1 Timothy 4

The chapter warns of a future apostasy where some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines that forbid marriage and certain foods. Timothy is exhorted to be a good minister, nourished by sound doctrine, and to exercise himself unto godliness. He is encouraged to be an example to believers and to diligently attend to reading, exhortation, and doctrine, thereby ensuring his own salvation and that of his hearers.

The Apostle Paul, through the Spirit, foretells a future departure from the faith, where individuals will adhere to deceitful spirits and demonic teachings. These false doctrines will manifest as hypocrisy, forbidding marriage and commanding abstinence from foods God created for thankful reception. Paul asserts that all God's creatures are good and to be received with thanksgiving, being sanctified by God's word and prayer. Timothy is instructed to remind the brethren of these truths, thus proving himself a good minister, grounded in faith and sound doctrine. He must reject profane fables and instead cultivate godliness, which holds promise for both present and future life, unlike fleeting bodily exercise. Timothy is further charged to be an example to believers in all aspects of his life, to diligently study and teach, and to nurture the spiritual gift within him, ensuring his progress is evident to all. By giving heed to himself and his doctrine, he will secure salvation for himself and his hearers.

The chapter begins with a solemn prophecy from the Holy Spirit, declaring that in the latter times, some individuals will apostatize from the Christian faith. This departure will involve giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines originating from devils, characterized by hypocrisy and consciences seared as with a hot iron. Specific manifestations of these false teachings include forbidding marriage and commanding abstinence from certain meats. Paul counters these prohibitions by asserting that God created all foods to be received with thanksgiving by believers who know the truth. He emphasizes that every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused if received thankfully, as it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Timothy is then given practical instructions for his ministry. He is to put the brethren in remembrance of these truths, thereby demonstrating himself to be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and sound doctrine. He is explicitly told to reject profane and old wives' fables, and instead to exercise himself diligently unto godliness. Paul contrasts the limited profit of bodily exercise with the immense and enduring value of godliness, which holds promise for both the present life and the life to come. This teaching is presented as a faithful saying, worthy of universal acceptance, and it is for this truth that Paul and his companions labor and endure reproach, trusting in the living God, the Saviour of all, especially believers. Timothy is commanded to teach and enforce these precepts. He is admonished not to let his youth be despised, but rather to serve as an exemplary figure for believers in his speech, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. Until Paul's arrival, Timothy is to dedicate himself to public reading of scripture, exhortation, and doctrine. He is not to neglect the spiritual gift he received through prophecy and the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Finally, Timothy is urged to meditate deeply on these things, to give himself entirely to them so that his spiritual progress is evident to all. The chapter concludes with a critical charge: to take heed to himself and to his doctrine, and to persevere in them, for in so doing, he will ensure the salvation of both himself and those who hear him.