Demonic Influence

Now the Spirit(A) explicitly says that in later times(B) some will depart from the faith,(C) paying attention to deceitful spirits(D) and the teachings of demons,(E) through the hypocrisy(F) of liars whose consciences(G) are seared. They forbid marriage(H) and demand abstinence(I) from foods that God created(J) to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good,(K) and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,(L) since it is sanctified by the word of God(M) and by prayer.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith(N) and the good teaching that you have followed.(O) But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths.(P) Rather, train yourself in godliness.(Q) For the training of the body has limited benefit,(R) but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.(S) This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.(T) 10 For this reason we labor and strive,[a] because we have put our hope in the living God,(U) who is the Savior(V) of all people,(W) especially of those who believe.

Instructions for Ministry

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech,(X) in conduct,(Y) in love,[b](Z) in faith, and in purity.(AA) 13 Until I come,(AB) give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy,(AC) with the laying on of hands(AD) by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save(AE) both yourself and your hearers.(AF)

Footnotes

  1. 4:10 Other mss read and suffer reproach
  2. 4:12 Other mss add in spirit,

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

11 These things command and teach.

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.