Table of Contents For 1 Timothy 4 READ THE APPROPRIATE CHAPTER Page 42 READ AND DISCUSS EACH VERSE AND TRANSLATION AMONG YOUR GROUP (1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER FOUR). Page 43 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER FOUR). Page 50 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR DISCUSSION AMONG YOUR GROUP (1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER FOUR). Page 51 1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER 4 In Your Group Read 1 Timothy chapter four (aloud) in a modern translation or read it in the King James Version (below). As a Group, Discuss the general content of the chapter. THE LETTER OF 1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER 4 King James Version 1 TIMOTHY 4: [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 of them which 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 up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. [7] But refuse 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 therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that 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 conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. [13] Till 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 the hands of 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 42 doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GROUP: Read and Discuss each verse and translation along with the “Additional Information” in each box provided. 1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER 4 VERSES 1-2 1 Timothy 4: [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; (King James Version) 1Now the Holy Spirit clearly says that in the later times some people will stop believing the faith. They will follow spirits that lie and teachings of demons. 2 Such teachings come from the false words of liars whose consciences are destroyed as if by a hot iron. (New Century Version) 1God’s Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons. 2 They will also be fooled by the false claims of liars whose consciences have lost all feeling. (Contemporary English Version) The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth. (verses 1-2) (The Message) God’s Spirit specifically tells us that in later days there will be men who abandon the true faith and allow themselves to be spiritually seduced by teachings of demons, teachings given by men who are lying hypocrites, whose consciences are as dead as seared flesh. (verses 1-2) (Phillips Translation) [1] The Spirit has explicitly said that during the last times there will be some who will desert the faith and choose to listen to deceitful spirits and doctrines that come from the devils; [2] and the cause of this is the lies told by hypocrites whose consciences are branded as though with a red-hot iron. (Jerusalem Bible) [1] Now, the Spirit clearly states that in the future some will turn away from the faith and be followers of spirits that deceive them, and of demonic teachings [2] taught by hypocritical liars, whose consciences are as dead as though seared by a red-hot iron. (The New Translation) [1] The Spirit says clearly that later on some people will lose their faith as they listen to the teachings of demons and false prophets who claim to have the Spirit. [2] Such false prophets are liars who pretend to be teaching the truth, and their 43 consciences are dead, as if they had been burned with a hot iron. (New Testament in Everyday American English) [1] The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the later times some people will stop believing the true faith (teaching). Those people will obey spirits that tell lies. And those people will follow the teachings of demons. [2] Those teachings come through men who tell lies and trick people. Those men cannot see what is right and what is wrong. It is like their understanding was destroyed by a hot iron. (The-Easy-to-Read- Version) Additional Information: (Verse 1) – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly.” The Apostle Paul repeats to Timothy the warning he had given many years earlier to the Ephesian elders: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:29-30). The Spirit of God through the Scriptures has repeatedly warned of the danger of turning away from the Christian faith (See Matt. 24:4, 12; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Thess. 2:3; Heb. 3:12; 6:6; 10:29; 1 Jn. 2:18-19; Jude 3). “Depart” from the faith. The Greek word for “depart” is aphistemi and means to remove, desist or desert. It is translated depart, draw away, fall away, refrain and withdraw self (Strong’s Lexicon). It is the source of our English word “apostatize, and refers to someone moving away from an original position, that is, professing Christians who defect after believing lies and deceptions of the devil. “Depart from the faith” may be translated: “will abandon the Christian faith,” “will apostatize,” “will stop being Christians” (Help for Translators, p. 37). “Giving heed to seducing spirits.” The Greek means more than simply “pay attention to”; here it means “to follow,” “to obey,” “to give allegiance to.” (Help for Translators, p. 37). “Doctrine of devils” are not teachings about demons, but false teaching that originates from them. The goal is to pervert and corrupt God’s Word by turning Christians from the apostles doctrine (See Acts 2:42). Teaching of demons are transmitted through false teachings that claims to be teaching that is inspired by God. (Verse 2) - “Speaking lies in hypocrisy.” “Hypocrisy” is the Greek word hupokrisis and means the acting of a stage-player, deceit, pretence. A feigning to be what one is not. “Having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (“whose consciences are dead, as if burnt with a hot iron). As your finger is numb when it has been burned with a hot iron, so too their consciences are numbed by the searing of sin. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol.2, p.635) The meaning is that these false teachers no longer are able to distinguish truth from error. Like skin that has lost all its feeling after being badly burned, so their consciences are dead. (Helps for Translators, p. 38). Write us to receive our free newsletter containing information of what we are doing in the U.S. and overseas. Discipleship Evangelism P.O. Box 17007 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80935-7007 U.S.A. www.delessons.org www.krowtracts.com 44 1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER 4 VERSES 3-5 1 Timothy 4: [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which 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. (King James Version) [3] men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. [4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; [5] for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. (New American Standard) 3 will forbid people to marry or to eat certain foods. But God created these foods to be eaten with thankful hearts by his followers who know the truth. 4 Everything God created is good. And if you give thanks, you may eat anything. 5 What God has said and your prayer will make it fit to eat. (Contemporary English Version) These men forbid marriage and command abstinence from foods – good things which God created to be thankfully enjoyed by those who believe in him and know the truth.