1 Timothy 4:5

5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 4:5

For it is sanctified
Or set apart for use, and may be lawfully used at all times:

by the word of God;
which declares that there is nothing in itself common, or unclean, or unfit for use, and that nothing that goes into a man defiles him; so that by virtue of this word of God, every creature may be made use of, that is fit for food: or else this designs the word of God, which gives a blessing to what is eaten; for it is not by bread or meat only, but through the word of God commanding a blessing on what is eaten, that man lives, ( Matthew 4:4 ) and therefore this blessing upon our food should be asked for: wherefore it follows,

and prayer;
this being used before eating for a blessing on the food, and after it, in a way of thanksgiving for it, sanctifies every creature of God, or gives men a free use of any, or all of them. So the Israelites, when they had eaten, and were full, were to bless the Lord, ( Deuteronomy 8:10 ) . And thus our Lord Jesus Christ, at meals, used to take the food, and bless it or ask a blessing on it, ( Matthew 14:19 ) . And so did the Essenes among the Jews ^F8, and the Christians in Tertullian's ^F9 time; and the practice is highly necessary and commendable, nor ought it to be disused.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Porphyr. de Abstinentia, l. 4. sect. 12.
F9 Apolog. c. 39.

1 Timothy 4:5 In-Context

3 they shall forbid to marry and shall command men to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who are faithful and have known the truth.

4 For everything that God created is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving,

5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6 If thou put these things before the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, unto which thou hast attained.

7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.