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PAUL’S LETTERS TO TIMOTHY

Apostasy, godliness and fidelity

1 Timothy chapter 4

 

Apostasy – verses 1 to 5

We saw in chapter  3:15-16 that the "House of God" on Earth is the "Church of the living God, column and bulwark of the truth". This chapter 4 starts with the word "now" and reveals the sad fact that the church would not continue in the glorious purity of the early years. The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul that, later on, basically erroneous teachings would be propagated among Christians, demanding from the believer an asceticism entirely opposite to the freedom of the Gospel.

a) The origin of apostasy (v. 1). It comes from "deceitful spirits”, demons, from Satan's army, the great enemy of the people of God. From the beginning, the devil hated the Church and wanted to destroy its testimony - either by open persecution, or by the attractions of the world, or teachings contrary to the Gospel of the grace of God.

b) The teachers of apostasy (v. 2). These are people who, entering in the churches as believers, never were converted to Christ nor  received Him as LORD of their lives. They tried to change the Holy Word to cover their sins and always wanted to attract a party behind them. We read more about them in 2 Peter 2 and in the epistle of James.

c) Their teachings (v. 3). Here we have two examples - the mandatory celibacy and the abstention from certain foods; everything to gain more merit before God, or to serve Him more acceptably in any service of the church. We see these two things clearly taught and practiced in various religions and sects nowadays: in Roman Catholicism there is the obligatory celibacy of the clergy, as well as monks and nuns; in the "seventh-day Adventism" we have mandatory abstention of foods forbidden by the Mosaic law of Judaism and in some exotic sects (mostly of Eastern origin) there are similar bans - all with the idea of promoting greater "spirituality", but which actually produce pride and religious fanaticism.

d) The refutation of apostasy (v. 4,5). “Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified (i.e., made suitable for human use)  by the word of God and prayer (Thanksgiving). See Mark 7:19; Acts 10:15; 1 Corinthians 8:8. With respect to marriage, God instituted and recommended it (Genesis 2:18 -24), Christ honored it with his first sign (John 2:1-11), the Apostles were married and even Paul claimed the right to marry (1 Corinthians 9:5) and recommends marriage to certain people in order to maintain their spiritual life (1 Timothy 5:14).

Godliness – verses 6 to 11

This word "godliness", as employed by Paul and Peter, means obedience to the Gospel in every stage of life - thoughts, desires, motives and actions: that is, the true Christian character and not the merely "religious":

a) Teaching the truth (v. 6,7): the doctrines of Christ and of the New Testament writers, often illuminating passages from the Old Testament and always showing the manner of living of those following the new path of the Gospel. In this path there is no place for "profane fables”, legends and invented stories about Jesus, the apostles and the "saints" (?), originated outside of the Bible. The Christian teacher  must teach only what the Bible teaches - and practise it personally, too.

b) Personal godliness (v. 8,9). Physical exercise is not without usefulness; it helps health and keeps the body in good condition. But it is " just a little", that is, for this life only, while godliness - a truly Christian character – is worth for all eternity. This is one of the "faithful words" (see 1 Timothy 1:15).

c) The target and the hope of the Christian (v. 10,11). His target is to achieve perfect holiness, by means of a spiritual struggle against all that is sinful – be it doctrine or practice (see Philippians 3:12-15). To this end, the Christian awaits the power of God, because He wants to save everyone and effectively saves all who trust in Him.

Personal fidelity – verses 12 to 16

The known saying: "Do what I teach; but what I do, do not do" should not be the attitude of the Christian teacher. Even if he is young, he has to be a living example of what he preaches. Here are some important things for Timothy to do: public reading of the Bible; exhortation and teaching of Scripture (not philosophies and theories of men); everything according to the special gift that he had received when he was recommended to the evangelical service by the elders of the church (in Lystra? See Acts 16: 1-2).

Any spiritual gift that a believer has received must be cultivated and used constantly, with prayer and Bible study. The preacher and teacher should take good care of their own conduct and of their teachings (v-16). Thus, he will develop his own salvation and that of his listeners (see Philippians 2:12).

 

Richard Dawson Jones (1895-1987)

 

 

 

 

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 
3 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. 
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy 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.

1 Timothy chapter 4