1 Timothy 4

1 Now the Spirit expressly [clearly and directly] states that in later [latter, last] times some will abandon [fall away, depart from] the faith [trust, confidence in God] to follow [give heed to, listen to] deceitful [seducing, misleading] spirits and the teachings [doctrines, instructions] of demons [evil spirits, unclean beings], word study 2 influenced by the hypocrisy [speaking lies, false pretenses] of liars [men who speak lies, deceivers], whose consciences [moral awareness, inner guide] are seared [branded, rendered insensitive] with a hot iron [branded with a hot iron, made insensitive]. word study 3 They will prohibit [forbid, command to abstain from] marriage [to wed, become one flesh] and require abstinence [to have in full, keep oneself away] from certain foods [meats, physical nourishment] that God [the one true deity] has created [made, brought into existence] to be received [taken, partaken of] with thanksgiving [gratitude, worshipful acknowledgment] by those who believe [have faith, trust] and know [deeply understand, recognize] the truth [reality, divine revelation]. word study 4 For every [creature, created thing] creation of God [the supreme Creator, Elohim] is good [fair, beautiful], and nothing [none, nobody] that is received [taken, accepted] with [in the spirit of] thanksgiving [gratitude] should be rejected [cast off, thrown away], word study 5 because it is sanctified [made holy, set apart] by the word [Logos, divine message] of God [the one true deity] and [through] prayer [intercession, petition to God]. word study 6 By pointing out these things [reminding, bringing to mind] to the brothers [fellow believers, Christian siblings], you will be a good [faithful, diligent] servant [minister, attendant] of Christ Jesus [the Messiah, the Anointed One], nourished [trained, educated] by the words [messages, teachings] of faith [trust, confidence] and sound [good, wholesome] instruction [doctrine, teaching] that you have followed [pursued, adhered to]. word study 7 But reject [refuse, have nothing to do with] irreverent [profane, unholy], silly [old wives’ tales, foolish] myths [fables, fictional stories]. Instead, train [exercise, discipline] yourself [your own actions and thoughts] for [toward, in the direction of] godliness [piety, reverence for God, behavior that pleases Him]. word study 8 For physical [bodily, relating to the body’s needs] exercise [training, discipline] is of limited [little, few] value, but godliness [piety, reverence to God] is valuable [profitable, beneficial] in every way, holding [having, possessing] promise [assurance, commitment] for the present [current, now] life [existence, spiritual and physical] and for the one [life] to come [that which is to ensue, the future]. word study 9 This is a [faithful] trustworthy saying [Logos, a message from God], worthy [deserving, suitable] of full [all, complete] acceptance [approval, reception]. word study 10 To this end [for this purpose, toward this goal] we labor [work hard, strive] and strive [suffer reproach, endure hardship], because we have set our hope [placed our confidence, trust] on the living [having life] God [the one true deity], who is the Savior [deliverer, rescuer] of everyone [all men, all people], and especially [mostly, in a special way] of those who believe [have faith, trust in Him]. word study 11 Command [to order, instruct authoritatively] and teach [to instruct, guide in the truth] these things [that have been spoken, the preceding instructions]. word study 12 Let no one despise [despise or look down on] your youth [the state of being young, in one’s early years], but set an example [be a model, a pattern] for the believers [those who trust in God, the faithful] in speech [words, conversation, verbal expression], in conduct [behavior, manner of life, actions], in love [unconditional affection, agape], in faith [trust, confidence in God], in purity [moral cleanliness, chastity, being clean and holy]. word study 13 Until [till the time of] I come, devote yourself [give heed, pay attention] to the public [to the church, in the congregation] reading [exposition, proclamation] of Scripture [the holy Writings, God’s word], to exhortation [encouragement, urging], and to teaching [instruction, doctrine]. word study 14 Do not neglect [neglect or ignore] the gift [spiritual endowment, gracious ability] that is in you, which was given you [bestowed upon you, granted to you] through [by means of, because of] the prophecy [prophetic utterance, divine revelation] spoken over you at the laying on [imposition, placement] of the hands [symbol of authority, blessing] of the elders [council of leaders, presbytery]. word study 15 Be diligent [meditate upon, think carefully about] in these matters [things, teachings] and absorbed [give yourself wholly to, dedicate yourself completely] in them, so that your progress [advancement, profiting] will be evident [clear, manifest, apparent] to all [every person, everyone]. word study 16 Pay close attention [take heed, be careful] to your life [yourself, your actions] and to your teaching [doctrine, instruction]. Persevere [continue, remain] in these things, for by so doing [by this means, in this way] you will save [rescue, deliver] both yourself [your own soul] and those who hear [listen, obey] you. word study