1 Timothy 4

1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,2 through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:5 for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.6 If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:7 but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:8 for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.9 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation.10 For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.11 These things command and teach.12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.13 Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.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.15 Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.16 Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

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.