1 Timothy 4

Some Will Depart from the Faith

¹Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,²through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,³who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.⁴For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,⁵for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

⁶If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.⁷Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;⁸for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.⁹The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.¹⁰For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹Command and teach these things.¹²Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.¹³Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.¹⁴Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.¹⁵Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.¹⁶Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.