1 Timothy 4:3
What does 1 Timothy 4:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 4:3 means
Paul identifies two marks of the false teaching: a ban on marriage and dietary restrictions. These rules promise spirituality through deprivation, but they deny what God created to be gratefully enjoyed by believers who know the truth. God instituted marriage and provided food as good gifts, not as traps to avoid. The proper posture toward created blessings is thanksgiving, not suspicion. Ascetic rules that treat God’s gifts as defiling misrepresent both the Creator and his purposes. True holiness does not come from rejecting creation, but from receiving it with a heart taught by the gospel. Knowledge of the truth frees believers from man-made prohibitions that burden consciences and obscure God’s generosity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Forbidding 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who keep men from being married and from taking food which God made to be taken with praise by those who have faith and true knowledge.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862forbidding to marry--to abstain from meats that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those believing and acknowledging the truth,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and by them that have known the truth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890forbidding to marry, [bidding] to abstain from meats, whichGod has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth.
Context
After describing the false teachers’ hypocrisy, Paul names their program: forbidding marriage and commanding abstinence from certain foods. These specifics show the error’s ascetic flavor and its departure from apostolic teaching. The mention of God’s intention—gifts to be received with thanksgiving—turns the discussion toward a positive theology of creation. In the next verses, Paul will expand that affirmation: everything God made is good and, when received with gratitude, is not to be rejected but is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 24:30
And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them.
- 1 Timothy 2:4
who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.
- 1 Corinthians 7:28
But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.
- Acts 27:35
And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat.
- Matthew 14:19
And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
- Romans 14:17
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
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