A Torah Verse By Verse Commentary Of Paul's Epistles by Re'tzon Ha'El - HTML preview

Chapter 4

V1 The Greek word planos translated seducing means misleading or leading into error. Didaskalia translated doctrines also means teachings. Lastly the KJV translates daimonion as devils, which is old English for demons. Demons are evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil. These spiritual beings are inferior to Elohim yet superior to mankind. We must from the very outset of this section of the epistle understand the context established by Paul. It is the faith in Yeshua and His gospel truths that shall be twisted through false teachings. These would occur after the time of Paul. Now we know without a shadow of a doubt that the believing saints of his time certainly obeyed Torah, kept the feast days, observed the Sabbath, did not celebrate pagan feasts such as Christmas, Lent and Easter, amongst other things. 

V2 The logos is the Word, who we know is Yeshua, and the Torah is the Word cf Isa 5:24; Mic 4:2. Yeshua is the personification of the Law of which he expressly confirmed that He did not come to abolish cf Matt 5:17-19. The word translated ‘lies’ is the Greek word pseudologos, which literally means false word. These demons work through deluded preachers to teach a false word i.e. a departing from the law/Torah. Because their suneidesis/conscience is kauteriazo/cauterized or seared, these false teachers are unable to distinguish between that which is morally good and that which is morally bad. True saints have the seal of the Holy Spirit cf Rev 7:3, and hence have Torah in their hearts and minds, whereas the damned have the mark of falsehood branded in their hearts and minds as if by a hot iron, depicting their servitude and enslavement to Satan. 

V3 This is a verse upon which proponents of the abolition of Torah relish, and claim is evidence that we are now free to eat all foods under the sun such as pork and shellfish, of which Torah completely prohibits. If Yeshua Himself abstained from these foods, and if all the first century saints, including Paul himself, would it not be a sign of schizophrenia and bipolar mania for Paul to then teach the exact opposite? When read plainly, one cannot miss the fact that Paul clearly states that the broma, Greek for foods allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law, is in reference to that which is formed by Elohim to be taken up in the giving of thanks. Throughout Torah we are taught about the various ceremonies in the tabernacle and subsequent temple, which involved ritualistic sacrifice of these various foods, be they sheep, goats, bulls, or grain, which are outlined in the first few chapters of Leviticus.

Additionally, Leviticus chapter 11 outlines the foods which are deemed clean versus those deemed unclean. It is unfortunate that the word broma in the KJV is translated meats, which is old English for food, instead of being correctly translated and specified as foods allowed or forbidden by the law/Torah, according to Thayer’s Lexicon. Paul additionally states that these foods referred to are those familiar to believers who know the truth. Torah is the truth cf Psa 119:43-44,142,151,160; Jn 17:17. Forbidding marriage as practiced of Roman catholic priests and nuns is a doctrine of demons, which also has no biblical basis. The doctrines of Ellen G White, has also led Seventh Day Adventists to abstain from meat and be vegetarian, another doctrine of demons. Asceticism is a doctrine Paul greatly reviled cf Col 2:20-23.

V4 The creatures referred to, which are good in Elohim’s eyes are those mentioned in verse 3, i.e. those worthy of ritualistic offering to Elohim! It is important not to miss this point lest one fall into the trap of believing unclean foods have somehow magically become clean in YHVH’s eyes. The operative word in this verse is ‘if’. The foods lambano/Greek for to receive what is offered, are only deemed good IF it be offered in thanksgiving. This passage and that of verse 3 are not referring to general eating of food, but rather to the acceptance of that offered to Elohim in thanksgiving, which is stipulated in Torah.

It is strange how Torah detractors never mention nor can explain why temple worship continued after the ascension of Yeshua, being practised by all apostles, including their beloved Paul, whom they claim teaches the abolition of Torah! Cf Acts 18:20-21. The KJV is one of very few versions that mention this. The ESV, NIV and almost every other major English translation totally rip out mention of Passover. These are the falsehoods of demons, whereby Bible versions are giving false translations in order to hide Torah truth. Cf Acts 20:6 ,16.  If Paul was teaching against Torah, why would he attend these feast days of thanksgiving where good foods, created by Elohim, would only be acceptable if they met the Torah standard? It is imperative not to twist the writings of this apostle of Torah abiding Yeshua.

V5 To further confirm the veracity of Torah, Paul reiterates that the food offered for thanksgiving unto Elohim is sanctified by His logos/word who is Yeshua the Messiah, and also by enteuxis/intercession translated prayer here. The foods of Leviticus chapter 11 and marriage itself are sanctified/made holy by YHVH the Son who is our intercessor, pleading our case daily in the heavenly courtroom cf 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 7:25.

V6 A good minister of the gospel of Yeshua is one who shares these salient truths given by Paul with the brethren saints in Messiah. This is exemplified in those entrepho/nourished, educated in the logos/word i.e. Torah truth of faith, and also of sound teaching, which can only be found in careful study of the Bible, which is the blueprint of truth. 2 Jn 1:9 clearly stipulates that transgression of the didache/teaching of Messiah i.e. Torah is without Elohim. This is unfortunately symptomatic of deluded preachers of today. This transgression is further defined by John as that of Torah which is a sin cf 1 Jn 3:4. A good minister must not transgress Torah. Do not be fooled, oh dear beloved. The clean versus unclean foods outlined in Torah in Leviticus chapter 11 still hold true to this day. 

V7 We are indeed to shun long held falsehoods, which since the dawn of Christendom bedevilled the ecclesia. The replacement of the ecclesia by Gentile, non-Hebraic leaders within its corridors, especially after the destruction of the temple in 70AD, and subsequent exile of the Jews throughout the world, led to the infiltration of pagan myths, practices and beliefs. The zenith of apostasy found its place in the Roman Catholic takeover of the faith in the 4th century AD. It is one thing to know the truth, but we are exhorted to exercise this faith unto piety towards Elohim.

V8 Although gumnasia is Greek for physical exercise, this text is erroneously interpreted as vilifying keeping fit through exercise such as jogging, swimming and weightlifting. The context of this section of scripture is not remotely related to such, but is rather condemning asceticism, whereby abstinence from marriage and food was practised. Gumnasia is also the same Greek word for the exercise of conscientiousness relative to the body such as is characteristic of ascetics and consists in abstinence from matrimony and certain kinds of food. Paul never randomly veers off his points of discussion in any of his epistles, yet unlearned self-proclaimed teachers of the Bible, meander in contradictory doctrines which unfortunately lead at best to distortion, and at worst destruction, of the message dispensed in the holy writ. Asceticism does not lead to spiritual growth. Exercise of piety, which is defined by Torah observance, is key in attaining that promise of eternal life guaranteed to those who stick out the faith unto holiness to the end of the race of life cf Heb 5:13-14;9:15; Gal 3:21-22.

V9-11 These sound words of exhortation given to Timothy by Paul, were deemed faithful and worthy. These truths were not randomly inspired, but had been gained and fiercely defended through kopiao/exhaustion through toils or burdens of grief, and also through defamation and revulsion against these gallant apostles of Elohim who laid their trust in the ever-living Elohim, who is the Saviour. Elohim is specifically defined as the Saviour of all men, as the offer to believe in His Son is given to all of mankind. He is not the Saviour of angels, who were in his presence, knew truth, yet left their first estate and chose sin under the influence of Satan cf Jude 1:6. However this salvation offered to all mankind can only be eligible to those who believe in Yeshua of Nazareth, the Son of the Most High. These truths we have been commanded to teach; of which directive I hope these commentaries are fulfilling.

V12 It is very difficult to be taken seriously when one is a young preacher, as wisdom generally comes with age. Although true, ageing works against most people as they become more foolish, due to reinforced beliefs over time in false doctrines. The innocence of youth works best in those who are well grounded, and brought up in gospel Torah truth from the very outset. It must be noted that such individuals are like gold dust in this current age that we live in, which is dogged by well entrenched doctrines of demons in all denominations of Christianity worldwide. Timothy however, was encouraged not to be perturbed by his youth being a hindrance to some, but to rather major on living a pious life, exhibited by:

a. logos/word i.e. Torah observance

b. anastrophe/deportment, good conduct

c. agape/brotherly love

d. Spirit-a life guided by the Holy Spirit

e. Faith-in Yeshua as our Messiah who died for us

f. Hagneia/Purity, sinlessness of life-the faith is unto good works in Torah observance led by the Holy Spirit. Sinning as already seen in 1 Jn 3:4 is defined as transgression of Torah.

V13 Prosecho translated attendance is better rendered being attentive or wary of danger. Although a directive of Paul to Timothy, we also should be wary of danger from the kingdom of Satan of falsehood cf 2 Cor 2:11. Until the return of Messiah, we should be wary of Satan’s devices in the following:

a. our reading of scripture for what it is, so as not to reach false understanding through interpreting that which does not need interpreting. Interpretation is already given by angels, prophets, Yeshua and the apostles where needed in scripture, and there is no need for us to add our own spin as this distorts truth. Paul’s writings for instance are a lot easier to understand when interpretation is excluded.

b. Exhortation-we are to admonish our fellow saints that which is scripturally sound and no other.

c. didaskalia/teachings-only the teachings dispensed by Yeshua through His Torah, prophets and gospel i.e. the Bible are to be our source of truth when teaching others. 

V14 Charisma is Greek for grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the ecclesia of Messiah, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit. These gifts it seems may be transferred by laying on of hands by righteous elders of the ecclesia upon a pious saint cf Num 8:10; 27:18; Deut 34:9. The gift that Timothy had was one that had been prophesied in times past, further information of which we do not have.

V15 Meletao not only means meditate but also to practise. We are indeed to spend most of our lives not only in scripture, but also in exercising it. This is the only proof of a mature Christian. The milk is the word of Elohim, but the meat is exercising this word through experience. Unfortunately, the world which is currently in Satan’s hands hates truth, and much tribulation is the experience of the gospel truth that exemplifies exercising of our faith. This however, through the mystery of the gospel works in our favour, by increasing our faith, and also heaping up our rewards in the afterlife cf Heb 5:13-14; Rom 5:3-4. Not only does practising Bible profit oneself, but also encourages those around us, who see the grace and mercy of Elohim working through those persecuted for the word.

V16 By focusing on these doctrinal truths given to Paul by Messiah, and by upholding the faith unto perfect works of Torah, salvation is not only guaranteed those who heed this counsel, but also those around them who respond positively through encouragement unto emulation, as they witness the victorious power of Messiah working through pious saints cf Jm 5:20