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"Forbidding to marry..."

Text: 1 Timothy 4:3

SOME OF THE FALSE TEACHINGS HIGHLIGHTED

What were some of the false teachings that abounded in the church at Ephesus? The following text gives us a glimpse of the false teachings that threatened the church. Two false teachings were highlighted:-

“Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods
which God created to be received with thanksgiving
by those who believe and know the truth.”

1 Timothy 4:3

1. Forbidding to marry

a) Marriage is essentially a choice.

b) There is no Biblical commandment to forbid anyone from getting married.

c) To forbid people from marrying indicates the following:-

i) It is contrary to the general teachings from the Scriptures.

ii) It was an attempt to control people.

iii) It is an imposition of human will against the will of God.

2. “And commanding to abstain from foods”

a) The phrase “and commanding” is in italics to reflect the translators’ opinion.

b) The comment is well-taken.

c) The false teachers did command people to abstain from eating certain types of food.

d) This was essentially a dietary law.

i) It may suggest that the false teachers could have come from a Jewish background.

ii) If so, then we can understand this command to abstain from certain types of food.

3. A correct perspective of food

a) God created food for mankind to survive.

b) Good nutrition will enhance maintenance of a healthy life.

4. Reception and partaking of food

a) Food is to be received with thanksgiving.

b) Believers do not need to feel that they are constrained to abstain from food.

i) But of course they must have a strong faith.

ii) They need to be well-instructed so that they “know the truth”.

iii) They may then enjoy the food that God has graciously and lovingly provided.