The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.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.For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
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.Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.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.This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things.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.Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4
Timothy’s Ministry in the Later Times
1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselvest with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,t2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liarst whose consciences are seared.ts3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.4 For every creation of God is good and no foodt is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
5 For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters,t you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.s7 But reject those mythss fit only for the godless and gullible,t and train yourself for godliness.8 For “physical exerciset has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”9 This sayingts is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.
10 In fact this is whyt we work hard and struggle,s because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people,t especially of believers.
11 Command and teach these things.12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness,t and purity.13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture,ts to exhortation, to teaching.14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have,t given to you and confirmed by prophetic wordsts when the elders laid hands on you.t15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.t
16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach.t Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.