1 Timothy 4:3

Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Forbidding {G2967} to marry {G1060}, and commanding to abstain from {G567} meats {G1033}, which {G3739} God {G2316} hath created {G2936} to {G1519} be received {G3336} with {G3326} thanksgiving {G2169} of them which believe {G4103} and {G2532} know {G1921} the truth {G225}.

They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods which God created to be eaten with thanksgiving by those who have come to trust and to know the truth.

They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.

Commentary

1 Timothy 4:3 is a crucial verse in Paul's warning to Timothy about false teachers who would arise in the latter times. This verse specifically identifies two characteristics of these deceptive doctrines: forbidding marriage and commanding abstinence from certain foods. Paul asserts that these practices are contrary to God's design, as God created these things to be received with thanksgiving by believers who understand the truth.

Context

This verse follows directly from Paul's prophetic warning in 1 Timothy 4:1 that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." The false teachers described here promote a form of asceticism โ€“ a severe self-discipline and avoidance of indulgence, often for religious reasons โ€“ believing that denying physical desires leads to greater spiritual purity. This was a common error in various ancient philosophical and religious movements, including early forms of Gnosticism, which often viewed the physical world as inherently evil.

Key Themes

  • False Doctrine and Legalism: The verse highlights specific examples of false teachings that impose unnecessary human-made rules on believers, contrary to God's revealed will. These teachings often lead to legalism, where salvation or spiritual growth is tied to adherence to external regulations rather than faith in Christ.
  • God's Good Creation: Paul emphasizes that God created marriage and food to be enjoyed. This affirms the goodness of the material world, a foundational biblical truth found in Genesis 1:31, where God declared His creation "very good". The problem is not with the created things themselves, but with the misuse or misinterpretation of them.
  • Liberty and Thanksgiving: True believers, who "know the truth," are called to receive God's provisions with gratitude. This concept of receiving with thanksgiving underscores Christian liberty โ€“ freedom from burdensome rules and the ability to enjoy God's good gifts responsibly. It contrasts sharply with the joyless restrictions imposed by false teachers.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "forbidding to marry" (Greek: kลlyontลn gamein) indicates a direct prohibition, not merely a recommendation for singleness. This targets groups that might elevate celibacy to a mandatory spiritual requirement for all or specific classes of people.
  • "Abstain from meats" (Greek: apchesthai brลmatลn) refers to particular types of food, not food in general. This points to dietary laws that were not part of the new covenant, similar to those found in some Old Testament regulations or pagan cults, but applied inappropriately to Christians.
  • "Received with thanksgiving" (Greek: eis analฤ“psin meta eucharistias) is crucial. It emphasizes that the proper response to God's provisions is not ascetic denial but grateful acceptance. The word eucharistias is the root of "Eucharist," highlighting the spiritual significance of gratitude.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Timothy 4:3 serves as a timeless warning against legalism and unbiblical restrictions. We should be discerning of any teaching that adds human-made rules as requirements for salvation or spiritual maturity, especially those that demonize aspects of God's good creation like marriage or certain foods. Instead, we are called to enjoy God's gifts responsibly and with a heart of gratitude, recognizing that true spiritual growth comes from faith in Christ, not from adherence to external regulations. This verse encourages a balanced approach, celebrating God's provision while living wisely and thankfully.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 4:4

    For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

  • Romans 14:6

    He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:8

    But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

  • Genesis 9:3

    Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:30

    For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
โ† Back