I Timothy

Chapter 4
{Church Age Apostasy - 1 of 3 parts - Evil Attack of Apostasy - verses 1-5} {Source of Apostasy}
1-2~~ But, that same Spirit {Who vindicated the incarnate Christ - God the Holy Spirit}
explicitly reports,
that in the latter periods of times {husteros}
some {believers} 'will become apostate'/'shall depart from The Doctrine/Faith' {become apostate - some form of rejection of bible doctrine - to be in reversionism} . . .
paying attention to deceitful spirits and
concentrating on doctrines from demons {fallen angels} . . .

{Apostles of Apostasy}
2~~ . . . by means of hypocrisy . . .
from the source of {human} liars . . .
who, because their own conscience,
has been branded with a branding iron {of evil} . . .

{Note: Husteros means an epic or period of time. It means that in all generations in between the 1st and 2nd Advent - the Church Age and Tribulation. So, 'latter' means 'after the Jewish Age'. And, these two verses together say that in all generations, there will be apostasy. Human's speaking behind a mask of hypocrisy, will be 'Apostles of Apostasy' and teach others doctrines from demons.}

3~~ . . . forbid marriage and
command abstinence from certain foods
which The God has created for the receiving
with thanksgiving by faithful believers . . .
even those who have a full knowledge of The Doctrine {with the result that they have maximum doctrine resident in the soul - epiginosko}.

{Note: Epiginosko is the verb meaning 'over knowledge' or greater knowledge.}

4~~Because every thing created by God is good {for food} and nothing is to be rejected {as unclean} . . .
if it is received with thanksgiving.

5~~ For it is 'set apart'/sanctified {hagiazo} for nourishment
through the word of God and prayer.

{Note: Hagiazo means to 'set apart', to consecrate, to make holy - to sanctify. Before ANY food or drink is taken in, a believer should quickly pray to God to 'sanctify this food from all impurities' and to make it nourishment for the body. SideNote: This is NOT the time to impress your dinner guests with your knowledge of other bible doctrines and thereby make the dinner get cold (!), but is the time to give thanks to God for it is by His Grace that you have food to eat!}

{Church Age Apostasy - 2 of 3 parts - Doctrinal Defense against Apostasy - verses 6-10}
6~~By teaching these things to the brethren {Royal Family of God}, you will be an honorable minister of Christ Jesus,
constantly being nourished in the principles from doctrine . . .
even from advantageous doctrine . . .
on which you have concentrated
with the result that you have possessed it {doctrine resident in the soul}.

{Note: Our only defense to Apostasy is the consistent intake of Bible doctrine into our souls. The teacher can not teach what he does not KNOW! He must study HARD and teach!}

7~~ But keep on rejecting profane/legalist {bebelos} myths . . .
and tales fit for silly old women {graodes} . . .
but, on the other hand, be exercising {gumnazo} yourself
for the purpose/objective of godliness.

{Note: Bebelos was the term used to describe where a patrician was to keep separate from plebeians. Patricians had toilets that the plebeians could not use - but the patricians could use any toilet. This is what the word describes. What this is saying, in context, is that as intakers of true doctrine we are to stay away from the 'lower classes' . . . those who are involved with 'doctrines of demons' - all false doctrines, all legalism, and the Plan of Satan - that which we call 'evil'.}

{Note: Graodes is the derogatory word used for 'old women' when they are being silly or mislead. So it is an idiom for anyone stupid enough to come under the influence of evil.}

{Note: Gumnazo is the word from which we get 'gym'. In this context it means consistent studying and teaching just as you need consistent exercise to keep the body strong - and both need great self-discipline to accomplish great results . . . and you must do it all your life or you will get flabby - mentally or physically. Finally, when they exercised they were naked. In the analogy, the pastor is 'naked before God' in his training - he has NO merit in himself.}

8~~ For example, on the one hand,
physical exercise of the body is beneficial
with reference to a few things {stamina, coordination, health, vigor, etc.} in life {for a short time} . . .
but on the other hand,
godliness {spiritual exercise leading to SuperGrace} is beneficial
with reference to all things {physical and spiritual} in life . . .
having promise of benefit for the present time and
of that {life} which is to come.

{Note: Physical exercise is beneficial, but it is limited in value. Its benefits only last a few days to maybe as much as a year, but it is limited so it must be repeated consistently. But the intake of doctrine is beneficial for all facets of this life and in eternity future.}

{A Line from Paul's favorite Hymn - titled - PISTOS HO LOGOS (faithful is the word)}
9~~FAITHFUL IS THE WORD {doctrine}
"and worthy of unqualified acceptance."

{Note: Paul apparently is referring back to a fragment of one of his favorite hymns and is quoting from it.}

10~~For because of this {benefit from spiritual exercise - the
daily function of GAP and resultant SuperGrace status},
we {Paul and Timothy} work hard to the point of exhaustion {study and teach} and
we keep on contending {means 'hanging in there tough'} . . . because we have absolute confidence in the Living God . . .
Who keeps on being the Savior of all {pas} men . . .
especially of believers.

{Note: Pas means all. This brings in the doctrine of Unlimited Atonement. Christ died on the cross accepting the punishment for the sins of every man or woman who ever lived or will live - believers and unbelievers alike.}

{Church Age Apostasy - 3 of 3 parts - Pastoral Counter-attack against Apostasy - verses 11-16}
11~~Command and communicate these things.

{Note: To be a pastor-teacher, you must use your authority and command your congregation to attend class and concentrate on the message. An environment of strict academic authority must be maintained. Then you can communicate the Word. This is a monologue situation with one teacher and two or more 'students without portfolio'.}

{Amplification of 'command' - authority and leadership of the Pastor-teacher}
12~~Let no one look down on/disregard {your authority}
because of your youth, but
keep on becoming a pattern/example to the believers:
  in DOCTRINE {principles of the 'word'},
  in the 'grace way of life',
  in love/filling of the spirit {agape},
  by means of doctrine {resident in the soul} and
  in the sphere of purity of mind {occupation with Christ
  from Doctrine in the soul}.

{Note: Pastors are the example in church, NOT outside of the church. Pastors also are priests in this church age and have the right to privacy of their priesthood also.}

{Note: Timothy was young and was like a General acting as a private. And, the older people were not respecting his authority and Paul is straightening him out. Doctrine must be the motivator of the pastor.}

{Amplification of 'communicate' - teaching responsibility of the Pastor-teacher}
13~~Until I come again,
be concentrating on the exegesis {anagnosis} . . .
the exposition . . . the teaching of doctrine.

{Note: Paul intended on seeing Timothy again, but as far as we know he never did. This could be why God the Holy Spirit directed Paul to encourage Timothy so strongly. Timothy would soon be on his own and he had to be strong.}

{Note: Anagnosis is a compound word, which means to know over and over again. This comes to mean to read, to study, to tear apart and to come to an understanding of the Word - to exegete the Word.}

14~~Stop neglecting the {spiritual} gift resident in you {Timothy}, which was given to you - for your advantage -
for the sake of prophecies {doctrines previously taught to him by Paul but not in writing yet} . . .
associated with the laying on of the hands by the council of elders {presbuterion}.

{Note: The laying on of hands is like baptism. It is the identification of a seminary student as being acceptable as one of them by other pastors and administrators of the local churches.}

Note: Presbuterion refers to the ordination council. It should include at least two pastor-teachers and the administrators of that local church.}

15~~Be cultivating these things {study - teach, study - teach} . . . keep on being 'in these things'/ 'occupied with these things' -
in order that your advance/progress might be conspicuous
to all {primarily your own congregation}.

16~~ Keep on paying close attention to yourself {pastors}
and to that doctrine/public teaching.
Persist in these same things . . .
for by doing this you will deliver {from evil} both yourself,
and those that listen to you {in the congregation}.

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