1 Timothy 4 — Greek text and reception
Each card preserves the Greek reading and its textual and reception notes. This source provides a Greek study edition; Hebrew counterparts and Hebrew–Greek classifications are not supplied.
Chapter 4
Creation and false restrictions
Verse 4:1
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will depart from the faith, attending to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons,
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: The speaking Spirit is distinguished from deceiving spirits and demonic teachings. Some depart in later times; the text neither names later sects nor says every believer will depart. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Verse 4:2
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
through the hypocrisy of liars, seared in their own conscience,
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Hypocrisy belongs to the liars through whom the teaching operates. The searing image concerns their own conscience; it is not transferred to the hearers. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Verse 4:3
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Require is supplied before abstinence because the construction changes after forbid marriage. It does not mean forbid abstinence. Creation, reception with thanksgiving, belief and knowledge remain linked. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Verse 4:4
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For every creation of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving,
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Every creation of God is called good. The rejection clause is qualified by receiving with thanksgiving, continuing the food discussion rather than supplying a modern dietary prescription. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Verse 4:5
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
for it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Sanctified is passive. Word of God and intercession are both means in the clause; a particular blessing formula or ritual sequence is not added. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
A pattern in teaching and life
Verse 4:6
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
By laying these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have followed.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Laying these things before the brothers describes Timothy’s service. Nourished retains the teaching-as-food image; the good teaching is that which he has followed. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Verse 4:7
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
But reject profane and old women’s myths, and train yourself for godliness.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Old women’s myths preserves the source’s disparaging idiom without becoming the translator’s general judgment about women. Rejection of myths is paired with training for godliness. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Verse 4:8
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For bodily training is beneficial for a little, but godliness is beneficial for all things, having a promise of life both now and to come.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: For a little allows limited benefit or limited time. Godliness has promise for life now and life to come; both temporal horizons remain explicit. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Verse 4:9
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
The saying is faithful and worthy of full acceptance.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: The faithful-saying formula repeats that at 1:15. Its position connects the teaching about godliness and hope; the words do not supply an additional quotation. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Verse 4:10
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For to this end we labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is Savior of all human beings, especially of believers.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: The selected verb is oneidizometha, suffer reproach, not strive. Savior of all human beings, especially believers retains both scope statements without deciding their theological relation. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 12, on 4:1–10 [R12].
Text: NA28 reads ἀγωνιζόμεθα, strive (SBLGNT ὀνειδιζόμεθα, suffer reproach); the rendering above follows SBLGNT, and NA28 would read "we labor and strive".[R12]
Verse 4:11
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Command and teach these things.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Command and teach are two imperatives addressed to Timothy. These things points to the preceding instruction; the translation does not collapse teaching into issuing orders. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 13, on 4:11–5:7 [R13].
Verse 4:12
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Let no one despise your youth, but become a pattern for believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: The selected examples are word, conduct, love, faith and purity; there is no extra in spirit. Become a pattern accompanies the prohibition on despising Timothy’s youth. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 13, on 4:11–5:7 [R13].
Verse 4:13
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Until I come, attend to the reading, the exhortation, the teaching.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: The reading naturally concerns reading aloud in the community, although public is not an explicit adjective. Reading, exhortation and teaching are three coordinated responsibilities until Paul comes. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 13, on 4:11–5:7 [R13].
Verse 4:14
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the council of elders.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Presbyterion is the council of elders. The gift, prophecy and accompanying laying on of hands are all retained; a later identification of the council is not supplied. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 13, on 4:11–5:7 [R13].
Verse 4:15
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Practice these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be manifest to all.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Practice these things and be absorbed in them express sustained engagement. The purpose is visible progress to all, without specifying a rank or promotion. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 13, on 4:11–5:7 [R13].
Verse 4:16
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Pay attention to yourself and to the teaching; continue in them, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Textual & Reception Notes
Text: Attention to self and teaching is paired with perseverance. Save is the source verb for Timothy and his hearers; the sentence is not reduced to merely advising them. Reception: Chrysostom, Homily 13, on 4:11–5:7 [R13].