Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1 TIMOTHY 4:3KJV
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1 Timothy 4:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Timothy 4:3 mean?

1 Timothy 4:3 warns that some people will teach that marriage should be forbidden and that certain foods must not be eaten, even though God created these things to be thankfully enjoyed by those who trust and understand the truth. The verse points out that such restrictions go against what God intended for believers.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young church leader, about false teachings that were spreading among early Christians. Paul highlights that these teachings—banning marriage and certain foods—are not based on God’s design, but are human rules that miss the point of God’s gifts. The verse encourages believers to receive what God has provided with gratitude.

The Greek behind 1 Timothy 4:3

  • "Forbidding" (κωλυόντων, kōlyontōn): This word means to prevent or prohibit. Paul uses it to describe how some people were actively stopping others from marrying, which he presents as an unnecessary and harmful restriction.
  • "Meats" (βρωμάτων, brōmatōn): The Greek word here refers broadly to foods, not just animal meat. This shows that the teaching in question was about restricting various foods, not only meat, which clarifies the scope of the false teaching.
  • "Created" (ἔκτισεν, ektisen): This word means "created" or "made." Paul emphasizes that God Himself made marriage and food, underlining their goodness and intended purpose for human enjoyment.
  • "Thanksgiving" (εὐχαριστίας, eucharistias): This word means gratitude or giving thanks. Paul stresses that God’s gifts are meant to be received with a thankful heart, highlighting the attitude believers should have toward what God provides.

Why 1 Timothy 4:3 matters

  • 1 Timothy 4:3 clarifies that Christianity does not require rejecting marriage or certain foods as a way to be more spiritual, correcting a common misunderstanding in some early groups.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that true faith involves receiving God’s gifts with gratitude, not following extra rules added by people.
  • Paul’s warning helps readers recognize the difference between genuine teaching and ideas that sound religious but actually go against the freedom and goodness God intended.

Where else these words appear

“from” Greek G567 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
  • Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

“created” Greek G2936 · used in 12 verses

  • Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
  • Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
  • Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

“meats” Greek G1033 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
  • John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
  • 1 Corinthians 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

“thanksgiving” Greek G2169 · used in 15 verses

  • Acts 24:3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;