1 Timothy · Chapter 4
1 Timothy 4
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
A Warning against Apostasy
1Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
2influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,
5because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
7But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
8For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
9This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.
10To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.*
11Command and teach these things.
12Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
15Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
16Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Source notes
- 4:10 SBL, BYZ, and TR and suffer reproach
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Ezekiel 1:3the word of the LORD came directly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Kebar. And there the LORD’s hand was upon him.
Numbers 24:14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
Deuteronomy 4:30When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.
Deuteronomy 32:29If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
Isaiah 2:2In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
Jeremiah 48:47Yet in the latter days I will restore Moab from captivity,” declares the LORD. Here ends the judgment on Moab.
Jeremiah 49:39“Yet in the last days, I will restore Elam from captivity,” declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 38:16You will advance against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land. It will happen in the latter days, O Gog, that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I show Myself holy in you before their eyes.
Daniel 10:14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”
Hosea 3:5Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.
Micah 4:1In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it.
Daniel 11:35Some of the wise will fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.