1Timothy 4
Continuing with the pastoral reading, 1Timothy 4 and verse 1 reads.
1Tim.4:1] 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;
I really suggest everyone read Ezekiel chapter 13 in its entirely. I may soon do just that chapter for a Sunday lesson. But for now, let’s go to 2Thes.2 and read verses 2-4.
2Thes.2:2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
What the Spirit speaks in these end times, when Christ comes at the seventh trump.
2Thes.2:3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
This falling away is the Great Apostasy. Apostasy; G646 in the Strongs’ and means defection from the truth, forsake. In other words, to fall from the belief of God to worshipping Satan.
2Thes.2:4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
This is at the sixth trump. Satan stands in Jerusalem claiming to be God and the whole world worships him thinking he is Jesus. But we will not be deceived, for we have the truth. Back to 1Tim.4 and verse 2 reads.
1Tim.4:2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Ever have a bad burn, it kills the nerves in that area. Let’s look at this before we continue. They’re conscience is numbed, they are not thinking straight, they are deceived. Then they that are deceived say…
1Tim.4:3] 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.
This is falsely taught in most churches and is simple to understand. Verse 2 just said that these people speak lies in hypocrisy. Now these people want to forbid marriage, to who? We wait for that marriage to the Lamb, and these people want to forbid it. Then they want others to abstain from meats that God has created to be received. These are the clean meats that God said we are to eat. Now, let’s look at this spiritually, the meat is the Word of God, the marriage is to the Lamb, and these people speaking here are deceived. Now let’s read verse 4.
1Tim.4:4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
[5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
To say this means that all meats are good to eat now, is based on a lie. (verse 2). But let’s get the real meaning of the word “meats”. Let’s go to Acts 10:13-20, and it reads.
Acts 10:13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Speaking of all the unclean meats that was brought down on the sheet.
Acts 10:14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
[15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
[16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Peter never touched the unclean meats.
Acts 10:17] Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
These would be Gentiles.
Acts 10:18] And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
[19] While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
[20] Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
The LORD knew that Peter was still doubting what the vision meant. God told Peter not to doubt anything and go with them for he had sent them. Now, why we came here is written in verse 28 and it reads.
Acts 10:28] And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Now Peter understood that God was speaking about not calling the Gentiles unclean, it never had anything to do with unclean meats. Let no man tell you it’s OK to eat unclean meats. God gave us a list in Leviticus 11 of all the meats we can and cannot eat. Back to 1Tim.4 and now we find Paul speaking again, not those that were liars and in hypocrisy. Verse 6 reads.
1Tim.4:6] 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.
Bring them up in the Word of God, this is the meat, this is well pleasing to the LORD.
1Tim.4:7] But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
And I would say men fables also. This “exercise” is to stay in the word of God always. For the Lord has a way of opening our eyes in his due season.
1Tim.4:8] 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.
[9] This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
Exercise your mind in the Word of the Lord, it is always growing. Acceptation is old English for acceptance.
1Tim.4:10] 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.
We work and suffer persecution for Christ’s sake. We pick up our cross and follow him. Do you have faith and believe? John 3:16. For even the Gentiles are now given Salvation.
1Tim.4:11] These things command and teach.
Speaking of the church, command and teach these things. Let’s go to 2Tim.2:15 and it reads.
2Tim.2:15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Back to 1Tim.4 and verse 12 reads.
1Tim.4:12] 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.
Let’s get a better look at this in Titus 2:6-8.
Titus 2:6] Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
[7] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
[8] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Giving no one any reason to say evil things of you. Keep your reputation clean. Back to 1Tim.4 and verse 13 reads.
1Tim.4:13] Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Paul will come to visit, but he wants them to continue reading, teaching and studying the Word of God.
1Tim.4:14] Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Let’s learn an important lesson here. James 5:14-15 reads.
James 5:14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
We anoint with olive oil, we are Christians, Christ means the Anointed One. The etymology means to “Rub with oil and to anoint”. Don’t overlook the healing received and the forgiveness of sins. Back to 1Tim.4 and verse 15 reads.
1Tim.4:15] Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Absorbing the word so we may teach the truth.
1Tim.4:16] 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.
Protect the word and teach the truth boldly. Easier to understand when we simply read what is written. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible