

Verse 10

1) "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach" (eis touto gar kopiomen kai agonozometha) "For to this end or purpose we both labor and struggle," 1 Corinthians 4:11-13; Hebrews 11:24-25; 2 Corinthians 6:10. This has been the common experience of the righteous in all ages, Matthew 5:11-12.

2) "Because we trust in the living God" (hoti elpikamen epi theo zonti) "Because we have fixed or set our hope on a living God," not a dead, lifeless one, as heathen gods; Psalms 115:5-9. The idea of a living God sustains a living continuity of hope, Hebrews 6:18-19.

3) "Who is the Saviour of all men" (hos estin soter panton anthropon) "Who exists as the saviour (available) of all men," John 4:42, of mankind He is the Saviour. As the Father had life – self –existent life, as a divine attribute, so He gave the Son to have eternal, self-existent life to impart to every believer, ; 1 Timothy 2:3; 1 Timothy 2:6.

4) "Specially of those that believe." (malista piston) "Especially or specifically of the believers, the ones trusting." The idea is He is the available Saviour who has Himself provided salvation for all men, but is the effective Saviour only or especially to the responsible believers who by faith have voluntarily trusted in Him, John 8:24; Mark 16:16; John 3:16; Romans 10:9.

Verse 11

1) "These things" (tauta) "These kind of things," teachings and instructions, the matters of the context of this chapter which concern the life conduct of a good minister of God.

2) "Command and teach" (parangele kai didaske) "Charge thou in a motivating way, and teach." The idea is to warn believers of demon-possessed and demon-directed false teachers and peddlers of fables and myths of old women. Their teachings are to be met by the Word of God, Ephesians 6:11-18.

Verse 12

1) "Let no man despise thy youth;" (medeis sou tes neotetos kataphroneito) "Let not even one take thy youth lightly," 1 Corinthians 16:11; Titus 2:15. Paul repeatedly encouraged Timothy to strong leadership, sought to help him overcome timidity. Timid testimony does not befit a good minister.

2) "But be thou an example of the believers" (alla tupos genou ton piston) "But become thou of thine own accord, continuously, a pattern of the believers," Those you are among, as Jesus said, "Follow me," "Ye shall be witnesses unto me," Matthew 4:19-20; Acts 1:8; and as Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ," so he would have Timothy be a pattern from which other Christians could conform their lives, 1 Corinthians 11:1; Matthew 5:15-16,

a) "In word" (en log) "In speech, language." Colossians 4:6.

b) "In conversation” (en anastrophe) "In course or activities of daily life," or in daily behavior, manner of Iife, 1 Peter 1:15; 1 Peter 2:12; 2 Peter 3:11.

c) "In charity" (en agape) "In exemplary, high, holy, spiritual love for God, ones’ brethren and the lost world," John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:10-11; 1 John 5:1-3.

d) "In spirit" The right attitude, that of one possessing the spirit of Christ, Luke 9:55; Galatians 5:25.

e) "In faith" (en pistei) This refers to Timothy’s private life of unwavering faith, without public show of doubt or despond.

f) "In purity" (en agenia) "Holy" or separated living, a requisite of a good minister, common laborer of Jesus Christ in daily affairs, with a good daily Christian influence, Titus 2:14; James 4:8; 1 John 3:3.

Verse 13

1) "Till I come." (heos erchomai) "Until I come," deponent verb indicating a decision of Paul’s own volition or choice, indicating an intention to come with an unfixed date.

2) "Give attendance" (proseche) "Hold attention toward" or give attention. Three elements of public ministry of the Word are objects of the charge:

1) Reading, public reading of the Scriptures;

2) Exhortation, appeals to moral senses of men; and

3) Teaching, appeal to the intellects of men.

a) "To reading" (te anagnosei) "Comprehension, increased learning by. means of the reading," as "reading maketh a full man." Nehemiah 8:8; Deuteronomy 31:11; Colossians 4:16.

b) "To exhortation" (te paraklesei) Appeal to moral and ethical sense of values as basis of conduct, behaviour, Romans 12:8; Hebrews 12:5; Hebrews 13:22.

c) "To doctrine" (te didaskalia) "To teaching," or literally "to the teaching," Romans 12:7-8; Matthew 26:55, daily teaching; Matthew 28:20, Commission teaching.

Verse 14

1) "Neglect not the gift that is in thee" (me amelei en soi charismatos) "Do not be neglectful of the charismatic (gift) in thee," the gift of teaching and preaching, 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 1:6. Timothy was also asked to "stir up the gift."

2) "Which was given thee by prophecy" (ho edothe soi dia propheteias) "Which was given to thee by means of prophecy;" the gift of the prophetic ministry must precede the laying on of hands, Jeremiah 1:4-10; Galatians 1:15-18,

3) "With the laying on Of the hands of the presbytery" (meta epitheseos ton cheiron ton presbuteriou) "In close association with the laying on of hands of the body or committee of elders," Deuteronomy 34:9; a symbol of a divine call and a commitment of administrative trust, alike in Old and New Testament days, Acts 8:17; Acts 13:3.

Verse 15

1) "Meditate on these things" (tauta meleta) "Attend to these things," "practice or exercise (in) these things," that is be diligent in these things, serving the Lord, Romans 12:11; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

2) "Give thyself wholly to them" (en toutois isthi) “In these things be thou engulfed," or given wholly to these things, Proverbs 23:17; John 9:4; "The night cometh when no man can work," Romans 13:11-14.

3) "That thy profiting may appear to all." (hina sou he prokope phanera e posin) "in order that the advancement, progress, or achievement of you may be clear or manifest to all." Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; James 1:22; James 1:26-27.

Verse 16

1) "Take heed unto thyself" (epeche seauto) "Take heed unto thyself," of thine accord or on thy own behalf. The teacher or prophet must prepare himself, before he prepares his lesson. Abel prepared himself to please God before he prepared his offering, so must men of God, Genesis 4:4; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 9:27.

2) "And unto the doctrine" (kai te didaskalia) "And to the teaching," "to thy teaching;" What he had learned from a child, from Paul, and from the Lord, 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14-15; Matthew 28:18-20.

3) "Continue in them" (epimene autois) "Remain ye or move forward in them, perserve in them, or cling to them, Galatians 6:9. The reaping comes to those who faint not.

4) "For in doing this" (touto gar poion) "For doing this," progressively or continuously, in keeping on keeping on, 2 Corinthians 5:14; Romans 9:1-3; Romans 10:1-4.

5) "Thou shalt both save thyself" (kai seauton soseis) "Both thyself thou wilt save (deliver)," of the charge of the ministry; 2 Timothy 4:1-6. The salvation or deliverance here mentioned is the salvation of life, redeemed to service for God, Ephesians 5:15-18.

6) "And them that hear thee." (kai tous akouontas sou) "And the ones hearing or giving heed to thee." This is that referred to by our Lord that "the one losing his life shall find, or save it," Mark 8:35; John 12:25-26; James 5:19-20.