1 Timothy 4:3
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπέχεσθαι
and commanding to abstain from
G567
ἀπέχεσθαι
and commanding to abstain from
Strong's:
G567
Word #:
3 of 18
to hold oneself off, i.e., refrain
βρωμάτων
meats
G1033
βρωμάτων
meats
Strong's:
G1033
Word #:
4 of 18
food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law
ἃ
which
G3739
ἃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
εὐχαριστίας
thanksgiving
G2169
εὐχαριστίας
thanksgiving
Strong's:
G2169
Word #:
12 of 18
gratitude; actively, grateful language (to god, as an act of worship)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστοῖς
of them which believe
G4103
πιστοῖς
of them which believe
Strong's:
G4103
Word #:
14 of 18
objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπεγνωκόσιν
know
G1921
ἐπεγνωκόσιν
know
Strong's:
G1921
Word #:
16 of 18
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
Cross References
Hebrews 13:4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.1 Timothy 4:4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:Romans 14:6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.Genesis 9:3Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.Colossians 2:16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:1 Corinthians 8:8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.1 Corinthians 7:28But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.Hebrews 13:9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.Colossians 3:17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.Romans 14:3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the goodness of creation refute both asceticism and self-indulgence?
- Why is thanksgiving essential to properly receiving God's gifts of food and marriage?
- What contemporary ascetic or legalistic rules contradict God's good creation design?
Analysis & 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.