1 Timothy 4:3

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

They forbid people to get married and require them to avoid [eating] certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and [fully] know the truth.

Cross References

Matthew 14:19

He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish and, looking up to heaven, asked God’s blessing on the food, broke it [in pieces], then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds.

Matthew 15:11

It is not what enters the mouth of a person that [spiritually] corrupts him, but what proceeds out of his mouth that [spiritually] corrupts him.”

Matthew 15:36

and He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God for them. He divided the food and gave it to the disciples who, [in turn], distributed it to the crowds.

Luke 24:30

And it happened when Jesus had reclined at the dinner table with them [Note: See Matt. 23:6], that He took a [small] loaf of bread, asked God’s blessing on it, then broke it and gave [pieces] to the two men.

John 6:23

(However, meanwhile, some other [small] boats had come from Tiberias [i.e., a small town on the west side of the lake] near where they had eaten bread after the Lord had given thanks).

Acts 27:35

And when he had said this he took bread, gave thanks to God for it in front of everyone, then broke it and began to eat.

Romans 14:17

For God’s kingdom is not a matter of what people eat or drink, but [instead, it is a matter] of doing what is right, having peace [of heart] and having [inner] joy, which come from the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:3

The person who can eat anything should not look down on the person who cannot eat [what was used in idolatrous worship]; and the person who cannot eat [such things] should not pass judgment on the person who can. For God accepts that person, too.

Romans 14:6

The person who observes a certain day [as specially sacred], does so out of devotion to the Lord. And the person who eats [only certain foods] does so out of devotion to the Lord, for he is thankful to God [for what he eats]. And the person who refuses to eat [certain foods], does so out of devotion to the Lord and he is thankful to God [for what he does eat].

1 Corinthians 6:13

“Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food;” but God will destroy both of them. Yet the body is not intended for sexual immorality, but is intended for the Lord’s [honor and service]; and the Lord is for the body’s [benefit].

1 Corinthians 7:28

But if you should marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin girl marries, she has not sinned. Yet those individuals [who do marry] will have troubles in this life, and I want to spare you of that.

1 Corinthians 8:8

But [eating certain] foods will not improve our relationship to God; we are neither any worse off if we do not eat [certain things], nor are we any better off if we do eat them.

Colossians 2:16

So, do not allow anyone to judge [i.e., condemn] you for what you eat, or what you drink, or regarding [your non­observance of] a [yearly] festival, or a [monthly] “new moon” observance, or a [weekly] Sabbath day.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in [your] words or actions, do everything in the name [i.e., by the authority] of Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

1 Timothy 2:4

who wants all people to be saved and come to a [full] knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 4:4

For everything created by God is permitted [to be eaten] and nothing should be refused, if it is received with gratitude,

1 Timothy 5:14

Therefore, I want the younger widows to get married, have children and manage their homes, so that they do not give the enemy [i.e., non-Christians] an opportunity for speaking against [the church].

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage should be considered honorable among all people and its sexual responsibilities should be faithfully kept. For God will judge [and condemn] those people who are sexually immoral and who are sexually unfaithful to their mates.

Hebrews 13:9

Do not continue to be swept off your course by all kinds of strange teachings. For it is good for your hearts to be strengthened by God’s unearned favor [upon you] and not by [keeping regulations about] foods, which do not benefit those who observe them.