The Meaning of 1 Timothy 4:4 Explained

1 Timothy 4:4

KJV: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

YLT: because every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, with thanksgiving being received,

Darby: For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, being received with thanksgiving;

ASV: For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  every  creature  of God  [is] good,  and  nothing  to be refused,  if it be received  with  thanksgiving: 

What does 1 Timothy 4:4 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Timothy 4:1-8 - Reject False And Foolish Teaching
We have here the Apostle's forecast of the last times, i.e., the condition in which men will find themselves as the age draws to a close. Notwithstanding all that Christ has done, the prevalence of evil will be enormous, not because of any failure in God but because the Church has failed to be the organ through which His saving help could reach mankind. The symptoms are set forth with great clearness, such as demon spirits dwelling and working in men, error taught under the specious guise of excessive religious devotion, consciences seared, natural instincts thwarted and outraged. On the contrary, let us believe that the whole body, and all gifts that are natural and innocent, are to be cherished and used under three sanctions:
1.They must be accepted and enjoyed with thanksgiving to the Creator and Father.
2.They must be sanctioned by the Word of God.
3.Their use and enjoyment must, not interfere with our prayer-life.
The minister of Christ must be daily nourished by the words of Christian truth. If he is not fed on Christ's body and blood, his teaching will soon deteriorate, John 6:1-71. He must also exercise himself in godliness with as much care as the gymnast, who is continually exercising his joints and muscles so as to keep supple and alert. This is also God's purpose in the spiritual trials and discipline which He sends. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 4

1  He foretells that in the latter times there shall be a departure from the faith
6  And to the end that Timothy might not fail in doing his duty, he furnishes him with various precepts

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 4:4

Creature [κτισμα]
Late word from κτιζω — ktizō result of creating. See Genesis 1:31; Mark 7:15; Romans 14:14 for the idea stated. [source]
To be rejected [αποβλητον]
Old verbal adjective in passive sense from αποβαλλω — apoballō to throw away, here only in N.T. If it be received (λαμβανομενον — lambanomenon). “Being received.” Present passive participle of λαμβανω — lambanō in conditional sense, “with thanksgiving.” [source]
If it be received [λαμβανομενον]
“Being received.” Present passive participle of λαμβανω — lambanō in conditional sense, “with thanksgiving.” [source]
Creature [κτίσμα]
Not in Paul. See James 1:18; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 8:9. A created thing. For κτίσις creation or creature, frequent in Paul, see on Romans 8:19; see on 2 Corinthians 5:17; see on Colossians 1:15. Κτίσμα in lxx, Wisd. 9:2; 13:5; 14:11; 3 Maccabees 5:11. [source]
Refused [ἀπὸβλητον]
Lit. thrown away. N.T.oIn ecclesiastical writings, excommunicated. On the whole verse, comp. Acts href="/desk/?q=ac+10:15&sr=1">Acts 10:15; Romans 11:15; 1 Corinthians 10:25, 1 Corinthians 10:26, 1 Corinthians 10:30, 1 Corinthians 10:31. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 4:4

1 Corinthians 10:30 By grace [χάριτι]
Better, as Rev., in margin, with thankfulness: with an unsullied conscience, so that I can sincerely give thanks for my food. Compare Romans 14:6; 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:5. [source]
1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing [τὸ ποτήριον τῆς εὐλογίας]
Lit., the blessing: the cup over which the familiar formula of blessing is pronounced. Hence the Holy Supper was often styled Eulogia (Blessing). For blessing, see on blessed, 1 Peter 1:3. It is the same as eucharistia (thanksgiving ), applied as the designation of the Lord's Supper: Eucharist. See 1 Corinthians 14:16; 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:5. The cup is first mentioned, perhaps, because Paul wishes to dwell more at length on the bread; or possibly, because drinking rather than eating characterized the idol-feasts. [source]
1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things [ταῦτα ὑποτιθέμενος τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς]
The verb only here and Romans 16:4. Lit. to put under; so almost without exception in lxx. See, for instance, Genesis 28:18; Genesis 47:29; Exodus 17:12. So Romans 16:4. Hence, metaphorically, to suggest, which is, literally, to carry or lay under. Ταῦτα thesethings are those mentioned 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:5. In the Pastorals it is only here that ἀδελφοί brethren means the members of the church to whose superintendent the letter is addressed. In 2 Timothy 4:21, they are the Christians of the church from which the letter comes; in 1 Timothy 6:2, Christians in general; and in 1 Timothy 5:1, without any ecclesiastical sense. [source]
1 Timothy 4:5 It is sanctified [ἁγιάζεται]
Not declared holy, but made holy. The declaration confirms the last clause of 1 Timothy 4:4. Thanksgiving to God has a sanctifying effect. The food in itself has no moral quality (Romans 14:14), but acquires a holy quality by its consecration to God; by being acknowledged as God's gift, and partaken of as nourishing the life for God's service. Comp. Paul's treatment of the unbelieving husband and the believing wife, 1 Corinthians 7:14. [source]
1 Timothy 3:2 The husband of one wife [μιᾶς γυναικὸς ἄνδρα]
Comp. 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6. Is the injunction aimed (a) at immoralities respecting marriage - concubinage, etc., or (b) at polygamy, or (c) at remarriage after death or divorce? The last is probably meant. Much of the difficulty arises from the assumption that the Pastorals were written by Paul. In that case his views seem to conflict. See Romans 7:2, Romans 7:3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Corinthians 8:9, where Paul declares that widows are free to marry again, and puts widows and virgins on the same level; and comp. 1 Timothy 5:9, according to which a widow is to be enrolled only on the condition of having been the wife of but one man. The Pauline view is modified in detail by the writer of the Pastorals. Paul, while asserting that marriage is right and honorable, regards celibacy as the higher state (1 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Corinthians 7:7, 1 Corinthians 7:26, 1 Corinthians 7:34, 1 Corinthians 7:37, 1 Corinthians 7:38). In this the Pastoral writer does not follow him (see 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 3:4, 1 Timothy 3:12; 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:14). The motive for marriage, namely, protection against incontinency, which is adduced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:9, is given in 1 Timothy 5:11-14. As in Paul, the married state is honorable, for Bishops, Deacons, and Presbyters are married (1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6), and the honor of childbearing conferred upon the mother of our Lord is reflected in the Christian woman of later times (1 Timothy 2:15). While Paul advises against second marriages (1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:9, 1 Corinthians 7:27, 1 Corinthians 7:39, 1 Corinthians 7:40), in the Pastorals emphasis is laid only on the remarriage of church-officers and church-widows. In the Pastorals we see a reflection of the conditions of the earlier post-apostolic age, when a non-Pauline asceticism was showing itself (see 1 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:8; Titus 1:15). The opposition to second marriage became very strong in the latter part of the second century. It was elevated into an article of faith by the Montanists, and was emphasized by Tertullian, and by Athenagoras, who called second marriage “a specious adultery” ( εὐπρεπής μοιχεία )|Vigilant ( νηφάλιον )|Only in the Pastorals. See 1 Timothy 3:11, and Titus 2:2. olxx. The kindred verb νήφειν means to be sober with reference to drink, and, in a metaphorical sense, to be sober and wary; cool and unimpassioned. Thus Epicharmus, νᾶφε καὶ μέμνας ἀπιστεῖν bewary and remember not to be credulous. See on 1 Thessalonians 5:6. In N.T. the meaning of the verb is always metaphorical, to be calm, dispassionate, and circumspect. The A.V. vigilant is too limited. Wise caution may be included; but it is better to render sober, as A.V. in 1 Timothy 3:11and Titus 2:2, in the metaphorical sense as opposed to youthful levity.|Of good behavior ( κόσμιον )|oP. Only here and 1 Timothy 2:9, see note. Rend. orderly.|Given to hospitality ( φιλόξενον )|oP. Comp. Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9. See note on pursuing hospitality, Romans 12:13.|Apt to teach ( διδακτικόν )|oP. Only here and 2 Timothy 2:24. olxx, oClass. In the Pastorals the function of teaching pertains to both Bishops and Elders (see 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:9). It is at this point that the tendency to confound and identify the two reveals itself. Bishops and Presbyters are not identical. Earlier, the teaching function does not seem to have attached to the position of ἐπίσκοπος. The office acquired a different character when it assumed that function, which is not assigned to it in Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians. In the Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (about 100 a.d.) the ministry of teaching is to be assumed by the Bishops only in the absence of the Prophets and Teachers (xiii., xv).| [source]
1 Timothy 4:5 It is sanctified [αγιαζεται]
Present passive indicative of αγιαζω — hagiazō here “rendered holy” rather than “declared holy.” Cf. 1 Timothy 4:4. [source]
Titus 1:15 All things are pure []
Comp. 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:5; Acts 10:15; Mark 7:15, Mark 7:18, Mark 7:19; 1 Corinthians 10:26, 1 Corinthians 10:30; Romans 14:20. The aphorism is suggested by the commandments of men, Titus 1:14. [source]
Revelation 5:13 Creature [κτίσμα]
See 1 Timothy 4:4; James 1:18. From κτίζω tofound. A thing founded or created Rev., created thing. See on John 1:3. [source]
Revelation 5:13 Every created thing [παν κτισμα]
Every creature in a still wider antiphonal circle beyond the circle of angels (from κτιζω — ktizō for which see 1 Timothy 4:4; James 1:18), from all the four great fields of life (in heaven, upon the earth, under the earth as in Revelation 5:3, with on the sea επι της ταλασσης — epi tēs thalassēs added). No created thing is left out. This universal chorus of praise to Christ from all created life reminds one of the profound mystical passage in Romans 8:20-22 concerning the sympathetic agony of creation (κτισις — ktisis) in hope of freedom from the bondage of corruption. If the trail of the serpent is on all creation, it will be ultimately thrown off. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 4:4 mean?

For every creature of God [is] good and nothing [is] to be rejected with thanksgiving being received
ὅτι πᾶν κτίσμα Θεοῦ καλόν καὶ οὐδὲν ἀπόβλητον μετὰ εὐχαριστίας λαμβανόμενον

πᾶν  every 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
κτίσμα  creature 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: κτίσμα  
Sense: thing founded.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
καλόν  [is]  good 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
οὐδὲν  nothing  [is] 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: οὐδείς 
Sense: no one, nothing.
ἀπόβλητον  to  be  rejected 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀπόβλητος  
Sense: thrown away, to be thrown away, rejected, despised, abominated.
εὐχαριστίας  thanksgiving 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: εὐχαριστία  
Sense: thankfulness.
λαμβανόμενον  being  received 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: λαμβάνω  
Sense: to take.