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1Ti_4:4. Ὅτι πᾶν κτίσμα Θεοῦ καλόν ] This verse gives the ground of the preceding thought, which Hofmann denies. Bengel wrongly takes it to be in apposition to ἀλήθειαν .
κτίσμα , which does not occur elsewhere in Paul, means here of course the creatures of God destined for nourishment. On the principle here expressed, comp. Rom_14:14 : οὐδὲν κοινὸν διʼ αὐτοῦ , and Rom_4:20 : πάντα καθαρά ; Act_10:15 : ἃ ὁ Θεὸς ἐκαθάρισε , σὺ μὴ κοίνου .
καὶ οὐδὲν ἀπόβλητον ] comp. Iliad, iii. 65: οὔτοι ἀπόβλητʼ ἐστὶ θεῶν ἐρικυδέα δῶρα ; and the scholiast’s remark: ἀπόβλητα · ἀποβολῆς ἄξια · τὰ ὑπὸ θεῶν , φησὶ , διδόμενα δῶρα οὐκ ἔστι μὲν ἀρνήσασθαι . Here the thought stands in contrast with the idea of defilement caused by partaking of certain meats. Going back to the μετὰ εὐχαριστίας in 1Ti_4:3, the apostle defines it more precisely, though not by mentioning an accessory point merely: μετὰ εὐχαριστίας λαμβανόμενον (Eph_5:20 : εὐχαριστοῦντες πάντοτε ὑπὲρ πάντων ), because God wishes His gifts to be enjoyed with thankful heart, and the purpose of creation is therefore fulfilled only by him who partakes with thankfulness.