1 Timothy 4 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, ³ men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; ⁵ for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

⁶ In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. ⁷ But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; ⁸ for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

¹¹ Prescribe and teach these things. ¹² Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. ¹³ Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

Within today’s text we see an example of why it is critical that we read, interpret and understand the Bible within the context it was written and within the context of the rest of scripture. Those who try to build doctrines from single verses or small portions of scripture taken out of context mislead themselves and others.  Some people will take verse 4-5:   everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;  for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer,    to justify or take license to do almost anything, as if by our giving thanks and praying God will bless what is sinful or harmful. Paul is speaking here, very specifically about those who were trying to restrict believers, holding them to the regulations and traditions of man, rather than the freedom they have in Christ. In another instance where Paul is addressing the matter of food sacrificed to idols, in 1 Corinthians 10:23, he says:   All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.      Again this does not give license to or condone participating in sin. Throughout his letters to the church Paul encourages believers to live holy and righteous lives, as those who have been set free from sin, not who are free to sin. 

In today’s text Paul says:   discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;  for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.    God does not restrict us or limit what we can do. He has created us with a free will, to do as we please and make our own choices. We must choose to discipline ourselves in godliness. God will not require that we read or study His word. He will not require that we pray and take time to meditate in His presence. God does not force us to do anything, yet when we discipline ourselves, when we choose to read God’s word, when we do pray and meditate in God’s presence, when we submit ourselves to His will, we receive His promises in this present life and also in the life to come. The things God would have us refrain from are not simply to restrict us, they are for our good. The psalmist says:  Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37: 3-7)

In his letter to Timothy, Paul is encouraging him as one who ministers for the gospel. He says:  in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe… give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you      Jesus has called and commissioned every one of us to be ministers of the gospel. . He says:  “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)  He says:  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)   Jesus says:  “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)    We too then should heed Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. We should, be an example, in speech, in conduct, in love, faith and purity, both to those who believe and to unbelievers. Jesus says:   “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)   Jesus says we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. Paul says: do not neglect the spiritual gift within you. Ephesians 2:8-10 says:   For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.    God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. There are good works He has prepared for us that no one else can do.

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ; precious Holy Spirit, thank You for Your word which is not meant to restrict or limit but rather as the psalmist says: Your word is a light to my path and a lamp unto my feet. As I delight in You, as I discipline myself in reading and studying, in prayer and worship, in meditation in Your presence, give me the desires of my heart. May my will become aligned with Yours. May I be faithful and not neglect the call and commission, the purpose You have for me. May I do the good works You have prepared for me and prepared me for.      Amen