1 Timothy 4:1–16

The Great Apostasy

4Now the Spirit ¹expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed ^ato deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ^2bspeaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience ^cseared with a hot iron, ³forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; ⁵for it is ²sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

⁶If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, ^dnourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. ⁷But ^ereject profane and old wives’ fables, and ^fexercise yourself toward godliness. ⁸For ^gbodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, ^hhaving promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. ⁹This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰For to this end ³we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, ⁱwho is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. ¹¹These things command and teach.

Take Heed to Your Ministry

¹²Let no one ⁴despise your youth, but be an ^jexample to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, ⁵in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to ⁶doctrine. ^14kDo not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy ^lwith the laying on of the hands of the eldership. ¹⁵Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. ¹⁶Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.