1 Timothy chapter 4
4:1 Expressly means clearly. To depart means to apostatize. Apostasy is the deliberate and permanent rejection of
Christianity after a previous profession of faith in it. Doctrines of devils, that is, doctrines taught by demons.
4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy (or, "by the hypocrisy of liars"): The demons of verse 1 expound their doctrines, not
directly, but indirectly through such human ministers. These are further described as having their conscience
seared with a hot iron, that is, branded (scarred) in their conscience. Permanently defaced, the moral life of these
hypocrites is scarred by sin as they carry around the awareness of their guilt, yet continue preaching to others.
4:3 Two examples of demonic doctrines are cited here: (1) prohibition against marriage, and (2) abstaining from
certain foods.
4:4 Every creature of God is good (or, "Everything created by God is good"): This substantiates the remark in
verse 3 that God created foods to be eaten, not abstained from.
4:5 By divine statements (by the word of God) declaring all foods fit for man, and by the believer's giving of thanks
before meals (by...prayer), food is sanctified. This means food is set apart (reserved) for consumption by Christians.
4:6 Nourished up in (or, "being trained in"): As Timothy teaches the brethren God's word, he also instructs himself.
Good doctrine helps make a good minister. Whereunto thou hast attained (or, "which good doctrine you have
followed"): Timothy has faithfully conformed to the truth Paul taught him.
4:7 We may read the verse, "But avoid profane and fabricated myths, and exercise yourself to be godly." These
false doctrines, called "myths," are described as "profane" because they promote ungodliness, and "fabricated"
because they--like modern-day soap operas--are silly and flighty in character. Not only must Timothy avoid false
teaching, he must spare himself no pain and effort to be pious. Godliness does not come automatically. To attain
holiness he mus be diligent in prayer, Bible study, obedience, fellowshipping with other believers, and Christians
service.
4:8 The verse may be paraphrased, "For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness, the result of spiritual
exercise, has unlimited value, since it brings blessings for now and eternity."
4:10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach (or, "For we both toil and labor to attain this goal"). That is,
Paul and associates exercise themselves spiritually to be godly, so they may realize the promise of abundant life
and blessings (verse 8). God...is the Savior of all men in that He has provided salvation for all. But only those that
believe are actually saved.
4:11 Command and teach: Chronologically, teaching precedes commanding, but "command" is put first to remind
timid Timothy, who is eager to teach but hesitant to exercise authority, that this is also one of his responsibilities as
a leader.
4:12 Youth: This Greek words was applied to men 40 years of age and younger. To help prevent some from
despising his "youth," Timothy is to be...and example of [for] the believers in the areas of the word (conversation),
conversation (conduct), charity (love for those treating him well and ill), spirit (proper attitude), faith (trusting God in
good and bad times), and in purity (sexual purity and integrity of life).
4:13 In his Ephesian ministry Timothy is to read and teach the Scriptures, and exhort God's people obey the truths
learned.
4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee (or, "Stop neglecting the spiritual gift which in you"): Evidently he had not
been fulfilling all the responsibilities of verse 13. This gift...was given Timothy by prophecy; that is, through
utterance of some New Testament prophet(s), the church was informed of the divine enablement granted him. This
was accompanied by the laying on of the hands of the church elders in recognition of the fact that God had called
Timothy to the ministry and had gifted him for it.
4:15 Meditate upon these things could be rendered, "Take pains with these things." Give thyself wholly to them
could be rendered, "Be completely absorbed in them." Timothy can prevent the neglect of his gift (verse 14) by
totally giving himself to carry out the tasks at hand. He is to do this for the purpose that thy profiting [spiritually
progress] may appear to all.
4:16 Timothy is to keep constant watch (take heed) over both his own spiritual life (thyself) and what he teaches
others (doctrine). He must continue in these two activities, for in doing so he will both save himself from the coming
apostasy (verse 1) and them that hear him.
1 Timothy chapter 5
5:1 Elder here denotes, not a man holding the church office of overseer or elder, but a man older than Timothy. He
is to deal with older men as though each were his father.
5:3 Honor in this context signifies the expressing of esteem by material and financial support. That are widows
indeed (or, "who are real widows"): The following verses set forth three prerequisites for a widow to qualify for
church aid: (1) she must be desolate, having no family to care for her; (2) she must possess certain spiritual
qualities; (3) she must be a certain age.
5:4 A widow's children or nephews (grandchildren) are to show respect (show piety at home) by caring for her
(requite their parents). This prevents the church from being unnecessarily burdened financially. The responsibility
for supporting a widow lies first with her family, second with the church.
5:5 A widow deserving of church aid is desolate (has no family to care for her); trusteth in God (lives the Christian
life faithful); continueth in supplications (constantly prays for her support and for the church' ministry).
5:6 This may be paraphrased, "But the widow who indulges in luxurious living, though physically alive, is spiritually
dead."
5:7 Timothy is to ensure that the church complies with the directives of verses 3-6, so they [the widow and her
relatives] may be blameless in the matter of widow care.
5:8 Any family member or relative who fails to care for his own widow, especially for those of his own house (in his
immediate family) disavows Christianity (hath denied the faith). He is morally worse than an infidel (unbeliever), for
even unbelievers generally assume responsibility for aged parents.
5:9, 10 A widow qualifies for church aid if she (1) is at least 60 years in age, (2) was faithful to her husband , and
(3) has done good works. The wife of one man does not forbid remarriage. For Paul would hardly exclude here a
widow from receiving church assistance who, on his advice in verse 11, had remarried and later become a widow
again. This phrase denotes marital fidelity.
5:11 The church is to refuse to financially support younger widows, that is, those below 60 years of age. Wax
wanton means that some younger widows rebel against Christ in that they will remarry outside of His will, that is,
marry people of whom He disapproves.
5:12 When a widow marries outside of Christ's will (verse 11), she then incurs judgment (damnation) from others
because she has broken (cast off) her first faith, or primary pledge to obey Him.
5:13 Tattlers are gossips. With time on her hands and no responsibilities, a young widow financially supported by
the church is likely to illustrated that "idleness is the Devil's workshop."
5:14 I will denotes strong intention base on thorough deliberation. Younger women are young widows. Guide the
house means to manage their homes.
5:15 Turned aside after satan: Some younger widows have rejected chaste living, propriety, and a proper second
marriage, pursuing--in accord with satan's wishes--a carnal, self-indulgent, self-willed life.
5:16 A Christian manor woman with a widow in the family is to support (relieve) her. This prevents the church from
being unnecessarily burdened (charged), freeing it to aid widows in more dire need.
5:17 Elders are the same as the "bishops" or overseers of 3:1-7, who are charged with the spiritual oversight of the
church. Those devoting full time to the ministry are to receive double honor, that is, esteem for the office held, as
well as financial remuneration compensating for the loss of income sustained in fulfilling their duties.
5:19 We may translated the verse: "Don't ever accept [as true] an accusation against an elder, unless verified by
the evidence of two or three witnesses."
5:20 Them that sin refers to elders guilty of persistent, flagrant sin, and against whom an accusation has been
proven (verse 19). Such are to be publicly censured before the church, that others (the remaining elders and all
believers) may not sin.
5:21 The apostle strictly commands Timothy to comply with (observe) the directions of verses 1-20. He is to do so
both without preferring one before another (without prejudging a matter ahead of the facts), and without partiality
(preferential treatment is to be shown no one).
5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man cautions Timothy against hastily ordaining a man as elder. Otherwise Timothy
will be partaker of this unqualified elders sin if her acts irresponsibly in office. Timothy can keep himself pure by not
putting such men into office prematurely.
5:23 This verse may be rendered, "Stop drinking only water, but periodically use a little wine for the sake of your
digestion and frequent sickness."
5:24, 25 Reinforcing the command to "suddenly " ordain no one to leadership (verse 22), these verses are applied
to Timothy by analogy. The sins of some are obvious (open), declaring in advance (beforehand) the judicial
decision to be passed upon them by God in judgment; the sins of others are not so obvious, but will catch up (they
follow after) with them in judgment. Whether sins be conspicuous or inconspicuous, God will find them out. Similarly
the good works of some are easily seen (manifest), while those of others are not; nevertheless, even good works
that are undetected by man will eventually be made known in judgment. The point is that thorough examination
exposes all deeds--good and bad, known and unknown. The application is that if Timothy and the church will not
hastily install men into office, but carefully examine each elder candidate, his true character and fitness for office
can eventually be determined.