Warning Against False Asceticism
Study note
The Spirit explicitly warns that in later times some will abandon the faith, following deceiving spirits and teachings of demons propagated by hypocritical liars with seared consciences. These false teachers forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be enjoyed with thanksgiving. Paul counters with the foundational principle that everything God created is good and nothing is to be rejected when received with gratitude and sanctified through God's word and prayer.
1 The Holy Spirit says it plainly: in the future, some people will walk away from the faith. They will listen to lying spirits and follow teachings that come from demons. 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 These false teachings will come from people who lie with a straight face. Their consciences have been burned so badly that they cannot feel the difference between right and wrong anymore. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 They will tell people it is wrong to get married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God made those foods for people who believe and know the truth to enjoy with thankful hearts. 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 Everything God made is good. We should not turn away from anything if we receive it with a thankful heart. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 God's word and our prayers make it holy. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Training in Godliness
Study note
Paul instructs Timothy to share these truths with the brothers, thereby proving himself a good servant of Christ nourished by sound teaching. He contrasts worldly myths with spiritual training: while physical exercise has limited value, godliness is profitable for everything, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This trustworthy saying motivates Paul's own labor and striving, anchored in hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people.
6 If you keep reminding the believers about these things, you will be doing a great job as a servant of Jesus Christ. You yourself will be nourished by the good teaching and the words of faith that you have been following. 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 Stay away from silly myths and foolish old tales that have nothing to do with God. Instead, train yourself to live a godly life. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 Working out your body does you some good, but training yourself to be godly helps you in every part of life. It gives you blessings both now and forever. For bodily exercise profiteth little: 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 completely true and worth believing. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 We push ourselves and work so hard because we have put all our hope in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, and most of all those who believe. 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.
Be an Example Despite Your Youth
Study note
Timothy is to command and teach these things, letting no one look down on him because of his youth. Instead, he should be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. He must devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to encouragement, and to teaching. Paul urges him not to neglect his spiritual gift, received through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the elders. By giving himself fully to these things, Timothy will save both himself and his hearers.
11 Teach all of this and make sure people follow it. These things command and teach.
12 Do not let anyone push you aside because you are young. Show the believers what it looks like to follow Christ by the way you talk, the way you act, the way you love, the faith you show, and the pure life you live. 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 Until I get there, spend your time reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the people, and teaching them. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Do not ignore the special gift God put inside you. You received it when the prophets spoke over you and the elders laid their hands on you. 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 Pour yourself into these things completely. Give them everything you have, so that everyone around you can see how you are growing. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Pay close attention to how you live and what you teach. Keep at it without stopping. If you do this, you will save both yourself and everyone who listens to you. 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.