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1 Timothy 4:3

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— [men] who forbid marriage [and advocate] abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— Forbidding 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.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— forbidding to marry, [bidding] to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Forbidding to marry, [commanding] to abstain from foods which, God, created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and personally know the truth;
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— forbidding to marry—to abstain from meats that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those believing and acknowledging the truth,
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— Forbidding 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.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Forbidding to marrie, and commanding to absteine from meates which God hath created to be receiued with giuing thankes of them which beleeue and knowe the trueth.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to absteine from meates, which God hath created to bee receiued with thankesgiuing of them which beleeue, and know the trueth.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— Who prohibit marriage, and demand abstinence from foods which God has created for use and thanksgiving of those who believe and know the truth.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— and prohibiting to marry, and abstaining from meats, which Aloha created to be used with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth;
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— and will forbid to marry; and will require abstinence from meats, which God hath created for use and for thankfulness, by them who believe and know the truth.

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
Forbidding 2967
{2967} Prime
κωλύω
koluo
{ko-loo'-o}
From the base of G2849; to estop, that is, prevent (by word or act).
z5723
<5723> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 2549
to marry, 1060
{1060} Prime
γαμέω
gameo
{gam-eh'-o}
From G1062; to wed (of either sex).
z5721
<5721> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Infinitive (See G5795)
Count - 647
[and commanding] to abstain x567
(0567) Complement
ἀπέχομαι
apechomai
{ap-ekh'-om-ahee}
Middle voice (reflexive) of G0568; to hold oneself off, that is, refrain.
from y567
[0567] Standard
ἀπέχομαι
apechomai
{ap-ekh'-om-ahee}
Middle voice (reflexive) of G0568; to hold oneself off, that is, refrain.
z5733
<5733> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Middle (See G5785)
Mood - Infinitive (See G5795)
Count - 30
meats, 1033
{1033} Prime
βρῶμα
broma
{bro'-mah}
From the base of G0977; food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonial) articles allowed or forbiden by the Jewish law.
which 3739
{3739} Prime
ὅς
hos
{hos}
Probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relative (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that.
God 2316
{2316} Prime
θεός
theos
{theh'-os}
Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very.
hath created 2936
{2936} Prime
κτίζω
ktizo
{ktid'-zo}
Probably akin to G2932 (through the idea of the proprietorship of the manufacturer); to fabricate, that is, found (form originally).
z5656
<5656> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 2319
to y1519
[1519] Standard
εἰς
eis
{ice}
A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.
be received 3336
{3336} Prime
μετάληψις
metalepsis
{met-al'-ape-sis}
From G3335; participation.
x1519
(1519) Complement
εἰς
eis
{ice}
A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.
with 3326
{3326} Prime
μετά
meta
{met-ah'}
A primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly denoting accompaniment; 'amid' (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive case association, or accusative case succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G0575 or G1537 and G1519 or G4314; less intimate than G1722, and less close than G4862).
thanksgiving 2169
{2169} Prime
εὐχαριστία
eucharistia
{yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah}
From G2170; gratitude; active grateful language (to God, as an act of worship).
of them which believe 4103
{4103} Prime
πιστός
pistos
{pis-tos'}
From G3982; objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful.
and 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
know 1921
{1921} Prime
ἐπιγινώσκω
epiginosko
{ep-ig-in-oce'-ko}
From G1909 and G1097; to know upon some mark, that is, recognise; by implication to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge.
z5761
<5761> Grammar
Tense - Perfect (See G5778)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 193
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
truth. 225
{0225} Prime
ἀλήθεια
aletheia
{al-ay'-thi-a}
From G0227; truth.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

1 Timothy 4:3

_ _ Sensuality leads to false spiritualism. Their own inward impurity is reflected in their eyes in the world without them, and hence their asceticism (Titus 1:14, Titus 1:15) [Wiesinger]. By a spurious spiritualism (2 Timothy 2:18), which made moral perfection consist in abstinence from outward things, they pretended to attain to a higher perfection. Matthew 19:10-12 (compare 1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:26, 1 Corinthians 7:38) gave a seeming handle to their “forbidding marriage” (contrast 1 Timothy 5:14); and the Old Testament distinction as to clean and unclean, gave a pretext for teaching to “abstain from meats” (compare Colossians 2:16, Colossians 2:17, Colossians 2:20-23). As these Judaizing Gnostics combined the harlot or apostate Old Testament Church with the beast (Revelation 17:3), or Gnostic spiritualizing anti-Christianity, so Rome’s Judaizing elements (1 Timothy 4:3) shall ultimately be combined with the open worldly-wise anti-Christianity of the false prophet or beast (1 Timothy 6:20, 1 Timothy 6:21; Colossians 2:8; 1 John 4:1-3; Revelation 13:12-15). Austerity gained for them a show of sanctity while preaching false doctrine (Colossians 2:23). Eusebius [Ecclesiastical History, 4.29] quotes from Irenaeus [1.28] a statement that Saturninus, Marcion, and the Encratites preached abstinence from marriage and animal meats. Paul prophetically warns against such notions, the seeds of which already were being sown (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:17, 2 Timothy 2:18).

_ _ to be receivedGreek, “to be partaken of.”

_ _ of them — literally, (created and designed) “for them,” Though all (even the unbelieving, Psalms 104:14; Matthew 5:45) are partakers in these foods created by God, “they which believe” alone fulfil God’s design in creation by partaking of them with thanksgiving; as opposed to those who abstain from them, or in partaking of them, do not do so with thanksgiving. The unbelieving have not the designed use of such foods by reason of their “conscience being defiled” (Titus 1:15). The children of God alone “inherit the earth”; for obedience is the necessary qualification (as it was in the original grant of the earth to Adam), which they alone possess.

_ _ and know the truth — explanatory and defining who are “they which believe.” Translate as Greek, “and have full knowledge of the truth” (see on Philippians 1:9). Thus he contradicts the assumption of superior knowledge and higher moral perfection, put forward by the heretics, on the ground of their abstinence from marriage and meats. “The truth” stands in opposition to their “lies” (1 Timothy 4:2).

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on 1 Timothy 4:1-5.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

1 Timothy 4:3

Forbidding priests, monks, and nuns to marry, and commanding all men to abstain from such and such meats at such and such times. Which God hath created to be received by them that know the truth — That all meats are now clean. With thanksgiving — Which supposes a pure conscience.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

1 Timothy 4:3

(3) Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, (4) which God hath created (5) to be received (6) with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

(3) He sets down two types of this false doctrine, that is, the law of single life, and the difference of meats. (4) He proves that he justly called such doctrines devilish, first, because the teachers of them make laws of things which are not their own: for have they created the meats? (5) Secondly, because they overthrow with their decrees the reason why they were created by God, that is, that we should use them. (6) Thirdly, because by this means they rob God of his glory, who will be honoured in the use of them. And here with this, the apostle declares that we must use the liberality of God solemnly, and with a good conscience.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
Forbidding:

Daniel 11:37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
1 Corinthians 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
1 Corinthians 7:36-39 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of [her] age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. ... The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

to abstain:

Romans 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, ... Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

which:

Genesis 1:29-30 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. ... And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.
Genesis 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold [that] which I have seen: [it is] good and comely [for one] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it [is] his portion.
Acts 10:13-15 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. ... And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.
1 Corinthians 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

with:

1 Timothy 4:4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1 Samuel 9:13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; [and] afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
Matthew 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake [them], and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them.
John 6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
Acts 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken [it], he began to eat.
Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
1 Corinthians 10:30-31 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? ... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

believe:

1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; ... And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: ... Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Gn 1:29; 9:3. 1S 9:13. Ec 5:18. Dn 11:37. Mt 14:19; 15:36. Lk 24:30. Jn 6:23; 8:31. Ac 10:13; 27:35. Ro 14:3, 6, 17. 1Co 6:13; 7:28, 36; 8:8; 10:30. Col 2:20; 3:17. 2Th 2:13. 1Ti 2:4; 4:4. He 13:4, 9.

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