He warns him against heretics, and exhorts him to the exercise of piety.

[1] Now the Spirit manifestly saith, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error, and doctrines of devils, [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy, and having their conscience seared, [3] Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, and by them that have known the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving: [5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

[3] Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats: He speaks of the Gnostics, the Marcionites, the Eneratites, the Manicheans, and other ancient heretics, who absolutely condemned marriage, and the use of all kind of meat; because they pretended that all flesh was from an evil principle. Whereas the church of God, so far from condemning marriage, holds it a holy sacrament; and forbids it to none but such as by vow have chosen the better part: and prohibits not the use of any meats whatsoever in proper times and seasons; though she does not judge all kind of diet proper for days of fasting and penance.

[6] These things proposing to the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished up in the words of faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast attained unto. [7] But avoid foolish and old wives' fables: and exercise thyself unto godliness. [8] For bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. [9] A faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. [10] For therefore we labor and are reviled, because we hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of the faithful.

[11] These things command and teach. [12] Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity. [13] Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine. [14] Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophesy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood. [15] Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all.

[16] Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.