They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
Summary: Paul’s message in this passage might seem complicated to some, but to those who know God’s Word, he is pointing the way to the answers to our questions.
Before we dive too deeply into this passage, let’s review the larger context.
To begin with, Paul summarized the Gospel in a beautiful passage that describes Jesus’ mission here on earth (1 Timothy 3:16). Then he says that “in later times” people will abandon their faith in God and follow things taught by demons (1 Timothy 4:1). Finally, he gives an example of the things that “hypocritical liars” teach. This includes forbidding people to marry and ordering people to abstain from “certain foods.”
So the question that comes to mind is this: Did Paul just give us the ‘secret decoder ring’ we need to find the ‘hypocritical liars’?
Sadly, the answer is that we don’t know.
Paul was drawing his examples from the hypocritical liars that existed in his day. There are a number of theories about who he had in mind, but since we don’t have the secret decoder ring, we don’t really know who he was talking about.
So what can we learn from the information he did give us? Let’s look at the two examples Paul used.
First is the question of marriage. Some people had apparently been drawn away from the true faith, enticed by a teaching that forbids people to marry. How can we tell if this is in line with the Gospel message or if it is a lie promoted by a ‘deceiving spirit?’
The answer to that question has to come from God’s Word. What does God say about marriage?
Genesis 2:18-24 describes why God made women and how they were made. This is echoed in the Gospel accounts using Jesus’ own words (Matthew 19:4-6). In Proverbs, God’s Word says:
“He who finds a wife finds what is good / and receives favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22)
There is a passage where Paul speaks about sexual relations in marriage and marriage in general (1 Corinthians 7:1-16). In this passage, he mentions that “I wish all of you were as I am (unmarried).” (1 Corinthians 7:7). However, he is clearly not speaking for the Lord (see verse 6).
Is there any “command” not to marry in the Bible? No, of course not. God invented marriage!
The same is true for food. God put the Israelites under a restricted diet for a time, but when the Mosaic Covenant was fulfilled by Jesus on the cross, a new covenant was put in its place. Jesus himself declares all foods clean (Mark 7:18-20) and then repeats the lesson to Peter after his ascension (Acts 10:9-16).
The Bible is a wealth of information if we know how to use it. In fact, you might say it really is our “secret decoder ring.”
Application: Read the Bible — every day.
Food for Thought: How can we find unity in the Bible instead of confusion and disagreement?
How can we find unity in the Bible instead of confusion and disagreement?
We seek unity under Christ, our salvation through His death and resurrection, our faith in Him, and the power of transformation He brings to those that love Him and call Him Lord. We do not seek uniformity in our opinions that fall outside the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Our confidence is in Christ, His work, and not in how many people agree on one point or another on things that do not change the work that Christ has achieved.
Unity under Christ brings all of us to compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience; forgiveness for one another; love for one another. The peace of Christ within each of us is evidence of the unity of Christ. In turn, we share in the gratitude and thanksgiving toward God. Unity in Christ is each one doing all things for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Chris,
I deeply appreciate your clarifying statement:
“We do not seek uniformity in our opinions that fall outside the conviction of the Holy Spirit.”
You then move directly to “Our confidence is in Christ…”
Yes!
Thank you!
There is a famous maxim from at least the 17th century (that we have likely all heard) that says, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity”
One of the many benefits of Scripture is that it can be used to guide us to what we should not be united with – but even then we can show charity.
I think it is important for us to use humility in relationship to others when it comes to disagreement with what Scripture teaches. In fact, all the fruit of the Spirit is good to apply to this situation: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Thank you, Rich!
I appreciate the reminder of your ‘famous maxim.’ It has been a long time since I seen those words.
Blessings!