King James Version

What Does 1 Timothy 4:3 Mean?

1 Timothy 4:3 in the King James Version says “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of th... — study this verse from 1 Timothy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:3 · KJV


Context

1

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

5

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats (κωλυόντων γαμεῖν, ἀπέχεσθαι βρωμάτων, kōlyontōn gamein, apechesthai brōmatōn)—'forbidding marriage and requiring abstinence from foods.' Kōlyō means to hinder, forbid, prevent. Apechomai means to abstain, keep away from. The false teachers imposed ascetic rules—celibacy and dietary restrictions.

Which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth (ἃ ὁ θεὸς ἔκτισεν εἰς μετάληψιν μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τοῖς πιστοῖς καὶ ἐπεγνωκόσιν τὴν ἀλήθειαν, ha ho theos ektisen eis metalēpsin meta eucharistias tois pistois kai epegnōkosin tēn alētheian)—'which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.' Ktizō means to create. Metalēpsis means receiving, partaking. Eucharistia means thanksgiving, gratitude.

Paul refutes asceticism by appealing to creation: God made marriage and food good gifts to be received gratefully. Forbidding them insults the Creator and misunderstands His design. The believer who knows truth receives these gifts with thanksgiving, neither despising nor idolizing them, but enjoying them as God intended.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gnostic and Platonic thought viewed matter as evil—the body a prison for the soul. This led to asceticism: deny bodily pleasures (food, sex) to achieve spiritual purity. Some Jewish-Christian teachers added dietary laws from the Old Covenant. Paul refutes both by affirming creation's goodness—the material world is God's gift, not a curse. Christianity is neither ascetic nor hedonistic but thankfully enjoys God's good creation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the goodness of creation refute both asceticism and self-indulgence?
  2. Why is thanksgiving essential to properly receiving God's gifts of food and marriage?
  3. What contemporary ascetic or legalistic rules contradict God's good creation design?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
κωλυόντων1 of 18

Forbidding

G2967

to estop, i.e., prevent (by word or act)

γαμεῖν2 of 18

to marry

G1060

to wed (of either sex)

ἀπέχεσθαι3 of 18

and commanding to abstain from

G567

to hold oneself off, i.e., refrain

βρωμάτων4 of 18

meats

G1033

food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law

5 of 18

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

6 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς7 of 18

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἔκτισεν8 of 18

hath created

G2936

to fabricate, i.e., found (form originally)

εἰς9 of 18

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

μετάληψιν10 of 18

be received

G3336

participation

μετὰ11 of 18

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

εὐχαριστίας12 of 18

thanksgiving

G2169

gratitude; actively, grateful language (to god, as an act of worship)

τοῖς13 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πιστοῖς14 of 18

of them which believe

G4103

objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful

καὶ15 of 18

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπεγνωκόσιν16 of 18

know

G1921

to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge

τὴν17 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀλήθειαν18 of 18

the truth

G225

truth


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Timothy 4:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Timothy 4:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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