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1 Timothy 4

1Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, devoting themselves to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons, 2through the hypocrisy of liars whose own consciences are seared. 3They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5for it is made holy through the word of God and prayer.

6By laying these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7But refuse profane old wives' tales. Train yourself in devotion to God. 8For bodily training is useful to a limited extent, but devotion to God is useful in every way, holding promise for the present life and the life to come. 9This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10For this we labor and endure insults, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

11Command and teach these things. 12Let no one look down on your youth, but become a pattern for believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of the council of elders' hands. 15Practice these things; immerse yourself in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. 16Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persist in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Translation notes 5

4:2 — “Consciences are seared.” The image involves burning or branding. It may suggest damaged sensitivity or a brand marking guilt or ownership; the text does not spell out which.

4:6–7 — “Brothers”; “old wives' tales.” “Brothers” is the family address for the community. The following expression disparagingly associates the myths with old women; that gendered language is present in Greek.

4:10 — “Endure insults”; “Savior of all people.” The SBL Greek text reads “endure insults”; another important reading is “strive.” The statement about God, including “especially of believers,” is retained without a theological qualification.

4:13 — “The public reading.” Reading aloud to the gathered community is intended, with Scripture understood from context.

4:16 — “You will save.” The verb is retained as written; the text does not replace it with “prove that you are saved.”