1Ti 4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Tim 4:1-5: 4:1-5 Paul’s sound teaching (3:16 ) contrasts with the false teachings that he denounces. 4:1 The early church regarded itself as already in the last times (see Acts 2:16-17 ; Heb 1:2 ; cp. 2 Thes 2:7 ; 1 Jn 2:18-23 ).

Summary for 1Tim 4:1-5: 4:1-5 ^a Paul’s sound teaching (3:16 ^b) contrasts with the false teachings that he denounces. 4:1 ^c The early church regarded itself as already in the last times (see Acts 2:16-17 ^d; Heb 1:2 ^e; cp. 2 Thes 2:7 ^f; 1 Jn 2:18-23 ^g).
4:2 ^h Consciences that are dead either don’t function or function wickedly, rendering judgments that oppose the truth of the gospel (see also Titus 1:15 ⁱ; Rom 1:28-32 ^j).
Summary for 1Tim 4:6-16: 4:6-16 ^k Timothy must respond to the false teachers (cp. 2 Tim 3:1–4:5 ^l). 4:6 ^m brothers and sisters: Greek adelphoi, a generic term that refers to members of the same family, both male and female.

• The training of the worthy servant involves a whole pattern of conduct, modeled by Paul and based on sound doctrine. Good teaching unifies word and deed, belief and behavior (cp. 3:10 ⁿ, 14-15 ^o; Phil 4:9 ^p).
Summary for 1Tim 4:8-9: 4:8-9 ^q physical training ... godliness: Cp. 1 Cor 9:24-27 ^r; Col 2:23 ^s.

• benefits in this life ... the life to come: Cp. 1 Tim 4:16 ^t; 6:6-8 ^u; Mark 10:29-30 ^v; Eph 6:2-3 ^w.

• trustworthy saying: See study note on 1 Tim 1:15.
4:12 ^x Be an example: Only those whose lives are shaped by the Good News are worthy teachers of it (cp. 2 Tim 3:10-11 ^y; Titus 2:7 ^z; Heb 13:7 ^aa). The false teachers were not.
4:14 ^ab laid their hands on you: The gesture signified recognition, authorization, and blessing (see Acts 13:1-3 ^ac; 6:6 ^ad). This was probably the same event as in 2 Tim 1:6-7 ^ae (see 1 Tim 1:18 ^af; cp. Rom 12:6-8 ^ag; 1 Cor 12:7-11 ^ah; Eph 4:7-13 ^ai). Paul’s ministry and that of his delegates was under the authority of the church.