3651 — Forbidding to Marry, etc., 1 Tim. 4:3.
By Editor
This scripture names various errors which are held by a class named in the first verse,—those who fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, whose consciences have been seared by sin. They forbid marriage, and command abstention from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. In other words, they seek to control one's private life to that extent that they forbid him to participate in an institution founded of God, and also command certain fasts. The word "meats" comes from "bromaton," and means foods of various kinds, whether vegetable or animal. The fulfilment of this may be found in the apostasy which followed the early days of Christianity, especially centering in the Roman Catholic and Greek churches, in the celibacy of the priesthood and in the various fasts which have been enjoined. See "Questions and Answers," page 192, for a much fuller explanation of this text. If our subscriber does not have the book, she may be able to obtain it from some of her friends who are full subscribers to the "Signs of the Times."