1 Timothy 4:1-10 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 4:1-10. Let’s go!
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
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.
False teachers were telling people in Timothy’s church that if you really want to be holy and acceptable in God’s sight, you must never marry and you must abstain from eating certain foods (most likely referring to the dietary rules in Leviticus and Numbers of the Old Testament). In response, Paul says 2 things. First, Paul says that these false teachings are inspired by demons and deceiving spirits (v1) and the teachers who teach them are hypocritical liars (v2). Second, Paul affirms that there are no foods that Christians cannot eat since “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” (v5). In other words, the dietary regulations we find in Leviticus and Numbers are a useful, figurative analogy of what Christ would later do on the cross, but there is no need to literally observe those dietary rules. For God had already declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:9-15).
Paul then tells Timothy to point out these false teachings to the people in his church and to teach them the truth so that they would be well nourished spiritually and not led astray (v6).
What can we learn from this? Check the teaching that you hear against what the Bible says and seek help from your spiritual leaders if necessary. As Christians who are called to make disciples, we must help those we lead to distinguish what is true from what is false, what is good from what is evil, and what is helpful from what is unhelpful. That’s what good ministers of Christ do. Always keep Jesus as the main thing (see 1 Timothy 3:16).
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
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.
On verses 7-8: Godliness is not something that comes automatically. We need to train for it. If you’re like me and you love exercising and going to the gym, be careful to prioritize above physical exercise the need to train spiritually. For while there is some value in training your body physically, it is even more important to train yourself to be godly. So put your GAME time above your gym time. Curl up with God’s Word before you curl up with a dumb bell. Bend your knees in prayer before you bend them for a leg press. And jog your memory of Scripture before you take your body for a jog.
When we train to be godly, we are doubly blessed. On one hand training to be godly allows us to enjoy our lives on earth more — we have more love, peace, patience and self-control. At the same time, training to be godly also allows us to store up treasure in heaven. In this way training for godliness “has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (v8)
1 Timothy 4:9-10 (NIV)
9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance
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.
On verses 9-10: God wants, and is able, to save all people and in this way he is “the Saviour of all men”, but it’s still up to each one of us to make that personal choice to believe in Jesus and receive Him into our lives.
Heavenly Father, I pray that all of us would be good ministers of Your Son Jesus, able to discern truth from falsehood, what is good from what is evil, and what is helpful for others to hear from what is unhelpful. Help me to train to be godly. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!