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| Chapter 4 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ 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, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer. 6 ¶ If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of good doctrine unto which thou hast attained. 7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefor we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in manner of living, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and those who hear thee. |
v1-5 Paul now warns Timothy of the false teachers coming into the ministry. He had already given the Ephesus elders warnings Acts 20:28-31, and these false teachers would come from within the church. Paul lists what to watch for: v1 Controlled by Satan. The only place where demonic powers are mentioned in the Pastoral letters. 2 Cor 11:13-15 tells us that Satan and his ministers can imitate (copy) God's ministers, but one thing they cannot do is give glory to Jesus Christ 1 John 4:1-6. Note that Satan was even able to use Peter to try to lead Jesus away from the path to the cross Matt 16:21-23. v1 They lead people away from the truth. They want to lead people away from the Christian faith, apostasy. Usually they may take people into a cult, but unfortunately the local church can also turn away the true doctrine and the Christian Faith. v2 Hypocrites These false teachers preach one message but live another way, liars, pretending. Matt 7:15-23."Conscience seared with a hot iron." Their mind is burnt so it does not respond to the truth. v3-5 Deny or change the Word of God The False teachers in Ephesus were mixing Jewish Teaching with Eastern teaching on self punishment. See Col 2:8-23. They were teaching that an unmarried life was more spiritual, opposite to what God meant Gen 2:18. Jesus said that not all will marry Matt 19:10-12 but put His seal of approval on normal marriage Matt 19:1-9. v3-4 These teachers were also making what was eaten part of religion, Jesus said that all food is clean Mark 7:14-23; Acts 10:9-16. However, we must remember the comments made by Paul Rom 14:13-23 on our freedom hurting weaker Christians. v5,6 Paul reminds Timothy that all his actions are sanctified by following the Word of God and spending time in prayer. Very important for his ministry and leadership. He must reject anything which is false. v7-12 Practice what you teach. Using the athlete as an example Paul teaches that our spiritual attitude should be as if we are preparing for or running a race, eating the right food and doing the right exercises. Spiritual exercise is not easy, "we both labor and suffer reproach," v10, but we have our trust in a living God. v10 "The Savior of all men," does not indicate that all will be saved, that God will save all, even though they have rejected Him. A person has to admit that they are sinners and then asked to be forgiven, through the death of Jesus on the cross, it is available to all, but many reject this gift of life. v12 Timothy was encourage to be an example to believers, youth normally applies to 20-40 year olds. It is thought that Timothy was in his early 30's. He tells Timothy to live by the Word, in love, spirit, faith and purity. In faith shows that he was to trust God in all he does. In purity was important as Ephesus was the center of sexual impurity and this would put many temptations before the young Timothy. v13-16 Grow in your ministry The whole aim of these instructions was to help Timothy grow in the Lord, that "profiting may appear to all." or "all those in the church may see your progress" The original Greek actually was used to refer to a soldier whose job was to prepare the way before the main soldiers. A pastor must always prepare properly before teaching the church. v13 Give yourself to: exhortation or encouragement and the studying of the Word of God, doctrine. It was normal in the synagogues and early church for the Word of God to be read out as part of the service worship, Luke 4:16ff; Acts 13:14,15. Unfortunately this is not now the normal in many churches, a few verses that the preacher wants to use is often all that is read. v14 Spiritual gifts. Every Christian is given at least one gift by the Holy Spirit, note v11 in 1 Cor 12:1-11. Extra gifts are given to those called into special posts in the ministry. Here Paul is encouraging Timothy to use those gifts given to him by the Spirit when the elders appointed him as leader. God supplies the abilities for any work He calls us into. v16 Always examine yourself and your heart against the Word of God. 1 Cor 10:12; Acts 20:28-31. All our personal ministry, what ever God has called us to do, must be to His Glory alone. Phil 2:13. |
Easy English Translation
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