1 TIMOTHY LESSON 5


     I Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils;"

     "Expressly" speaks of something that is beyond question, or
definite. "Spirit", of course, is the Holy Spirit of God. There has
been so much discussion about when the latter times come into reality.
Actually, the beginning of the latter times was at the resurrection of
Jesus. When we look at "giving heed to seducing spirits" we see that
the people are willingly listening to these spirits that draw people
away from God's teachings. We read in a previous lesson, that before
the coming of the Lord, there will be a great falling away from the
church. We are, also, told that in the latter days, it will be like it
was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. This means that the homosexual
life style will be practiced. That is the reason Sodom was destroyed.
The word sodomy comes from that name. In the instance of the verse
above, there is a specific false doctrine that is being widely
accepted. Notice, with me, before we get into the details, it is a
doctrine of devils. This doctrine goes directly in opposition to God's
teaching.

     I Timothy 4:2 "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron;"

     These people must have been at some time believers and have
turned away from that teaching, because they are hypocrites. They are
actually lying about God's teachings. The worst thing of all, they
feel no guilt for what they are teaching. Since their conscience is
not working properly, it appears they got into this false doctrine
gradually. Each falsehood made them a little less conscience of their
sin.

     I Timothy 4:3 "Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain
from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of
them which believe and know the truth."

     Now we get into the specifics of the doctrine of devils. God made
male and female to marry, and with Him, create Him a family. You can
see why it would be wrong to teach people not to marry. They would not
fulfill their reason for being males and females in the flesh. There
are many people in our society today who have elevated animals up to a
position where they do not belong. It is almost animal worship. God
created animals for man. He intended men to eat the flesh of animals.
That was their purpose for being. We will see, as we go along, that
meats here is referring to the flesh of an animal. The only
restriction for eating even the animals that were classified as
unclean in the Old Testament, is that you pray over the food before
you eat it. When Jesus raised the 12 year old girl to life, He said,
feed her some meat. This was the flesh of an animal. There is a
movement going through our land not to use the hide of an animal for
coats. The first thing God did for Adam and Eve, after their fall, was
to kill an animal and make clothing for them of the hide of the
animal. We should not get away from using the animal for the purpose
God made him for.  He has a purpose that fits in with the plans of
God. God does not need our help to decide what the animal is used for.
Animals are not people. People are made in the image of God.

     I Timothy 4:4 "For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing
to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:"

     The word "creature", in the verse above, lets you know that this
is animal flesh they are speaking of. Everything God created, was
followed by saying, and it is good. Remember, though, whatever you
eat, must be prayed over, thanking God before you eat it.

     I Timothy 4:5 "For it is sanctified by the word of God and
prayer."

     "Sanctified", in this particular sense, means made holy. It is
very important for us to remember that God made the earth, and
everything on it, and all the animals, fishes, and fowl, before He
made man. He made all of this for the use of man. He made it not to
use as we see fit, but as He planned for us to use it. It was the Word
of God that made all of it. It was made good from the beginning.

     I Timothy 4:6 "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these
things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in
the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast
attained."

     Timothy needs to remind these people of the falsehood of teaching
doctrines of devils. Any use of anything on this earth for other
purposes than what God made them for in the beginning, would be as if
we were saying God made a mistake. You can see the error in this. The
"brethren" speaks of all believers in Christ. Notice, he is a minister
of Jesus Christ. He is under direct orders of Jesus. Paul just reminds
Timothy that he had been taught correctly from the beginning, now stay
with that teaching.

     I Timothy 4:7 "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and
exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness."

     Some of the writers spoke of the Talmud as fables. I do not think
that to be what Paul is saying here, however. He is saying, don't
listen to people, learn from the Word of God. The best exercise a
person can get is in the Word of God. Perhaps, there was a great deal
of small talk in the church. It is best to stick to the study of God's
Word in the church, and not have profane parties there.

     I Timothy 4:8 "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but
godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life
that now is, and of that which is to come."

     The most a person can do with bodily exercise is to improve the
flesh of man a little. The study of God's Word builds up the spirit of
man. The flesh will pass away, but the spirit is eternal. The best
preperation that we can make, is for the everlasting life.

     I Timothy 4:9 "This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all
acceptation."

     This is just saying to Timothy, I am saying this in all good
faith. It will be beneficial to you.

     I Timothy 4:10 "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men,
specially of those that believe."

     This Scripture is the one many use to say that all mankind will
be saved. That is really not what it is saying. Jesus is the Saviour
of all mankind, if they accept the salvation He provided for them.
Jesus suffered for every individual who ever lived. In that sense, He
is the Saviour of us all. How can we receive something we do not
believe in? The key that turns the lock to save each of us, is our
acceptance of that free gift of salvation.  John 3:16  "For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Mark
16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned."  Paul believed so strongly, he would
spend the rest of his life labouring for the gospel. Paul was so
thoroughly convinced when he saw the Light of Jesus, that no scorn of
man could turn him away. He was willing to suffer anything to be able
to bring the gospel message to the lost. Paul admits that he believes
Jesus rose from the grave, when he calls Him "Living God".

     I Timothy 4:11 "These things command and teach."

     Command is a strong word that shows it is absolutely necessary to
believe, to be saved. You could say, require this of all who accept
Jesus as Saviour. Timothy will be acting as the pastor of the church
here. One of the duties of the pastor of the church is to teach the
people how to apply the Word of God to their daily lives. Christianity
is a walk, not a one-time experience.

     I Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an
example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in
spirit, in faith, in purity."

     Paul is saying to Timothy, do not wander from the teachings,
because of your youth and give the Christians any reason to question
your teachings. He is saying to Timothy, live above reproach. Do
everything as a seasoned man of God. The pastor of any church must
live an example before his people. Sin should not be even in his
thoughts whether he is young or old. Notice, that Paul cautions him
first about the Word of God. The Word must not be compromised. He is,
also, telling Timothy to be a doer of the Word of God, not just a
speaker of the Word. Let Christ in you be so great that they will not
be able to find any flaw in your way of life. Be strong in the faith
and in the power of the Spirit.
     I Timothy 4:13 "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to
exhortation, to doctrine."

     Notice, that even Timothy needs to study the Word of God. Paul is
saying, spend much time in reading your Bible. Preach {exhort} every
time you have the opportunity, and stay with the doctrine we have
established.

     I Timothy 4:14 "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was
given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery."

     This is speaking of the special gift of the Holy Spirit that was
given Timothy, when he was baptized in the Spirit of God. Paul is
reminding Timothy that this gift was given him to use in the ministry.
I Corinthians 12:28 "And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles,
then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
This does not specifically say which Timothy received, but we know the
purpose of these gifts of the Spirit are to help in the church. The
laying on of the hands of the presbytery was to anoint Timothy for the
ministry. We do not all have the same gift, but we must use the gift
that God has given us to minister with. The main reason Timothy is not
to neglect the gift the Lord gave him, is because that is his
individual power to minister. Each ministry is different. He is to
minister in the area where the Lord called him.

     I Timothy 4:15 "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly
to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."

     Paul is expressing to Timothy the necessity to give all of his
attention to the ministry. Timothy will be a blessing to the people he
ministers to, if he ministers in the area the Lord has annointed him
to minister in. Those called of God are called to serve others, not
themselves. Paul wants all to realize that Timothy is called of God,
and will do a good job in spite of his youth.

     I Timothy 4:16 "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and
them that hear thee."

     Timothy, or for that fact, any minister, must know the Truth
himself, before he can lead others to the Truth. If the blind lead the
blind, they both fall into the ditch. Timothy, must not only teach the
correct doctrine, but live it, as well. The shepherd, who leads the
flock, must teach Truth. If he, or she, does not, the entire flock
will be lost. The salvation of his own soul has to do with what he
believes as an individual, but the salvation of the congregation
depends upon what each individual has been taught and accepted as
Truth.  Romans 10:14 "How then shall they call on him in whom they
have not believed?  and how shall they believe in him of whom they
have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"


                        1 Timothy 5 Questions


1.  Quote 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 1.
2.  What does the word "expressly" mean?
3.  The Spirit is what?
4.  When did the latter times begin?
5.  What is meant by "giving heed to seducing spirits"?
6.  When will the great falling away of the church occur?
7.  What will it be like in the latter days?
8.  The doctrine Paul was warning of, was a doctrine of _________.
9.  What makes the author believe they were Christians?
10. What are they lying about?
11. How had they gotten into this false doctrine?
12. In verse 3, what specific false things were they teaching?
13. Why did God make males and females in the flesh?
14. What has our society done regarding animals, that God would not
    approve of?
15. What is the only restriction for eating meat?
16. What did Jesus say to do for the 12 year old girl he raised?
17. Why do we know it is alright to wear coats made from the skin or
    hide of an animal?
18. Every creature of God is _______.
19. What word leaves no doubt that this is speaking of the flesh of an
    animal?
20. The meat is sanctified by what?
21. What does "sanctified", in verse 5, mean?
22. If Timothy does what, he will be a good minister of Jesus Christ.
23. Who are the "brethren" spoken of here?
24. Refuse profane and old wives' _________.
25. What is the best exercise we can get?
26. Quote 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 8.
27. What is the most a person can do with bodily exercise?
28. Who is the Living God?
29. Quote John chapter 3 verse 16.
30. Quote Mark chapter 16 verse 16.
31. Christianity is a ________, not a ____ time experience.
32. What did Paul caution Timothy against in verse 12?
33. What 3 things did Paul tell Timothy to give attendance to?
34. What was Timothy cautioned not to neglect?
35. What is the purpose of the gifts of the Spirit?
36. Timothy must give all of his attention to the ____________.
37. Quote Romans chapter 10 verse 14.