1 Timothy 4

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

The chapter begins with the Spirit's declaration that in later times some will abandon the faith, following deceitful spirits, hypocritical liars, and teachings that prohibit marriage and certain foods created by God. Paul explains to Timothy that everything God created is good and should be received with thanksgiving, being sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Timothy is instructed to point these matters out to the brothers, reject silly myths, and train himself for godliness, which holds promise for the present and future life. He is commanded to teach these things and let no one look down on his youth, but instead set an example for believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until Paul's arrival, Timothy must devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching, without neglecting the spiritual gift given to him through prophecy and the laying on of hands by the elders. Finally, Timothy is urged to be diligent, pay close attention to his life and teaching, and persevere in these practices so that his progress is evident to all.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, ²influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. ³They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, ⁵because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. ⁶By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed. ⁷But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. ⁸For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. ⁹This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance. ¹⁰To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. ¹¹Command and teach these things. ¹²Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. ¹⁵Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ¹⁶Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.