1 Timothy Chapter 4

Timothy’s Ministry in the Later Times

4:1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,

The Greek word for "explicitly" is ῥητῶς (raytos), meaning in very distinct words. The Holy Spirit spoke to Paul in very distinct words and allowed him to see into the future. Paul is going to pass this divine information to Timothy.

The latter times is the time period that is rapidly coming upon the new infant church. Paul warned Timothy that as pastor, he is going to experience professing believers deserting from the faith and following doctrines of demons. This seduction had already begun during the ministry of Paul and it would increase in the ministry of Timothy. It will increase in time all the way through the Great Tribulation.

Timothy will see professing believers eventually depart from the true faith that is taught in the local churches. They will begin to follow these doctrines of demons. The doctrines of demons are truth mixed with error.

There are many doctrines of demons today, such as evolution, Mormonism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Catholicism, prosperity churches, Seventh Day Adventists, charismatic prophets, faith healers, Ouiji boards, tarot cards, crystal balls, tongue speaking, fortune telling, seances, speaking to the dead, kabalah, drugs, and many others. Most of these disciplines listed would fit under the category of white magic. Satan uses black magic as an extreme to scare a possible convert into the more milder, innocent, and civilized white magic. The demonic world will find whatever one is interested in and lead them in that direction, as long as it is away from Scripture. Demons will allow baby Christians to pick their own poison. One cannot learn the mind of Christ without the Bible, and the demons do not want the mind of Christ inside believers. Knowledge of Bible doctrine is the only defense against white magic.

4:2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.

These apostates will appear to be very sincere, pious, and religious, but this is a deception to seduce others into demonic teachings. The apostates will be able to do this, because their conscience is seared. They have rejected the truth, so now they believe and teach the lie. God gave them over to deception. The biggest deceivers today are the pastors of charismatic churches. They falsely claim to have divine revelation outside of the written Word of God.

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.

Many of the Essenes that lived in the days of Jesus were apostates who refused to allow marriage. Cults and isms have been around for a long time. Paul and Timothy saw them in their day. Some of these cults forced diet restrictions upon their cult followers.

4:4 For every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.

The Mosaic Law was over. God no longer had any diet restrictions on food. All food was to be received with thanksgiving. Health food industries want to trick people into thinning that their product is better than others.

4:5 For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.

All food was set apart as holy for God's use. Food gives the body energy to fulfill God's will.  

4:6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, 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.

Timothy was to point out to the brothers and sisters in Ephesus that many professing Christians would pretend to be believers, and then they would depart from the faith. For Timothy to be a good servant of Christ, he must feed himself the Word of God. If he feeds himself the Word of God, then good teaching will come out of his mouth.

4:7 But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.

There were a lot of cults and isms in the city of Ephesus. Timothy was to study the Word of God and reject all of the myths that were prevalent in the Ephesian culture. Those myths would deceive the godless and gullible, but they would not deceive Timothy if he trained himself for godliness by studying the written Scriptures.

4:8 For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”

The Olympic Games were held in Ephesus. There was a coliseum there that held 100,000 spectators. Paul taught three years in Ephesus, so he knew athletics. The Ephesians were preoccupied with these Olympic Games. There are many people all over the world who spend more time in athletics than they do in the Word of God. Paul is telling Timothy that the people need to hold things in perspective. They need to concentrate on what is most important. Bodily exercise will help in this life, but everyone will receive a new glorified body in the life to come. Therefore, spend less time exercising and more time in the Word of God. Do not let athletics be your god.

4:9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.

The Ephesians will benefit their bodies more by studying Scripture rather than exercising. This is a saying that the Ephesians can trust. They need to accept it completely.

4:10 In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

Notice that Jesus is the Savior of all people, especially the believers. Five-point Calvinists teach limited atonement, meaning that Christ died only for the elect. This verse disproves the five-point theory. Four-point Calvinists believe in unlimited atonement, meaning that Christ died for all men, but only those who believe will be saved. This verse confirms the four-point doctrine.

4:11 Command and teach these things.

Timothy was commanded to teach all of these things to the Ephesians, including the doctrine of unlimited atonement.

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, and purity.

Timothy was a young man and he may have been intimidated by older men who despised his youth. Paul's command to Timothy was not to worry about his youth. He was just to teach Bible doctrine and be a good example to other believers. He was not to act like a foolish young man.

4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

The Greek word for exhortation is παράκλησις (paralysis), meaning to encourage and comfort. Timothy was to publicly read the Scriptures and then encourage his congregation and teach them what the Scriptures mean. This is an example of expository teaching. Paul commanded Timothy to become an expository teacher.

4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.

Every believer is given at least one or more spiritual gifts at conversion. Paul prophesied to Timothy what he would do. The elders laid hands on Timothy to identify him with the Lord's work. The laying on of hands was only a symbolic gesture of Timothy being united with the apostles and with Christ. There was no magical transfer of power, like some charismatics claim. Many charismatics will falsely use this verb to create a false doctrine of transferring spiritual gifts, especially the gift of tongues, by the laying on of hands.

4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.

The Greek word for "take pains" is μελετάω (meletaow), a present active imperative verb, meaning a command to continually meditate, ponder, and study all of these things that Paul had mentioned. The Bible never commands a believer to read the Bible. Instead, it commands him to meditate or study the Word of God. According to Ephesians 4, the Holy Spirit has raised up gifted pastor-teachers to help the saints mature in the faith.

The biggest sin of Christians today is their lack of Bible doctrine. Pastors are too lazy to study the Word of God. Believers are too busy to study the Word of God. Both of these excuses are human viewpoint arrogance. It is arrogant to think that personal problems, laziness, or lack of time is a reason for not studying the Bible.

Timothy is to study so that his congregation can see his progress.

4:16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

The Greek word for "be conscientious" is ἐπέχω (epechow), a present active imperative verb, meaning a command to continually not hold back from teaching the Word of God. Timothy as a pastor-teacher is to live what he teaches. Timothy is commanded to persevere in teaching and applying the Word of God in his life, because he will save himself and his congregation from becoming a casualty in the angelic conflict.