1 Timothy 4
New Catholic Bible
General Regulations[a]
Chapter 4
False Asceticism. 1 The Spirit clearly says that during the last times some will abandon the faith. They will run after deceitful spirits and demonic doctrines, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences have been branded as with a burning iron. 3 They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods[b] that God created to be accepted with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided that it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and by prayer.[c]
The Benefits of Godliness. 6 If you offer these instructions to the brethren, you will prove to be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself in godliness.
8 While physical training has some value, the benefits of godliness are unlimited, since it holds out promise not only for this life but also for the life to come. 9 This saying can be trusted and merits complete acceptance. 10 For this is why we toil and struggle, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all, especially of all those who believe.
11 Pastoral Duties. These are the things you must insist upon in your teaching. 12 Let no one regard you with contempt because of your youth, but serve as an example to the believers in your speech and conduct, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
13 Until I arrive, devote yourself to reading,[d] to exhortation, and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift that was bestowed upon you when, as a result of prophecy, the elders laid their hands on you.[e]
15 Meditate on these things and put them into practice so that your progress may be evident to everyone. 16 Be conscientious about your life and your teaching. Persevere in both of these tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your listeners.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 4:1 The time left to announce salvation to the whole world is limited; it is the end time, an age of crisis. In fact, troubled spirits jumble religious ideas together, seeking salvation in a pseudo-asceticism. But true Christians know how to celebrate creation and its realities in a positive way. Such an outlook in matters of doctrine rejects anything that is disordered and inconsistent; it endorses godliness, i.e., the worship of God and the desire to seek his will; attentiveness to the great virtues; love for the public reading of Sacred Scripture (v. 13); and teaching. An apostle finds the strength to persevere in this line of thought by ceaselessly renewing the gift that was given to him through the laying on of hands, i.e., when the community consecrated him for his office, in the name of the Lord.
- 1 Timothy 4:3 They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods: this asceticism was not from the Bible but from the erroneous belief that the material world was evil, which was a principal tenet of Gnosticism.
- 1 Timothy 4:5 It is made holy by the word of God and by prayer: another possible translation is: “it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer.”
- 1 Timothy 4:13 Reading: i.e., the public reading of Scripture.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 Laid their hands on you: an action that had various meanings in the Old Testament, among which was the transmission of authority (e.g., from Moses to Joshua: see Num 27:18-23; Deut 34:9). In the New Testament it symbolizes (1) the bestowal of blessings and benediction (see Mt 19:13, 15; Lk 24:50); (2) the restoration of health (see Mt 9:18; Acts 9:12, 17); (3) the imparting of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 8:17, 19; 19:6); and (4) the gifts and rights of an office (as in this verse and in Acts 6:6; 13:3; 2 Tim 1:6).
1 Timothy 4
English Standard Version
Some Will Depart from the Faith
4 Now (A)the Spirit expressly says that (B)in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to (C)deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of (D)liars whose consciences are seared, 3 (E)who forbid marriage and (F)require abstinence from foods (G)that God created (H)to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For (I)everything created by God is good, and (J)nothing is to be rejected if it is (K)received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy (L)by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6 (M)If you put these things before the brothers,[a] 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 (N)followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, (O)silly myths. Rather (P)train yourself for godliness; 8 for while (Q)bodily training is of some value, godliness (R)is of value in every way, as (S)it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is (T)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive,[b] because we have our hope set on the living God, (U)who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach (V)these things. 12 (W)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers (X)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 (Y)Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you (Z)by prophecy when the council of elders (AA)laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[c] so that (AB)all may see your progress. 16 (AC)Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save (AD)both yourself and (AE)your hearers.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 4:6 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
- 1 Timothy 4:10 Some manuscripts and suffer reproach
- 1 Timothy 4:15 Greek be in them
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
