Frameworks:
1 Timothy 4
For
preliminaries see chapter 1
[Chapter
4 Synopsis: All about Timothy's ministry: countering
false teachers and teaching godliness by preaching and teaching
as told by God through prophecy]
v.1-6
Last Times False Teachers
v.7-10
Teaching Godliness
v.11-16
Keeping Timothy on the right ministry path
v.1-6
Last Times False Teachers
[Passage
Synopsis: you will need to counter false teachers who
seek to spoil our enjoyment of God's provision]
v.1
(in the last
days there will be deception) The
Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the
faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
v.2
(this will be
from liars) Such teachings come
through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared
as with a hot iron.
v.3
(who seek to
curtain people by the law, stopping us receive all of God's goodness)
They 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.
v.4,5
(all He created
is good) For everything God
created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received
with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God
and prayer.
v.6
(teach this
well) If you point these things
out to the brothers and sisters, 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.
v.7-10
Teaching Godliness
[Passage
Synopsis: godliness isn't about inhibiting life]
v.7
(godliness has
nothing to do with superstitious myths) Have
nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather,
train yourself to be godly.
v.8
(physical care
is good but godliness is more important) For
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.
v.9
(make sure you
hold on to this) This is a trustworthy
saying that deserves full acceptance.
v.10
(this is the
outworking of our gospel) That
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.
v.11-16
Keeping Timothy on the right ministry path
[Passage
Synopsis: focus the ministry you were given through prophecy
– preaching, teaching etc. and keep at it whole-heartedly]
v.11
(keep teaching
at the heart of your ministry) Command
and teach these things.
v.12
(don't let people
put you down for being young but demonstrate you're up to it)
Don'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.
v.13
(to keep preaching,
teaching etc.) Until I come,
devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching
and to teaching.
v.14
(don't neglect
your God-given gift) Do not
neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the
body of elders laid their hands on you.
v.15
(give yourself
wholly to it) Be diligent in
these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone
may see your progress.
v.16
(watch for the
way you live and what you teach) Watch
your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if
you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
(CONTINUE
to CHAPTER 5)