Discovery Box1 Timothy 4:1-15
Context4:1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves 1 with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings, 2 4:2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars 3 whose consciences are seared. 4 4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4:4 For every creation of God is good and no food 5 is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. 4:5 For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
4:6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, 6 you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 4:7 But reject those myths 8 fit only for the godless and gullible, 9 and train yourself for godliness. 4:8 For “physical exercise 10 has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” 4:9 This saying 11 is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 4:10 In fact this is why 12 we work hard and struggle, 13 because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, 14 especially of believers.
4:11 Command and teach these things. 4:12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, 15 and purity. 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, 16 to exhortation, to teaching. 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, 17 given to you and confirmed by prophetic words 18 when the elders laid hands on you. 19 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. 20
[4:1] 1 tn Or “desert the faith by occupying themselves.”
[4:1] 2 tn Grk “teachings of demons” (speaking of the source of these doctrines).
[4:2] 3 tn Grk “in the hypocrisy of liars.”
[4:2] 4 tn Or “branded.” The Greek verb καυστηριάζω (kausthriazw) can be used to refer either to the cause (“brand”) or the effect (“seared”).
[4:6] 6 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).
[4:6] 7 sn By pointing out…you have followed. This verse gives a theme statement for what follows in the chapter about Timothy’s ministry. The situation in Ephesus requires him to be a good servant of Christ, and he will do that by sound teaching and by living an exemplary life himself.
[4:7] 8 sn Those myths refer to legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Tim 1:4; 2 Tim 4:4; and Titus 1:14.
[4:7] 9 tn Grk “the godless and old-wifely myths.”
[4:8] 10 tn Grk “bodily training” (using the noun form of the verb “train” in v. 7b).
[4:10] 12 tn Grk “for toward this,” denoting purpose. The conjunction “for” gives confirmation or emphasis to 1 Tim 4:8-9.
[4:10] 13 tc A number of
[4:10] 14 tn The plural Greek term ἀνθρώπων (anqrwpwn) is used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, and is thus translated “people.”
[4:14] 18 tn Grk “which was given to you through prophecy.” Here as in 2:15 the preposition “through” denotes not “means” but accompanying circumstances: “accompanied by prophecy.”
[4:14] 19 tn Grk “with the imposition of the hands of the presbytery” (i.e., the council of elders).
[4:15] 20 tn Grk “that your progress may be evident to all.”
