1 Timothy 4:1-5

1 Timothy 4:1-5 is sometimes misunderstood by well meaning Christians. Is Paul reversing counsel God gave elsewhere in Scripture? Is he suggesting that any item is now ok for food? I would answer no to both questions.

In writing to the young minister Timothy, Paul wrote the following (I have included translations from the King James, New King James, and New Jerusalem Bibles to show how different translators have taken into account the meaning behind the Greek words):

KJV 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 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. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

NKJ 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

NJB 1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit has explicitly said that during the last times some will desert the faith and pay attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines that come from devils, 2 seduced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are branded as though with a red-hot iron: 3 they forbid marriage and prohibit foods which God created to be accepted with thanksgiving by all who believe and who know the truth. 4 Everything God has created is good, and no food is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving: 5 the word of God and prayer make it holy. (emphasis mine)

The term “exegesis” simply means finding out what a passage says and means. We’ve read the texts, lets work together to find out what they mean:

Paul begins in verse one and two with a warning; sharing the Holy Spirit’s specific counsel that in the last days some Christians would chose to listen to false teachings and leave their faith, and salvation. Instead they decide to follow counsel and teachings from false spirits. Teachings Satan wants them to believe. The lies these false teachers spread come from their seared or burned conscience. They have said no to the Holy Spirit so often that rejecting Him has become a habit. They no longer appreciate or respond to His leading.

Next (verse three), Paul presents some of their fanatical teachings: forbidding marriage, saying people should abstain from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving. Though Paul does not address specific foods he specifically refers to “foods” that God created to be received with thanksgiving. This is a key thought overlooked by some. Paul must have felt the Corinthians knew from their Bible well enough to know which “foods” God had created and designated for them to use as food. Foods they could praise God for (i.e. Genesis 1:29, Leviticus 11:1-23; 3:17). If you’re wondering why I’m using the term “food” instead of “meat” its because of the meaning of the Greek word translated “meat” in the KJV: Meat: brw/ma broma {bro’-mah}. Strong’s Concordance gives this meaning: that which is eaten, food. Interestingly, the same word – broma – is translated as “victuals” in Matthew 14:15 KJV. Other Bible translations use the broader word “food” in 1 Tim 4:3 since this is the correct meaning of the word. 1 Corinthians 10:3 uses the term “meat” to translate the Greek brw/ma broma when referring to manna. Manna was not flesh food. When referring specifically to flesh food, the Greek uses another word – krea – as used in 1 Corinthians 8:13, when Paul refers to clean meats that had, or might have been, sacrificial offerings to pagan gods (Paul also uses the word broma in the first part of this passage).

From the context of verse 3, Paul goes on to say in verse 4 and 5 that of all the things (“creature” in the KJV) God created to be used for food, none should be rejected IF we can receive it with thanksgiving and its sanctioned by the Word of God. We shouldn’t make our own assumptions but look to Scripture to see what things meet those two criteria. According to the Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word translated “creature” (everything in the KJV): 2938 kti,sma ktisma {ktis’-mah} means: 1) thing founded 2) created thing). Certainly, there are things sanctioned by the Bible to use as food and there are some that are not sanctioned by God’s word. How could those not sanctioned be received by a follower of Christ with true praise for God on his lips?

Twice, in verse 3 and 4 and 5, Paul has made his point clear. He is referring to foods which God created and intended for man to consume as food. Since the distinction is clearly explained in other passages of Scripture, Paul would still rule out the unclean meats, blood, and other “foods” never intended by God to be in our diet. No amount of prayer can change God’s word or bring His blessings on something He has told us not to eat.

While on the basis of the Bible, Seventh-day Adventists promote a vegetarian diet, a diet which continues to receive more support and promotion from the health and scientific communities, we do not prohibit the use of clean meats. That is a matter left to individual conscious. God does want our diet to bring Him glory,

NKJ 1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

NKJ 1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

and though God has created and given us an extensive variety of food choices that would bring Him glory, we would do well to remember Paul’s counsel.

NKJ Romans 14:15, 17 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

May God richly bless above all that you could ask or think as you follow Him.

Pastor Mike Wise