3287.—"Commanding to Abstain from Meats," etc., 1 Tim. 4: 1-4
By Editor
In reply to these queries we reprint with some modifications the following from the Signs of 1908: Here is the text quoted from the American Standard Revised Version: (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 demons, (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." 1. The text has not special reference to the last days, as some contend. It relates to later times than apostolic, to the great apostasy which had in Paul's day already begun, and would continue. Acts 20: 29, 30; 2 Thess. 2:7. Rotherham renders, "in later seasons;" Dean Alford, "in after times." 2. It does not necessarily refer to one special 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 evidences 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, that which makes life-connection with God through Jesus Christ, that which dwelt in our blessed Lord, "the faith of Jesus." "The faith" does not relate to "body of doctrine." That idea is a fruit of the apostasy, a justification of lifeless formality. This faith is not that which is based on the doing of any particular order, or the building up of a self-righteous character by the means of 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 Spirit." 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." Gen. 3:4, 5. Out of that has grown the doctrine of natural inherent immortality, eternal torment, universal salvation, ultra-Calvinism, purgatory, intercession of saints, prayers for the dead, self-salvation in many forms, and works of supererogation. The system of human merit has been built up on just such a foundation: that Christ's offering, work, and power are not sufficient, but that these must be supplemented by men. 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." Yet the people to whom He spoke 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 fulfilment of the Spirit's prediction in the enforced celibacy of the priesthood in the Roman 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 broma, meaning food of any kind. See John 4:34; Matt. 14:15. In that latter text it is rendered "victuals," its literal meaning. "Commanding to abstain from foods" does not mean instruction or advice as to what foods are good, proper, or injurious. It does not say to abstain from flesh-meats or 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 with all the ardor of his soul a diet of fruit and grains. The prophecy relates to enjoined and stated fasts as meritorious in themselves even as the forbidding to marry. These can be seen in plenty in the enjoined fasts in the Roman Church. Fasts are often beneficial if voluntary and reasonable; they are good for the spiritual, mental, and physical man; but they should be voluntary. "If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world," says Paul to the Christians at Colosse, "do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, Handle not, nor taste, nor touch, . . . after the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity of the body; but are not of any value against indulgence of the flesh." Col. 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, that which will glorify God. 9. "Every creature," meaning a created thing, 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 through 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. This much for 1 Tim. 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 in this paper, 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 Cor. 10:31. Let His Spirit guide. Bring all appetites in subjection to Him, and be guided, not by man-made rules and ordinances, but by the Word of God and sanctified common sense.