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1Ti 4:3. Κωλυόντων γαμεῖν, ἀπέχεσθαι βρωμάτων, forbidding to marry-to abstain from meats) The hypocritical appearance of false doctrines, very austere and plausible, which gains a show for all the rest of their dogmas (giving colour to them in the eyes of the dupes), is here expressed: comp. Col 2:23. Explain the sense by analysis thus, commanding, not to marry, to abstain from meats. Κωλύω is the same as I command, that not, not to. To marry and to abstain are construed with commanding; the negative belongs only to the expression, to marry. Pricæus has pointed out examples of this Zeugma, of which examples that of Chrysostom corresponds most nearly to the present instance: Ταῦτα λέγω, οὐ κηδωύειν κωλύων, ἀλλὰ μετὰ συμμετρίας τοῦτο ποιεῖν, “I mention these things, not forbidding you to take care, but desiring you to do this only in due measure.” Paul refutes the more specious error respecting meats. He considers it enough here merely to mention that respecting marriage (unless the ἅ, which, that follows, is to be referred to this also), and he refutes it also below, ch. 1Ti 5:14.-βρωμάτων, meats) They shall not forbid all kinds of meats (therefore the article is not added); for who would listen to such prohibitions? therefore it is only some kinds that they forbid. Also it is implied here, that he who forbids even one kind does a wrong to his Creator and to believers. The old heresies are chiefly denoted; but their remains, however, have come down to those who pride themselves on antiquity.-τοῖς) the Dative, as the Hebrew ל, signifies, so far as concerns believers. For God hath created meats, even for those who are without faith and do not give thanks. Paul turns away from them who are without faith and the ‘knowledge of the truth, and leaves them, as it were, to themselves; he declares that he is speaking of believers.-πιστοῖς καὶ ἐπεγνωκόσι, to them who believe and have known) The words are synonymous. The second synonym, knowing the truth, gives occasion for presently declaring the truth, ὅτι πᾶν, κ.τ.λ., and forms a more express antithesis to lying, ψωῦδος, which is contained in ψευδολόγων, 1Ti 4:2.-τὴν ἀλήθειαν, the truth) This is explained in the following verse.