1 TIMOTHY 4
VIII. The Prediction of the Decline of the Church
VIII. The Prediction of the Decline of the Church
- But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons
- By means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, of men who are branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron,
- Who forbid marriage and command abstaining from foods, which God has created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who believe and have full knowledge of the truth.
- For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if received with thanksgiving;
- For it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.
- If you lay these things before the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, being nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have closely followed.
- But the profane and old-womanish myths refuse, and exercise yourself unto godliness.
- For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the present life and of that which is to come.
- Faithful is the word and worthy of all acceptance.
- For to this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
- Charge and teach these things.
- Let no one despise your youth, but be a pattern to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- Until I come, attend to the public reading, to the exhortation, to the teaching.
- Do not neglect the gift which is in you, which was given to you by means of prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
- Practice these things; be in them, that your progress may be manifest to all.
- Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
