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Tag: Letter to Timothy

Forbidding marriage

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

Who are the ones forbidding marriage in 1 Timothy 4:3?

First Timothy 4:3 is connected with preceding verses in describing a group of false teachers prevalent in the first century. The depiction unfolds as follows:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
(1 Timothy 4:1‭–5)

The identity of these false teachers is implicit in the passage, perhaps because Paul expected Timothy to know who they are. They are only characterized as “hypocritical liars” from whom come deceptive teachings fueled by deceiving spirits that will lead some people from the faith. Alongside their forbidding of marriage, they also advocate abstinence from certain foods. Both instructions reflect ascetic practices, and it is clear why the teachings are deceptive. Ascetic rules “have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence” (Colossians 2:23). Paul labels such rules “human commands and teachings” (Colossians 2:22).

The injunction against marriage and certain types of food aligns with Gnostic doctrines, so it is probable that Paul was referring to Gnostic teachers. Gnosticism flourished in the first three centuries AD, and because many Gnostics claimed to be Christians, the heresy might have caused confusion.

Christianity and Gnosticism diverge on several fronts, one of which is the forbidding of marriage. Influenced by philosophers like Plato, Gnostics adopt a dualistic perspective in which the physical world is inherently evil, with only the spiritual world being virtuous. As marriage and sexuality are part of the physical world, some sects forbid them. Conversely, Christianity regards both the physical and spiritual realms as inherently good. While tainted by sin and death, creation remains fundamentally good. Although Paul remained unmarried and extolled celibacy as a valid choice, Christianity honors marriage and does not forbid it. Furthermore, while the Israelites adhered to dietary restrictions for the purpose of distinguishing themselves from other nations, this practice ended after Jesus declared all food to be clean (Mark 7:19). Now, dietary choices are determined by personal conviction (Romans 14:1–4).

While there is no consensus that Gnostics are the false teachers that forbade marriage, it remains likely they are the ones Paul had in mind. We can learn a lot about the nature of false teaching from the warnings of Scripture. False teachings often have the appearance of truth and may even seem wise, but they are at best “teachings of men” (Colossians 2:22) and at worst “doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1, AMP).

Let no one despise your youth

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

What does 1 Timothy 4:12 mean by, “Let no one despise your youth”?

First Timothy 4:12 is a personal message to Timothy. Paul exhorts, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, NKJV). Timothy was likely in his 30s at the time Paul sent this letter, but he was a “youth” in comparison to Paul and likely to many in the congregation in Ephesus.

The words to Timothy are also an encouragement to all younger believers everywhere. It’s natural for people to look down on younger generations just because they are young and inexperienced. Paul says that young people can counter that tendency in their elders by paying attention to their own character. A young Christian can and should set an example for others and point them to God. In that way, no one will “despise” their youth.

Paul’s command to Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth,” is followed by further instructions to prevent such attitudes in the church. To despise is to show contempt toward, to scorn, or to disregard. Timothy could avoid being despised by being an example to others in his speech, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity and by devoting himself to the public reading of Scripture, exhorting, and teaching (1 Timothy 4:13). All Christians, especially young Christians in ministry, still have the same calling.

Christians should live such that they are not despised as callow, naïve, or immature. We can stave off such contempt by being an example in everything and doing what is good: “In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7–8). Our conduct matters. What we do and say either reflects Christ well to the world or misrepresents Him. Regardless of our stage in life, our goal should be to “let no one despise your youth.”

Paul gives Timothy specific areas where he can represent Christ well: in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. A Christian has surrendered his life to the lordship of Christ and continues submitting to the Word and work of the Spirit to grow in godly character. A wise young Christian desires to submit to Christ’s lordship in all areas so that no one will despise his or her youth. God’s Word has much to say in each of these areas, and wise youths will prayerfully examine their lives to see if they reflect God well:

  1. Word: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21, ESV), so we should pray like the psalmist that the “words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
  2. Conduct: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12, ESV).
  3. Love: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
  4. Spirit: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16) and “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23).
  5. Faith: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
  6. Purity: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God” (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5).

As part of the preventative against people despising his youth, Timothy was also to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, preaching, and teaching (1 Timothy 4:13). God’s Word transforms us, sanctifies us, and gives us the opportunity to see and know God. By focusing on these disciplines and growing in godly character, Timothy would be a powerful influence for Christ. No one would look at his ministry and despise his youth. Timothy would be advancing in spiritual maturity and being the salt and light that God called him to be (see Matthew 5:13–15).

In a time when many youth seem to be falling away from the faith, young believers can stay encouraged to shine brightly for Christ and be an example to all believers, regardless of age. Youthfulness need not be a stigma. A young Christian’s character and priorities can point people to the salvation Christ offers. The best way to “let no one despise your youth” is to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).