KING JAMES VERSION
1 TIMOTHY, CHAPTER 4
1. He foretells that in the latter times there shall be a departure from the faith. 6. And to the end that Timothy might not fail in doing his duty, he furnishes him with divers precepts, belonging thereto.
1Tim 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;
1Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Tim 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.
1Tim 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Tim 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
1Tim 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
1Tim 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1Tim 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1Tim 4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
1Tim 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1Tim 4:11 These things command and teach.
1Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.*
[Note: The word ‘Conversation’ in the KJV usually renders the Greek word ἀναστροφή (anastrophē); The word “Conversation” comes from the Latin ‘conversatio’, which means companionship or way of life and was used in this sense in early modern English. The word ‘Conversation’ in the KJV Bible is defined in 1 Peter 3:1–4, James 3:13 and Philippians 1:27 as something that can be SEEN and therefore does not mean conversation, but rather way of life, behaviour, or manner of living. This is also confirmed in Webster's Dictionary 1828, where the word ‘Conversation’ is first defined as: ‘General rules of social conduct; behaviour; manners; especially in relation to morality.’ – In Philippians 3:20, the word ‘Conversation’ is used to render another Greek word: πολίτευμα (politeuma) – citizenship, social affiliation, life governed by a kingdom, in the sense of our way of life as citizens of another kingdom, i.e. heaven: ‘For our conversation is in heaven...’ (Phil. 3:20). – When the KJV Bible was translated in 1604–1611, the translators chose to follow the language of the time and therefore translated the word ‘conversation’ correctly. The modern meaning (‘talk, conversation’) is a later development.]
[*Note: The English word ‘charity’ comes from the Latin ‘caritas,’ which means ‘Christian love’ as opposed to sexual love (Online Etymological Dictionary). Throughout history, Latin theologians such as Augustine have used ‘caritas’ as an art term to refer specifically to Christian love (On Christian Doctrine, 3.10.16). The definition of ‘charity’ is ‘benevolent goodwill towards or love of mankind’ (Webster Dictionary 1828). Whenever ‘charity’ appears in the KJV Bible (the word is mentioned 24 times), it is with reference to Christian love for fellow Christians. Charity is the expression of love that gives, and this includes words such as generosity, kindness, affection, tenderness, which also show the attitude of the heart, to think and act benevolently towards one's fellow human beings in every action.]
1Tim 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
1Tim 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
1Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.