1 Timoteo 4
1 Sin embargo, el Espíritu explica muy claramente que en los últimos tiempos algunos abandonarán su fe en Dios, y escucharán espíritus engañadores y creencias que provienen de demonios.
[God’s] Spirit has clearly told us that in later times some people will stop believing the [teaching] that [all of us] believe. Instead, they will listen to [evil] spirits who deceive [people. They will also believe the false] doctrines/teachings that [they receive from] these evil spirits.
2 Estos mentirosos hipócritas, cuyas conciencias han sido cauterizadas,
The people who teach those false doctrines/teachings are liars! And they do not feel at all guilty [MET] [when they teach such teachings]!
3 dicen a la gente que no deben comer ciertos alimentos que fueron hechos por Dios y que deben ser aceptados con agradecimiento por parte de quienes creen y conocen la verdad.
[For example], they forbid [believers] to marry [because they say that it makes us unacceptable to God]. They also [command] that people abstain from [eating certain] foods. But God created such foods in order that we can eat them! We who believe [in Christ] know the true [teaching], and we thank [God for the food that he gives us. That is why we] can eat it.
4 Todo lo que Dios creó es bueno, y nada debe ser rechazado sino recibido con agradecimiento,
[We can eat all kinds of food] because God has created all [food], and it is all good. We should not refuse to eat certain kinds of food if we thank [God for it] when we eat it.
5 pues viene a ser sagrado gracias a la palabra de Dios y la oración.
It is acceptable [to God] because God [long ago] said [that all things that he made are good], and because we pray that God will bless it.
6 Si enseñas estas cosas a los hermanos y a las hermanas, serás un buen ministro de Cristo Jesús. Te fortalecerás por la fe en la verdad, y en la buena enseñanza que has seguido.
When you teach these things to your fellow believers, you will be showing that you, [whom] Christ Jesus [appointed], serve them well. You will have become strong [spiritually] (by holding fast/by obeying) the true message that [we all] believe.
7 Rechaza lo profano y los cuentos supersticiosos. Asegúrate de fortalecerte en el ejercicio espiritual,
You must completely reject godless, silly/foolish stories [from your ancestors that old people tell]. Keep training yourself so that you have more (godly behavior/behavior that pleases God).
8 porque aunque el ejercicio físico es útil hasta cierta medida, el ejercicio espiritual es más útil aún. Pues “trae consigo promesa para la vida presente y para la vida venidera”.
[Some people say], “It helps us in some ways if we exercise our bodies.” But [I say that] people benefit very much if they live (in a godly way/in a way that pleases God), because [if people live in a godly way, that] will benefit them both while they live now and when they live in the future life [in heaven].
9 Puedes creer en esta afirmación que debe ser aceptada por todos.
Those are words that are absolutely true, and everybody should believe them!
10 La razón por la cual trabajamos y hacemos lo mejor posible es porque nuestra esperanza está puesta en el Dios viviente. Él es el Salvador de todo el mundo, especialmente de los que creen en él.
This is the reason why we work so hard [DOU] [for others], because we confidently expect that God, who is all-powerful, [will do the things that he has promised]. He is the one who [wants to] save all people, [so he protects them]. He certainly [protects us] who believe [in Christ]!
11 Y esto es lo que debes enseñar. Diles a todos que sigan tus instrucciones.
Command these things and teach these things.
12 No permitas que nadie te menosprecie por ser joven. Sé un ejemplo para aquellos que creen en Dios, en tu manera de hablar, en tu estilo de vida, en amor, en fe y en pureza.
[Timothy], by the way you conduct your life, show the believers [in your congregation] how they should conduct their lives. Specifically, speak [good things], conduct yourself [well], love [people], trust [God], and be pure in every way. If you do all that, no one will [have any reason] (to belittle/to treat you disrespectfully) because of your being young.
13 Hasta que yo vaya, asegúrate de leer las Escrituras a la iglesia, y de animarlos con tu predicación y tu enseñanza.
Until I come, be sure that you read [the Scriptures to the congregation] and that you exhort/urge them [to obey the Scriptures], and teach them.
14 No descuides el don de la gracia de Dios que tienes y que te fue dado por inspiración profética cuando los ancianos de la iglesia impusieron sus manos sobre ti.
Do not forget [to use] the [abilities that God] gave to you as a result of [people/us] (prophesying/telling what God revealed to them) [about you], and as a result of the elders putting their hands on you [to commission/appoint you to do God’s work].
15 Considera cuidadosamente estas cosas, y dedícate por completo a ellas para que todos puedan ver tu progreso.
Do these things [that I have told] you to do! (Concentrate on them/Do them [sincerely and] wholeheartedly) in order that everyone may see that you are improving [in how you do them].
16 Enfócate en lo que estás haciendo y en lo que estás enseñando. Continúa tu obra, porque al hacerlo te salvarás tú y los que te escuchan también.
Be careful that you [conduct] yourself well. By continuing to do that, you will save yourself. And if you continue [to teach the good] doctrine/teaching, the result of your teaching will be that [God] will save the people who listen to you.
