Answers for a study in the book of 1 Timothy: Chapter 4

“Answers for a study in the book of 1 Timothy” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

1.  Review of Class Topic:

With your table group, discuss today’s apologetic presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Answers will vary… 

Read 1 Timothy 4:1-16 with your group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

2.  What does the Spirit say will happen in latter times, and why? Discuss why this is important for us to remember today.

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,  men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” 

1 Timothy 4:1-5 (NASB)

• The Spirit (Holy Spirit) says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by hypocrites that lie (to themselves and everyone else).
• They will forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods shared with believers.
• This is important in application for today in that we see many who follow false teachers inside and outside the true Church; we see doctrines/teachings that are deceitful, yet they claim Christian truths; and we see hypocrites in those who claim to teach and/or know the truth, yet they do just the opposite and live as those who do not believe.
• We make special note today on the attack on marriage from the secular culture who has turned upside down just about everything Scripture teaches about marriage, family and appropriate relationships.

3.  How does Paul tell Timothy that he should be nourished, and why?

“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. Prescribe and teach these things.”  1 Timothy 4:6-11 (NASB)

• Paul tells Timothy to be a good servant of Christ, constantly nourished on the words of faith and sound doctrine (this would be the Bible and the teachings therein).
• Paul also tells him to discipline himself for the purpose of godliness and to prescribe and teach all these things that Paul has taught him.
• This is important because it will help him avoid false teaching (worldly fables), and will fix his hope on God, the Savior for this present life and the one to come.

4.  How is Timothy supposed to present himself as an example to those who believe, and why?

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”  1 Timothy 4:12 (NASB)

• Timothy was to present himself as an example of a trustworthy believer in how he spoke, conducted himself, loved others, had faith and kept himself pure.
• This was important because Timothy was a young pastor/leader and needed to be above reproach from especially those who were older as well as the congregation as a whole.

5.  What does Paul tell Timothy to do until he is able to come, and why?

“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”  1 Timothy 4:13-16 (NASB)

• Paul tells Timothy to publicly read the Scripture, and to exhort and teach others.
• He is not to neglect the spiritual gift he was given, and to discipline himself, being completely absorbed and paying close attention to himself and his teachings, and to persevere in all these things.
• The reason Paul tells him this is to keep him from the draw of worldly things (spiritual warfare that will come); to show others that he is growing and progressing in his faith; and to ensure salvation for himself and for those he is teaching.

6.  Discuss why all these things Paul told Timothy are applicable to every Christians today.

Answers may vary, but should include…

• As Christian we must be aware of the temptations, deceptions, distractions and false teaching that are in the world – with free time away from the things of God we will get pulled into them very easily.
• Disciplining and focusing our time and energy on the thing of God (His Word, prayer, time with other Christians, discipleship etc.) will keep us from the pull of the world because Satan and his demons are actively deceiving as many as possible in order to draw us away from God’s truth.

7.  Memory verses: Recite – 1 Timothy 1:15 (reason for salvation); 2 Timothy 2:5 (Jesus, the one and only mediator); Proverbs 1:7 (the importance of knowledge); 1 Timothy 4:1 (Warning concerning falling away)

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” 

1 Timothy 1:15 (NASB)

“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” 

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7 (NASB)

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons”

1 Timothy 4:1 (NASB)

Please continue to join us as we read and study the Bible as part of our Christian Apologetics’ class each week!

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study questions are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15