The Bible — World English Bible

1 Timothy 4

In brief

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul writes to Timothy, a young leader he has trained and charged with watching over the church in Ephesus. He warns that some will abandon the faith for false teaching, reminds Timothy that God's creation is good, and then calls him to train himself in godliness. He asks him to be an example in spite of his youth, to devote himself to reading, exhortation and teaching, and to watch his own life as closely as his doctrine.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-5False teaching and the goodness of creation
  2. v. 6-10Fed on sound teaching, train yourself in godliness
  3. v. 11-16Be an example, and watch your life and your teaching

1But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

2through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron,

3forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving.

5For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

6If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.

7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.

8For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.

9This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance.

10For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

11Command and teach these things.

12Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

13Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.

14Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

15Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.

16Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Key verses

Verse 1
But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

Paul announces that in later times some will fall away from the faith. To fall away, you must first have received it, so the text calls every believer to be watchful.

Verse 7-8
But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.

The word for exercise comes from the vocabulary of the gym. Godliness is worked at like training: regularly and with discipline, because it bears fruit for today and for eternity.

Verse 12
Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

Paul encourages a young leader: authority does not come from age but from an exemplary life in five areas, speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.

Verse 16
Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Watching your own life and watching your teaching go together. Christians understand differently what it means to save yourself, but all read here a call to persevere.

Bible verses to meditate on

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What the sermons say

Train Your Faith Like Your Body: The Discipline That SavesPastor Daniel pauses on the word “expressly” in verse 1, a signal not to miss, then draws four points on discipline from verses 6 to 8: attitude, nourishment, sorting and godliness.Read the summary →The Ladder of Seven Virtues That Grow Your FaithJM Botteron quotes 1 Timothy 4:7-8 to show that godliness is added to faith as a daily exercise, like training in a gym.Read the summary →Can You Lose Your Salvation?René Ouandji reads verse 1: to fall away from the faith, you must have had it, so this is about believers. He sees a call not to be seduced by false teaching.Read the summary →The Temptation to Give Up: God Says Stand FirmJean-Marc Botteron ties verse 1 to the traps that make people let go of God: faith is like a fire to be kept burning, and he calls us to persevere to the end.Read the summary →The Foundations of Authentic DiscipleshipWilliam Ngom points to Paul taking Timothy under his wing and urging him not to fear his youth (verse 12) as an example of passing on faith from disciple to disciple.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 1 Timothy 4

What does 1 Timothy 4:1 mean?

Paul states that the Spirit says clearly that in later times some will fall away from the faith to follow deceiving spirits and teachings of demons. These are people who had known the faith, which makes the message serious. Christian traditions do not all draw the same conclusions about the security of salvation, but all read here a call to hold on to the truth and stay alert.

What does exercising yourself toward godliness mean in 1 Timothy 4:7?

Paul compares the life of faith to training. As an athlete trains every day, the believer cultivates their relationship with God through prayer, the Word and obedience. Bodily exercise has limited value, Paul says, while godliness is valuable in all things, for the present life and for the life to come.

What does it mean to let no one despise your youth?

Paul encourages Timothy to carry out his ministry without feeling inferior. It is not age that gives weight to a leader but their example: the way they speak, behave, love, believe and stay pure. The verse applies to anyone who feels too young or too inexperienced to serve.

Articles quoting 1 Timothy 4

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World English Bible translation — public domain.