1 Timothy 4

Some Will Depart from the Faith

1 Now x the Spirit expressly says that y in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to z deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of a liars whose consciences are seared, 3 b who forbid marriage and c require abstinence from foods d that God created e to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For f everything created by God is good, and g nothing is to be rejected if it is e received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy h by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6 i If you put these things before the brothers, 1 you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have j followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, k silly myths. Rather l train yourself for godliness; 8 for while m bodily training is of some value, godliness n is of value in every way, as o it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is p trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, 2 because we have our hope set on the living God, q who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach r these things. 12 s Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers t an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 u Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you v by prophecy when the council of elders w laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, 3 so that x all may see your progress. 16 y Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save z both yourself and a your hearers.

  1. Cross References
    John 14:17
    Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
  2. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:3 - 9
    Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.
    2 Timothy 3:1
    But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
    1 Corinthians 11:19
    For there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
  3. Cross References
    1 John 4:6
    We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
    Matthew 7:15
    Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
  4. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:3
    For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive.
    2 Thessalonians 2:11
    Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.
  5. Cross References
    Daniel 11:37
    He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.
    Hebrews 13:4
    Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
  6. Cross References
    Colossians 2:16
    Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 1:29
    And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
    Genesis 9:3
    Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
  8. Cross References
    Romans 14:6
    The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
  9. Cross References
    Genesis 1:31
    And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 10:15
    And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common.
  11. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:3
    Who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 1:25
    And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
    Genesis 1:31
    And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
  13. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:14 - 15
    But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
  14. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:10
    You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness.
  15. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:4
    Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
  16. Cross References
    Hebrews 5:14
    But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
  17. Cross References
    Colossians 2:23
    These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
  18. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:6
    Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.
  19. Cross References
    Psalms 37:4
    Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give ...
    Psalms 37:9
    For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those w...
    Psalms 37:11
    But the meek shall inherit the land and delight...
    Psalms 84:11
    For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord ...
    Psalms 112:2
    His offspring will be mighty in the land; the g...
    Psalms 145:19
    He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; h...
    Proverbs 19:23
    The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever...
    Proverbs 22:4
    The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is...
    Matthew 6:33
    But seek first the kingdom of God and his right...
    Mark 10:30
    Who will not receive a hundredfold now in this ...
    1 Peter 3:9
    Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for revi...
  20. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:15
    The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
  21. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:4
    Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
    John 4:42
    They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.
  22. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:7
    Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
    1 Timothy 6:2
    Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:11
    So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
    2 Timothy 2:22
    So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
    Titus 2:15
    Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
  24. Cross References
    Titus 2:7
    Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.
    1 Peter 5:3
    Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
  25. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:19
    Do not quench the Spirit.
  26. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:18
    This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.
  27. Cross References
    Acts 6:6
    These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
  28. Cross References
    Philippians 1:12
    I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
  29. Cross References
    Acts 20:28
    Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
  30. Cross References
    Ezekiel 33:9
    But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
  31. Cross References
    Romans 11:14
    In order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Previous Book Next Book