# 1 Timothy 04 📖: Train Yourself for Godliness [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-1 Timothy Overview]] | [[1 Timothy 03]] | [[1 Timothy 05]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) ### Warnings against False Teachers **Principle**: Be aware- not all will stay faithful. [[#Verse 01.]] Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings, [[#Verse 02.]] influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. [[#Verse 03.]] They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [[#Verse 04.]] For every creation of God is good, and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. [[#Verse 05.]] For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer. ### A Good Servant of Christ Jesus **Principle**: Grow yourself and others with God's Word. [[#Verse 06.]] By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. [[#Verse 07.]] But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness. [[#Verse 08.]] For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” [[#Verse 09.]] This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. [[#Verse 10.]] In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers. ### Instructions For Ministry **Principle**: Be bold. Instruct others so they can be free. [[#Verse 11.]] Command and teach these things. [[#Verse 12.]] Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. [[#Verse 13.]] Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. [[#Verse 14.]] Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you. [[#Verse 15.]] Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. [[#Verse 16.]] Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you. ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ###### Verse 04. ###### Verse 05. ###### Verse 06. ###### Verse 07. ###### Verse 08. ###### Verse 09. ###### Verse 10. ###### Verse 11. ###### Verse 12. ###### Verse 13. ###### Verse 14. ###### Verse 15. ###### Verse 16. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. "Train" (4:7) comes from *gymnazo*, the root of the English word "gymnasium." 2. The gymnasium was a center of Greek city life, and Ephesus had several large gymnasium complexes. 3. "Seared" consciences (4:2) uses a word for cauterizing or branding with a hot iron. 4. Forbidding marriage and certain foods (4:3) reflects ascetic teaching that later grew in some Gnostic groups. 5. In the Greco-Roman world a man could still be called "young" into his thirties, so Timothy may not have been a teenager. 6. Public reading of Scripture (4:13) was already part of synagogue worship (Luke 4:16; Acts 13:15). 7. Timothy received his gift through prophecy and the laying on of hands by the elders (4:14), and also through Paul (2 Timothy 1:6). 8. The "silly myths" of 4:7 are literally "old women's tales," a common ancient expression. 9. Paul again uses the formula "this saying is trustworthy" in 4:9. 10. Paul's statement that everything God created is good (4:4) echoes Genesis 1:31. ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is the Master whom Timothy serves as a good servant, nourished by the words of the faith (4:6). Godliness holds promise for this life and the life to come (4:8) because Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). ## 🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. Paul warns about teachers who forbid marriage and certain foods (4:1-5). Why is it dangerous to reject what God created as good? 2. Physical training has some value, but godliness has value in every way (4:7-8). What does training for godliness look like for you? 3. Timothy was told not to let anyone look down on his youth but to set an example (4:12). In which area can you set an example this week? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verses 4-5: Everything God created is good when it is received with thanksgiving. - 📖 verses 7-8: Train yourself for godliness, which holds promise for this life and the life to come. - 📖 verse 12: Let no one look down on your youth, but set an example in speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. - 📖 verses 15-16: Give attention to your life and teaching, and persevere in them. ## 🔗 Related Passages - 🔗 [[Genesis 01#Verse 31.|Genesis 1:31]] - God saw all He had made, and it was very good. - 🔗 [[Acts 10#Verse 15.|Acts 10:15]] - What God has made clean. - 🔗 [[1 Corinthians 09#Verse 25.|1 Corinthians 9:25-27]] - Disciplined like an athlete. - 🔗 [[Titus 02#Verse 07.|Titus 2:7]] - Be an example of good works. - 🔗 [[2 Timothy 01#Verse 06.|2 Timothy 1:6]] - Rekindle the gift of God. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection 📝 SOAP: [[1 Timothy 04 - SOAP|What Hope Have You Got?]] ## 📂 Internal Notes