PLEASE explain 1 Tim. 4:1-5, especially commanding to abstain from meats and forbidding to marry.
The passage reads as follows: "[1] But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, [2] through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; [3] 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. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving; [5] for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer."
We have quoted from the Revised Version, because it may perhaps make the meaning a little clearer. Note the following:—
1. The prophecy has evident reference to the apostasy, to the falling away, which came on apace in the "later times" after the apostle's death. Compare Acts 20: 29, 30; 2 Thess. 2: 3-7.
2. The falling away is because of giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, or, rather, demons, as in the margin. The idolatrous worship of the heathen is demon worship. 1 Cor. 10:20. This worship soon crept into the Christian church and corrupted it, the dead martyrs and "saints" being substituted for dead heroes of the heathen, but all of them demons just the same; "for the dead know not anything." Those who pray to the dead are only honoring the angels of the devil, who come in the guise of the dead. Compare verses 37 and 28 of Psalm 106.
3. These doctrines are brought in, not by overzealous but sincere Christians, who are sometimes called "radical," or "extreme," but by hypocrites, who have hardened their consciences by transgression against God.
4. These leaders forbid to marry or enjoin celibacy. It may be universally forbidden, or only partially. The text does not refer to advice or counsel not to marry, but it is commanding not to marry. It meets a fulfillment in the celibacy of Roman Catholic priests and orders, and the celibacy of certain societies.
5. Forbidding "meats," more properly, "foods," for the original word includes both animal and vegetable foods, even as does the word meats in the older English. We use it commonly for the kernel of the nut, and it is common to hear an English farmer speak of meat for his horses. Commanding to abstain from meats would be to enjoin fasts. This we see in the stated fasts in the apostate church. Christian fasting is voluntary.
6. The meats or foods referred to are those "sanctified," or set apart, "by the word of God and prayer," and to be received with thanksgiving by them that know the truth. The original word for "creature" is defined by Strong to be "an original formation, product, created thing." And all created things set apart by the word of God for the purpose of food are good for food and should be received and partaken of in thanksgiving by all who need and have them.
The application of this prophecy is to whatever class or classes of people that meet its specification, during the "later times," from the apostles' day to this. It will probably be more fully seen in the closing days of time.
