Frameworks:
1 Timothy 4
v.1-6
Last Times False Teachers
v.7-10
Teaching Godliness
v.11-16
Keeping Timothy on the right ministry path
[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
[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)