1 Timothy · 16 verses
1 Timothy 4
Every verse links to the people and places named in it, and to the passages readers connect it with.
The chapter
What happens here
Atlas's own reading, written from this chapter and nothing else, and published only once a person has approved it. Each scene names the verses it covers; the names inside it link to the people and places they name.
Physical exercise is granted limited value; godliness is promised usefulness in every way, for the present life and the one to come.
A diet of thanksgivingvv. 1–10
The Spirit looks ahead to people abandoning the faith for deceitful spirits and demonic teachings, with liars whose consciences have been seared rather dramatically—like a conscience brought to the smithy. Their prohibitions concern marriage and food, but the chapter answers with the generous claim that every creation of God is good when received with thanksgiving, the word of God and prayer giving the meal its proper setting. A good servant points this out, rejects irreverent silly myths, and trains for godliness. Physical exercise receives a modest commendation, while godliness is given an extraordinary two-life promise. The labour and striving here rest on hope in the living God, called the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
The young teacher and the giftvv. 11–16
The address then turns from sorting false teaching to the conduct of the teacher. Youth is not to be allowed the last word; speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity are to answer for him instead. Until the speaker comes, public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching are to occupy him, along with the gift given through prophecy when the elders laid hands on him. The final instruction is wonderfully double-edged: close attention to life and teaching, and perseverance in both, will save the hearers—and the teacher too.
The text
Read it
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.
1 Tim 4:1Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
1 Tim 4:2influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
1 Tim 4:3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
1 Tim 4:4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,
1 Tim 4:5because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
1 Tim 4:6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
1 Tim 4:7But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
1 Tim 4:8For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
1 Tim 4:9This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.
1 Tim 4:10To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
1 Tim 4:11Command and teach these things.
1 Tim 4:12Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Tim 4:13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
1 Tim 4:14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
1 Tim 4:15Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
1 Tim 4:16Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
02 — Read alongside
Where this is echoed
Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 357 passages were voted onto 16 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.
- 12Titus 2:7In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- 122 Timothy 2:22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- 122 Timothy 2:15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
- 121 Peter 5:3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
- 122 Peter 1:5–8For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
- 12 Timothy 3:1–9But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.
- 121 Corinthians 11:1You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
- 8Matthew 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
- 121 Thessalonians 1:6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.
- 12 Peter 2:1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
- 81 Timothy 6:6Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
- 12Matthew 18:10See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.
- 12 Corinthians 11:13–15For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- 12James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- 1Jude 1:18when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”
- 16Titus 1:9He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
Onward