1 Timothy 4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly ,.... The prophecy hereafter mentioned was not an human conjecture, but, as all true prophecy, it came from the Spirit of God, who spoke or delivered it; either in the prophets of the Old Testament, who, as they spoke of the Gospel dispensation, so of the defection that should be in it; and particularly of antichrist, and of the apostasy through him, which is what is here intended, especially in Daniel's prophecies, under the names of the little horn, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:2

Speaking lies in hypocrisy ,.... Or "through the hypocrisy of those that speak lies"; for the apostle is still speaking of the means by which the apostasy should rise, and get ground; and it should be by the means of persons that should deliver lying or false doctrine under the colour of truth, and make great pretensions to religion and holiness, which would greatly take with men, and captivate and lead them aside: and this plainly points at the abettors of antichrist, the Romish priests,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:3

Forbidding to marry ,.... Which points out not the Encratites, Montanists, and Manichees, who spoke against marriage; but the Papists, who forbid it to their priests under a pretence of purity and holiness, and at the same time allow them to live in all manner of debauchery and uncleanness; for these are the persons that forbid marriage in an authoritative way, and in hypocrisy: for that phrase is to be joined to all the sentences that follow it; as through the hypocrisy of those whose... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:4

For every creature of God is good ,.... For food; and should be taken and used for that purpose, at all times, without distinction; even every creature which is made for food, and which is easy to be discerned by men: and nothing to be refused ; or rejected as common and unclean, or to be abstained from at certain times: if it be received with thanksgiving : if not, persons are very ungrateful, and very unworthy of such favours; and it would be just in God to withhold them from them;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:5

For it is sanctified ,.... Or set apart for use, and may be lawfully used at all times: by the word of God ; which declares that there is nothing in itself common, or unclean, or unfit for use, and that nothing that goes into a man defiles him; so that by virtue of this word of God, every creature may be made use of, that is fit for food: or else this designs the word of God, which gives a blessing to what is eaten; for it is not by bread or meat only, but through the word of God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:6

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things ,.... Either of all the main and principal things already mentioned in the preceding chapters; as that the end of the commandment is love; that Christ's coming into the world to save the chief of sinners is a faithful saying, and worthy of acceptation; that prayers should be made for all sorts of men, for the reasons given; and that there is salvation for men and women through the incarnate Son of God; that such and such are the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives' fables ,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little ,.... Meaning not the exercise of the body in the Olympic games, as by running, wrestling, &c.; which profited but little, for the obtaining of a corruptible crown at most; though since a word is used here, and in the preceding verse, borrowed from thence, there may be an allusion to it: much less exercise of the body for health or recreation, as riding, walking, playing at any innocent diversion; which profits but for a little time, as the Syriac and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:9

This is a faithful saying ,.... A true one, and to be believed, that godliness has such promises annexed to it; see 1 Peter 3:10 . and worthy of all acceptation ; by all godly persons, to encourage them to the exercise of godliness. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:10

For therefore we both labour ,.... Not in the word and doctrine, though they did; nor in the exercise of internal godliness, though there is a work in faith, and a labour in love; nor with their own hands, at their trades and business, to support themselves, and others; but by enduring hardships and afflictions, as stripes, imprisonment, weariness, pain, watchings, fastings, hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness; see 2 Corinthians 11:23 . And suffer reproach ; with patience and... read more

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