Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Translate as Greek, "Because" (expressing a reason resting on an objective fact; or, as here, a Scripture quotation)—"For" (a reason resting on something subjective in the writer's mind).
every creature . . . good— (Genesis 1:31; Romans 14:14, Romans 14:20). A refutation by anticipation of the Gnostic opposition to creation: the seeds of which were now lurking latently in the Church. Judaism (Acts 10:11-16; I Corinthians 10:25-26) was the starting-point of the error as to meats: Oriental Gnosis added new elements. The old Gnostic heresy is now almost extinct; but its remains in the celibacy of Rome's priesthood, and in its fasts from animal meats, enjoined under the penalty of mortal sin, remain.
if . . . with thanksgiving—Meats, though pure in themselves, become impure by being received with an unthankful mind (Romans 14:6; Titus 1:15).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Timothy 4:4:
Ecclesiastes 1:2
1 Corinthians 10:26
1 Timothy 4:6
1 Timothy 4:11
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