GOOD CHRISTIAN OVERSEERS, Dr. Samuel Lee
TRUE GODLINESS
Passage: 1_Timothy 3:14~4:5  
Key verse: 3:16
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church(A) of the living God,(B) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(C) from which true godliness(D) springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,(E)
was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,(F)
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.(G)
4 The Spirit(H) clearly says that in later times(I) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(J) and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(K) 3 They forbid people to marry(L) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(M) which God created(N) to be received with thanksgiving(O) by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,(P) and nothing is to be rejected(Q) if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God(R) and prayer.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
Cross references
- 1 Timothy 3:15 : ver 5; S 1Co 10:32
- 1 Timothy 3:15 : S Mt 16:16
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Ro 16:25
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : S 1Ti 2:2
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Jn 1:14
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : Ps 9:11; Col 1:23
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Mk 16:19
- 1 Timothy 4:1 : Jn 16:13; S Ac 8:29; 1Co 2:10
- 1 Timothy 4:1 : 2Ti 3:1; 2Pe 3:3
- 1 Timothy 4:1 : S Mk 13:5
- 1 Timothy 4:2 : Eph 4:19
- 1 Timothy 4:3 : Heb 13:4
- 1 Timothy 4:3 : Col 2:16
- 1 Timothy 4:3 : Ge 1:29; 9:3
- 1 Timothy 4:3 : ver 4; Ro 14:6; 1Co 10:30
- 1 Timothy 4:4 : Ge 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31; Mk 7:18, 19; Ro 14:14-18
- 1 Timothy 4:4 : S Ac 10:15
- 1 Timothy 4:5 : S Heb 4:12
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
Then Paul rebuked those who taught false teachings, which forbid people from eating certain foods and taught that marriage is sinful. These false teachers acted as if they practiced some extra way to godliness, but their ideas were against God’s truth and were influenced by demonic forces.
Paul taught them Genesis to plant the faith that all that God made was good. God also blessed man and woman with marriage as his chief blessing in the Garden. We must receive God’s blessings with thanksgiving. True godliness is not rejecting God’s blessings but accepting them with faith and gratitude.
Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who truly makes us godly through his death and resurrection. Please help me to build up the church on the truth.
One Word: True godliness comes from believing in the gospel of Jesus and living for his glory