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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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
1 Timothy 4
4
Some Will Depart from the Faith
1Now #See John 14:17 the Spirit expressly says that #[2 Thess. 2:3-9; 2 Tim. 3:1]; See 1 Cor. 11:19 in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to #1 John 4:6 (Gk.); See Matt. 7:15deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2through the insincerity of #[1 Thess. 2:3; 2 Thess. 2:11]liars whose consciences are seared, 3#[Dan. 11:37; Heb. 13:4] who forbid marriage and #See Col. 2:16 require abstinence from foods #Gen. 1:29; 9:3 that God created #See Rom. 14:6to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4For #Gen. 1:31 everything created by God is good, and #See Acts 10:15 nothing is to be rejected if it is #[See ver. 3 above]received with thanksgiving, 5for it is made holy #Gen. 1:25, 31by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6 # [2 Tim. 3:14, 15] If you put these things before the brothers,#4:6 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have #2 Tim. 3:10followed. 7Have nothing to do with irreverent, #See ch. 1:4 silly myths. Rather #Heb. 5:14train yourself for godliness; 8for while #[Col. 2:23] bodily training is of some value, godliness #[ch. 6:6] is of value in every way, as #Ps. 37:4, 9, 11; 84:11; 112:2; 145:19; Prov. 19:23; 22:4; Matt. 6:33; Mark 10:30; 1 Pet. 3:9it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9The saying is #See ch. 1:15trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10For to this end we toil and strive,#4:10 Some manuscripts and suffer reproach because we have our hope set on the living God, #See ch. 2:4; John 4:42who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11Command and teach #ch. 5:7; 6:2these things. 12#1 Cor. 16:11; [2 Tim. 2:22; Titus 2:15] Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers #Titus 2:7; 1 Pet. 5:3an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14#See 1 Thess. 5:19 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you #ch. 1:18 by prophecy when the council of elders #See Acts 6:6laid their hands on you. 15Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,#4:15 Greek be in them so that #Phil. 1:12all may see your progress. 16#[Acts 20:28] Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save #Ezek. 33:9 both yourself and #See Rom. 11:14your hearers.
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