Catholic Commentary on 1 Timothy 4

"Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Warning against Apostasy

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. 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 know the truth. 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. Paul points Timothy to the marks of false teaching: the prohibition of what God has given in creation, the contempt for the body and its natural goods, the gnostic distrust of material reality. Against this, the Christian affirmation of the goodness of creation, received with thanksgiving and consecrated by prayer.

Godliness as Training

Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The athletic metaphor is used carefully: Paul does not dismiss physical discipline, but he insists on the infinitely greater value of spiritual training. Godliness, the Greek word eusebeia, means the whole interior orientation of the person toward God: the habitual disposition that shapes every thought, word, and action. The Catechism identifies the virtues as precisely this kind of habitual disposition acquired by training and practice, the stable character that does the right thing consistently because it has become second nature (CCC 1804).

Timothy should not let anyone look down on him because he is young. He is to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. He is to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching, not neglecting the gift given to him when the body of elders laid their hands on him.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, train yourself to be godly. Training implies repetition, resistance, incremental progress, and occasional failure followed by renewed effort. The spiritual life is not a series of dramatic encounters but a long discipline of small consistent choices. What is your training regime? Daily prayer, weekly Eucharist, regular confession, lectio divina, service: these are the exercises. The gym is open every day.

Prayer

Lord God, train us in godliness. Let us set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Do not let us neglect the gift you placed in us. And let our training hold promise not only for this life but for the life to come. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4
A Warning against Apostasy
1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
 
3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, 5 because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
 
6 By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
 
7 But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. 8 For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.
 
10 To this end we labor and strive,* 4:10 SBL, BYZ, and TR and suffer reproach because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things.
 
12 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
 
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. 15 Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

*4:10 4:10 SBL, BYZ, and TR and suffer reproach

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