Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
1 TIMOTHY 4
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Application Notes
4:1-5 Paul referred to the false teachers as hypocritical liars who encouraged people to follow "deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." The danger that Timothy was facing in Ephesus seems to have come from certain people in the church who were following some Greek philosophers who taught that the body and all physical matter were evil and only the soul was important. According to them, Timothy's very contact with the physical world would have polluted him. Though these Greek-influenced church members honoured Jesus, they could not believe he was truly human. Paul knew that their teachings, if left unchecked, would greatly distort Christian truth.
Satan deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real thing. The false teachers gave stringent rules (such as forbidding people to marry or to eat certain foods) to try to separate themselves from the physical world as much as possible. This made them appear selfdisciplined and righteous. Their strict disciplines for the body, however. could not remove sin (see Colossians 2:20-23). We must not be unduly impressed by a teacher's style or credentials; instead we must look to their teaching about Jesus Christ. Their conclusions about Christ reveal the real character of their message.
4:1-2 False teachers were and still are a threat to the church. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned against them (see, for example, Mark 13:21-23; Acts 20:28-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Peter 3:3-7). A teacher, speaker, or writer may appear to be knowledgeable, disciplined, and moral, and may claim to be speaking for God. But if that person's words contradict the Bible, their teaching proves false. Like Timothy, we must guard against any teaching that causes believers to dilute or reject any aspect of their faith. Such false teaching can be very direct or extremely subtle. Believers ought to respond quickly when they sense false teaching being promoted. The truth does not mind honest questions. Sometimes, a person teaching something that is false may prove to be ignorant of their error and appreciate the correction. A firm warning may at least keep them from promoting the deceptive beliefs that Paul describes (see Colossians 2:3-4). These days, many people, even professed Christians, reject the truth of the Bible. Because they don't agree with the Bible's teaching on certain hot-button social issues, for example, they may carefully create a viewpoint that contradicts God's Word. If that sounds like you, pray and submit yourself to the authority of our holy God-even if you don't understand why he would do and say what he does. You are not God. If you follow someone who might be a false teacher, ask God for discernment to know whether the person is teaching according to God's Word or according to his or her own ideas and authority. (For more on how to recognise false teachers, see the note on 1 Timothy 1:3-7.)
4:1 The "Iater times" began with Christ's resurrection and will continue until his return, when he will set up his kingdom and judge all humanity.
4:4-5 In opposition to the false teachers, Paul affirms that everything God created is good (see Genesis 1). We should ask for God's blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. This doesn't mean that we should abuse what God has made (for example, gluttony abuses God's gift of good food; lust abuses God's gift of love; and murder abuses God's gift of life). Instead of abusing these gifts from God, which is sinful, we should enjoy them by using them to serve others and honour him. Take time to thank God for the good gifts he has given. Are you putting them to the best use?
4:7-10 Are you in shape both physically and spiritually? In our society, much emphasis is placed on physical fitness, but spiritual health (godliness) is even more important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through any tragedy. To train ourselves to be godly, we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities in the service of the church (see 4:14-16). We must also make a daily practice of reading our Bibles and meeting with other believers to strengthen one another in the faith.
4:10 Christ offers salvation for all, but his salvation becomes effective only for those who trust him. This verse does not teach universalism, the belief that everyone will be saved eventually. The offer of salvation has a universal range. but it does not impose itself on those unwilling to respond to it Paul was countering the false teachers who wanted to restrict salvation to an elite few who followed their regimen.
4:12-16 Apparently, Timothy needed some encouragement. Most likely, so do you and others around you. Each day, we have opportunities to support and inspire family members, fellow workers, friends, neighbours, pastors, and even total strangers. People need help and affirmation in their daily lives. Paul modelled six important principles to help us encourage others: (1) Begin with positive statements. People who know we will speak kindly to them will be happy to work with us. (2) Develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity, and experience. People will reject or fail to meet expectations that do not fit them. Be patient with distracted or slow learners. (3) Monitor your expectations of others. Changing circumstances sometimes require revised or reduced expectations. (4) Clarify your expectations with others. People are not likely to hit a target that no one has identified. (5) End with a statement of gratitude. People love to be thanked for a job well done.
4:12 Timothy was a young pastor. It would have been easy for older Christians to look down on him because of his youth. He had to earn the respect of his elders by setting an example in his speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Regardless of your age, God can use you. Whether you are young or old, don't think of your age as a handicap. Live so others can see Christ in you.
4:13 The Scripture referred to here is, in fact, the Old Testament. Since both are available to us today, we must make sure to emphasise the entire Bible, both the Old and the New Testaments. We will find rich rewards in studying the people, events, prophecies, and principles of the Old Testament. This verse also outlines for a younger pastor how to preach a sermon: (1) Read Scripture publicly to the church, (2) encourage the listeners, and (3) teach them the meaning of the passage.
4:14 Highly skilled and talented athletes lose their abilities if their muscles aren't toned by constant use. Likewise, we will lose our spiritual gifts if we don't put them to work. Our talents are improved by exercise, but failing to use them causes them to waste away from lack of practice and nourishment. What gifts and abilities has God given you? Use them regularly in serving God and others. (For more on using well the abilities God has given us, see Romans 12:1-8 and 2 Timothy 1:6-8.)
4:16 We must be on constant guard against falling into sin that can so easily destroy us. Yet we must watch what we believe (our doctrine) just as closely. Wrong beliefs can quickly lead us into sin and heresy. We should be on guard against those who would persuade us that how we live is more important than what we believe. We should keep a close watch on both, staying true to the faith.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)