Note 9 at 1 Tim. 4:3: There were probably a number of "doctrines of devils" to which Paul is referring, but he singles out two of them here. Those two doctrines are: (1) forbidding people to marry (see note 10 at this v.) and (2) eating meat (see note 11 at this v.). Amazingly, these same two doctrines of demons are still taught and observed by some in the body of Christ today.

Note 10 at 1 Tim. 4:3: Those who forbid people such as priests to marry, are propagating a doctrine of devils: it is that simple. Paul himself spoke about the advantages of a minister staying single (1 Cor. 7), but he didn't demand it. To demand that a minister remain single is a doctrine straight from hell. This demonic doctrine is still followed by some denominations today.

Note 11 at 1 Tim. 4:3: The two examples Paul chose, to illustrate these doctrines of demons, are interesting. He mentions "forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats." This is interesting because Paul himself advocated remaining single for the cause of Christ (1 Cor. 7), and the Old Covenant commanded abstinence from certain meats. Paul commanded the Romans not to reject those who only ate herbs (Rom. 14:1-3). It is probably for these reasons that Paul singled out these two areas. He wanted to clarify the issues.

There is nothing wrong with remaining single and being a minister. Paul advocated that position. The error comes when it is demanded. Likewise, a person can eat what he likes or refuse to eat meat; that isn't wrong. It becomes wrong when the individual states that it is the right thing to do and those who eat meat are wrong.

Note 12 at 1 Tim. 4:3: The Greek word that was translated "meats" here is BROMA which meant "food." But it specifically meant "food that was forbidden by the Jewish law" (Strong). This is referring to the meats that the Old Testament law classified as unclean (Lev. 11; Dt. 14:3-21).

As explained in note 23 at Colossians 2:16, p. 1202, the dietary laws of the Old Testament were symbolic. It may be true that pork, unless prepared properly, can cause trichinosis, or that scavenger birds and fish can spread disease, but that's not the reason the Lord forbid eating these animals. That which was unclean under the Old Covenant has now been made clean by the sacrifice of Jesus in the New Testament (Acts 10:15). These dietary laws have been fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus.

Therefore, we are now free to eat meats that were classified unclean under Jewish law. There is room for private opinion about how much and which meats are good for us, but anyone who teaches that certain or all meats are forbidden is promoting a demonic doctrine.

Note 13 at 1 Tim. 4:3: God created animals to be food for man. Jesus ate meat at the Passover feasts. Even in His glorified body, Jesus ate fish (Lk. 24:41-43). Therefore, those who maintain that eating meat is wrong are not taking into account the example of the Lord Jesus.