1But the Spirit saith expressly , that in later times some shall fall away from the faith , giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons , 2through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies , branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron ; 3forbidding to marry , and commanding to abstain from meats , which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good , and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving : 5for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer .
The Importance of Sound Doctrine
6If thou put the brethren in mind of these things , thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus , nourished in the words of the faith , and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now : 7but refuse profane and old wives’ fables . And exercise thyself unto godliness : 8for bodily exercise is profitable for a little ; but godliness is profitable for all things , having promise of the life which now is , and of that which is to come . 9Faithful is the saying , and worthy of all acceptation. 10For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God , who is the Saviour of all men , specially of them that believe .
The Role of a Minister
11These things command and teach . 12Let no man despise thy youth ; but be thou an ensample to them that believe , in word , in manner of life, in love, in faith , in purity. 13Till I come , give heed to reading, to exhortation , to teaching . 14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy , with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery . 15Be diligent in these things ; give thyself wholly to them ; that thy progress may be manifest unto all . 16Take heed to thyself , and to thy teaching . Continue in these things ; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee .