Instructions on Dealing with False Teaching

1 Timothy 4:6-10

The marks of a good servant of Christ: the study of God's word, personal application of that learned, and the teaching of others.

#godliness

#FalseTeachers

#soundDoctrine

Published March 13th, 2019

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Adnan

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Main point summary

Arc

Phrase

Context

Notes

notes

Main point summary

Paul instructs Timothy to deal with the false teachings by a) pointing out the truth and b) displaying godliness. The reason for godliness is, as opposed to the self-abasement of the false teachers, that it promises real life now and in eternity. This is why Paul and others labor and struggle, putting their faith in the living God.

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editing

1 Timothy 4:6-10

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In pointing out these things to a the brethren,

you will be a good b servant of Christ Jesus,

constantly nourished on the words

of the faith

and of the 1 c sound doctrine which you d have been following.

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actionmanner

But 1 have nothing to do with a worldly b fables fit only for old women.

On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of c godliness;

for a bodily discipline is only of little profit,

but b godliness is profitable for all things,

since it c holds promise for the d present life

and also for the life to come.

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a It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

For it is for this we labor and strive,

because we have fixed a our hope on b the living God,

who is c the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

inference

Godliness promises so much in this life and in the life to come. Therefore Paul and others labor and struggle to this end.

The nourishing words are further clarified. They are: of the faith of the sound doctrine which Timothy has been following.

Probably referring to the self-abasement programs of the false teachers.

discourse

Phrase

1 Timothy 4:6-10

In pointing out these things to the brethren,

you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus,

constantly nourished on the words of the faith

and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women.

On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

for bodily discipline is only of little profit,

but godliness is profitable for all things,

since it holds promise for the present life

and also for the life to come.

It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

For it is for this we labor and strive,

because we have fixed our hope on the living God,

who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

phrasing

Context

Paul has just instructed Timothy about a coming apostasy "by means of" false teachers (1 Timothy 4:1-2). These false teachers teach a program of self-abasement (1 Timothy 4:3). Now Paul instruct Timothy how to deal with such "doctrines of demons".

Notes

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus One of the means of becoming a good servant of Christ Jesus is to teach truth to others. A second means is to be "constantly nourished on the words" (1 Timothy 4:6). These words are characterized as being: words of the faith and words of the sound doctrine that Timothy has been following These words are the entirety of the the good news (the faith) and their proper application (sound doctrine). Application: The study of God's word accompanied with personal application and sharing that which one has learned with others is a valuable service to Jesus and pleases Him. The Profitability of Godliness In contrast to the little profit of self-abasement, godliness is "profitable for all things". The reason given is that it holds promise for this life and the life to come. What is godliness? The godliness Paul is discussing here is a conduct which acknowledges God, His truths and His will in daily life. It is piety. This is a different meaning than that used in 1 Timothy 3:16, where it means more that which comes from or is related to God, in this case Christ's mission. What are the promises godliness holds for the present life and the life to come? Here is a partial list: Matthew 5:3 Matthew 6:33 Matthew 19:29 Luke 12:31 Luke 12:32 Romans 8:28 1 Timothy 6:6-8 2 Peter 1:3-4 1 John 2:25 Revelation 3:12 Revelation 3:21 How does one discipline one's self "for the purpose of godliness"? Sound doctrine leads to godliness. This is seen in 1 Timothy 6:3. In Titus 1:1 Paul states that one of his apostolic duties is to teach others the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. Examples of this are seen in Titus chapters 2 and 3. In Titus 2:1-10 Paul gives instruction for right living (i.e. godliness) within the church. He then provides the theological basis (sound doctrine) for this in Titus 2:11-15. The same pattern is seen in Titus 3:1-8. In verses 1 and 2 Paul provides instruction on how to live rightly in the world (godliness) and then again provides the theological basis (sound doctrine) in verses 3 through 8. Application: The knowledge of the truth provides the foundation for godliness. Diligently learning these truths is the discipline required. Paul states this to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:11,15. This is similar to the application above in 1 Timothy 4:6 - the study of God's word, personal application of that learned, and the teaching of others. This is reenforced in 1 Timothy 4:10, which is considered below. For this We Labor and Strive Godliness promises so much in this life and the life to come. It is for this reason that Paul and others "labor and strive". Labor: In 1 Timothy 5:7 Paul uses this term when he discusses the elders that work hard (labor) at preaching and teaching. Also in 2 Timothy 2:6 he uses the term to described a hard-working (laboring) farmer. This is in the charge for Timothy to "suffer hardship" with Paul after Paul has commanded him to entrust Paul's teaching to faithful men. Thus when Paul uses the word "labor" here, he seems to have Christian ministry in mind, especially ministry in God's word. Strive: Paul uses this term in 1 Timothy 6:11-14 where he charges Timothy to a) flee the love of money; b) pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness; c) Fight (strive for) the good fight of faith; and d) to keep the commandments. He also uses it in 2 Timothy 4:7, stating that he has fought (strove for) the good fight of faith. Here Paul appears to be thinking of discipling one's self for godliness when he uses the word "strive". Application: The ground for this exertion of energy is the fact that Paul and others have placed their hope in the living God. Those that hope in God will inherit the promises of godliness - especially eternal life ("who is the savior of all men, especially of believers"). Thus no effort should be spared in disciplining ones self for godliness by studying, applying and teaching others. Paul explains more fully how Timothy should do this in 1 Timothy 4:11-16, namely by: prescribing v11 teaching v11, 13, 16 in showing himself an example v12 public reading of the scripture v13 exhorting v13 applying his spiritual gift v14 taking pains v15 being absorbed v15 persevering v16

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