Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 4

Verse 1

1Ti 4:1. Speaketh expressly means to speak in express or exact words. This is what is known as verbal inspiration, where the Spirit gives the apostle or other hearer the message in the exact words to be received and communicated to others. That is not the usual method of inspiration, but instead, the Spirit reveals the truth on the subject being considered, but leaves it to the one being inspired to use his own words in handing the message over to others. This accounts for the fact that the various writers can be distinguished from each other by their own peculiar manner of speech; such as that of Paul or Peter or John, etc. But since the Spirit supervises the whole revelation, it assures us that the writings of all these men are inspired and hence what they say is divine truth. Latter times represents an indefinite date, only that it is in the future from the time the apostle is writing. Depart from the faith denotes a foresaking of the true faith in Christ as it is revealed in the Gospel. While the original Greek word is not the same as that used in 2 Thessalonians 2 regarding the apostasy, the meaning is the same. It is a prediction of the false dectrine of Rome, that came out from those headquarters after the "man of sin" (2Th 2:3) came into being in his full power. Seducing spirits refers to the deceiving men who pretend to speak by inspiration, such as the clergy of the church of Rome. Doctrines of devils. The last word means demons, spirits in the intermediate state, which is usually translated by the word "devil." The Romish church makes great claim of having communications with beings in the unseen realm, and the doctrines (or teaching) that were claimed to have come from the intermediate state were put out by Rome as of great significance, and were believed by the disciples of the "man of sin."

Verse 2

1Ti 4:2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy. The last word is from HUPOKRISIS, and its primary definition in Thayer's lexicon is, "the acting of a stage-player." When a person goes on the stage to act the part of a certain character, he and everyone else knows he is not really that person--that he is only acting. The word has been appropriated by composers of moral speech to mean a man who pretends to be what he knows he is not. The speakers of Rome, then, know they are expressing lies when they put forth their false doctrine. The question arises, why will these teachers express what they know to be false? The answer is in the rest of the verse, namely, their conscience has been seared with a hot iron. This is figurative, as we understand, but is used because when a part of one's body has been seared over, it becomes dull to pain, so that it will not even flinch from a contact that would at other times cause much resistance. At this point I insist that the reader see the comments at 2Th 2:11.

Verse 3

1Ti 4:3. Forbidding to marry. This is a specific prediction of the doctrine of Rome, for no one of the clergy of that institution, from the pope down to the ordinary priest is permitted to marry. It makes no difference to them that Paul declares that "marriage is honorable in all" (Heb 13:4). The edict of the "man of sin" is of more weight to them than a declaration of an apostle. Abstain from meats. The last word may include anything that is used as food, but in this passage it refers to the flesh of animals. Even in our day the members of the church of Rome are told not to eat the flesh of animals on any Friday. They make an exception by permitting the use of fish on that day. Their inconsistency is proved by Paul's statement in 1Co 15:39, that the bodies of fishes is flesh also. This is another one of their "lies in hypocrisy." Paul declares that every creature that God made is good for food, and is so regarded by them which be-lieve and know the truth. This gives us the conclusion that the devotees of Rome do not believe the truth.

Verse 4

1Ti 4:4. Paul is not posing as an authority on diet, or presuming to decide on what might be liked or disliked as an article of food. He means there is nothing that is wrong from a religious standpoint. There were certain things forbidden by the law of Moses, but that system as a, religious course of conduct, was taken away by the Gospel and therefore no one has the right to impose restrictions on the people of God concerning what they may eat. (See Col 2:16.) The privilege of eating the various articles of food is on condition that they be received with thanksgiving. It is an obligation upon all disciples to give thanks for their food (Eph 5:20; Col 3:17). The writer has been in homes of disciples where the practice of offering thanks for food was evidently not done. This was indicated by the embarrassment manifested by the host in requesting the guest to "please ask a blessing."

Verse 5

1Ti 4:5. To be sanctified means to be set apart or devoted to a righteous use. The word of God says it is right to use these creatures as food, and the thanksgiving prayer gives the disciple a right to eat it; the two factors thus sanctify the food.

Verse 6

1Ti 4:6. Brethren need to be told over and over again the things they have known as the truth (Heb 2:1; Peter 3:1). Timothy was an evangelist and would be in various places to work with the Gospel. The present verse states a qualification that would make him a good minister. That term is not a title as the present day usage of religious language would express it. The word minister is not used in any place in the New Testament as a special class of public speakers. It comes from the same Greek word as servant, and may apply to any member of the church. Paul shows that doing one's duty toward his brethren, in reminding them of their obligations, will constitute him a good minister (servant) of Jesus Christ. Being equipped with the wisdom of the world does not constitute one a good minister, although such seems to be what is demanded by the popular notions of the day. Instead, being nourished up (informed) in the words of faith which constitutes good doctrine. will equip him for acceptable service to the Lord. Whereunto thou host attained. This denotes that Timothy was not lacking in these qualities, and other passages indicates the same accomplishments in him (1Ti 1:18-19; 2Ti 1:5; Act 16:1-2). But Timothy was no exception to the rule that servants of Christ need to be reminded of their obligation to Him.

Verse 7

1Ti 4:7. Profane means something that is common or worldly; heathenish and useless. Old wives fables refers to myths originating with foolish old women who have no substantial basis for their shallow stories. Timothy had no time to waste on such useless subjects. The kind of exercise worthy his attention was godliness or piety.

Verse 8

1Ti 4:8. Bodily exercise refers to the gymnastics or training that the Greeks and other ancient nations practiced, in order to get themselves prepared for the combat in national games. Profiteth little. Those performances brought some advantages of a temporal nature, but the benefits were small and did not last very long. The exercise that counts most is of a spiritual kind, consisting of a godly or pious mode of conduct. Such training did not restrict its benefits to this life, although it included that in the highest sense. That is, such a life helped the body to have a healthy condition, which has many advantages even in this world. But that kind of training prepared one to win in the combat against evil in the world, and also developed a character that will be acceptable to the Lord in the life to come. The man who performs bodily training only, it victory' gets nothing out of but a over another like contestant. with nothing to look forward to after this life ends.

Verse 9

1Ti 4:9. Faithful saying means that what Paul has been saying is true, and hence is worthy of being fully accepted. Of course, if a man does accept it wholeheartedly, he will regulate his life accordingly, and prepare himself for the greatest possible usefulness in this world, and for eternal happiness in the world to come.

Verse 10

1Ti 4:10. Paul's confidence in the principles that he had just expressed, induced him to labor (spiritual exercise or gymnastics of the inner man), even though it would bring reproach upon him from the enemies of righteousness. The apostle was so certain of the promises of the living Gad, that he looked upon the mistreatment coming from the enemies as a "light affliction," and that as a result it would work for him " a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17). Saviour of all men, especially, etc. If one man is saved at all, how could another be especially saved? The idea involves the sense in which all men are saved, which is that God provided salvation for the whole world (Joh 3:16), but only those who believe (and obey) will actually get the benefit of the plan; in that sense they will be especially saved.

Verse 11

1Ti 4:11. Command and teach. Not being an inspired man, Timothy could not speak with authority. However, he could deliver the communications as the express commands of the apostle, then explain their meaning and urge their observance.

Verse 12

1Ti 4:12. Moffat translates the first clause, "Let no one slight you because you are a youth." Timothy could avoid being belittled (the meaning of despise) or his teaching underestimated by proper conduct. Otherwise it might be said that he was but a youth, and it would not be necessary to take him very seriously. When he would insist on others leading a life of devotion and self-denial, they would be convinced he was in earnest if he led the way by an example in his own life. In word. His speech should be pure and respectuful towards God and man. Conversation means conduct or manner of life. Charity means a sincere interest in the welfare of others. In spirit. By the proper kind of conduct, Timothy would show that he was mindful of the teaching of the Spirit; that his own spirit was being regulated by the influence of the Spirit of Christ. In faith. His manner of life should be such as that of one who believed from the heart in the Saviour he professed to serve. Purity denotes a life unmixed with the evils of people in the world who care not for the Lord.

Verse 13

1Ti 4:13. Till I come is a repetition of Paul's expressed purpose, which he stated in chapter 3:14 . Timothy was not an inspired man, and hence needed to obtain his instructions by hearing another or by reading what was written for him. Likewise, when he preached to others, he had to give them what had been written in the law of Moses or by the apostles. Furthermore, he needed to make a personal examination of all such reading matter, so that he could make the proper application to others. (See 2Ti 2:15.) To exhort another means to insist on his doing what he has learned to be his duty. Teaching includes the impartation of truths hitherto not known, and/or the explanation of those truths after having been communicated to others.

Verse 14

1Ti 4:14. Given thee by prophecy. This refers to the prediction of those achievements which one set to teach the Gospel wil accomplish for the kingdom of Christ. The prediction was made by those having the gift of prophecy, at the time hands were laid on Timothy and he was about to be sent forth. We do not know just what the gift was, but we do know that it was not the gift of inspiration as that term is usually taken, for such a gift could not be neglected, which Timothy was told not to do. (See the comments at chapter 1:18.) Presbytery means the group of elders over the congregation. Act 8:14-18 shows us that it required the hands of an apostle to confer the spiritual gifts. However, when such a performance was to take place in a locality where there were elders, it was fitting that it be done in conjunction with them, in respect for the dignity of their office. In such a circumstance, the laying on of the elders' hands would only be a formality to show their approval, in much the same spirit that the "right hands of fellowship" were given to Paul and Barnabas in Gal 2:9.

Verse 15

1Ti 4:15. Thayer defines meditate, "to care for, attend to carefully, practice." The definition agrees with the rest of the verse, for it emphasizes the thought by the instruction to give thyself wholly to them, which is to result further in his improvement as a teacher. Profiting refers to the good fruit that would be borne of his meditation, and it would be so practical that all people could see it.

Verse 16

1Ti 4:16. This verse sets forth an idea that is couched in a familiar saying, namely, "practice what you preach." Timothy was to take heed unto himslf (his practice) and unto the doctrine or teaching (that which was preached). This sort of conduct was not to be observed occasionally only, but he was to continue in them. This kind of life would benefit two groups; himself and his hearers. That is because such a life would be carrying out the conditions on which a man may be saved, and it would be convincing to the hearers of the righteousness of the doctrine, to the end they would also accept it and be saved.