Warning Against False Teaching and Exhortation to Godly Living
1 Timothy 4:1-16
1The Spirit expressly declares that in later times some will depart from the faith by paying attention to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons2through the hypocrisy of lying persons whose own conscience has been seared3They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thankfulness by those who are faithful and who have come to know the truth4For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when it is received with thankfulness5It is sanctified through the word of God and through intercession6By setting these things before the brothers you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and by the good teaching that you have followed7Reject the profane and old-wives'-tale myths; instead, train yourself for piety8Bodily training is of little value, but piety is valuable for all things because it holds the promise of the life that now is and of the life to come9The word is faithful and worthy of all acceptance10For this reason we labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe11Command and teach these things12Let no one look down on you because of your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity13Until I arrive, devote yourself to the public reading, to exhortation, and to teaching14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through a prophetic message when the council of elders laid their hands on you15Practice these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone16Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in them, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers