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But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart[a] from the faith, paying-attention-to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons by means of the hypocrisy of liars having been seared as to their own conscience— forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods which God created for a receiving with thanksgiving by the ones who are believers and know[b] the truth. Because every creature of God is good. And nothing being received with thanksgiving is to be rejected, for it is sanctified[c] by the word of God and prayer. While pointing-out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, while being nourished in the words of the faith and the good teaching which you have closely-followed. But be declining[d] the profane[e] and old-womanish myths.

But You Be Training Yourself For Godliness In Your Character And Teaching

But be training[f] yourself for godliness. For bodily training is profitable for a little, but godliness is profitable for all things— having promise for the present life and the one coming. The saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For we are laboring and struggling[g] for this[h], because we have put our hope upon the living God, Who is the Savior of all people— especially of believers. 11 Be commanding and teaching these things. 12 Let no one be-looking-down-on[i] your youth, but be a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come[j], be paying-attention-to the reading[k], the exhortation, the teaching. 14 Do not be careless[l] of the gift in you, which was given to you through a prophecy with the laying-on of the hands of the council-of-elders. 15 Be taking-care-with these things, be in these things, in order that your progress may be evident to everyone. 16 Be fixing-your-attention-on yourself and your teaching. Be continuing in them. For while doing this, you will save both yourself and the ones hearing you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:1 Or, withdraw, revolt, apostatize.
  2. 1 Timothy 4:3 Or, have come-to-know.
  3. 1 Timothy 4:5 Or, made holy, set apart to God’s use.
  4. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or, refusing.
  5. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or godless, irreligious.
  6. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or, exercising.
  7. 1 Timothy 4:10 Or, competing, striving, contending.
  8. 1 Timothy 4:10 That is, to experience God’s promise for this life and the next.
  9. 1 Timothy 4:12 Or, treating-with-contempt, because of your conduct.
  10. 1 Timothy 4:13 Or, While I am coming.
  11. 1 Timothy 4:13 That is, the public reading of Scripture.
  12. 1 Timothy 4:14 Or, Do not neglect the gift.

The Spirit(A) clearly says that in later times(B) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(C) and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(D) They forbid people to marry(E) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(F) which God created(G) to be received with thanksgiving(H) by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good,(I) and nothing is to be rejected(J) if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God(K) and prayer.

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(L) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(M) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(N) rather, train yourself to be godly.(O) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(P) holding promise for both the present life(Q) and the life to come.(R) This is a trustworthy saying(S) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(T) who is the Savior of all people,(U) and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.(V) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(W) because you are young, but set an example(X) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(Y) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(Z) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(AA) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(AB) when the body of elders(AC) laid their hands on you.(AD)

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(AE) both yourself and your hearers.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.