1 TIMOTEUS 4
Die afvalligheid in latere tye
1 Die Gees sê uitdruklik dat in die eindtyd sommige afvallig sal word van die geloof. Hulle sal misleidende geeste navolg en die leerstellings van bose geeste aanhang. 2 Hierdie dwaalleraars is skynheilige leuenaars wie se gewete toegeskroei is. 3 Hulle verbied mense om te trou en om bepaalde soorte kos te eet. Maar God het die voedsel gemaak, sodat dié wat glo en tot die kennis van die waarheid gekom het, dit met danksegging kan gebruik. 4 Alles wat God gemaak het, is immers goed. Niks wat met danksegging ontvang word, is verwerplik nie, 5 want dit word deur die woord van God en deur die gebed geheilig.
'n Goeie dienaar van Christus Jesus
6 As jy hierdie dinge aan die broers voorhou, sal jy 'n goeie dienaar van Christus Jesus wees wat jouself voed met die woorde van die geloof en die goeie leer waarvan jy 'n aanhanger geword het. 7 Maar van onheilige en sinlose verdigsels moet jy wegbly. Oefen jou liewer om in toewyding aan God te lewe. 8 Om jou liggaam te oefen, het wel 'n bietjie waarde, maar om in toewyding aan God te lewe, het in alle opsigte groot waarde, want dit bevat 'n belofte van lewe, vir nou en die toekoms. 9 Dit is 'n betroubare woord en kan sonder voorbehoud aanvaar word.
10 Met hierdie vooruitsig span ons ons kragte in en stry ons, want ons het ons hoop op die lewende God gevestig, wat die Verlosser is van alle mense, van almal wat glo.
11 Hierdie dinge moet jy die mense beveel en leer. 12 Niemand mag op jou neersien omdat jy jonk is nie, maar wees jy vir die gelowiges 'n voorbeeld in woord en gedrag, in liefde, geloof en reinheid. 13 Totdat ek kom, moet jy jou daarop toelê om uit die Skrif voor te lees, te preek en onderrig te gee. 14 Moenie die genadegawe wat jy het, verwaarloos nie. Dit is aan jou gegee deur die profesieë toe die raad van ouderlinge jou die hande opgelê het. 15 Lê jou op hierdie dinge toe, leef daarin, sodat almal jou vordering kan sien. 16 Let goed op jou lewe en jou leer, volhard daarin, want deur dit te doen, sal jy jouself red sowel as dié wat na jou luister.
1 Timothy 4
1 BUT THE [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,2 Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized),3 Who forbid people to marry and [teach them] to abstain from [certain kinds of] foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and have [an increasingly clear] knowledge of the truth.4 For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving.5 For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.6 If you lay all these instructions before the brethren, you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction which you have closely followed.7 But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers’ tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit].8 For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.9 This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody.10 With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] suffer reproach , because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him).11 Continue to command these things and to teach them.12 Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.13 Till I come, devote yourself to [public and private] reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine.14 Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination].15 Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody.16 Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.