Chapter Four

The appearance of false teachers in the future (1–5). Timothy in his personal life should be an example to the society of believers (6–16).

1 Timothy 4:1. Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will abandon the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, Against the truth of Christ, which is preserved in the Church, various false teachers will set themselves in time, and the leaders of the Church will have to wage a battle against them. “Spirit”—that is, various prophets who came forward at that time in the apostolic church (compare 1 Cor 12:10). “In later times”—more precisely: in subsequent times (hysterois k., not eschatois kairois). “Deceitful spirits,” that is, people who appear similar to truly inspired teachers, but in fact are leading listeners to destruction. “Teachings of demons.” These false teachers will be guided by the suggestions of Christ’s enemies—demons.

1 Timothy 4:2. through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences have been seared, “Through hypocrisy”—more precisely: “in (en) hypocrisy.” These false teachers will act hypocritically, not from conviction. This same thought is contained in the following expression: “whose consciences have been seared.” In such people the conscience will be as if entirely burned up by the brand that sin imposes on it. Sin’s seal—fiery—burns the conscience it touches. People with such a seared conscience are people who are dead to all that is holy and lofty.

1 Timothy 4:3. forbidding marriage and commanding abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:4. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 1 Timothy 4:5. for it is made holy by God’s word and prayer. Characterizing these false teachers, the apostle points out that they will forbid marriage as a state that, from their perspective, is unclean, and they will command abstention (the Russian does not convey the verb apechesthai) from foods—apparently from certain foods, perhaps from meat. Believers should not follow such teachings, because everything created, that is, everything created by God, is good, beneficial for humanity, of course, if in eating it one observes moderation. In particular, there is nothing to fear in becoming defiled by food when it is received with prayer and thanksgiving to God, who has given it (“God’s word”—the word of prayer). Apparently the apostle here has in mind false teachers primarily of a Gnostic tendency, who indeed sometimes denied marriage and promoted the idea of the uncleanness of certain foods.

1 Timothy 4:6. If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 1 Timothy 4:7. Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths; rather train yourself in godliness, 1 Timothy 4:8. for while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. In teaching other Christians (the brothers and sisters) what true piety consists of, Timothy will show himself to be a good, fully appropriate servant of Jesus Christ. But for this he himself must constantly nourish himself with those evangelical teachings which he has received from his teacher—the Apostle Paul (compare 2 Tim 1:13). Along with this the apostle impresses on Timothy the necessity of turning away, keeping away from idle, useless old wives’ tales (see 1 Tim 1:3), concerning himself only with what truly establishes in a person’s soul a pious disposition—namely, deeds of Christian love and the disciplines of self-restraint. To show the usefulness of active piety, the apostle compares this piety with ordinary physical training. And this latter activity, undoubtedly, brings benefit, strengthening the body, making it more capable of enduring various hardships, giving a person the ability to put his strength to work. But all this is only little; here is benefit for the body and outward life, and this is not that toward which a Christian should primarily strive. Piety, on the contrary, is valuable in every way, in all respects: even with regard to health, because a pious person will not destroy his health with sins and vices (life “present”). Most importantly, piety leads a person to obtain eternal blissful life (“future”).

1 Timothy 4:9. This saying is reliable and worthy of full acceptance. 1 Timothy 4:10. For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. But what does true piety consist of? The apostle answers this in the words of a Christian hymn that was apparently used in worship services of his time. A pious person, first of all, bears heavy labors (kopiomen), that is, does not avoid all the difficulties of life, and second, even for Christ’s sake goes to the loss of his honor, to shame. Of course, this applies first of all to Christian preachers and, in particular, to Timothy (compare 1 Thess 5:12). In so doing the apostle points also to the motivation for such a course of action: preachers hope in the living God, who is able to strengthen them in sufferings (in contrast to the helpless dead pagan gods). By calling God “Savior of all people,” the apostle thereby gives to understand that Christians, of course, more than other people deserve to receive help from God.

1 Timothy 4:11. Teach and urge these things. Timothy should proclaim all that was said above (from 1 Tim 3:14) as a command (“preach”—more precisely: “command”—parangelle), teach his flock these things.

1 Timothy 4:12. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Timothy was a relatively young man: at the time the letter was written he was about 38 years old. Therefore his instructions could be despised by some of the believers, and Timothy had to present them in such a way that no one would think they could be disregarded. And this can only be achieved if Timothy is an example to the believers in his whole life, if he manifests love toward all the brothers, faith in God, purity of heart (the expression “in spirit” is not present in many codices).

1 Timothy 4:13. Until I arrive, focus on the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Until the apostle comes to Ephesus, Timothy should himself constantly conduct worship: the reading of Holy Scripture, exhortation, and teaching—all these are component parts of Christian worship (the definite articles standing here, which precisely define the meaning, point to this).

1 Timothy 4:14. Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. To stimulate Timothy to activity, the apostle reminds him of the spiritual gifts (charisma—in the general sense of “spiritual illumination”) that were once, probably in Lystra, bestowed upon him (compare 1 Tim 1:18; 2 Tim 1:6) at his ordination as helper to the Apostle Paul. “Through prophecy” (dia prophetias—accusative plural), that is, in accordance with the predictions spoken about Timothy by Christian prophets. “When the council of elders laid their hands on you.” The apostle says that when Timothy was chosen, all the presbyters of that region laid their hands on Timothy as a sign that they, so to speak, were appointing him to help Paul in their place. These presbyters did not perform the ordination—only the apostle himself could perform it (Bishop Theophanes). This is indicated also by the preposition “with” (meta, not dia) standing here.

1 Timothy 4:15. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:16. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your listeners. “Be concerned with these things,” that is, reflect on your duties (see 1 Tim 4:11-13), stay in them as in your own home. Only in this case will Timothy have the right to expect success in his work. “Pay close attention to yourself,” that is, observe yourself so as not to fall into some error, not to deviate from the spirit of the gospel. “And to your teaching.” Here it is most natural to understand the teaching activity of other teachers of the faith in Ephesus, which Timothy should not leave without observation and supervision—“Continue in these things,” that is, by means of such observation...