INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 4 In this chapter the apostle foretells a dreadful apostasy which should happen in the last times, the particulars of which he gives; and on occasion of one branch of it, discourses of Christian liberty in eating all sorts of food fit for use; and delivers out exhortations... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE SPIRIT SPEAKETH EXPRESSLY,.... The prophecy hereafter mentioned was not an human conjecture, but, as all true prophecy, it came from the Spirit of God, who spoke or delivered it; either in the prophets of the Old Testament, who, as they spoke of the Gospel dispensation, so of the defection t... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY,.... Or "through the hypocrisy of those that speak lies"; for the apostle is still speaking of the means by which the apostasy should rise, and get ground; and it should be by the means of persons that should deliver lying or false doctrine under the colour of truth, and m... [ Continue Reading ]
FORBIDDING TO MARRY,.... Which points out not the Encratites, Montanists, and Manichees, who spoke against marriage; but the Papists, who forbid it to their priests under a pretence of purity and holiness, and at the same time allow them to live in all manner of debauchery and uncleanness; for these... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVERY CREATURE OF GOD IS GOOD,.... For food; and should be taken and used for that purpose, at all times, without distinction; even every creature which is made for food, and which is easy to be discerned by men: AND NOTHING TO BE REFUSED; or rejected as common and unclean, or to be abstained f... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS SANCTIFIED,.... Or set apart for use, and may be lawfully used at all times: BY THE WORD OF GOD; which declares that there is nothing in itself common, or unclean, or unfit for use, and that nothing that goes into a man defiles him; so that by virtue of this word of God, every creature ma... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU PUT THE BRETHREN IN REMEMBRANCE OF THESE THINGS,.... Either of all the main and principal things already mentioned in the preceding Chapter s; as that the end of the commandment is love; that Christ's coming into the world to save the chief of sinners is a faithful saying, and worthy of acce... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT REFUSE PROFANE AND OLD WIVES' FABLES,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are ca... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR BODILY EXERCISE PROFITETH LITTLE,.... Meaning not the exercise of the body in the Olympic games, as by running, wrestling, c. which profited but little, for the obtaining of a corruptible crown at most though since a word is used here, and in the preceding verse, borrowed from thence, there may... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEREFORE WE BOTH LABOUR,.... Not in the word and doctrine, though they did; nor in the exercise of internal godliness, though there is a work in faith, and a labour in love; nor with their own hands, at their trades and business, to support themselves, and others; but by enduring hardships and... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS COMMAND AND TEACH. What are to be commanded, command, and what are to be taught, teach; command to refuse and reject all profane and fabulous doctrines, and exhort to the exercise of true godliness, and teach the profitableness of that, and declare the promises made unto it, and assert... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NO MAN DESPISE THY YOUTH,.... Timothy was now a young man; some think he was about three and twenty years of age; but he might be older, and yet be so called. Saul is said to be a young man, when he held the clothes of them that stoned Stephen, when he must be at least thirty years of age, some... [ Continue Reading ]
TILL I COME,.... To Ephesus; where the apostle hoped to be shortly, but was prevented; he afterwards came to Miletus, and sent for the elders of Ephesus thither, when he took his final leave of them. He mentions this circumstance, not as if Timothy was to attend to the following things no longer, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE,.... What qualifies men for the work of the ministry is a gift from God: it is not of nature, nor is it mere natural abilities and capacity; nor is it any thing acquired, it is not human learning, or the knowledge of languages, arts, and sciences; nor is it speci... [ Continue Reading ]
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS,.... Not only on those instructions, advices, and exhortations, which the apostle had given him, throughout this chapter, which might be very useful to him, often to think of, and revolve in his mind, and seriously consider and reflect upon; but upon the Scriptures, the read... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE HEED UNTO THYSELF,.... Not as a man, or a Christian only, but as a minister; and as every minister should take heed to his life and conversation, that it be exemplary, as in 1TI 4:12 to his gifts, that they be not lost, or neglected, but used and improved; to the errors and heresies abroad, tha... [ Continue Reading ]