Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Timothy Chapter 4
Metaphysically Interpreting I Timothy 4:1-5
4:1But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 4:2through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; 4:3forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. 4:4For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: 4:5for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
Metaphysically Interpreting I Timothy 4:6-16
4:6If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now: 4:7but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: 4:8for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. 4:9Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation. 4:10For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.
4:11These things command and teach. 4:12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. 4:13Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 4:14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 4:15Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all. 4:16Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.
November 14, 1937: I Timothy 4:6-16
In what does the work of the good minister consist? In keeping before his disciples and students the principles of his faith, which he presents with conviction, because, having proved them true in his own experience, he can recommend them with zeal and understanding.
What are some of the “words of the faith, and of the good doctrine”? That life is of God and is therefore perfect and complete; that Divine Mind is the one cause and that we partake of its nature and express it in degree; that we realize our divine qualities through the Christ Spirit; that death is an unreality; and that sin and other fallings short of the mark are negations of sense consciousness and are to be done away with.
How does one exercise oneself unto godliness? By keeping the mind fixed on the good regardless of appearances and by expressing what is good in words and deeds.
Why is godliness profitable? Because godliness is the consciousness of the spiritual nature of all things, it helps the person having such a consciousness to see the true reality beneath the surface appearance.
Explain the verse, “We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.” The life principle that animates all men is the living God. Those who recognize this principle as divine and entrust themselves to it in all things are saved from the evils that befall those who, lacking this faith, have no ground on which to base their confidence.
How is an innate gift made effective? A natural or innate gift must be cultivated to be effective. “Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.”
Can the teacher who is sure of his subject and his faith afford to look upon his teaching as a matter of routine? Relaxing his interest and teaching entirely from the old springs of inspiration is fatal to success in a teacher of Truth. The way of Truth is the living way. “Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.”
January 4, 1948: I Timothy 4:16
Who besides Jesus may know the Christ life in himself? All who have the will to know the Christ life and live it. Active will is required.
October 29, 1950: I Timothy 4:12-16
What is the result when we meditate profoundly on Truth? We become so in harmony with Truth that our life reveals it. “Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.”
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-10-2014
