1 Timothy 4 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 1 Tim 4:1-5

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

A. Find Out:

1. What will happen in the last times? v.1
2. How do such things come? v.2
3. What do they also do? v.3a
4. How is that counter to the truth? v.3b
5. How are we to approach God’s creation? v.4
6. Why would it be all right? v.5

B. Think:

1. How is false teaching so often negative?
2. How is the truth positive?
3. How is it an effort to fall into deception?

C. Comment:

      In 3:15 Paul acknowledges the wonder of the church. Now he warns Timothy against those who would appear religious but who are, in fact, far from the truth.

     First note that deception is a very real thing and it has demonic background. Note that such people who bring false teaching have only been able to come to that place by over riding (or searing) their consciences again and again, for God would have sought by His Spirit to call them back to the truth many times, but they rejected or failed to heed His promptings.

    Second, note that their teaching is always very negative: you mustn’t do this or that. Now there ARE some reasons for not marrying, e.g. a believer to an unbeliever (see 2 Corinthians 6:14 ), and some foods are unhealthy if eaten in excess, but God’s creation is a good creation, to be received with thankfulness. The Christian faith doesn’t put lots of holds on enjoying God’s creation, God’s provision; that comes from other philosophies. As we receive God’s provision with hearts open to Him with thanksgiving, He will tell us if we are eating in excess, or whatever, but otherwise it is good, it is God’s provision.

D. Application:

1. The truth of God is positive. Whenever God says “don’t” it is for our good, to avoid harming us.
2. Thank Him for the wonder of His provision.

Passage: 1 Tim 4:6-10

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.

A. Find Out:

1. What was Timothy to do? v.6a
2. What will that make him and why? v.6b
3. What is he to avoid and what to go for? v.7
4. What is better than physical training and why? v.8
5. For what was Paul striving? v.9,10
6. Of whom is God saviour? v.10

B. Think:

1. What is one role of the minister?
2. What temptation must he overcome?
3. Why is godliness something that Paul recommends so strongly?

C. Comment:

     Very well Timothy, says Paul, remind the church of the wonder of the gospel, who and what the church is, how it functions and dangers to be avoided. Do these things and be a good servant of Christ, using the faith you have received and imparting the truths you have come to know.

     But, he goes on, watch out for yourself, that you don’t go getting caught up in intellectual speculation about myths. This is a danger for every leader, that he becomes intellectual and possibly ineffectual rather than becoming godly and effective with a deepening relationship with the Lord.

     Note also that Paul says that this doesn’t come naturally, this daily experiencing the Lord’s presence, it needs working at. It needs effort to keep out the debris of the world; it needs effort to put aside time to wait on and know His presence. But, he goes on, if you do this, then you will find immense value in both this present life and, of course, in the life to come in eternity.

     To conclude, Paul again reminds Timothy of one of the short sayings: God is alive and is our Saviour. This means He is our hope now, today, so work out your relationship with him.

D. Application:

1. Godliness means relationship, and that needs working at.
2. Relationship means God’s life today.

Passage: 1 Tim 4:11-16

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

A. Find Out:

1. What was and wasn’t Timothy to do? v.12
2. What 3 public things was he to do? v.13
3. When had Timothy been gifted? v.14
4. What was he to do and why? v.15
5. What was he particularly to watch? v.16a
6. But what more was he to do and why? v.16b

B. Think:

1. What obviously was Timothy’s particular gifting?
2. Does gifting grow automatically? What does this passage say on it?
3. How was Timothy to combat potential problems over his youthfulness?

C. Comment:

     Paul now focuses on Timothy and his ministry. He recognises first of all, that Timothy is young and that older Christians could look down on him. Don’t let that happen, he says, but be an example that they can all follow. Mind your words, mind your life, let love and faith flow from you and may you be known for your purity.

    Second, he reminds Timothy about the ministry that had been given him by the Lord, conveyed to him when he was prayed over by the church elders, and confirmed through the prophetic word. His gifting was clearly the spoken word, hence he is challenged by Paul to give himself over to public preaching, teaching and conveying the word of God (v.13) so that his hearers (v.16) will be blessed.

    We should note thirdly, that this gifting can fall into disuse if not exercised regularly, and positively pursued. Timothy is exhorted to “be diligent” and be totally committed to the ministry so that his spiritual growth can be observable. But even more than that he is to ensure that it is not just words, but right words (doctrine v.16) and his life is to match his words. Effort and perseverance are clearly indicated as being a necessary part of all this.

D. Application:

1. Gifting is given by God but needs to be developed.
2. The responsibility for growth is ours.