1 Timothy 4:4

ὅτι. This is not to be taken specially in connexion with ἀλήθειαν, but with the whole of the preceding statement—because.

πᾶν κτίσμα θεοῦ καλόν. Every creature of God is good. See Genesis 1:31; Sir 39:33, and (although the thought is here slightly different) Romans 14:14; cp. also Acts 10:15.

κτίσμα does not occur elsewhere in St Paul’s writings (although frequent in LXX.); he generally has κτίσις. Possibly the word is here used of set purpose, to mark with emphasis the handiwork of the Creator.

καλόν. A favourite word in the Pastorals (see on 1 Timothy 1:8 above); it signifies absolute worth, the thought here being quite different from Titus 1:15, viz. for the pure all things are pure, sc. for their use. See note in loc.

οὐδὲν�. Nothing is to be rejected if it be received with thanksgiving. This is a distinct idea from that of the objective goodness of God’s gifts. The words have striking verbal similarity to Homer’s: οὔ τοι�ʼ ἐστὶ θεῶν ἐρικυδέα δῶρα (Il. III. 65). ἀπόβλητος is not found elsewhere in N.T. or LXX. Note that the all important condition μετὰ εὐχαριστίας λαμβ. is repeated from 1 Timothy 4:3; cp. 2 Corinthians 4:15.