1 Timothy 4
v.1-2
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hyprocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
The “branding iron” was especially used on livestock (but apparently at least theoretically could be used also to identify some criminals); the “searing” may thus mean that the consciences of these apostates have become the property of evil spirits.
People don’t have ideas. Ideas have people…You are the tools of those ideas…It’s hard to have your own ideas. You have to derive them from your own experience.
Paul prophesies a time where there is an increased spiritual, or rather anti-spiritual, tension that will stir the masses. More people will become subject to spirits and ideologies of the end times - in fact, to a point where their soul/conscience will become property of said spirits. They will be fully consumed by a spirit not of God’s.
v.4-5
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is **consecreated by the word of God and prayer.
Jewish people always praised God before their meal; the normal blessing included praise for the God who “created” the fruit of the vine. Another blessing, possibly standardized in the early second century, was used after meals and included the statement “God is good and does good.” This Jewish custom was an appropriate way to show gratitude to God for his provisions. The food was in a sense sanctified by the word of God (Gen 1:30-31) as well as by such prayer; there was thus no need to abstain from it. Faith rather than something intrinsic to the food made the latter pure (Tit 1:15; cf. [Mk 7:19](Mark7#v. 19); [Rom 14:14](Romans14#v.1 4)).
v.6
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
Paul also identifies an aspect of a “good servant” as one who is knowledgeable and experienced in the truths of the Christian faith. In order for a person to know the truth, teach the truth, and defend the truth, they have to have experience with the truth. This means a knowledge of the Scriptures, and an understanding of how they are meant to be lived out. This living out of what we study is a core part of what it means to “follow” the teachings of Christ.
v.7
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
This training was not simply for knowledge, but rather for godly living. This resembles the words of James 1:22, which commands, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Learning is always meant to lead to action.
Do not occupy your time and attention with them, but rather cultivate piety, and seek to become more holy.
Do more walking than talking.
v.10
(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
To interpret this in terms of universal salvation would be contrary to the whole tenor of Scripture. What Paul means is that God is potentially the Savior of all men because of Calvary, but actually the Savior of only those who truly believe.
The more reasonable interpretation is that Paul means to highlight the unity between Jew and Gentile (1 Timothy 2:1). Paul was encouraged by the fact that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:9–11), the same ruler over all people and for all time.
”Especially of those who believe” simply places an emphasis on Jesus as Savior to believers, though He is also the one, true God.
v.11-14
Command and teach these things. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
See more in Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 4 11-16 1Timothy4 v 11-14.
v.15-16
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
It may be remarked here that no man will ever make much of himself, or accomplish much in any profession, who does not make this the rule of his life. He who has one great purpose of life to which he patiently and steadily devotes himself, and to which he makes everything else bend, will uniformly rise to high respectability, if not to eminence. He who does not do this can expect to accomplish nothing.
The fruit of a minister who has been diligent in all these matters is an apparent growing maturity in their speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Are you seeing your pastor’s “progress”