The Great Apostasy

Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed (A)to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, (B)speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience (C)seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is [b]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, (D)nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But (E)reject profane and old wives’ fables, and (F)exercise yourself toward godliness. For (G)bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, (H)having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end [c]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, (I)who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.

Take Heed to Your Ministry

12 Let no one [d]despise your youth, but be an (J)example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, [e]in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [f]doctrine. 14 (K)Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy (L)with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:1 explicitly
  2. 1 Timothy 4:5 set apart
  3. 1 Timothy 4:10 NU we labor and strive,
  4. 1 Timothy 4:12 look down on your youthfulness
  5. 1 Timothy 4:12 NU omits in spirit
  6. 1 Timothy 4:13 teaching

The Spirit(A) clearly says that in later times(B) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(C) and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(D) They forbid people to marry(E) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(F) which God created(G) to be received with thanksgiving(H) by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good,(I) and nothing is to be rejected(J) if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God(K) and prayer.

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(L) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(M) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(N) rather, train yourself to be godly.(O) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(P) holding promise for both the present life(Q) and the life to come.(R) This is a trustworthy saying(S) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(T) who is the Savior of all people,(U) and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.(V) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(W) because you are young, but set an example(X) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(Y) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(Z) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(AA) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(AB) when the body of elders(AC) laid their hands on you.(AD)

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(AE) both yourself and your hearers.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.