1 Timothy 4

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Demonic Influence

4 Now the Spirit^(A) explicitly says that in later times^(B) some will depart from the faith,^(C) paying attention to deceitful spirits^(D) and the teachings of demons,^(E) ²through the hypocrisy^(F) of liars whose consciences^(G) are seared. ³They forbid marriage^(H) and demand abstinence^(I) from foods that God created^(J) to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴For everything created by God is good,^(K) and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,^(L) ⁵since it is sanctified by the word of God^(M) and by prayer.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

⁶If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith^(N) and the good teaching that you have followed.^(O) ⁷But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths.^(P) Rather, train yourself in godliness,^(Q) ⁸for

the training of the body has a limited benefit,^(R)
but godliness is beneficial in every way,
since it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come.^(S)

⁹This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.^(T) ¹⁰In fact, we labor and strive^[a] for this, because we have put our hope in the living God,^(U) who is the Savior^(V) of everyone,^(W) especially of those who believe.

Instructions for Ministry

¹¹Command and teach these things. ¹²Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech,^(X) in conduct,^(Y) in love,^[b]^(Z) in faith, in purity.^(AA) ¹³Until I come,^(AB) give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy,^(AC) with the laying on of hands^(AD) by the council of elders. ¹⁵Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. ¹⁶Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save^(AE) both yourself and your hearers.^(AF)

Footnotes

1 Timothy 4:10 Other mss read and suffer reproach
1 Timothy 4:12 Other mss add in spirit

1 Timothy 4

Modern English Version

Prediction of Apostasy

4 Now the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, ²speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron, ³forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴For everything created by God is good, and not to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister of Christ Jesus

⁶If you remind the brothers of these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and of good doctrine, which you have followed closely. ⁷But refuse profane and foolish myths. Instead, exercise in the ways of godliness. ⁸For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things, holding promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

¹¹Command and teach these things. ¹²Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. ¹³Until I come, give attention to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the elders.

¹⁵Meditate on these things. Give yourself completely to them, that your progress may be known to everyone. ¹⁶Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy 4

The Message

Teach with Your Life

4 ^1-5The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth. They will tell you not to get married. They’ll tell you not to eat this or that food—perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by believers who know better! Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God’s Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.

^6-10You’ve been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you’ll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

^11-14Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

^15-16Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Modern English Version (MEV)

The Message (MSG)

1 Timothy 4 Holman Christian Standard Bible