1 Timothy 4:1-16
1 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:a 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.b
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.
Contents: Walk of a good minister of Christ.
Characters: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Paul, Timothy.
Conclusion: Those are good ministers of Jesus Christ who are diligent to instil into the minds of their hearers the fundamental truths of God's Word, which will prevent their being seduced by false teachers and drawn away into the apostasy of the last days. Let them not study to advance new notions, but ever be faithful in proclaiming those saving truths which they have received of the apostles and Jesus Christ.
Key Word: Good minister, 1 Timothy 4:6.
Strong Verses: 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:12.
Striking Facts: 1 Timothy 4:1-3. Satan is a theologian and makes use of demons in the last days to lead many away into apostasy. Spiritualism clearly presented here. Two prominent points of its doctrine are seen in 1 Timothy 4:3. Abstinence from meat is considered a condition of mediumistic power. Spiritual affinities are taught as against marriage.