I Timothy 4:2
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influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Rather translate, "Through (literally, 'in'; the element in which the apostasy has place) the hypocrisy of lying speakers"; this expresses the means through which "some shall (be led to) depart from the faith," namely, the reigned sanctity of the seducers (compare "deceivers," Tit 1:10). having their conscience seared--Greek, "having their own conscience," &c., that is, not only "speaking lies" to others, but also having their own conscience seared. Professing to lead others to holiness, their own conscience is all the while defiled. Bad consciences always have recourse to hypocrisy. As faith and a good conscience are joined (Ti1 1:5); so hypocrisy (that is, unbelief, Mat 24:5, Mat 24:51; compare Luk 12:46) and a bad conscience here. THEODORET explains like English Version, "seared," as implying their extreme insensibility; the effect of cauterizing being to deaden sensation. The Greek, however, primarily means "branded" with the consciousness of crimes committed against their better knowledge and conscience, like so many scars burnt in by a branding iron: Compare Tit 1:15; Tit 3:11, "condemned of himself." They are conscious of the brand within, and yet with a hypocritical show of sanctity, they strive to seduce others. As "a seal" is used in a good sense (Ti2 2:19), so "a brand" in a bad sense. The image is taken from the branding of criminals.
Open source ↗Paul here foretels, I. A dreadful apostasy (Ti1 4:1-3). II. He treats of Christian liberty (Ti1 4:4, Ti1 4:5). III. He gives Timothy divers directions with respect to himself, his doctrine, and the people under his care (Ti1 4:6 to the end)
Open source ↗4:2 Consciences that are dead either don’t function or function wickedly, rendering judgments that oppose the truth of the gospel (see also Titus 1:15; Rom 1:28-32).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
“Indeed,” declares the LORD, “I am against those who prophesy false dreams and retell them to lead My people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent them or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people,” declares the LORD.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.