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1 Timothy 4:1. The Spirit speaks clearly. That is, it is obvious, clear and not hidden, like the law and the prophets. That in the last times some will fall away from the faith. Since the apostle said above that some were shipwrecked in the faith, do not be surprised when he says that some now adhere to Jewish errors. There will be a time when those who consider themselves Christians will do even worse things. This the apostle speaks not of the Jews, for they were in ancient times, as in that time, but of the Marcionites, Encratites, Manichaeans, and all their assemblies of this kind. Listening to seducing spirits and demonic teachings. For, listening to this, they condemned certain foods and marriage. However, the apostle also means all other heresies; for they are all from the deception of the spirits of lies and the teachings of demons. It is clear that he does not mention all heresies here, so as not to sow them in the souls of people: he points to the heresy that has already begun, namely regarding food and marriage. 1 Timothy 4:2–3. Through the hypocrisy of false speakers. That is, what they speak falsely about, they do not speak falsely out of ignorance, but knowing that it is false, they pretend to teach it as true. Burnt in their conscience, forbidding marriage. That is, since they knew a lot of unclean things behind them, their conscience had burnt marks of their unclean life in them, and therefore condemned the marriage. Since, if their life were truly pure, then their conscience would be pure and would not condemn what God blessed. Just as a suffering stomach condemns food, while within itself there are bad juices for digestion. So what? Don't we forbid marriage? No way. But we direct those who do not want to marry to preserve their virginity, instilling in them that it is the most honest; but it does not follow from this that marriage is already dishonest, just as from the fact that gold is more honest, it does not follow that it is more honest than honest, and the best is better than good and not bad. So let him who is able take hold of the gold of virginity; and whoever cannot do this, let him accept the silver of marriage. And to eat what God created, so that those who are faithful and know the truth may eat with thanksgiving 5 . What then? Didn’t God create brushen for the unbelievers? Yes, but they refrain. So what? Is pleasure really not forbidden? And very much, but not eating food. For eating requires moderation, but pleasure knows no measure. However, the enjoyment of food is not in itself unclean, but because it weakens the soul of those who indulge in it. "And those who know the truth". Everything Jewish was an image, but now truth reigns. The Jews were forbidden many things (Lev. 11 et seq.), not as unclean, but in order to eradicate pleasure - so that they, being brought into a shy position by many prohibitions, would begin to slaughter bulls and sheep and thus learn what kind of gods the Egyptians had invented for themselves. So, by truth we mean either faith in Christ, or simply the truth that will be discussed immediately. 1 Timothy 4:4–5. For every creation of God is good. For “everything,” it is said, “is very good” (Gen. 1:31). Having said: “the creation of God,” the apostle designated everything that can be eaten, and thus has already overthrown the error of those who introduce uncreated matter and say that everything came from it. And nothing is reprehensible if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If something is sanctified, does this not mean that it is unclean? No, the apostle makes a limitation. First, he essentially says that there is nothing unclean, then with a limitation: let’s say he says that there is something unclean, but you have a cure: sign the sign of the cross, give thanks, give glory to God, and the uncleanness will disappear. For thanksgiving purifies everything; and the ungrateful is himself unclean and filthy. Is it really possible to cleanse something sacrificed to idols in this way? Yes, if we don't know that it was sacrificed to idols. If we know and eat, then we are unclean, because we have violated the law commanding us not to partake in the meal of demons. Consequently, your will is defiled by disobedience, but food by nature is not unclean. 1 Timothy 4:6. By instilling this in your brethren, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ. “This” – what exactly? The fact that there is a “great... mystery” (1 Tim. 3:16), that to withdraw from marriage and marriage in this way is the work of demons, and so on, which the apostle said above. What does it mean: “inspiring”? Same as “advising”. He did not say: ordering, because here he does not reveal his power anywhere. Nourished by the words of faith and the good teaching which you have followed. He said: offer this to others. Now he says: but you yourself be “nourished” by the same truths, rotating them in your mind and, as it were, experiencing them. For inspiring constant attention to them, he said: “nourished.” Just as we eat food every day, so we should always eat words about faith. 1 Timothy 4:7. Turn away from worthless and woman's fables. That is, remind your people of what I said, but do not enter into competition with the corrupt; for they cannot benefit, except perhaps in the case when a temptation arises, as if, due to our powerlessness, we refuse to compete with them. The apostle calls Jewish observations “fables,” either because they are fabricated or because they are untimely. For imagine if a man of thirty years old clung to his breasts, how worthy would he be of ridicule for his timelessness? He calls it “Babiimi” because it is already outdated. Foul and unclean - because it constitutes an obstacle to faith. For to subjugate a soul that has become above all this to fear is characteristic of unclean rules. And train yourself in piety. That is, accustom yourself to pure faith and righteous life; because this is what piety consists of. So, you need to exercise and work constantly; for whoever practices bodily gymnastics, without any competition, strives until he sweats. 1 Timothy 4:8. For bodily exercise is of little use. Some people think that fasting means physical exercise. This is not true: fasting is a spiritual exercise. But by bodily exercise he means that which, although it requires a lot of work, brings little benefit and, moreover, only for a while. And godliness is useful for everything, having the promise of the present and future life. Here, he says, piety helps a person. For he who is not convicted by his conscience of anything bad and here rejoices in spirit, having certain promises of future blessings, will live true life there by the same deed. Through comparison the apostle shows the superiority of piety. 1 Timothy 4:9. This word is true and worthy of all acceptance. That is, this word is true and worthy of everyone accepting it as undoubted. What is this word? That piety is useful both here and there. Everywhere in the epistle the apostle points to this, without the need to confirm, but simply proclaiming, for the word came to Timothy. 1 Timothy 4:10. For this is why we labor and endure reproaches, because we trust in the living God. He shows what piety is, in which the apostles themselves practiced themselves, and confirms how he has hope for the future life, saying: “for this purpose,” instead of: “therefore we labor and endure reproach.” For why should we exhaust ourselves if we did not expect the future benefits that the living God will give us after death? Here the royal soldiers, who have endured many labors and dangers, often do not receive due reward when the king happens to die; and our King is always alive, and will always reward. Who is the Savior of all people, and especially of the faithful. That is, He wants to save everyone – both here and there. He takes greater care here for the faithful. If He were not their Savior, how could they withstand all attacks? By this the apostle encourages Timothy to endure dangers. Do not be discouraged, he says, having such a God, and do not ask others for help, but trust in Him: God lives and He is the Savior. 1 Timothy 4:11. Preach and teach this. Some things require teaching, while others require orders. So, what should not be stolen should not be taught gently, but commanded, that is, prohibited with special force. If he talks about the distribution of property, or about virginity, or about how one should believe, then this must be taught. That is why the apostle uses both expressions: “preach... and teach.” And otherwise, when we do something, knowing that it is evil, we need a command; when, without knowing it, we need teaching. 1 Timothy 4:12. Let no one despise your youth. Since youth, as a result of general prejudice, has become something easily despised, then, says the apostle, command with authority, and no one will despise you; for the teacher should not be neglected. Where, then, is meekness? Where he himself is insulted, he must be meek; and where severity is necessary for the salvation of others, there he must command with full authority. Or: show a life adorned with good morals, and your youth will not be despised, but, on the contrary, it will attract general surprise. Therefore the apostle adds the following. But be an example to the faithful. That is, be a model in life, a rule for the best life, To speak comfortably, to have the word ready or prepared. In ordinary life and in church rites. Love that embraces everyone. Either by spiritual mood, or by the gift of grace, so as not to be proud of this gift. Faith that is right and does not waver, when one believes in God even in what is impossible in the natural order. In purity (ἐν ἁγνείᾳ - in purity). That is, in virgin purity and chastity. 1 Timothy 4:13. Until I come, keep reading. If the apostle commands Timothy to read the Holy Scriptures, shouldn’t we do the same? Paul himself, undoubtedly, spent the rest of his life reading, instilling this in others. The Apostle consoles Timothy by saying: “until I come,” for this gave hope that he would soon see the teacher, since, having been orphaned, he, of course, sought Paul with his heart. And here’s another reason why he said: “until I come” - since St. Timothy, being young, of course, did not know much and needed the presence of a teacher in order to learn it from him; then the Apostle Paul says to him: until I come, read the Scriptures, and there you will find the necessary laws. And when I come, I’ll tell you the rest. That is, by persuasion and encouragement of those who feel a decline in moral energy. Addressed to everyone and about every matter. 1 Timothy 4:14. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, 6 which was given to you by prophecy. Here the apostle speaks of the gift of teaching which the chosen bishop received. “According to prophecy,” that is, according to the command of the Holy Spirit, as stated above. With the laying on of hands of the priesthood. That is, bishops. For it was not the priests who ordained the bishop. See what amazing power the laying on of priestly hands has. 1 Timothy 4:15. Take care of this, abide in this. He often instructs him in the same thing, wanting to show that the bishop should try most of all about this. So that your success is obvious to everyone. Not only in life, but also in the teacher’s word. Look how great and wondrous he wants him to be even in this. 1 Timothy 4:16. Delve into yourself and the teaching. That is, be attentive to yourself and teach others. Do this constantly: for by doing this, you will save yourself and those who listen to you. The one who feeds himself with the words of teaching first benefits himself, because by teaching others, he brings himself into tenderness. At the blzh. Theophylact does not have the words “with thanksgiving,” although it is found in some lists of his interpretation. The words “abiding in you” are not in the text of the blj. Theophylact. You might be interested in: