Commanding to Abstain from Meats

Question:

Would you please explain 1 Timothy 4:1-5?

Answer:

We have probably had not less than a score of questions recently regarding this scripture. Because of the many inquiries, we present the following extended explanation.

Here is the text quoted from the King James Version:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 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. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:1-5)

1. The text relates to later times than apostolic, to the great apostasy that had already begun in Paul’s day and would continue (See Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:7). Therefore, it can also relate to the last days.
2. It does not necessarily refer to one particular class which does all these things, but to “some,” among whom all these things should be done. It predicts apostasy in general, with particular characteristics or evidence of its manifestations.
3. All these things herein condemned are primarily the result of departing “from the faith.” The only true faith there is, is living personal faith, which connects with God, that which dwelt in our blessed Lord, “the faith of Jesus” (See Revelation 14:12). “The faith” does not relate to the body of doctrine. That idea is a fruit of the apostasy, a justification of lifeless formality. This “faith” is not based on doing any particular form or building up a self-righteous character through fasts or abstinence from certain kinds of food. The great Gospel truth is that “the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17.
4. The doctrines, or teachings of demons, are teachings contrary to the Word of God. Primary among these is that old word of the serpent, “Ye shall not surely die. . . ye shall be as God.” Genesis 3:4, 5. Out of that has grown the doctrine of inherent natural immortality, eternal torment, universal salvation, ultra-Calvinism, purgatory, the intercession of saints, prayers for the dead, and works of supererogation. The system of human merit has been built upon just such a foundation that Christ’s offering, work, and power are not sufficient, but that men must supplement these.
5. And all these are the fruits of hypocrisy. One of the fearful denunciations which fell again and again from the lips of Him who “knew what was in man” was that of “hypocrites,” which He applied to the Jewish nation. Yet they boasted of their good works and laid upon others heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, in ceremonial exactions and numerous fastings and ablutions. The same hypocrisy was even more evident in the apostasy. Departing from God’s plan and substituting the human, covering inward sins with the cloak of hypocrisy became ever more manifest as the centuries of apostasy rolled on. Under such influence, conscience soon becomes hard and speechless.
6. “Forbidding to marry” would not involve the prohibition of marriage. Neither would it include advice against hasty and unwise marriages. We see the fulfillment of the Spirit’s prediction in the enforced celibacy of the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church and in those organizations which, under the pretense of holiness, forbid all marriage of its members as fornication.
7. The word translated “meats” is brōma, meaning food of any kind (See John 4:34; Matthew 14:15). In that latter text, it is rendered “victuals,” its literal meaning. “Commanding to abstain from meats [foods]” does not mean instruction or advice as to what foods are good, proper, or detrimental. It does not say to abstain from flesh meats, cereals, or fruit; but from food in general. It would not apply to a physician who should forbid grains and enjoin flesh, nor to a vegetarian who should denounce flesh meats as injurious and advise a diet of fruit and grains with all the ardor of his soul. The prophecy relates to enjoined and stated fasts as worthy in themselves, even as the forbidding to marry. These can be seen in plenty in the enjoined fasts in the Roman Catholic Church. Fasts are often beneficial if voluntary and reasonable; they are suitable for the spiritual, mental, and physical man; but they should be voluntary. “If ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world,” says Paul to the Christians at Colosse, “are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 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.” Colossians 2:20-23. Fast if need be, but be sure it is not will-worship, self-righteousness, or from mere commandments of men.
8. God has created all that man needs for food, of every variety. Let the Christian select from that abundance, as he is able, “to the glory of God” (See 1 Corinthians 10:31).
9. “Every creature,” meaning a created thing in the Greek (ktisma), whether animal, mineral, or vegetable, would in common sense include only the things that God gave for food. Because “every creature” is used, we would not gather that it meant that men were bound to eat everything that God had created. Nothing that God has created for man’s good and His glory is to be rejected at the command of men. Let every child of God know the truth of this, and so eat with thanksgiving.
10. “Sanctified by the word of God and prayer” would certainly seem to limit the food to be used to that which God had Himself given and set apart for man’s use and upon which man could with assurance pray for God’s blessing.

That’s our understanding of 1 Timothy 4:1-5. The food set apart for His children by the all-wise Father is another matter, which each one must find out for himself. There will be articles on this website, and there are articles continually in health magazines, which tell us what the best foods are. But the final decision must rest with the individual soul. Let him choose for God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. Let the Holy Spirit guide. Bring all appetites in subjection to Him, and be guided, not by manufactured rules and ordinances, but by the Word of God and sanctified common sense.