Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 4

Verse 1

1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1. Spirit - What is the difference in Spirit (with a capital "S") and spirit (with a small "s")? What is the primary work of the Holy Spirit?

2. Latter times - To what period of time does this term have reference? Are we now (late 1900's) in the "latter times"? When did the latter times begin? When will they end?

3. Depart - What is implied in this term? Can one depart from a place they have never been? Does this verse teach that apostasy is possible?

4. Seducing - What does this word mean? How are people seduced? Does Paul use this word to refer to sexual activity?

5. Doctrines - Is the plural important? Does the Bible refer to true doctrines in the plural? What is the significance of the singular?

6. Devils - How many devils are there? What does the term "devil" mean? Are there humans who are "devils" in the world today?

Verse 2

2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

1. Hypocrisy - What is hypocrisy? How can you tell if a person is a hypocrite? Does the presence of hypocrites hinder the growth of the church? How can you cure a hypocrite?

2. Seared - How is our conscience seared? Explain the connection with the words "seared" and "branded".

Verse 3

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.

1. Forbidding - Who has the right to establish such rules in the church? Why was celibacy introduced? When was it first required?

2. Abstain - From what does God command us to abstain? Discuss "every appearance of evil" in 1Th_5:22 .

3. Created - Can a Christian believe in the theory of evolution and also believe the Bible? Does faith in God require faith in creation?

4. Thanksgiving - Should we pray before every meal and offer thanks for the food? Can we pray at the end of the meal? See Deu_8:10 . Are there times when prayer in a restaurant is not appropriate?

5. Of them which believe - Does this imply that if a person does not thank God for his food, he does not believe? Why would a believer NOT want to express thanks to God who blesses him?

Verse 4

4. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

1. Every creature - Does this include insects, worms, etc.? Is there anything in the animal kingdom that Christians should NOT eat?

2. Refused - Should we eat whatever is set before us? Is if proper to refuse food?

Verse 5

5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

1. Sanctified - How is our food sanctified? What happens if we eat food which is not sanctified? How does the Word of God sanctify our meat? What role does prayer have in the sancification of our food?

Verse 6

6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the word of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

1. Brethren - Who is my brother? When does one become a brother in Christ? How does this term describe our relationship in the church?

2. Remembrance - Must every sermon and class teach new material? Can a sermon teach things we have heard before? Why did Peter write the second epistle? See 2Pe_3:1 .

3. Minister - What other terms does the Bible use to describe this work? What are the qualifications of a minister? Are ministers ordained?

4. Nourished - What is the value of Bible study? If the Bible is nourishment for us, if we fail to study the Bible are we malnourished? Discuss 1Pe_2:2 ; Mat_5:6 .

5. Good - What is the difference in a "good minister" and one who is not good? How can you tell if a doctrine is a "good doctrine" or some other kind?

Verse 7

7. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

1. Profane - Is it possible to "profane" things, people? How does one profane spiritual truths?

2. Fables - What is a fable? How does a fable differ from a parable? what is the danger in listening to fables?

3. Exercise - What kind of exercise is being discussed?

4. Godliness - How can you tell if a person is godly? How would you describe godliness? What can you do to exercise unto godliness?

Verse 8

8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

1. Exercise - Does God require us to exercise our physical bodies? Should the church have aerobic classes for its members? In what ways can we take care of our bodies?

2. Little - Does this imply that all exercise is a "waste" of time? Does God forbid a person to be an athlete who trains, practices and exercises much?

3. Profitable - How do most people measure "profit" in the world today? How can we measure "profit" in spiritual matters?

4. Life - Do we have two lives? What is the difference between this life and the life to come? Do the wicked have a "life to come" waiting for them?

Verse 9

9. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.

1. Faithful - What is the meaning of faithful? How can you tell if a person is faithful? How do you measure faithfulness?

2. Acceptation - How are we to receive the teachings in the Bible? What is included in accepting the message from God?

Verse 10

10. For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.

1. Labor - What is implied in this word? Is working for God - Labor?

2. Reproach - Do Christians suffer reproach today? How did the early Christians suffer reproach?

3. Trust - What is the difference in trust and faith? How is trust demonstrated in our lives?

4. All men - Will all men be saved? How is Jesus the "Savior of all men" if most will not be saved?

Verse 11

11. These things command and teach.

1. Command - Does God have commands for us today? List some commands in the New Testament.

2. Teach - What are we to teach? To whom are these things to be taught? How are we to do this teaching? Who is to be a teacher?

Verse 12

12. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in purity.

1. Youth - What responsibility does the church have to its young people? What responsibility do the youth in the church have toward the older members?

2. Example - Who is watching us? To whom are we examples? Can we be an example to people we do not know?

3. Word - What is included in our example in word? Does this warn us about our speech?

4. Conversation - What is included in "conversation" as it is used in the New Testament? What would be a better term to express this idea?

5. Charity - What is charity? Does this word include the Red Cross, the Cancer Society, etc.? How can we be an example in charity?

6. Purity - Does God expect Christians to be pure? List some ways we are to be pure.

Verse 13

13. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

1. Attendance - What does this word mean? Does God just require us to "show up" at worship services? In what should we give attendance?

2. Reading - Does it make a difference what magazines you read? What books would you suggest for a friend to read?

3. Exhortation - How can we exhort one another? List some ways to exhort the weak, lost, depressed, sick, dying and lonely.

4. Doctrine - Is doctrine important? Does it matter what doctrines we believe, as long as we are sincere?

Verse 14

14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

1. Gift - Do Christians today have gifts? How can God use our abilities to serve His purpose? How would you show someone that miracles have ceased?

2. Prophecy - What is prophecy? Are there prophets in the church today?

3. Laying on hands - What uses were given to the laying on of hands in the New Testament? Does laying on hands always include miracles?

4. Presbytery - Does the church today have a presbytery? Who are the presbyters here at Grundy Street?

Verse 15

15. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear unto all.

1. Meditate - Is meditation part of our activity as Christians? What abuses have some made of this practice? What is involved in meditation?

2. Wholly - Can we be "part time" Christians? Does God expect whole hearted service? Discuss - Christians on the outer fringe of the church.

3. Appear - Should we do things "to be seen" on men? Should everything we do for God be done secretly?

Verse 16

16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt save thyself, and them that hear thee.

1. Heed - What is included in taking heed? Does this involve more than just watching? What should pay special attention to?

2. Doctrine - What is doctrine? Is doctrine important? What if one believes a false teaching about some matter? How should false doctrines be corrected when taught in the church?

3. Save thyself - Can we save ourselves? In what sense is it not possible to save ourselves? In what way can we save ourselves?

4. Hear - How can we save those that we teach? Can we save anyone by ourselves?