UTN uW Translation Notes:

1 Timothy 4 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

7. Paul gives instructions about how Timothy should behave and what he should teach (4:1–16) * Condemnation of the false teachers (4:1–5) * Timothy should train himself for godliness (4:6–10) * How Timothy should act as a leader (4:11–16)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

False teachers

In 4:1, Paul indicates that some people will stop believing in Jesus. In 4:2, he indicates that “liars” will teach them what is wrong. These “liars” are false teachers that Paul wants Timothy to confront and discredit. Paul does not include very much about what these false teachers were saying, but he does say that they were telling people not to marry and to avoid certain foods (4:3). He also implies that these false teachers use or tell stories that Paul calls “myths” (4:7). Christians debate what ideas these false teachers were spreading. What is clear is that they were using stories that were not in the Scriptures, and they were convincing people to abstain from things that God said were good. Make sure that this is clear in your translation.

Timothy’s “gift”

In 4:14, Paul speaks about the “gift” that Timothy received. When he received it, someone prophesied about it, and the elders laid their hands on Timothy to commission him. It is clear in the context that God gave this “gift,” which is a special skill or ability that Timothy had. Most likely, this skill or ability enabled Timothy to teach and lead believers well. Since Paul does not state or even imply what the “gift” was, you should use a general word or phrase that refers to a special skill or ability.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Training

In 4:7, Paul instructs Timothy to “train” himself for godliness. In the following verse, he indicates that “bodily training” is helpful for a little while, but godliness is always helpful. In Timothy’s culture, education included both physical and mental training, and people often used words and ideas related to physical training to describe mental training. Paul similarly uses a word for physical training to describe the hard work required to become godly. Since this is a common metaphor in the Bible, if possible preserve the figure of speech or express the idea in simile form. (See: figs-metaphor)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Which verse contains the trustworthy word?

In 4:9, Paul indicates that the “word,” or statement, is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance. It is not clear whether Paul is referring back to something he wrote in 4:8 or whether he is referring ahead to something he will write in 4:10. Because of that, the ULT makes 4:9 its own sentence to preserve the ambiguity. If it is possible, you could express the idea in such a way that the “word” could be either before or after verse 9. If you choose to make the reference explicit, the UST illustrates how you might express the idea if the “word” is in verse 10. Here is how you might express the idea if the “word” is in verse 8: * “[8] for ‘bodily training is useful for little, but godliness is useful for all, having promise of life, now and coming.’ [9] That word is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance. [10] For unto this we toil and struggle, because we have hoped in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.”