1The 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 hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.6If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[1] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.8For 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.9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.10That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.11Command 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 conduct, 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 prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.15Be 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.
1 Timothy 4
English Standard Version
Some Will Depart from the Faith
1Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, (Mt 7:15; Joh 14:17; 1Co 11:19; 2Th 2:3; 2Ti 3:1; 1Jo 4:6)2through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, (1Th 2:3; 2Th 2:11)3who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (Ge 1:29; Ge 9:3; Da 11:37; Ro 14:6; Col 2:16; Heb 13:4)4For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, (Ge 1:31; Ac 10:15; 1Ti 4:3)5for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (Ge 1:25; Ge 1:31)
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6If 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 followed. (2Ti 3:10; 2Ti 3:14)7Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; (1Ti 1:4; Heb 5:14)8for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (Ps 37:4; Ps 37:9; Ps 37:11; Ps 84:11; Ps 112:2; Ps 145:19; Pr 19:23; Pr 22:4; Mt 6:33; Mr 10:30; Col 2:23; 1Ti 6:6; 1Pe 3:9)9The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. (1Ti 1:15)10For to this end we toil and strive,[2] because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. (Joh 4:42; 1Ti 2:4)11Command and teach these things. (1Ti 5:7; 1Ti 6:2)12Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1Co 16:11; 2Ti 2:22; Tit 2:7; Tit 2:15; 1Pe 5:3)13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.14Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. (Ac 6:6; 1Th 5:19; 1Ti 1:18)15Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[3] so that all may see your progress. (Php 1:12)16Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (Eze 33:9; Ac 20:28; Ro 11:14)