1 Timothy 4 Bible study: Toward godliness

The chapter opens: "But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons," (4:1) "through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron," (4:2) "forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." (4:3). It goes on: "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving." (4:4) "For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer." (4:5). These notes give 4:1-5 as the WEB has them, and add nothing to their words. The letter says what the Spirit says, but not where, when or through whom the Spirit said it, and these notes don't either. They don't say when the "later times" are, and they name no one, then or now, as the "some" of 4:1 or as the men of 4:2-3. They apply 4:3-5 to no one's food, marriage or practice today.

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Strong's: "piety". Thayer: "reverence, respect; in the Bible everywhere piety toward God, godliness". "Exercise yourself toward godliness." (4:7), and "but godliness has value in all things" (4:8): behind godliness both times is this noun (in all eight editions TAGNT compares). Favor's 1 Timothy 2 studies it and counts it in the letter and in the New Testament.