Sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer 1 Timothy 4:5

As Paul the apostle continued to write to Timothy concerning those who would “depart from the faith”, he gave Timothy two examples of doctrines they would promote - “forbidding to marry” and “commanding to abstain from meats”. Paul went on to explain that “God created” every creature and “every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:” In chapter four and verse five of his letter to Timothy, Paul goes on to share how “meats” are “sanctified by the word of God and prayer” where we read:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

The verse begins, “For it is sanctified by the word of God...” Paul began, “For” which means “because, since and on account of” “it” speaking of the meats “is sanctified” which means “separate from profane things and dedicate to God, rendered or hallowed, purified and cleansed externally” “by the word” or “through and with the discourse, speaking, doctrine and teaching” “of God” who is “the Godhead, trinity - God the Father, the first person in the trinity; Christ, the second person of the trinity and the Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity”. When we are grateful for “meats” which have been created and provided by God, His word “separates, purifies and hallows” it before Him.

The verse continues, “...and prayer.” Paul continued with his declaration of the sanctification of “meats” by adding, “and prayer” which is the Greek word “enteuxis” and means “a falling in with, meeting with like an interview, coming together or visit”. In other words, when “meats” are brought before the Lord in prayer, that meeting or coming together concerning them “sanctifies” the “meats”, and separates them from profane things.

While we think upon these words of Paul, let us once again be reminded that the Lord knows what is best for us, and He has given these instructions through His servant Paul. Although Timothy was the primary intended recipient, we are the latter benefactors of Paul's words. “Meats” in and of themselves have no spiritual value, however some people were making them so. Often “meats” were offered to other gods, and many people would not eat them because they deemed them unworthy. Paul's summary was that whoever eats “meats” should simply insure the “meats” are “sanctified” by “the word of God and prayer”. Once the spiritual acts of “the word of God and prayer” were applied to the “meats”, they could eat whatever they wanted. Let us be reminded that our Savior Jesus Christ did not come to lay heavy burdens upon us, but rather to lift them. When we apply His ways to anything we do, including whether we should eat “meats” or not, we will always be in line with His sanctification in the world.

Next time Paul shares how Timothy will be “a good minister”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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