(1) Repeated words
a. Spirit (Holy Spirit) v.1a, deceiving spirits and demonic teachings v.1b.
The deceiving spirits and demonic teachings were the source of the false teachers and produced lies. Paul wanted Timothy to pay attention to the source. The false teachers do not come from God.
b. hypocrisy of liars v.2, prohibit marriage v.3a, require abstinence from foods v.3b
Why do I put these 3 in a groups is not just because grammatically they are parallel in the original language. The marriage and foods are originally good v.3-5, but the false teachers lied about that and prohibited their followers from doing so.
What does hypocrisy of liars mean? Why not just say liars?
I think the prohibition was used to show their piety to God, but in fact they did not have real piety to God, but just showing off.
Reflection: Do we have any hypocrisy in our piety? Do we refrain from doing something just to show off our piety to God?
c. foods that God created v.3, every creation of God is good v.4
d. received with thanksgiving v.3, 4
(2) 4:5 For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
(NAC) ...in responding to the gospel the believers in Ephesus had learned that there are no food laws. The gospel had brought them to a proper understanding of food, and they acknowledged by prayer that it was a gift from God.
(NAC) ...in responding to the gospel the believers in Ephesus had learned that there are no food laws. The gospel had brought them to a proper understanding of food, and they acknowledged by prayer that it was a gift from God.
Reflection: Thank God for letting us to understand the Gospel and knowing that we are no longer under the OT law. We can receive food from Our Creator. God is so good to us. How can we use God to show off our piety?
Audrey
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