1 Timothy 4:9

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. These 'faithful sayings' (; ; ) are samples of the prophesyings or inspired utterances of the apostolic Church: refers to them: they here take the place of Old Testament quotations in the other letter. This verse confirms , and introduces , which is joined to by "for." So . Godly men seem to lose in this life; but "G...

9_This is a faithful saying _He now sets down, at the conclusion of the argument, what he stated twice at the beginning of it; and he appears to do so expressly, because he will immediately subjoin the contrary objection. Yet it is not without good reason that he employs so strong an assertion; for it is a paradox strongly at variance with the feeling of the flesh, that God supplies his people, in this world, with everything that is necessary for a happy and joyful life; since they are often destitute of all good things, and, on that account, appear to be forsaken by God. Accordingly, not satisfied with the simple doctrine, he wards off all opposing temptations by this shield, and in this manner instructs believers to open the door to the grace of God, which our unbelief shuts out; for, undoubtedly if we were willing to receive God’s benefits, (75) he would use greater liberality toward...

6-10 Outward acts of self-denial profit little. What will it avail us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to the life that now is, but especially to the life which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those who seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new creatures....

Verse 9. _THIS_ IS _A FAITHFUL SAYING_] The truth of this doctrine none need doubt; and every man has it in his power to put this to the proof. See note on 1 Timothy 1:15....

THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING - see the notes on 1 Timothy 1:15....

EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 4:1 _But _for _now_,_ _A.V.; _saith _for _speaketh_,_ _A.V.;_ later _for _the latter_,_ _A.V.;_ fall away _for _depart_,_ _A.V. THE SPIRIT SAITH EXPRESSLY (ῥητῶς);_ _only here in the New Testament, and very rare in classical Greek. But the adjective ῥητός, in the sense of something "laid down," "definite.... expressly mentioned," is common. It was, doubtless, on account of these prophetic warnings of a falling away from the faith, that the apostle gave the preceding heads of Christian doctrine in such a terse and tangible form, and laid such a solemn charge upon Timothy. (For examples of these prophetic utterances, see Acts 11:28;...

THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING,.... A true one, and to be believed, that godliness has such promises annexed to it; see 1 Peter 3:10. AND WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTATION; by all godly persons, to encourage them to the exercise of godliness....

IV. CONCERNING THE LATTER-DAY APOSTASY CHAPTER 4 _ 1. What the Spirit has predicted (1 Timothy 4:1)_ 2. The remedies against apostasy (1 Timothy 4:6) 1 Timothy 4:1 The mystery of godliness having been mentioned, the apostle speaks of Satan's power in opposition to the faith and truth of God (the mystery of godliness here, and the mystery of iniquity in 2 Thessalonians). “But the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.” It is a prophetic warning. Paul had given a similar warning to the Ephesian elders gathered at Miletus a number of years before, and elsewhere in the New Testament t

THE TREATMENT NEEDED. Timothy must meet the errors by (_a)_ personal example (1 Timothy 4:6) and (_b_) diligent teaching (1 Timothy 4:11). In combating error he must continually draw his strength from the doctrinal statements hitherto followed by him. The silly myths that are current (1 Timothy 1:3 *) he must reject. The fully-developed asceticism of 1 Timothy 4:3 lies in the future, but in these fables its _principles_ are already contained. Let him furtner counteract the evil by himself exhibiting the _true_ self-discipline that which aims at producing piety. For a reliable truth while mere bodily s

THE SERVICE OF GOD OR THE SERVICE OF SATAN (1 Timothy 4:1-5)...