Verse By Verse Through First Timothy

Chapter Four

I Timothy 4:1-3 “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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 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.”

• The Spirit speaking distinctly (II Samuel 23:1-2, Mark 12:36, Acts 1:16, Acts 13:1-4, Hebrews 3:7-11, and II Peter 1:20-21).
• The Spirit foretold that in the latter times some would depart from the faith. There were many prophecies concerning apostasies that would arise in the near future (Acts 20:28-31, II Thessalonians 2:1-3, II Timothy 3:1-13, II Timothy 4:1-5, and Jude 1:17-18).
• God is certainly aware of what is coming (Isaiah 46:9-10).
• This is not describing an apostasy thousands of years in the future. Timothy himself was warned concerning it, and he was instructed how to address it (I Timothy 4:6). The reference to seducing spirits further places this during the period of miraculous spiritual activity (cf. II Corinthians 11:3-4, I John 4:1, and Revelation 16:13).
• We know that spiritual gifts were temporary (I Corinthians 12:3-13:13). Spiritual gifts were directly tied to the laying on of the Apostle’s hands (Acts 8:12-24 and Acts 19:1-7). So, this specific apostasy is during that time.
• There would be those who worshipped devils (Revelation 9:20).
• Speaking lies (Jeremiah 23:14, Matthew 24:24, and Revelation 16:14) in hypocrisy (Romans 2:17-29).
• A seared conscience (Romans 1:18-32 and Ephesians 4:17-19).
• Marriage is honorable (Mark 10:6-9 and Hebrews 13:4).
• Man cannot create laws that are restrictive even in matters of liberty (Mark 7:1-13, Romans 14:1-10, and Colossians 2:16-23). There is one law-giver (James 4:11-12).
• Remember, this principle also applies to eating (I Corinthians 8:8).
• God permits the eating of meats, as in creatures of the earth as the context bears out in the next verse (cf. Genesis 9:1-3).
• The Law of Moses restrictions (Leviticus 11:1-47) are no longer in effect, for the Law was done away in Christ (Romans 7:1-6). *The next verse speaks further on this.
• Don’t call what God has called clean unclean (Acts 10:9-16 and Acts 11:7-9).
• Saints give thanks for what we eat (Mark 8:6 and Acts 27:35).
• Those which believe and know the truth (Colossians 1:4-6).
• These false teachers progressed from deception to hypocrisy until they bound upon others restrictions God never authorized.

• Every creature of God is good and is not to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving. Before eating, thanks is to be offered (Matthew 15:36, Acts 27:35, and Romans 14:6).
• It is sanctified by the word of God, which declares it clean (Romans 14:14 and Romans 14:20).

• The work of an evangelist very much involves reminding brethren of things they have previously been taught (I Corinthians 4:17, II Timothy 2:14, II Peter 1:12-15, II Peter 3:1-2, and Jude 1:5).
• "These things" refers to the matters discussed in the first five verses of this chapter (I Timothy 4:1-5) according to our modern chapter divisions. Chapter three was mostly about how Timothy was to behave himself in the body of Christ during Paul’s absence regarding putting bishops and deacons in place in the congregation (I Timothy 3:1-15).
• Herein we find Timothy the evangelist (II Timothy 4:5) also called a “minister.” This is not a title. It simply describes him as a servant. It is the same Greek word “διάκονος” (Strong’s # 1249) used to describe the work of a deacon (I Timothy 3:8 and I Timothy 3:12). See the notes there for more on the usage of “διάκονος.”
• This is just further evidence for why “titles” are not to be passed out among workers in the kingdom. Jesus strongly condemned seeking honor through religious titles (Matthew 23:1-12).
• Back to the point… Timothy needs to do the work the right way to be known as a good or "faithful minister" (cf. Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7).
• By faithfully executing the work of an evangelist it would be evident that Timothy was nourished up in the words of faith and sound doctrine (Luke 6:43-45). We will talk more of that later in this chapter (I Timothy 4:11-16).
• Timothy had been taught the truth from childhood. He has the understanding he needs to have (II Timothy 3:14-17). Remember that before Timothy began laboring with Paul, he already had a good reputation among the brethren (Acts 16:1-5).

• Timothy is told to refuse profane fables [tales; speech] (I Timothy 6:20 and II Timothy 2:14-16).
• Timothy is told to refuse old wives’ fables (II Timothy 4:3-4 and Titus 1:14).
• Those who have been taught right need to refuse that which would cause what they have been taught to be corrupted (Proverbs 14:7, Proverbs 19:27, Matthew 16:6-12, Ephesians 5:6-11, II John 1:9-11, Hebrews 13:9, and Revelation 2:14-16).
• Exercise [γυμνάζω] is defined: “to practice naked (in the games), that is, train (figuratively): - exercise” (Strong’s # 1128). “1) to exercise naked (in a palaestra or school of athletics); 2) to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon). Three other occurrences (Hebrews 5:14, Hebrews 12:11, and II Peter 2:14).
• Contextually, this is not about physical; bodily exercise (I Timothy 4:8).
• The point is to get to work on godly behavior (I Timothy 6:11 and II Peter 3:11).

• Physical training profits little because your physical body is going to perish (Ecclesiastes 3:20-21, II Corinthians 4:16, and Hebrews 9:27).
• No matter how physically healthy you are, you can’t stop time and chance (Ecclesiastes 9:10-12).
• Realize that you are a soul with a body, not the other way around (Genesis 2:7 and James 2:26).
• But godliness is profitable unto all things (I Timothy 6:3-12).
• Having said all of that, there is a degree in which we must think of and take reasonable care of our physical bodies (I Corinthians 6:12-20).
• Godliness has the promise of the life that now is (I Timothy 6:6).
• Godliness has the promise of the life to come (Titus 2:11-14 and II Peter 3:9-14).

• In contrast to the profane fables (I Timothy 4:7), what Paul has just stated is a faithful [trustworthy] saying worthy of all acceptation (cf. I Timothy 1:15).
• The inspired Apostle Paul (I Corinthians 2:1-13 and Galatians 1:10-12) is writing the truth (I Timothy 2:7).

• “For therefore” ties back to the faithful saying concerning godliness being profitable and having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (I Timothy 4:8-9).
• Saints, especially those doing the WORK of an evangelist (II Timothy 4:5), must be willing to work in a godly fashion for life now and to come (Isaiah 3:10-11, John 5:28-29, Romans 2:1-6, I Corinthians 15:58, and Galatians 6:7-10).
• Think about the penman of this verse [Paul] and his attitude regarding spiritual labor (I Corinthians 15:9-10).
• Saints must be willing to suffer reproach [be reviled] in a godly fashion for life now and to come (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:22-26, I Peter 4:12-19, and Revelation 2:10).
• What keeps us moving is our trust [hope] in God (I Timothy 6:17 and I Peter 1:13). We are saved by hope, patiently waiting for what we do not yet see (Romans 8:24-25).
• God is the living God, in contrast to the other gods men look to (Jeremiah 10:1-10).
• God is our Savior (Luke 1:46-47, I Timothy 1:1, Titus 2:13, and Titus 3:3-7).
• Regarding the phrase “specially those that believe” cannot mean that all men will ultimately be saved, because that would contradict Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 25:31-46, II Thessalonians 1:7-9, I Peter 4:17-19, and numerous other passages.
• The only meaning that makes sense is that He is the only savior for all through Jesus Christ (I John 2:1-2). Yet, particularly those who are obedient believers (Hebrews 5:8-9).

• The work of an evangelist is, in part, to “preach the word” (II Timothy 4:2).
• So, of course, that means to cover what Paul had written because that is, in part, the word (I Corinthians 2:9-13, I Corinthians 14:37, Galatians 1:10-12, I Thessalonians 4:1-2, etc.).
• To “command” is to “to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - (give in) charge, (give) command (-ment), declare” (Strong’s 3 3853). We have seen this word already in this letter (I Timothy 1:3). While this is certainly the same word used in Matthew 10:5, Mark 6:8, Acts 17:30, and other passages that include authority, remember something about the authority of evangelists. Evangelist have limited authority (I Corinthians 4:17, II Timothy 2:2, and Titus 2:15).
• To “teach” is to: “A prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb δάω daō (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application): - teach” (Strong’s # 1321). Thayer defines the term as: “1) to teach; 1a) to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses; 1b) to be a teacher; 1c) to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one’s self as a teacher; 2) to teach one; 2a) to impart instruction; 2b) instill doctrine into one; 2c) the thing taught or enjoined; 2d) to explain or expound a thing; 2f) to teach one something.” There is to be work in teaching beyond just stating the truth (Nehemiah 8:1-8, Acts 17:1-3, Acts 20:20, and Acts 28:23).

• The word “despise” [καταφρονέω] meaning: “to think against, that is, disesteem: - despise” (Strong’s # 2706).
• Timothy is being directed not to allow his youth to be something that someone thinks against. There are things that tend to be seen among the young (cf. II Timothy 2:22).
• Wisdom is generally thought to be found among the older ones (Jeremiah 5:5). Of course, there are exceptions (Job 32:9).
• Timothy has to be on guard. He has to show wisdom beyond his years. He has to be diligent in showing himself approved unto God (II Timothy 2:15).
• He is to be an example of believers (Titus 2:7-8).
• He is to be an example of believers in word (Ephesians 4:29).
• He is to be an example of believers in conversation [behavior] (James 3:13).
• He is to be an example of believers in charity (Ephesians 5:2).
• He is to be an example of believers in spirit (Ephesians 4:23).
• He is to be an example of believers in faith (Hebrews 10:22).
• He is to be an example of believers in purity (I Timothy 5:22).