1Tim 4:6

“Virtues and vices are the food of the soul, which can feed on either one, turning to whichever one it wants to. If it is bent toward moral excellence, it will be fed by virtue—by righteousness, temperance, meekness, endurance. In other words, it's just as St. Paul says, "being nourished by the word of truth." That's the way it was with our Lord, who said, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me."”

“"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained." What are the things here meant? The same which he had before mentioned, that "great is the mystery"; that to abstain from meats is the doctrine of devils, that they are "cleansed by the word of God and prayer." "Putting them in remembrance," he says; here you observe no authority; but all is condescension: he does not say "commanding" or "enjoining," but reminding them: that is, suggest these things as matter of advice, and so enter into discourses with them concerning the faith, "being nourished up," he says, meaning to imply constancy in application to these things. For as we set before us day by day this bodily nourishment, so he means, let us be continually receiving discourses concerning the faith, and ever be nourished with them. What is this, "being nourished up"? Ruminating upon them; attending ever to the same things, and practicing ever the same, for it is no common nourishment that they supply. "Put them in remembrance of these things, meditate upon these things," for by the expression, "nourished up in the words of faith and sound doctrine," is implied that he should not only recommend these things to others, but himself practice them. For he says, "Nourished up in the words of faith, and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables." Why does he not say, abstain from them, but "refuse"? He thus intimates that they should be utterly rejected. His meaning is, that he should not enter into any disputation with the teachers of them, but recommend to his own people the things prescribed above. For nothing is to be gained by contending with perverse men, unless where it might have an injurious effect, if we were supposed from weakness to decline arguing with them.”

“"These things" – what exactly? That there is a "great... mystery" (1 Tim. 3:16), that to abstain in such a way from marriage and foods is a matter of demons, and the rest of what the apostle said above. And what does "putting in remembrance" mean? The same as "advising." He did not say: commanding, for here he nowhere displays his authority. He said: propose these things to others. Now he says: but you yourself also be "nourished" by the same truths, turning them over in your mind and, as it were, digesting them. For suggesting unceasing attention to them, he said: "nourished." Just as we partake of food every day, so too must we always be nourished by the words of faith.”

“Above, he rejected superstitious abstinence from goods; here he commands Timothy to propose this teaching to the brethren: first, he shows what he should propose; second, what he should avoid, at but avoid foolish and old wives' fables. In regard to the first he proposes two reasons why he should propose the foregoing: first, by reason of the office entrusted to him; second, by reason of his education. He says, therefore: proposing these things which I have mentioned above, namely, that every creature is good, and that nothing is to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:4), to the brethren, you shall be a good minister of Christ Jesus. For Timothy was appointed to the office of Christ's minister; because everyone in the office of preaching and ruling is established as a minister of Christ: let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and the dispensers of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1). Now a good minister is one who pursues his master's aim; but Christ taught in Matthew: not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man (Matt 15:11). Therefore, Timothy's office requires that he teach this. Furthermore, his education requires this: a young man according to his way; even when he is old, he will not depart from it (Prov 22:6). Therefore, it is unbecoming for anyone nourished by true doctrine to depart from it. Hence to depart from the doctrine with which the Church instructs her children is not the mark of a good minister of Christ; that is why he says, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine. For God's word is the spiritual nourishment by which the soul is sustained, as the body is by food: not in bread alone does man live, but in every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4). This word of faith instructs one, first of all, in regard to what is to be believed; and so he says, nourished in the words of faith; second, in regard to what one should do; therefore, he continues, and of the good doctrine. Or, the words of faith, which even the simple have; and of the good doctrine, which spiritual teachers preach.”

“Having laid these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and good doctrine which you have followed. these things. What things? Those concerning the mystery, those concerning the heresies, those concerning foods, which Paul mentioned. But see, he did not say, "Commanding," but "Having laid," that is, giving counsel. For the bishop must be superior or noble. you will be a good servant. For he serves Christ who teaches those things which Christ desires to be taught. nourished by words of faith. As, Paul says, you do not depart from nourishment, so neither from these words. Or because you are nourished by spiritual nourishment in these things. Indeed, "Man shall not live by bread alone." (Matt. 4:4) For you must not only remind your brothers of these things, but also nourish yourself with them. and good doctrine. For there is also the false doctrine of heretics.”