1 Timothy 4
4
False Asceticism.#Doctrinal deviations from the true Christian message within the church have been prophesied, though the origin of the prophecy is not specified (1 Tm 4:1–2); cf. Acts 20:29–30. The letter warns against a false asceticism that prohibits marriage and regards certain foods as forbidden, though they are part of God’s good creation (1 Tm 4:3). 1Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will turn away from the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and demonic instructions#2 Tm 3:1; 4:3; 2 Pt 3:3; Jude 18. 2through the hypocrisy of liars with branded consciences. 3They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.#Gn 9:3; Rom 14:6; 1 Cor 10:30–31. 4For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving,#Gn 1:31; Acts 10:15. 5for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer.#The invocation of God in prayer: literally, “the word of God and petition.” The use of “word of God” without an article in Greek suggests that it refers to the name of God being invoked in blessing rather than to the “word of God” proclaimed to the community.
Counsel to Timothy. 6#Timothy is urged to be faithful, both in his teaching and in his own life, as he looks only to God for salvation. If you will give these instructions to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching you have followed. 7Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion,#1:4; 2 Tm 2:16; Ti 1:14. 8for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future.#6:6. 9This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.#1:15; 2 Tm 2:11; Ti 3:8. 10For this we toil and struggle,#Struggle: other manuscripts and patristic witnesses read “suffer reproach.” because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe.#2:4; Ti 2:11.
11#Timothy is urged to preach and teach with confidence, relying on the gifts and the mission that God has bestowed on him. Command and teach these things. 12Let no one have contempt for your youth,#Youth: some commentators find this reference a sign of pseudepigraphy. Timothy had joined Paul as a missionary already in A.D. 49, some fifteen years before the earliest supposed date of composition. but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.#1 Cor 16:11; Ti 2:15 / Phil 3:17. 13Until I arrive, attend to the reading,#Reading: the Greek word refers to private or public reading. Here, it probably designates the public reading of scripture in the Christian assembly. exhortation, and teaching. 14Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word#Prophetic word: this may mean the utterance of a Christian prophet designating the candidate or a prayer of blessing accompanying the rite. Imposition of hands: this gesture was used in the Old Testament to signify the transmission of authority from Moses to Joshua (Nm 27:18–23; Dt 34:9). The early Christian community used it as a symbol of installation into an office: the Seven (Acts 6:6) and Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:3). Of the presbyterate: this would mean that each member of the college of presbyters imposed hands and appears to contradict 2 Tm 1:6, in which Paul says that he imposed hands on Timothy. This latter text, however, does not exclude participation by others in the rite. Some prefer to translate “for the presbyterate,” and thus understand it to designate the office into which Timothy was installed rather than the agents who installed him. with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.#5:22; Acts 6:6; 8:17; 2 Tm 1:6. 15Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. 16Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
1 Timothy 4
4
A Prophecy about the Last Times
1The Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will believe the teachings of demons. 2These people will speak lies disguised as truth. Their consciences have been scarred as if branded by a red-hot iron. 3They will try to stop others from getting married and from eating certain foods. God created food to be received with prayers of thanks by those who believe and know the truth. 4Everything God created is good. Nothing should be rejected if it is received with prayers of thanks. 5God’s word and prayer set it apart as holy.
Guidelines for Serving Christ
6You are a good servant of Christ Jesus when you point these things out to our brothers and sisters. Then you will be nourished by the words of the Christian faith and the excellent teachings which you have followed closely. 7Don’t have anything to do with godless myths that old women like to tell. Rather, train yourself to live a godly life. 8Training the body helps a little, but godly living helps in every way. Godly living has the promise of life now and in the world to come. 9This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance. 10Certainly, we work hard and struggle to live a godly life, because we place our confidence in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11Insist on these things and teach them. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers. 13Until I get there, concentrate on reading ⌞Scripture⌟ in worship, giving encouraging messages, and teaching people. 14Don’t neglect the gift which you received through prophecy when the spiritual leaders #4:14 Or “pastors,” or “elders.” placed their hands on you ⌞to ordain you⌟. 15Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress. 16Focus on your life and your teaching. Continue to do what I’ve told you. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you.
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