A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 Timothy 4:3

A.T. Robertson Commentary

1 Timothy 4:3

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
A.T. Robertson
A.T. Robertson

A.T. Robertson Commentary

1 Timothy 4:3

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"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." — 1 Timothy 4:3 (ASV)

Forbidding to marry (κωλυοντων γαμειν). Present active participle of common verb κωλυω, to hinder, genitive case agreeing with ψευδολογων. See Col 2:16,21f. , where Paul condemns the ascetic practices of the Gnostics. The Essenes, Therapeutae and other oriental sects forbade marriage. In 1Colossians 7 Paul does not condemn marriage.

To abstain from meats (απεχεσθα βρωματων). Infinitive dependent, not on κωλυοντων, but on the positive idea κελευοντων (implied, not expressed). Ablative case of βρωματων after απεχεσθα (present direct middle, to hold oneself away from). See 1Colossians 8-10; Romans 14; 15 for disputes about "meats offered to idols" and Co 1:22f. for the Gnostic asceticism.

Which God created (α ο θεος εκτισεν). First active indicative of κτιζω (Colossians 1:16). Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:25.

To be received (εις μεταλημψιν). "For reception." Old word, only here in N.T.

By them that believe and know (τοις πιστοις κα επεγνωκοσ). Dative case, "for the believers and those who (one article unites closely) have known fully" (perfect active participle of επιγινωσκω), a Pauline use of the word (Colossians 1:6).