Fathers

1 Timothy 4

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But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron, forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 4:6

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained." What are the things here meant? The same which he had before mentioned, that "great is the mystery"; that to abstain from meats is the doctrine of devils, that they are "cleansed by the word of God and prayer." "Putting them in remembrance," he says; here you observe no authority; but all is condescension: he does not say "commanding" or …

Homily on 1 Timothy 12 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"These things" – what exactly? That there is a "great... mystery" (1 Tim. 3:16), that to abstain in such a way from marriage and foods is a matter of demons, and the rest of what the apostle said above. And what does "putting in remembrance" mean? The same as "advising." He did not say: commanding, for here he nowhere displays his authority. He said: propose these things to others. Now he says: but you yourself also be "nourished" by the same truths, turning them over in your mind and, as it were, digesting them. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Having laid these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and good doctrine which you have followed. these things. What things? Those concerning the mystery, those concerning the heresies, those concerning foods, which Paul mentioned. But see, he did not say, "Commanding," but "Having laid," that is, giving counsel. For the bishop must be superior or noble. you will be a good servant. For he serves Christ who teaches those things which Christ desires to be taught. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Above, he rejected superstitious abstinence from goods; here he commands Timothy to propose this teaching to the brethren: first, he shows what he should propose; second, what he should avoid, at but avoid foolish and old wives' fables. In regard to the first he proposes two reasons why he should propose the foregoing: first, by reason of the office entrusted to him; second, by reason of his education. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗