1Der GeistG4151 aberG1161 sagtG3004 ausdrücklichG4490, daßG3754 inG1722 den letztenG5306 ZeitenG2540 etlicheG5100 von dem GlaubenG4102 abfallenG868 werden, indem sie achtenG4337 auf betrügerischeG4108 GeisterG4151 undG2532 LehrenG1319 von DämonenG1140, 2die inG1722 HeucheleiG5272 Lügen redenG5573 und betreffs des eigenenG2398 GewissensG4893 wie mit einem Brenneisen gehärtetG2743 sind, 3verbietenG2967 zu heiratenG1060, und gebieten, sichG567 von SpeisenG1033 zu enthaltenG567, welcheG3739 GottG2316 geschaffenG2936 hat zurG1519 AnnehmungG3336 mitG3326 DanksagungG2169 für die, welche glaubenG4103 undG2532 die WahrheitG225 erkennenG1921. 4DennG3754 jedesG3956 GeschöpfG2938 GottesG2316 ist gutG2570 undG2532 nichtsG3762 verwerflichG579, wenn es mitG3326 DanksagungG2169 genommenG2983 wird; 5dennG1063 es wird geheiligtG37 durchG1223 GottesG2316 WortG3056 undG2532 durch GebetG1783. 6Wenn du diesesG5023 den BrüdernG80 vorstellstG5294, so wirstG2071 du ein guterG2570 DienerG1249 ChristiG5547 JesuG2424 seinG2071, auferzogenG1789 durch die WorteG3056 des GlaubensG4102 undG2532 der gutenG2570 LehreG1319, welcherG3739 du genau gefolgtG3877 bist. 7Die ungöttlichenG952 undG2532 altweibischenG1126 FabelnG3454 aberG1161 weise abG3868, übeG1128 dichG4572 aberG1161 zurG4314 GottseligkeitG2150; 8dennG1063 die leiblicheG4984 ÜbungG1129 istG2076 zuG4314 wenigemG3641 nützeG5624, die GottseligkeitG2150 aberG1161 istG2076 zuG4314 allen DingenG3956 nützeG5624, indem sie die VerheißungG1860 des LebensG2222 hatG2192, des jetzigenG3568 undG2532 des zukünftigenG3195. 9Das WortG3056 ist gewißG4103 undG2532 allerG3956 AnnahmeG594 wertG514; 10dennG1063 fürG1519 diesesG5124 arbeitenG2872 wir undG2532 werden geschmähtG3679, weilG3754 wir aufG1909 einen lebendigenG2198 GottG2316 hoffenG1679, derG3739 ein ErhalterG4990 allerG3956 MenschenG444 istG2076, besondersG3122 der GläubigenG4103. 11DiesesG5023 gebieteG3853 undG2532 lehreG1321. 12NiemandG3367 verachteG2706 deineG4675 JugendG3503, sondernG235 seiG1096 ein VorbildG5179 der GläubigenG4103 imG1722 WortG3056, imG1722 WandelG391, inG1722 LiebeG26, imG1722 GlaubenG4102, inG1722 KeuschheitG47. 13BisG2193 ich kommeG2064, halte anG4337 mit dem VorlesenG320, mit dem ErmahnenG3874, mit dem LehrenG1319. 14VernachlässigeG272 nichtG3361 die GnadengabeG5486 inG1722 dirG4671, welcheG3739 dirG4671 gegebenG1325 worden ist durchG1223 WeissagungG4394 mitG3326 HändeauflegenG1936 G5495 der ÄltestenschaftG4244. 15BedenkeG3191 diesesG5023 sorgfältigG3191; lebeG2468 darinG1722 G5125, auf daßG2443 deineG4675 FortschritteG4297 allenG1722 G3956 offenbarG5318 seienG5600. 16Habe achtG1907 auf dich selbstG4572 undG2532 auf die LehreG1319; beharreG1961 in diesen DingenG846; dennG1063 wenn du diesesG5124 tustG4160, so wirstG4982 du sowohlG2532 dich selbstG4572 errettenG4982, als auchG2532 die, welche dichG4675 hörenG191.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 PREDICTION OF A COMING DEPARTURE FROM THE FAITH: TIMOTHY'S DUTY AS TO IT: GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO HIM. (1Ti. 4:1-16)
Now--Greek, "But." In contrast to the "mystery of godliness."
the Spirit--speaking by the prophets in the Church (whose prophecies rested on those of the Old Testament,
Dn 7:25;
Dn 8:23, &c.;
Dn 11:30, as also on those of Jesus in the New Testament,
Mt 24:11-
Mt 24:24), and also by Paul himself,
2Ts 2:3 (with whom accord
2P 3:3;
1Jn 2:18;
Jud 1:18).
expressly--"in plain words." This shows that he refers to prophecies of the Spirit then lying before him.
in the latter times--in the times following upon the times in which he is now writing. Not some remote future, but times immediately subsequent, the beginnings of the apostasy being already discernible (
Hch 20:29): these are the forerunners of "the last days" (
2Ti 3:1).
depart from the faith--The apostasy was to be within the Church, the faithful one becoming the harlot. In
2Ts 2:3 (written earlier), the apostasy of the Jews from God (joining the heathen against Christianity) is the groundwork on which the prophecy rises; whereas here, in the Pastoral Epistles, the prophecy is connected with Gnostic errors, the seeds of which had already been sown in the Church [AUBERLEN] (
2Ti 2:18). Apollonius Tyanćus, a heretic, came to Ephesus in the lifetime of Timothy.
giving heed-- (
1Ti 1:4;
Tit 1:14).
seducing spirits--working in the heretical teachers.
1Jn 4:2-3,
1Jn 4:6, "the spirit of error," opposed to "the spirit of truth," "the Spirit" which "speaketh" in the true prophets against them.
doctrines of devils--literally "teachings of (that is suggested by) demons."
Stg 3:15, "wisdom . . . devilish";
2Co 11:15, "Satan's ministers."
2 Rather translate, "Through (literally, 'in'; the element in which the apostasy has place) the hypocrisy of lying speakers"; this expresses the means through which "some shall (be led to) depart from the faith," namely, the reigned sanctity of the seducers (compare "deceivers,"
Tit 1:10).
having their conscience seared--Greek, "having their own conscience," &c., that is, not only "speaking lies" to others, but also having their own conscience seared. Professing to lead others to holiness, their own conscience is all the while defiled. Bad consciences always have recourse to hypocrisy. As faith and a good conscience are joined (
1Ti 1:5); so hypocrisy (that is, unbelief,
Mt 24:5,
Mt 24:51; compare
Lc 12:46) and a bad conscience here. THEODORET explains like English Version, "seared," as implying their extreme insensibility; the effect of cauterizing being to deaden sensation. The Greek, however, primarily means "branded" with the consciousness of crimes committed against their better knowledge and conscience, like so many scars burnt in by a branding iron: Compare
Tit 1:15;
Tit 3:11, "condemned of himself." They are conscious of the brand within, and yet with a hypocritical show of sanctity, they strive to seduce others. As "a seal" is used in a good sense (
2Ti 2:19), so "a brand" in a bad sense. The image is taken from the branding of criminals.
3 Sensuality leads to false spiritualism. Their own inward impurity is reflected in their eyes in the world without them, and hence their asceticism (
Tit 1:14-
Tit 1:15) [WIESINGER]. By a spurious spiritualism (
2Ti 2:18), which made moral perfection consist in abstinence from outward things, they pretended to attain to a higher perfection.
Mt 19:10-
Mt 19:12 (compare
1Co 7:8,
1Co 7:26,
1Co 7:38) gave a seeming handle to their "forbidding marriage" (contrast
1Ti 5:14); and the Old Testament distinction as to clean and unclean, gave a pretext for teaching to "abstain from meats" (compare
Col 2:16-
Col 2:17,
Col 2:20-
Col 2:23). As these Judaizing Gnostics combined the harlot or apostate Old Testament Church with the beast (
Ap 17:3), or Gnostic spiritualizing anti-Christianity, so Rome's Judaizing elements (
1Ti 4:3) shall ultimately be combined with the open worldly-wise anti-Christianity of the false prophet or beast (
1Ti 6:20-21;
Col 2:8;
1Jn 4:1-3;
Ap 13:12-
Ap 13:15). Austerity gained for them a show of sanctity while preaching false doctrine (
Col 2:23). EUSEBIUS [Ecclesiastical History, 4.29] quotes from IRENĆUS [1.28] a statement that Saturninus, Marcion, and the Encratites preached abstinence from marriage and animal meats. Paul prophetically warns against such notions, the seeds of which already were being sown (
1Ti 6:20;
2Ti 2:17-18).
to be received--Greek, "to be partaken of."
of them--literally, (created and designed) "for them," Though all (even the unbelieving,
Sal 104:14;
Mt 5:45) are partakers in these foods created by God, "they which believe" alone fulfil God's design in creation by partaking of them with thanksgiving; as opposed to those who abstain from them, or in partaking of them, do not do so with thanksgiving. The unbelieving have not the designed use of such foods by reason of their "conscience being defiled" (
Tit 1:15). The children of God alone "inherit the earth"; for obedience is the necessary qualification (as it was in the original grant of the earth to Adam), which they alone possess.
and know the truth--explanatory and defining who are "they which believe." Translate as Greek, "and have full knowledge of the truth" (see on
Fil 1:9). Thus he contradicts the assumption of superior knowledge and higher moral perfection, put forward by the heretics, on the ground of their abstinence from marriage and meats. "The truth" stands in opposition to their "lies" (
1Ti 4:2).
4 Translate as Greek, "Because" (expressing a reason resting on an objective fact; or, as here, a Scripture quotation)--"For" (a reason resting on something subjective in the writer's mind).
every creature . . . good-- (
Gn 1:31;
Rm 14:14,
Rm 14:20). A refutation by anticipation of the Gnostic opposition to creation: the seeds of which were now lurking latently in the Church. Judaism (
Hch 10:11-
Hch 10:16;
1Co 10:25-26) was the starting-point of the error as to meats: Oriental Gnosis added new elements. The old Gnostic heresy is now almost extinct; but its remains in the celibacy of Rome's priesthood, and in its fasts from animal meats, enjoined under the penalty of mortal sin, remain.
if . . . with thanksgiving--Meats, though pure in themselves, become impure by being received with an unthankful mind (
Rm 14:6;
Tit 1:15).
5 sanctified--"hallowed"; set apart as holy for the use of believing men: separated from "the creature," which is under the bondage of vanity and corruption (
Rm 8:19, &c.). Just as in the Lord's Supper, the thanksgiving prayer sanctifies the elements, separating them from their naturally alien position in relation to the spiritual world, and transferring them to their true relation to the new life. So in every use of the creature, thanksgiving prayer has the same effect, and ought always to be used (
1Co 10:30-31).
by the word of God and prayer--that is, "by means of intercessory prayer" (so the Greek)--that is, consecratory prayer in behalf of "the creature" or food--that prayer mainly consisting of "the word of God." The Apostolic Constitutions [7.49], give this ancient grace, almost wholly consisting of Scripture, "Blessed art thou, O Lord, who feedest me from my youth, who givest food to all flesh: Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that we, having all sufficiency, may abound unto every good work in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom glory, honour, and might, be to thee for ever. Amen." In the case of inspired men, "the word of God" would refer to their inspired prayers (
1R 17:1); but as Paul speaks in general, including uninspired men's thanksgiving for meals, the "word of God" more probably refers to the Scripture words used in thanksgiving prayers.
6 If thou put . . . in remembrance--rather as Greek, "If thou suggest to (bring under the notice of) the brethren," &c.
these things--namely, the truths stated in
1Ti 4:4-5, in opposition to the errors foretold,
1Ti 4:1-3.
minister--"servant."
nourished up--The Greek is present, not past: "continually being nourished in" (
2Ti 1:5;
2Ti 3:14-15).
the words of faith--rather, "the words of the faith" (compare
1Ti 4:12).
good doctrine--"the good teaching." Explanatory of "the faith," in opposition to the "teachings of demons" (English Version, "doctrines of devils,"
1Ti 4:1) which Timothy was to counteract. Compare "sound doctrine" (
1Ti 1:10;
1Ti 6:3;
Tit 1:9;
Tit 2:1).
whereunto thou hast attained--"the course of which thou hast followed"; hast followed along by tracing its course and accompanying it [ALFORD]. Thou hast begun to follow up [BENGEL]. The same Greek occurs, "thou hast fully known" (
2Ti 3:10), "having had perfect understanding" (
Lc 1:3). It is an undesigned coincidence that the Greek verb is used only by Paul and Paul's companion, Luke.
7 refuse--reject, avoid, have nothing to do with (
2Ti 2:23;
Tit 3:10).
old wives' fables--anile myths (
1Ti 1:4,
1Ti 1:9;
Tit 1:14). They are "profane," because leading away from "godliness" or "piety" (
1Ti 1:4-7;
1Ti 6:20;
2Ti 2:16;
Tit 1:1-
Tit 1:2).
exercise thyself--literally, "exercise thyself" as one undergoing training in a gymnasium. Let thy self-discipline be not in ascetical exercises as the false teachers (
1Ti 4:3,
1Ti 4:8; compare
2Ti 2:22-23;
He 5:14;
He 12:11), but with a view to godliness or "piety" (
1Ti 6:11-12).
8 profiteth little--Greek, "profiteth to (but) a small extent." Paul does not deny that fasting and abstinence from conjugal intercourse for a time, with a view to reaching the inward man through the outward, do profit somewhat,
Hch 13:3;
1Co 7:5,
1Co 7:7;
1Co 9:26-27 (though in its degenerate form, asceticism, dwelling solely on what is outward,
1Ti 4:3, is not only not profitable but injurious). Timothy seems to have had a leaning to such outward self-discipline (compare
1Ti 5:23). Paul, therefore, while not disapproving of this in its due proportion and place, shows the vast superiority of godliness or piety, as being profitable not merely "to a small extent," but unto all things; for, having its seat within, it extends thence to the whole outward life of a man. Not unto one portion only of his being, but to every portion of it, bodily and spiritual, temporal and eternal [ALFORD]. "He who has piety (which is 'profitable unto all things') wants nothing needed to his well-being, even though he be without those helps which, 'to a small extent,' bodily exercise furnishes" [CALVIN]. "Piety," which is the end for which thou art to "exercise thyself" (
1Ti 4:7), is the essential thing: the means are secondary.
having promise, &c.--Translate as Greek, "Having promise of life, that which now is, and that which is to come." "Life" in its truest and best sense now and hereafter (
2Ti 1:1). Length of life now so far as it is really good for the believer; life in its truest enjoyments and employments now, and life blessed and eternal hereafter (
Mt 6:33;
Mr 10:29-
Mr 10:30). "Now in this time" (
Sal 84:11;
Sal 112:1-
Sal 112:10;
Rm 8:28;
1Co 3:21-22, "all things are yours . . . the world, life . . . things present, things to come"). Christianity, which seems to aim only at our happiness hereafter, effectually promotes it here (
1Ti 6:6;
2P 1:3). Compare Solomon's prayer and the answer (
1R 3:7-13).
9 (
1Ti 1:15). This verse (Greek), "faithful is the saying, " &c. confirms the assertion as to the "promise" attached to "godliness,"
1Ti 4:8, and forms a prefatory introduction to
1Ti 4:10, which is joined to
1Ti 4:9 by "For." So
2Ti 2:11. Godly men seem to suffer loss as to this life: Paul hereby refutes the notion [BENGEL]. "God is the Saviour specially of those that believe" (
1Ti 4:10), both as to "the life that now is," and also as to "the life which is to come" (
1Ti 4:8).
10 therefore--Greek, "with a view to this." The reason why "we both ('both' is omitted in the oldest manuscripts) labor (endure hardship) and suffer reproach (some oldest manuscripts read 'strive') is because we have rested, and do rest our hope, on the living (and therefore, life-giving,
1Ti 4:8) God."
Saviour--even in this life (
1Ti 4:8).
specially of those that believe--Their "labor and reproach" are not inconsistent with their having from the living God, their Saviour, even the present life (
Mr 10:30, "a hundred fold now in this time . . . with persecutions"), much more the life to come. If God is in a sense "Saviour" of unbelievers (
1Ti 2:4, that is, is willing to be so everlastingly, and is temporally here their Preserver and Benefactor), much more of believers. He is the Saviour of all men potentially (
1Ti 1:15); of believers alone effectually.
11 These truths, to the exclusion of those useless and even injurious teachings (
1Ti 4:1-8), while weighing well thyself, charge also upon others.
12 Let no man despise thy youth--Act so as to be respected in spite of thy youth (
1Co 16:11;
Tit 2:15); compare "youthful" as to Timothy (
2Ti 2:22). He was but a mere youth when he joined Paul (
Hch 16:1-
Hch 16:3). Eleven years had elapsed since then to the time subsequent to Paul's first imprisonment. He was, therefore, still young; especially in comparison with Paul, whose place he was filling; also in relation to elderly presbyters whom he should "entreat as a father" (
1Ti 5:1), and generally in respect to his duties in rebuking, exhorting, and ordaining (
1Ti 3:1), which ordinarily accord best with an elderly person (
1Ti 5:19).
be thou an example--Greek, "become a pattern" (
Tit 2:7); the true way of making men not to despise (slight, or disregard) thy youth.
in word--in all that thou sayest in public and private.
conversation--that is, "behavior" the Old English sense of the word.
in charity . . . faith--the two cardinal principles of the Christian (
Gá 5:6). The oldest manuscripts omit, "in spirit."
in purity--simplicity of holy motive followed out in consistency of holy action [ALFORD] (
1Ti 5:22;
2Co 6:6;
Stg 3:17;
Stg 4:8;
1P 1:22).
13 Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (
1Ti 1:3;
1Ti 3:14).
reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (
Lc 4:16-
Lc 4:20;
Hch 13:15;
Hch 15:21;
2Co 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (
1Ts 5:21,
1Ts 5:27;
Col 4:16), [JUSTIN MARTYR, Apology, 1.67]. I think that while public reading is the prominent thought, the Spirit intended also to teach that Scripture reading in private should be "the fountain of all wisdom from which pastors ought to draw whatever they bring before their flock" [ALFORD].
exhortation--addressed to the feelings and will with a view to the regulation of the conduct.
doctrine--Greek (ministerial), "teaching" or instruction. Addressed to the understanding, so as to impart knowledge (
1Ti 6:2;
Rm 12:7-
Rm 12:8). Whether in public or private, exhortation and instruction should be based on Scripture reading.
14 Neglect not the gift--by letting it lie unused. In
2Ti 1:6 the gift is represented as a spark of the Spirit lying within him, and sure to smoulder by neglect, the stirring up or keeping in lively exercise of which depends on the will of him on whom it is bestowed (
Mt 25:18,
Mt 25:25,
Mt 25:27-
Mt 25:28). The charism or spiritual gift, is that of the Spirit which qualified him for "the work of an evangelist" (
Ef 4:11;
2Ti 4:5), or perhaps the gift of discerning spirits, specially needed in his function of ordaining, as overseer [BISHOP HINDS].
given thee--by God (
1Co 12:4,
1Co 12:6).
by prophecy--that is, by the Holy Spirit, at his general ordination, or else consecration, to the special see of Ephesus, speaking through the prophets God's will to give him the graces needed to qualify him for his work (
1Ti 1:18;
Hch 13:1-
Hch 13:3).
with . . . laying on of . . . hands--So in Joshua's case (
Nm 27:18-
Nm 27:20;
Dt 34:9). The gift was connected with the symbolical act of laying on hands. But the Greek "with" implies that the presbyter's laying on hands was the mere accompaniment of the conferring of the gift. "By" (
2Ti 1:6) implies that Paul's laying on his hands was the actual instrument of its being conferred.
of the presbytery--In
2Ti 1:6 the apostle mentions only his own laying on of hands. But there his aim is to remind Timothy specially of the part he himself took in imparting to him the gift. Here he mentions the fact, quite consistent with the other, that the neighboring presbyters took part in the ordination or consecration, he, however, taking the foremost part. Paul, though having the general oversight of the elders everywhere, was an elder himself (
1P 5:1;
2Jn 1:1). The Jewish council was composed of the elders of the Church (the presbytery,
Lc 22:66;
Hch 22:5), and a presiding rabbi; so the Christian Church was composed of apostles, elders, and a president (
Hch 15:16). As the president of the synagogue was of the same order as his presbyters, so the bishop was of the same order as his presbyters. At the ordination of the president of the synagogue there were always three presbyters present to lay on hands, so the early Church canons required three bishops to be present at the consecration of a bishop. As the president of the synagogue, so the bishop of the Church alone could ordain, he acting as the representative, and in the name of the whole presbytery [VITRINGA]. So, in the Anglican Church, the bishop ordains, the presbyters or priests present joining with him in laying on hands.
15 Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" (
Sal 1:2;
Sal 119:15; compare "Isaac,"
Gn 24:63).
these things-- (
1Ti 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation.
give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are changes as to all other studies, fashionable to-day, out of fashion to-morrow; this study alone is never obsolete, and when made the all-engrossing aim sanctifies all other studies. The exercise of the ministry threatens the spirit of the ministry, unless it be sustained within. The minister must be first his own scholar before he can be another's teacher.
profiting--Greek, "progress" towards perfection in the Christian life, and especially towards the fullest realization of the ideal of a Christian minister (
1Ti 4:12).
may appear to all--not for thy glory, but for the winning of souls (
Mt 5:16).
16 Take heed--Give heed (
Hch 3:5).
thyself, and . . . doctrine--"and unto thy teaching." The two requisites of a good pastor: His teaching will be of no avail unless his own life accord with it; and his own purity of life is not enough unless he be diligent in teaching [CALVIN]. This verse is a summary of
1Ti 4:12.
continue in them-- (
2Ti 3:14).
in doing this--not "by doing this," as though he could save himself by works.
thou shalt . . . save thyself, and them that hear thee-- (
Ez 33:9;
Stg 5:20). In performing faithfully his duty to others, the minister is promoting his own salvation. Indeed he cannot "give heed unto the teaching" of others, unless he be at the same time "giving heed unto himself."
