1 Timothy 4

1. He rewards his subjects in this life: 1. He gives them inward peace and joy; a bunch of grapes by the way; and oftentimes riches and honor. Godliness has the promise of this life (1 Timothy 4:8). These are as it were the saints' wages; but besides, the great reward is to come…

2. Use all means for growth in grace. First, exercise yourselves to godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). The body grows stronger by exercise.

Guilt clips the wings of comfort; he who is conscious to himself of secret sins, cannot draw near to God in full assurance; he cannot call God Father but Judge; keep conscience as clear as your eye, that no dust of sin fall into it. 2. If you would have assurance, be much in the…

The Bible lies by like rusty armor, which they never use: They think it no great matter to omit family, or closet prayer; they can go several months and God never hear of them. These have nothing sanctified to them; they feed upon a curse; For every creature is sanctified by pra…

Thus in the church of Thyatira, those cursed heretics who applauded themselves and were admired by their followers for the depths and profoundness of the learning shown in those heresies they broached — 'depths as they speak' (Revelation 2:24) — but if they call them depths, say…

Psalm 34:10; They that seek the Lord, shall lack nothing that is good. For, Godliness has the promises of this life, and of the life to come, 1 Timothy 4:8, And therefore David compares the godly man to the tree that is planted by the water side, which brings forth much fruit, a…

Daniel also was an extraordinary Prophet: yet (as we may read) Daniel 9:2, he studied with admirable diligence the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. And Timothy, though he were a Disciple (Acts 16:1) and well learned: yet Paul charges him to give attendance to reading, to exho…

Second Question. How may I know that the things I enjoy are mine by Christ, and that I do not usurp them? Answer (1 Timothy 4:4). Paul says that the creatures of God are good, and that the use of them is sanctified to us by the word and prayer. Then if we have the word of God to…

We flatly say no, holding that lawful vows are certain props of God's worship and not the worship itself. For Paul says plainly in 1 Timothy 4:8: Bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is profitable for much. Again, as God's kingdom is, so must his worship be.

Second: All skilled in the original languages, and all divines say that the particle "all" is taken pro singulis generum, vel pro generibus singulorum — all and every one of kinds, and for the kinds of all, though not absolutely excluding any kind. First, the word "all" is, in m…

If you have Christ, you have all the promises, for in him they are — indeed, and in him Amen — and they shall all be ratified and confirmed and established to you, and all the blessings of God are yours (Isaiah 1:3). He has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesu…

Implying, that in hearing we shall find him, and in finding Christ we shall find life; be diligent therefore to hear, and when you have heard it go home, and search whether it be true or no; and if you have liberty be doing this often, be conferring about it, as you can have any…

Christ is the Savior of the Souls of Men; Ministers also, are spoken of in Scripture as saving Men's Souls. 1 Timothy 4:16. In doing this, you shall both save yourself and them that hear you.

Christ in the wilderness miraculously fed many; but near the city he sent his disciples to buy bread (John 4:8). When the church of God had need of able helps at first, gifts were miraculously conferred; but afterwards every man to his study (1 Timothy 4:15): Meditate upon these…

1. Sufficiency (Genesis 17:1): "I am the almighty God, walk before me and be you perfect." (1 Timothy 4:8): "Godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come": of heaven and of earth (Matthew 6:33). "Seek you first…

For first of all, it is the express commandment of God (1 Peter 5:3): Be patterns of the flock. (1 Timothy 4:12): Be an example in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, purity. (Philippians 4:8): What you have seen in me, that do.

And the reason is, because the dominion over the creatures, lost by Adam, is restored by Christ (1 Corinthians 3:22). And hence it is, that Paul calls the forbidding of marriage, and of meats, with obligation of conscience, a doctrine of devils (1 Timothy 4:1). The third freedom…

First, because God loves all his creatures, specially mankind, most especially the faithful, upon whom he does bestow the riches of his love, yea himself also: for though God be good to all (Psalm 145:9), yet in a special sort he is good to Israel, to them that are of a pure hea…

I answer, God never afterward so afflicted his Church, that the whole face thereof was abolished, as it fell out when the people were carried away captive into Babylon. For albeit Antiochus and others made terrible wastes, after which followed those revolts which Saint Paul fore…

On this principle John would rank higher than the Son of God; but, on the contrary, we ought to maintain, that bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is profitable to all things, (1 Timothy 4:8.) And yet we must not make this a pretense for giving a loose rein to the fles…

Now Christ has taught us, by his example, that we cannot partake of our food with holiness and purity, unless we express our gratitude to God, from whose hand it comes to us. Accordingly, Paul tells us, that every kind of food which God bestows upon us is sanctified by the word…

Whereas they, contrariwise, cry out and say, that it is not lawful for the lay people to read the Scriptures. And therefore if you are asked, whether you will consent and believe that the Pope is the head: answer, Yes: and [reconstructed: say] that you so take him to be: namely,…

For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, so that if it were possible, they should deceive the very elect. Again Saint Paul in 1 Timothy 4 has these words: The Spirit speaks evidently, that in the latter times some shall depa…

Section 31. If this is the condition of the command of holiness, how just and equal must it be confessed to be, and how highly reasonable that we should comply with it, and how great is the sin and folly of those by whom it is neglected — to neglect or despise this command is to…

There is a twofold consideration of Providence according to its twofold Object, and manner of dispensation; the one is general, exercised about all creatures, rational and irrational, animate and inanimate; the other special and peculiar. Christ has an universal Empire over all…

Brethren, God speed you well with your question; as for the first, which is edifying the Church by Word, and Sacraments, we make no difference, your distance may; we both hold it our work and make it so; and if any one has been slack herein, the fault is personal, we neither def…

3. They are compared to these for their subtlety, a fox being famous for that, for which cause Herod is called a fox (Luke 13:32). So false teachers speak lies in hypocrisy (1 Timothy 4:2), creep into houses, their doctrines eat as a canker insensibly: And they are called deceit…

Secondly; as he must have an inward call in the gifts of the Spirit of God, so likewise he must have an outward call by a solemn separation of him to this work through imposition of hands. This indeed gives him the ministerial power, and invests him with authority to dispense th…

A seventh direction to obtain a treasure, that is, trade with God in every performance: rest not satisfied with a bare outside of duties, or a trudging in the common road or round of formality: if you look not beyond ordinances in the use thereof, you will get no more treasure t…

Satan may rob us of our treasure by subtle insinuations of new light as well as grosser temptations to apparent works of darkness, for these drink up the marrow of those spirits that should be laid out otherwise. Therefore take Paul's advice: refuse profane and old wives' fables…

God does not regenerate us by miracles or revelations, but by the word of truth (James 1:18). As truth is the breeder of grace, so the feeder of it (1 Timothy 4:6). Truth sanctifies (John 17:17): "Sanctify them by your truth."

Fire's coming down from heaven, seemed to have reference to their excommunications, which were dreaded like fire from heaven. — It was foretold, that he should forbid to marry, and to abstain from meats: 1 Timothy 4:3. "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats,…

The Lord liveth, and blessed be my Rock. And did as the Apostle says he did, 1 Timothy 4:10. We trust in the LIVING GOD, who is the Saviour of all Men, specially of those that believe.

(2 Peter 1:10) in securing salvation, diligent; or doing it thoroughly, and enough. (1 Timothy 4:7) in godliness, exercising, or stripping themselves, as for a race. (Luke 13:24) in the pursuit of happiness, striving, even to an agony.

1. In its morning or former part, which is everywhere in Scripture made to be of a dismal and doubtful appearance, and therefore do we so often hear of the evil of the latter times — days full of delusion and desolation. A world of delusion and error there is then (1 Timothy 4:1…

The same felicity, in a manner, attending him, which we believe of Adam, if he had not fallen, a life in paradise, and from there a transplantation to heaven. But besides this, meekness is a branch of godliness, which has more than other branches of it, the promise of the life t…

Interest him in our dealings, and ask counsel and direction at his mouth. Prayer is that which sanctifies all employments and enjoyments, 1 Timothy 4:5. The very Heathen could say, A Iove Principium, They must begin with God O that we had more Prayers and fewer Oaths. 2.

Satan, whose design as he is god of this world is to be uppermost, not dwelling wholly in any form cast down by the providence of God, has now transformed himself into an angel of light and will pretend the Spirit also, and only. But there are seducing spirits, 1 Timothy 4:1. We…

Answer: Indeed, in his more than in any others: for note the counsel of the Apostle to Timothy, (though in another case, yet very pertinent to this purpose) Let no man despise your youth. It was therefore in Timothy's power to maintain his honor, and not to suffer it to be despi…

First, Elders.] This here, as often, is a name not of age, but of office; yet named by that age that is, or ought to be most suitably qualified to such an office, and imports, that men, though not aged; yet if called to that office, should be noted with that wisdom and [illegibl…

Now this covenant-right we have by Christ, who is heir of all things; (Hebrews 1:2) Christ has the original right to them, and we by him come to have a covenant-right: So it is said, (1 Corinthians 3:23) Things present, and things to come, all are yours. As things to come, the d…

1. They are good in themselves. Food and raiment is good, and every creature of God is good (1 Timothy 4:4). They are good things, though not the best things.

If we ail anything, we may go to our Father, and acquaint him with our case and grief. And we shall have a child's allowance here in the world: the heirs of glory are well provided for in their nonage; they have a right to a large portion, all the good things of the world, meat,…

So therefore God draws us to himself even with a promised reward, but he does not wish it to be our goal and end. For those who labor until they have proceeded in his worship through various dangers and the risks of death, and have hoped against hope in him in the midst of the s…

Or, 2. Idle and vain, as foolish tales. The Apostle bids Timothy (1 Timothy 4:7) to refuse profane and old wives' fables, or vain compliments, though we are to give an account for idle words (Matthew 12:36). Or else like the Athenians, we spend our time in hearing and telling ne…

(Mark 6:33) Seek you first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, and all these things shall be added. (1 Timothy 4:8) Godliness is profitable to all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Heaven and earth are laid at the fe…

The captain told Paul, that his liberty as a Roman was obtained with a great sum (Acts 22:28). Now the Court of Rome does challenge such a power, that it commands and forbids those things which God has left free, as distinction of days, meats, marriage, according to their own pl…

The evil of suffering is but for a moment, the evil of sin for ever; in suffering we lose the favor of men, in sin we lose the favor of God; suffering brings inconvenience upon the body, sin upon the soul; suffering is only evil in our sense, sin whether we feel it indeed or no:…

5. He is communicative, it is over all his works (Psalm 145:9). Not a creature but subsists by God's mercy, he loves man and beast (Psalm 36:6) and (1 Timothy 4:10). He is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe, the whole earth is full of his goodness, Lord show…

He is so able that he can secure us in his work, so good that we should not trouble ourselves about his will, but refer it to him without hesitancy, which if we could bring our hearts to, it would ease us of many burdensome thoughts, and troublesome cares; (1 Peter 4:19) Therefo…