1 Timothy 4
New English Translation
Timothy’s Ministry in the Later Times
4 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves[a] with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,[b] 2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars[c] whose consciences are seared.[d] 3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creation of God is good and no food[e] is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. 5 For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters,[f] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.[g] 7 But reject those myths[h] fit only for the godless and gullible,[i] and train yourself for godliness. 8 For “physical exercise[j] has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” 9 This saying[k] is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 In fact this is why[l] we work hard and struggle,[m] because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people,[n] especially of believers.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness,[o] and purity. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture,[p] to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have,[q] given to you and confirmed by prophetic words[r] when the elders laid hands on you.[s] 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.[t] 16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach.[u] Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 4:1 tn Or “desert the faith by occupying themselves.”
- 1 Timothy 4:1 tn Grk “teachings of demons” (speaking of the source of these doctrines).
- 1 Timothy 4:2 tn Grk “in the hypocrisy of liars.”
- 1 Timothy 4:2 tn Or “branded.” The Greek verb καυστηριάζω (kaustēriazō) can be used to refer either to the cause (“brand”) or the effect (“seared”).sn Consciences are seared. The precise meaning of this phrase is somewhat debated. Three primary interpretations are (1) the consciences of these false teachers are “branded” with Satan’s mark to indicate ownership, (2) their consciences are “branded” with a penal mark to show they are lawbreakers, or (3) their consciences have been “seared” (i.e., totally burnt and desensitized) so that they are unable to notice the difference between right and wrong. See G. W. Knight, Pastoral Epistles (NIGTC), 189.
- 1 Timothy 4:4 tn Grk “nothing.”
- 1 Timothy 4:6 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelphoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).
- 1 Timothy 4:6 sn By pointing out…you have followed. This verse gives a theme statement for what follows in the chapter about Timothy’s ministry. The situation in Ephesus requires him to be a good servant of Christ, and he will do that by sound teaching and by living an exemplary life himself.
- 1 Timothy 4:7 sn Those myths refer to legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Tim 1:4; 2 Tim 4:4; and Titus 1:14.
- 1 Timothy 4:7 tn Grk “the godless and old-wifely myths.”
- 1 Timothy 4:8 tn Grk “bodily training” (using the noun form of the verb “train” in v. 7b).
- 1 Timothy 4:9 tn Grk “the saying.”sn This saying. The literal phrase “the saying” refers to the preceding citation. See 1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8 for other occurrences of this phrase.
- 1 Timothy 4:10 tn Grk “for toward this,” denoting purpose. The conjunction “for” gives confirmation or emphasis to 1 Tim 4:8-9.
- 1 Timothy 4:10 tc A number of mss (א2 D 0241vid 1241 1739 1881 M al latt sy co) read ὀνειδιζόμεθα (oneidizometha, “suffer reproach”), while the reading behind the translation (ἀγωνιζόμεθα, agōnizometha) is supported by א* A C F G K Ψ 33 1175 1505 al. The reading from the verb ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai) has somewhat better external credentials, but this verb is found in the corpus Paulinum five other times, twice in the Pastorals (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7). The verb ὀνειδίζω (oneidizō) occurs only once in Paul (Rom 15:3), not at all in the Pastorals. In this instance, transcriptional and intrinsic evidence might seem to be opposed to each other. In such cases, the external evidence should be given more weight. With some hesitation, ἀγωνιζόμεθα is preferred.
- 1 Timothy 4:10 tn The plural Greek term ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) is used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, and is thus translated “people.”
- 1 Timothy 4:12 tn Or “faith.”
- 1 Timothy 4:13 tn Grk “reading.” sn The public reading of scripture refers to reading the scripture out loud in the church services. In a context where many were illiterate and few could afford private copies of scripture, such public reading was especially important.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 tn Grk “in you.”
- 1 Timothy 4:14 tn Grk “which was given to you through prophecy.” Here as in 2:15 the preposition “through” denotes not “means” but accompanying circumstances: “accompanied by prophecy.”sn These prophetic words perhaps spoke of what God would do through Timothy in his ministry (cf. 1 Tim 1:18).
- 1 Timothy 4:14 tn Grk “with the imposition of the hands of the presbytery” (i.e., the council of elders).
- 1 Timothy 4:15 tn Grk “that your progress may be evident to all.”
- 1 Timothy 4:16 tn Grk “about yourself and your teaching.”
1 Timoteo 4
La Biblia de las Américas
Predicción de la apostasía
4 Pero el Espíritu(A) dice claramente que en los últimos tiempos(B) algunos apostatarán de la fe, prestando atención a espíritus engañadores(C) y a doctrinas de demonios(D), 2 mediante la hipocresía de mentirosos que tienen cauterizada la conciencia(E); 3 prohibiendo casarse(F) y mandando abstenerse de alimentos(G) que Dios ha creado(H) para que con acción de gracias(I) participen de ellos los que creen y que han conocido la verdad. 4 Porque todo lo creado por Dios(J) es bueno y nada se debe rechazar si se recibe con acción de gracias(K); 5 porque es santificado mediante la palabra de Dios(L) y la oración.
El buen ministro de Cristo
6 Al señalar estas cosas a los hermanos(M) serás un buen ministro(N) de Cristo Jesús, nutrido con las palabras de la fe y de la buena doctrina(O) que has seguido(P). 7 Pero nada tengas que ver con las fábulas(Q) profanas(R) propias de viejas. Más bien disciplínate a ti mismo[a] para la piedad(S); 8 porque el ejercicio físico(T) aprovecha poco, pero la piedad(U) es provechosa para todo, pues tiene promesa(V) para la vida presente(W) y también para la futura. 9 Palabra fiel es esta(X), y digna de ser aceptada por todos[b]. 10 Porque por esto trabajamos y nos esforzamos, porque hemos puesto nuestra esperanza(Y) en el Dios vivo(Z), que es el Salvador de todos los hombres(AA), especialmente de los creyentes. 11 Esto manda y enseña[c](AB). 12 No permitas(AC) que nadie menosprecie tu juventud; antes, sé ejemplo de[d] los creyentes(AD) en palabra, conducta, amor, fe y pureza(AE). 13 Entretanto que llego[e](AF), ocúpate en la lectura[f](AG) de las Escrituras, la exhortación y la enseñanza. 14 No descuides el don espiritual que está en ti, que te fue conferido por medio de la profecía(AH) con la imposición de manos(AI) del presbiterio[g](AJ). 15 Reflexiona sobre estas cosas; dedícate a ellas, para que tu aprovechamiento sea evidente a todos. 16 Ten cuidado de ti mismo(AK) y de la enseñanza; persevera en estas cosas, porque haciéndolo asegurarás la salvación tanto para ti mismo como para los que te escuchan[h](AL).
Footnotes
- 1 Timoteo 4:7 Lit., ejercítate
- 1 Timoteo 4:9 O, totalmente
- 1 Timoteo 4:11 O, Continúa ordenando y enseñando esto
- 1 Timoteo 4:12 O, a
- 1 Timoteo 4:13 Lit., voy
- 1 Timoteo 4:13 O, dedícate a leer
- 1 Timoteo 4:14 O, grupo de ancianos (gr., presbíteros)
- 1 Timoteo 4:16 Lit., te salvarás a ti mismo y a los que te oyen
1 Timothy 4
King James Version
4 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
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