Bible Phrasing: 1 Timothy 4:1–5

Paul's opening conjunction in chapter 4 changes the topic from what was previously discussed about leadership but keeps the discussion within the confines of one's behavior in the household of God. The theme of these verses is faithlessness as a result of thanklessness. 

1) Verses 1–3 form the first part of this passage that deals with faithlessness, and 2) verses 4–5 form the second part that deals with thankfulness. 

2) In the first part, Paul characterizes faithlessness in several ways. First, in verse 1, Paul notes that the Spirit of God is the one who expressly states that "some will depart." Second, Paul qualifies "some will depart" by adding a dimension of time, "in later times." In other words, this departure from orthodox faith, although somewhat jarring, is not surprising by any means, especially to God. Third, Paul notes the manner of the departure -- some will depart by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. Although Paul does not elaborate on what the deceitful spirits are, he notes some of the teachings of demons. Fourth, in verse 3, the false teaching to which the faithless subscribe consists of 1) forbidding marriage and 2) requiring abstinence from foods. These people have lost their ability to gauge morality, since their consciences are seared and since they have been duped by the insincerity of liars. 

3) In the second part, Paul characterizes thankfulness, a trait missing in the first part, in several ways too. First, he notes that for those who believe and know the truth, thankfulness is the expected response toward what God has created, namely marriage and food. Second, Paul states that the quality of what God has created is good, which is why people should receive it with thanksgiving. Third, because God created everything, and because it is good, Paul clarifies that nothing is to be rejected. Fourth, Paul adds a conditional clause to this last point to show that something can be rejected if one cannot receive it with thanksgiving. Fith, verse 5 offers the reason for why one should not reject what God has created: because it is made holy. Finally, when God creates something, he expects people to receive it with thanksgiving. they should not reject the thing outright. And the way they show thanksgiving for what God has created is by acknowledging God's goodness, what his word says, and through pray. 

The proper response to what God has created is thanksgiving.