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1 TIMOTHY 4
4:1-5
Why did Paul write, “the Spirit clearly says”?
[4:1]
Paul wrote, “the Spirit clearly says.” Some scholars think God gave Paul a prophecy about the future. Other scholars think Paul warned Timothy (see: Acts 20:29-30). Other scholars think Paul wrote about Jesus. This was about the last days (see: Mark 13:5-6, 21-22).
See: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
See: Holy Spirit; Prophecy (Prophesy); Last Days
What did “in later times” mean?
[4:1]
The words “in later times” are similar to the words “in the last days” (see: 2 Timothy 3:1).
- Some scholars think Paul was writing about sometime after Paul wrote the letter to Timothy.
- Other scholars Paul wanted to say that Jesus is about to return to the earth.
- Other scholars think Paul wanted to say that the church has been in the last days since Jesus was born.
- And it will stay in the last days until Jesus returns (see: Acts 2:16-17).
See: 2 Timothy 3:1-9
What did it mean “to leave the faith”?
[4:1]
Paul wrote about leaving the faith. Some people who said they were Christians no longer believed in Jesus. They now followed the teachings of demons (see: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Someone who “left”(ἀφίστημι/0868) rebelled against God or rejected God. It was a frequent Jewish and Christian teaching that in the last days many people would reject God.
See: Matthew 24:4-6, 10-12; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 John 2:18-19
Why did Paul write “their own consciences will be branded”?
[4:2]
Paul wrote about false teachers. They taught the wrong things. When Paul wrote about this, he said that it was as if their consciences were burned. This was a metaphor. He wanted to say that they could not tell if they were teaching the right things or the wrong things. Some scholars think Satan “branded”(καυστηριάζω/g2743) these teachers. That is, he marked them as his slaves. Other scholars think that Satan “burned” their consciences, leaving them unable to know what God wanted them to do (see: 1:19).
See: Metaphor; Conscience; Serve (Servant, Slave)
What did these false teachers teach?
[4:3]
False teachers taught that people needed to be unmarried to be at peace with God. These teachers also taught that Christians needed to stop eating certain foods. Paul taught someone could be at peace with God if they are married and no matter what they eat. Some scholars think the false teachers taught that the everything on the earth is evil. Therefore, they did not want to touch certain things in the world (see: Colossians 2:16-23). Other scholars think the false teachers taught that Christians were already resurrected and living in a place of peace (see: 2 Timothy 2:18). Therefore, they thought should live as Adam and Eve did, without sex and eating no meat. However, Paul taught that everything God created was good. Nothing God created should be rejected if people thanked God for it.
See: Romans 14:1-15:7
4:6-10
Why did Paul write, “place these things before the brothers”?
[4:6]
Paul told Timothy to “place these things before”(ὑποτίθημι/g5294) the people of the church. That is Timothy was to teach the church. Some scholars think “these things” meant everything that Paul wrote and said to Timothy (see: 2 Timothy 2:1-2).
See: Church
Why did Paul write to be “nourished by the words of faith”?
[4:6]
Paul used the word “nourished”(ἐντρέφω/g1789). This was a metaphor. He wanted Timothy to to know the things God said. He wanted him to learn them by studying them. This would train Timothy. Studying the Bible taught Paul to do the things that honored God and how to teach others to do the same.
See: Metaphor
What were “worldly stories loved by old women”?
[4:7]
Some scholars think Paul used the words “worldly stories” (βέβηλος/g0952) to write about stories that did not need to be told. These stories did not honor God. And they did not teach other people to honor God either.
Advice to Translators: Stories “loved by old women”(γραώδης/g1126) in 4:7 was a common insult when Paul was alive. However, today it could insult women and the elderly. The translator should find a way of writing this idea without needlessly insulting other people.
See: World
Why did Paul write that “bodily training is a little useful”?
[4:8]
Paul wanted to write that someone training their body benefited them, but only useful while living on earth. However, training to do things that honor God benefited people would last forever.
Advice to translators: Someone who trains does something many times in the same way for a reason. It benefits them. That is, it helps them to be better in some way.
How is God the Savior of all people, but especially of Christians?
[4:10]
Scholars think many different things about what Paul wrote to Timothy about God.
- Some scholars think Paul meant that God does not save every individual. He saves all kinds of people, for example, gentiles.
- Some scholars think Paul was not writing of eternal salvation. But, God gives daily blessings to all people in the world. They think Paul wrote about God’s common grace to all people. This was a temporary grace. However, for those who believe in Jesus, God is their Savior. This is eternal grace.
- Other scholars think God offers to save everyone, but only saves those who have believe in Jesus.
4:11-16
Why did Paul write Timothy, “let no one despise your youth”?
[4:12]
In ancient times, people respected people older person. They did not think younger people did many things, therefore they did not know as much as older people. Timothy was about 30 years old when Paul wrote this letter. However, because Timothy spent many years with Paul, he did many different things and learned how to teach others about God and the gospel. Because of this, Paul gave Timothy permission to teach and wanted other CHristians to do the types of things that Timothy did.
See: Gospel
How was Timothy to “attend to the reading, to the exhortation, and to the teaching”?
[4:13]
Paul wanted Timothy “attend to the reading, to the exhortation, and to the teaching.” Paul meant that Timothy was to read the scriptures to those who believed in Jesus when they gathered together. He encouraged Christians by reading the Bible. Paul also wrote Timothy to carefully “teach” the truth to the church. That is, he wanted him to teach so the church would know the Bible well.
How did God prepare Timothy to serve him?
[4:14]
God gave Timothy a spiritual “gift”(χάρισμα/g5486). That is, he gave him a special ability to serve God. Timothy served God using the gift God gave him. However, he also worked to get better as serving God using gift. The group of “elders”(πρεσβυτέριον/g4244) earlier laid their hands on him. God gave a prophecy about how he wanted Timothy to serve him.
See: 1:18;; 2 Timothy 1:6
See: Gifts of the Holy Spirit; Elder; Laying on of Hands ; Prophecy (Prophesy)
Why did Paul write, “you will save yourself and those who listen to you”?
[4:16]
Paul wrote, “you will save yourself and those who listen to you.” Some scholars think Paul wrote Timothy that as he continued to be a faithful teacher he would see more people believe in Jesus. Also, he himself would know a closer, know Jesus better. Fewer scholars think Paul wrote about God saving Christians and resurrecting their bodies.
See: 1 Corinthians 15:35-54