"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"
Chapter Four
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To learn what we can about the apostasy foretold by the Spirit
2) To see what sort of things will make one a good minister of Jesus
Christ
SUMMARY
Paul begins this chapter with describing how the Spirit has revealed
that in latter times there would be an apostasy in which some would
depart from the faith. This falling away would come about as people
gave heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, leading to
their speaking lies in hypocrisy and searing their consciences as with
a hot iron. Examples of their false doctrines are given: forbidding
to marry and commanding to abstain from certain foods. Regarding the
latter, Paul makes it clear that all foods are acceptable if they be
received with thanksgiving, for they are sanctified by the word of God
and prayer (1-5).
In the last half of this chapter, we find Paul instructing Timothy on
how he can be a good minister of Jesus Christ. By instructing the
brethren in matters pertaining to sound doctrine, he will also be
nourished himself. But he should also be careful to avoid foolish
fables, and rather exercise himself to godliness, which is of more
enduring value than bodily exercise (6-10).
Though Timothy is young, he should not let anyone despise him for his
youth. Instead he must demonstrate the proper example of how a
believer should speak and live. With further instruction as to what
things to give attention, Paul encourages Timothy that by following
these admonitions his progress will be evident to all, and he will save
both himself and those who hear him (11-16).
OUTLINE
I. THE COMING APOSTASY (1-5)
A. THE DEPARTURE FORETOLD (1-2)
1. Foretold expressly by the Spirit (1a)
2. In latter times some will depart from the faith (1b-2)
a. Giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons
(1b)
b. Speaking lies in hypocrisy (2a)
c. Having consciences seared with a hot iron (2b)
B. THE DEPARTURE DESCRIBED (3-5)
1. Some will forbid to marry (3a)
2. Some will command abstention from certain foods (3b)
a. Which God created to be received with thanksgiving (3c)
b. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be
refused (4a)
1) If it is received with thanksgiving (4b)
2) For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer (5)
II. A GOOD SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST (6-16)
A. IN REGARDS TO DOCTRINE (6-7a)
1. Instruct the brethren in regards to such things as the
apostasy (6a)
2. You will be a good minister of Jesus Christ (6b)
3. You will be nourished in the words of faith and good doctrine
(6c)
4. But reject profane and old wives' fables (7a)
B. IN REGARDS TO GODLINESS (7b-10)
1. Exercise yourself to godliness, for bodily exercise profits a
little (7b-8a)
2. But godliness is profitable for all things, having promise...
a. Of the life that now is (8b)
b. And of that which is to come (8c)
3. Such is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance (9)
4. And to this end we labor and suffer reproach (10a)
a. Because we trust in the living God (10b)
b. Who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who
believe (10c)
C. COUNSEL FOR A YOUNG PREACHER (11-16)
1. Command and teach such things as previously described (11)
2. Let no one despise your youth (12a)
3. Be an example to the believers (12b)
a. In word, in conduct, in love
b. In spirit, in faith, in purity
4. Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (13)
5. Do not neglect the gift in you (14a)
a. Given by prophecy (14b)
b. With the laying on of hands of the presbytery (14c)
6. In order that your progress may be evident to all...
a. Meditate on these things (15a)
b. Give yourself entirely to them (15b)
7. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine (16a)
a. Continue in them (16b)
b. In doing this, you will save both yourself and those who
hear you (16b)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- The coming apostasy (1-5)
- A good servant of Jesus Christ (6-16)
2) What did the Spirit reveal would happen in latter times? (1)
- Some will depart from the faith
3) What would such people give heed to? (1)
- Deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons
4) What would they speak? Why? (2)
- Lies in hypocrisy
- Their consciences would be seared, as with a hot iron
5) List two examples of the sort of doctrines they would teach (3)
- Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from certain foods
6) What foods are acceptable for Christians to eat? What makes them
acceptable? (4-5)
- Nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving
- They are sanctified by the word of God and prayer
7) What would ensure that Timothy would be a good minister of Jesus
Christ? (6)
- If he instructed the brethren in these matters
8) As a good minister, in what would he be nourished? (6)
- In the words of faith and of the good doctrine which he has
carefully followed
9) What was Timothy to reject? Unto what was he to exercise himself?
(7)
- Profane and old wives' fables
- Godliness
10) What is the value of godliness? (8)
- It has promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to
come
11) What was Timothy not to let anyone despise? (12)
- His youth
12) In what areas was Timothy to be an example to the believers? (12)
- In word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity
13) To what three things was Timothy to give attention? (13)
- Reading, exhortation, and doctrine
14) What was Timothy not to neglect? How was it given to him? (14)
- The gift that was in him
- By prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery
(elders)
17) How could Timothy ensure that his progress would be evident to all?
(15)
- By meditating on these things, and giving himself entirely to them
18) How could Timothy save both himself and those who heard him? (16)
- By taking heed to himself and to the doctrine, and continuing in
them
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