1 Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4

Paul warns in this portion of his letter to Timothy that many will fall away from the faith. He reminds of the freedom God provided through Jesus and give Timothy a diverse supply of instruction concerning himself, doctrine, and the people placed in the care of his ministry.

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

(2 Thess. 2:1-17) Paul warns again that people will fall prey to false teachings and leave the faith, the sound doctrine of the gospel and listen to men who claim to be led by the Spirit, but are actually following seductive spirits. (1 John 4:1 – not every spirit is the Holy Spirit) One of the things that will lead people astray is the doctrine concerning demons. Specifically the doctrines that call men to worship angels and saints as a middle sort of deity – somewhere above men, yet under God. (God specifically says that man is above the angels.) Remember too that the church in Rome had it’s very beginnings at this time and had already begun making shrines to martyrs, paying honor to them, erecting alters and burning incense, making prayers and praises to honor saints who were dead and believing that their spirits were somehow able to work on their behalf. This was the beginning of the apostasy, of the falling away. They had begun to forbid their clergy to marry, and to abstain from certain foods at specific times and seasons. Paul reminds them that everything God created was good and reminds them again of their freedom in Christ. This is also where we get the practice of saying “grace” over our meals. Notice though, that meals only needs to be received with thanksgiving, and that everything is already consecrated by the word of God and prayer… Not that we have to pray over it to consecrate it.

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

These deceits should not come as a surprise, since the Holy Spirit already warned us of this. We should always be on guard to the seductions of the enemy. Freedom is a precious gift that must be guarded and protected or it will be taken or given away without us even realizing it. Think of Jesus as a soldier who won our freedom in war – now it is up to us to be certain it is not taken away again. This is why we read the word, this is why we pray both in the Spirit and in our own languages, this is why we gather together and study. Because if you don’t know what you have, it can and will be taken from you and you won’t miss it until it is too late to get it back. Paul and those he trained took their labor seriously – to train the people so they did not fall prey to the enemy. Just as physical exercise is important and a benefit to the body, so spiritual exercise is good for the spirit and a benefit to even more than the spirit, because the mind and body also benefit. The spirit that is renewed will live forever with our Lord.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Paul tells Timothy to make sure he teaches these things that he has included in this letter, setting an example for others in all ways – speech, his life style and attitude, in his love for others, in faith and in pureness of spirit. He encouraged him not to feel inadequate due to his young age and not ti allow others to try to discredit him for that reason. Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with physical age, but sometimes people have a habit of judging by outward appearances. This made it even more important that Timothy set an example for others – his spiritual maturity would show through his actions and gain him the respect that his young appearance would not. The gifts of God will become dull if they are not used regularly. So Paul wanted to be certain that Timothy did not allow his gift to become dull with disuse.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Timothy is told to be diligent, to persevere, and immerse himself completely, so that he would remain sharp at all times in the things of God. When we do not allow distractions to “clog” the flow of the spirit in our lives, we are much more powerful and effective and the gifts of God in us are more evident. This is what Paul is telling Timothy in these verses. He lastly encourages Timothy that it is not just for himself that he does these things, but for the benefit of all who hear him. Our lives impact people around us even when we are unaware – this is why we have been called to a higher standard – so that our very interactions with people create an impact and an opportunity for God to set them free.