1 Timothy 4:1–16

Apostasy

¹But ^athe Spirit explicitly says that ^bin later times some will ¹fall away from the faith, paying attention to ^cdeceitful spirits and ^ddoctrines of demons,

²by means of the hypocrisy of liars ^aseared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

³men who ^aforbid marriage and advocate ^babstaining from foods which ^cGod has created to be ^dgratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

⁴For ^aeverything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is ^breceived with gratitude;

⁵for it is sanctified by means of ^athe word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

⁶In pointing out these things to ^athe brethren, you will be a good ^bservant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^1csound doctrine which you ^dhave been following.

⁷But ¹have nothing to do with ^aworldly ^bfables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of ^cgodliness;

⁸for ^abodily discipline is only of little profit, but ^bgodliness is profitable for all things, since it ^cholds promise for the ^dpresent life and also for the life to come.

^9aIt is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

¹⁰For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed ^aour hope on ^bthe living God, who is ^cthe Savior of all men, especially of believers.

^111aPrescribe and teach these things.

^12aLet no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, ^blove, faith and purity, show yourself ^can example ¹of those who believe.

^13aUntil I come, give attention to the public ^breading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.

¹⁴Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through ^aprophetic utterance with ^bthe laying on of hands by the ^1cpresbytery.

¹⁵Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

^16aPay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^1bensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.