1 Timothy 4 | Liberation and Inclusion Translation

¹ The Life-breath^a clearly says that in later times, some will abandon faithfulness, devoting themselves to misleading spirit-breaths^b and demonic teachings, ² because of phoniness^c on the part of those who speak lies, those who have cauterized their own attentiveness,^d ³ those who forbid people to marry or require people to keep away from foods which God created for partaking with thanksgiving for the faithful and those who have understood the truth. ⁴ You see, every creation of God is valuable, and nothing received with thanksgiving is to be discarded ⁵ because it is being designated for sacred purposes by what God says and intercession.^e

⁶ When you explain these things to members of the Family, you will be an admirable servant^f of Christ Jesus, being nourished with discussions of faithfulness and healthy teaching which you have followed closely. ⁷ But decline to participate regarding conventional^g and uninformed^h narratives.ⁱ Train^j yourself in respectfulness.^k ⁸ You see, training the body^l is somewhat beneficial, but respectfulness is beneficial for everything, holding promise for the present life and the one that’s coming. ⁹ That statement is trustworthy and is worth full acceptance. ¹⁰ You see, this is why we labor and strive: we have placed our hope in the God-Who-is-Alive, who is the liberator of all people, especially those who are faithful.

¹¹ Spread and teach these things. ¹² No one should think less of you because of your youth; instead, become an example among the faithful in what you say, in what you do, in love, in faithfulness, and in sacredness.^m ¹³ Until I come, attend to reading aloud, encouragement, and teaching. ¹⁴ Don’t be careless with the gift you have, which was given to you through prophecy, as well as the elders placing their hands on you. ¹⁵ Care for these things, immerse yourself in them, resulting in your progress being apparent to everyone. ¹⁶ Give attention to yourself and to your teaching; stay present to them because by doing so, you will liberate both yourself and those who listen to you.

Footnotes

a Traditionally, ‘Spirit’.
b Traditionally, ‘spirits’.
c Traditionally, ‘hypocrisy’.
d Traditionally, ‘whose consciences are seared.’ This is about attentiveness/consciousness, not merely a moral compass.
e Traditionally, ‘intercession.’ The word includes meeting with someone to advocate for another but is more general.
f This is the same word translated as ‘server’ and traditionally as ‘deacon’ in chapter 3.
g Traditionally, ‘godless’ but this word doesn’t mean ‘godless.’ Bebelos essentially means ‘normal’ or ‘ordinary.’
h Traditionally, ‘old wives tales.’ The term reflects denied education in the patriarchal context, not inherent gullibility.
i Traditionally, ‘myths.’ Greek muthos is a general word for stories and doesn’t map cleanly to modern English ‘myth.’
j Or ‘exercise’.
k Traditionally, ‘godliness.’ eusebeia includes treating people with respect, including toward parents and spouse.
l Or ‘bodily exercise’.
m Traditionally, ‘purity.’ hagneia has to do with being designated for sacred purposes.