1 Timothy 4:3 - Exposition

Created for hath created , A.V.; by for of , A.V.; that for which , A.V. Forbidding to marry. This is mentioned as showing itself first among the Essenes and Therapeutic by Josephus ('Bell. Jud.,' it. 8.2, and ' Ant . Jud,' 18., 1.5). It became later a special tenet of the Gnostics, as stated by Clem. Alex., 'Strom.,' 3.6; Irenaeus, " Haer .," 1.22, etc. (quoted by Ellicott). See other quotations in Pole's Synopsis. Commanding to abstain from meats ; βρωμάτων ( 1 Corinthians 8:8 ; Hebrews 9:10 ; comp. βρώσει , Colossians 2:16 ; Romans 14:17 ). The word "commanding" has to be supplied from the preceding κωλυόντων , "commanding not." Some of the sects prohibited the use of animal food. A trace of this asceticism in regard to food is found in Colossians 2:16 , Colossians 2:21 , Colossians 2:23 . The chief passages relating to it are those referred to above from Josephus: γάμου ὑπεροψία παρ αὐτοῖς , "They despise marriage;" ἐσσαίων οὐδεὶς ἄγεται γυναῖκα , " None of the Essenes marry"; "Gens sine ulla femina, venere abdicata"—"A people without a single woman, for they renounce marriage" (Plin., 'Nat. Hist.,' 5.15). As regards their food, Bishop Lightfoot says, "The Essene drank no wine; he did not touch animal food. His meal consisted of a piece of bread, and a single mess of vegetables". Professor Burton (in Kitto's 'Cyclopaedia,' art. " Gnosticism ') says of the later Gnostics that, from their principle of the utter malignity of matter, and the elevating nature of γνῶσις , two very opposite results ensued—one that many Gnostics led very profligate lives; the other that many practiced great austerities in order to mortify the body and its sensual appetites. Some of our modern Eneratites, in their language concerning the use of wine and beer, approach Gnosticism very closely. To be received ( εἰς μετάληψιν ); a classical word, but only found here in the New Testament, not used by the LXX . With thanksgiving. Observe the identity of thought with Romans 14:6 . These passages, together with our Lord's action at the last Supper ( Luke 22:17 , Luke 22:19 ), at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes ( Luke 9:16 ), and St. Paul's on board ship ( Acts 27:35 ), are conclusive as to the Christian duty of giving thanks, commonly called "saying grace" at meals. The truth (see 1 Timothy 3:15 ; John 18:37 ; Ephesians 4:21 , etc.).