1 Timothy Chapter 4
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Introduction
THERE is, in many respects, a strong resemblance between the first part of this chapter and 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2. Comp. Notes on that chapter. The leading object of this chapter is to state to Timothy certain things of which he was constantly to remind the church; and, having done this, the apostle gives him some directions about his personal deportment. The chapter may be conveniently divided into three parts: --
I. Timothy was to put the church constantly in remembrance of the great apostasy which was to occur, and to guard them against the doctrines which would be inculcated under that apostasy, 1 Tim 4:1ff.
(a) There was to be, in the latter days, a great departing from the faith, 1 Tim 4:1.
(b) Some of the characteristics of that apostasy were these: there would be a giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, 1 Tim 4:1. Those who taught would hypocritically speak what they knew to be falsehood, having their own consciences seared,
They would forbid to marry, and forbid the use of certain articles of food which God had appointed for man, 1 Tim 4:3ff.
II. Timothy was to warn the churches against trifling and superstitious views, such as the apostle calls "old wives' fables," 1 Tim 4:7ff.
(a) He was not to allow himself to be influenced by such fables, but at once to reject them, 1 Tim 4:7.
(b) The bodily exercise which the friends of such "fables" recommended was of no advantage to the soul, and no stress ought to be laid on it, as if it were important, 1 Tim 4:8.
(c) That which was truly profitable, and which ought to be regarded as important, was godliness; for that had promise of the present life, and of the life to come, 1 Tim 4:8.
(d) Timothy must expect, in giving these instructions, to endure labour and to suffer reproach; nevertheless, he was faithfully to inculcate these important truths, 1 Tim 4:10, 1 Tim 4:11.
III. Various admonitions respecting his personal deportment, 1 Tim 4:12ff.
(a) He was so to live that no one would despise him or his ministry because he was young, 1 Tim 4:12.
(b) He was to give a constant attention to his duties until the apostle should himself return to him, 1 Tim 4:13.
(c) He was carefully to cultivate the gift which had been conferred by his education, and by his ordination to the work of the ministry, 1 Tim 4:14.
(d) He was to meditate on these things, and to give himself wholly to the work, so that his profiting might appear to all, 1 Tim 4:15.
(e) He was to take good heed to himself, and to the manner and matter of his teaching, that he might save himself and those who heard him, 1 Tim 4:16.
Text
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; edit
2: Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; edit
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. edit
4: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: edit
5: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. edit
6: If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. edit
7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. edit
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. edit
9: This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. edit
10: For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. edit
11: These things command and teach. edit
12: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. edit
13: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. edit
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. edit
15: Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. edit
16: Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. edit
