1 Timothy 4:3

forbidding to marry See on 1 Timothy 4:1 and Introduction, pp. 46, 48, 50, 51. From the verb -forbidding" must be supplied by the rule called zeugma(Winer, § 661 e), the positive -bidding" with the infinitive -to abstain from meats." -Meats" is to be understood in its older sense -food for eating," though abstinence from animal foodwas the distinctive rule of the developed Gnostic systems, such as that of the Encratites or Purists under Tatian.

to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know The comma of A.V. (Parallel N.T.) after -believe" (though inserted to prevent its being understood to mean -believe the truth") has been omitted by R.V., apparently because there is only one article for the two clauses, and therefore they describe the same people under slightly different aspects: while the insertion might seem to make a higher class amongthose that believe, viz. those that know the truth fully, and to give the privilege of thus partaking to it only.

The word for -know" is most exactly have come to full knowledge of, and implies that full experience of God's will and ways which is open to all who have become -adherents of the faith," -faithful." Cf. note on 1 Timothy 3:4.