I Timothy 4
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly - Ῥητως· Manifestly, openly. It is very likely that the apostle refers here to a prophecy then furnished by the Holy Ghost, and probably immediately after he had written the words in the preceding verses; and as this prophecy contains things nowhere else spoken of in the sacred writings, and of the utmost moment to the Christian Church, we cannot hear or read them with too much reverence or respect. In the latter times - This does not necessarily imply the last ages of the world, but any times consequent to those in which the Church then lived. Depart from the faith - Αποστησονται - της πιστεως· They will apostatize from the faith, i.e. from Christianity; renouncing the whole system in effect, by bringing in doctrines which render its essential truths null and void, or denying and renouncing such doctrines as are essential to Christianity as a system of salvation. A man may hold all the truths of Christianity, and yet render them of none effect by holding other doctrines which counteract their influence; or he may apostatize by denying some essential doctrine, though he bring in nothing heterodox. Giving heed to seducing spirits - Πνευμασι πλανοις· Many MSS. and the chief of the fathers have πνευμασι πλανης· spirits of deceit; which is much more emphatic than the common reading. Deception has her spirits, emissaries of every kind, which she employs to darken the hearts and destroy the souls of men. Pretenders to inspiration, and false teachers of every kind, belong to this class. And doctrines of devils - Δαιμονιων· Demons; either meaning fallen spirits, or dead men, spectres, etc., or doctrines inspired by Satan relative to these, by which he secures his own interest, and provides for his own worship.
Open source ↗PREDICTION OF A COMING DEPARTURE FROM THE FAITH: TIMOTHY'S DUTY AS TO IT: GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO HIM. (1Ti. 4:1-16) Now--Greek, "But." In contrast to the "mystery of godliness." the Spirit--speaking by the prophets in the Church (whose prophecies rested on those of the Old Testament, Dan 7:25; Dan 8:23, &c.; Dan 11:30, as also on those of Jesus in the New Testament, Mat 24:11-24), and also by Paul himself, Th2 2:3 (with whom accord Pe2 3:3; Jo1 2:18; Jde 1:18). expressly--"in plain words." This shows that he refers to prophecies of the Spirit then lying before him. in the latter times--in the times following upon the times in which he is now writing. Not some remote future, but times immediately subsequent, the beginnings of the apostasy being already discernible (Act 20:29): these are the forerunners of "the last days" (Ti2 3:1). depart from the faith--The apostasy was to be within the Church, the faithful one becoming the harlot. In Th2 2:3 (written earlier), the apostasy of the Jews from God (joining the heathen against Christianity) is the groundwork on which the prophecy rises; whereas here, in the Pastoral Epistles, the prophecy is connected with Gnostic errors, the seeds of which had already been sown in the Church [AUBERLEN] (Ti2 2:18). Apollonius TyanÃ&brvbrus, a heretic, came to Ephesus in the lifetime of Timothy. giving heed-- (Ti1 1:4; Tit 1:14). seducing spirits--working in the heretical teachers. Jo1 4:2-3, Jo1 4:6, "the spirit of error," opposed to "the spirit of truth," "the Spirit" which "speaketh" in the true prophets against them. doctrines of devils--literally "teachings of (that is suggested by) demons." Jam 3:15, "wisdom . . . devilish"; Co2 11:15, "Satan's ministers."
Open source ↗Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,.... The prophecy hereafter mentioned was not an human conjecture, but, as all true prophecy, it came from the Spirit of God, who spoke or delivered it; either in the prophets of the Old Testament, who, as they spoke of the Gospel dispensation, so of the defection that should be in it; and particularly of antichrist, and of the apostasy through him, which is what is here intended, especially in Daniel's prophecies, under the names of the little horn, and vile person, Dan 7:1 and Dan 11:1, or in the Lord Jesus Christ, who foretold that false prophets would arise and deceive many; or in some of the prophets in the Christian church, such as Agabus, and others, who might in so many words foretell this thing; or rather in the apostle himself, at this time, since this prophecy was delivered not in dark sayings, in an enigmatical way, in an obscure manner, as prophecies generally were, but in plain language, and easy to be understood, and wanted no interpreter to unriddle it; and seeing that it is nowhere to be found in so many express words elsewhere: and moreover, the apostle does not say the Spirit "hath spoken", but the Spirit "speaketh"; then, at the time of the writing of these words, in and by him. The prediction follows, that in the latter times some should depart from the faith; that is, from the doctrine of faith, notwithstanding it is indisputably the great mystery of godliness, as it is called in the latter part of the preceding chapter; for from the true grace of faith there can be no final and total apostasy, such as is here designed; for that can never be lost. It is of an incorruptible nature, and therefore more precious than gold that perishes; Christ is the author and finisher of it; his prevalent mediation is concerned for i…
Open source ↗We have here a prophecy of the apostasy of the latter times, which he had spoken of as a thing expected and taken for granted among Christians, 2 Th. 2. I. In the close of the foregoing chapter, we had the mystery of godliness summed up; and therefore very fitly, in the beginning of this chapter, we have the mystery of iniquity summed up: The Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith; whether he means the Spirit in the Old Testament, or the Spirit in the prophets of the New Testament, or both. The prophecies concerning antichrist, as well as the prophecies concerning Christ, came from the Spirit. The Spirit in both spoke expressly of a general apostasy from the faith of Christ and the pure worship of God. This should come in the latter times, during the Christian dispensation, for these are called the latter days; in the following ages of the church, for the mystery of iniquity now began to work. Some shall depart from the faith, or there shall be an apostasy from the faith. Some, not all; for in the worst of times God will have a remnant, according to the election of grace. They shall depart from the faith, the faith delivered to the saints (Jde 1:3), which was delivered at once, the sound doctrine of the gospel. Giving heed to seducing spirits, men who pretended to the Spirit, but were not really guided by the Spirit, Jo1 4:1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, every one who pretends to the Spirit. Now here observe, 1. One of the great instances of the apostasy, namely, giving heed to doctrines of demons, or concerning demons; that is, those doctrines which teach the worship of saints and angels, as a middle sort of deities, between the immortal God and mortal men, such as the heathen called demons, and worshipped under that not…
Open source ↗4:1-5 Paul’s sound teaching (3:16) contrasts with the false teachings that he denounces. 4:1 The early church regarded itself as already in the last times (see Acts 2:16-17; Heb 1:2; cp. 2 Thes 2:7; 1 Jn 2:18-23).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ῥητῶς (rhētōs, G4490) — out-spokenly, i.e. distinctly ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὕστερος (hýsteros, G5306) — later καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἀφίστημι (aphístēmi, G868) — to remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert,… πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… προσέχω (proséchō, G4337) — (figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be… πλάνος (plános, G4108) — roving (as a tramp), i.e. (by implication) an impostor or misleader; καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗ψευδολόγος (pseudológos, G5573) — mendacious, i.e. promulgating erroneous Christian doctrine ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑπόκρισις (hypókrisis, G5272) — acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy") καυτηριάζω (kautēriázō, G2743) — to brand ("cauterize"), i.e. (by implication) to render unsensitive (figuratively) ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate συνείδησις (syneídēsis, G4893) — co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness
Open source ↗κωλύω (kōlýō, G2967) — to estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act) γαμέω (gaméō, G1060) — to wed (of either sex) ἀπέχομαι (apéchomai, G567) — to hold oneself off, i.e. refrain βρῶμα (brōma, G1033) — food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very κτίζω (ktízō, G2936) — to fabricate, i.e. found (form originally) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… μετάλημψις (metálēmpsis, G3336) — participation μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… εὐχαριστία (eucharistía, G2169) — gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship) πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπιγινώσκω (epiginṓskō, G1921) — to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with,…
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole κτίσμα (ktísma, G2938) — an original formation (concretely), i.e. product (created thing) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very καλός (kalós, G2570) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ἀπόβλητος (apóblētos, G579) — cast off, i.e. (figuratively) such as to be rejected λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… εὐχαριστία (eucharistía, G2169) — gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἁγιάζω (hagiázō, G37) — to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔντευξις (énteuxis, G1783) — an interview, i.e. (specially) supplication
Open source ↗ὑποτίθημι (hypotíthēmi, G5294) — to place underneath, i.e. (figuratively) to hazard, (reflexively) to suggest ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be καλός (kalós, G2570) διάκονος (diákonos, G1249) — an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties);… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἐντρέφω (entréphō, G1789) — (figuratively) to educate λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… διδασκαλία (didaskalía, G1319) — instruction (the function or the information) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. παραιτέομαι (paraitéomai, G3868) — to beg off, i.e. deprecate, decline, shun βέβηλος (bébēlos, G952) — accessible (as by crossing the door-way), i.e. (by implication, of Jewish notions)… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γραώδης (graṓdēs, G1126) — crone-like, i.e. silly μῦθος (mŷthos, G3454) — a tale, i.e. fiction ("myth") γυμνάζω (gymnázō, G1128) — to practise naked (in the games), i.e. train (figuratively) σεαυτοῦ (seautoû, G4572) — of (with, to) thyself πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… εὐσέβεια (eusébeia, G2150) — piety; specially, the gospel scheme
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… σωματικός (sōmatikós, G4984) — corporeal or physical γυμνασία (gymnasía, G1129) — training, i.e. (figuratively) asceticism ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ὠφέλιμος (ōphélimos, G5624) — helpful or serviceable, i.e. advantageous πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὀλίγος (olígos, G3641) — puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially)… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εὐσέβεια (eusébeia, G2150) — piety; specially, the gospel scheme πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἐπαγγελία (epangelía, G1860) — an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good) ζωή (zōḗ, G2222) — life (literally or figuratively) νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or…
Open source ↗πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἄξιος (áxios, G514) — deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀποδοχή (apodochḗ, G594) — acceptance
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing κοπιάω (kopiáō, G2872) — to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὀνειδίζω (oneidízō, G3679) — to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐλπίζω (elpízō, G1679) — to expect or confide ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ζάω (záō, G2198) — to live (literally or figuratively) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are σωτήρ (sōtḗr, G4990) — a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ
Open source ↗ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things παραγγέλλω (parangéllō, G3853) — to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… διδάσκω (didáskō, G1321) — to teach (in the same broad application)
Open source ↗καταφρονέω (kataphronéō, G2706) — to think against, i.e. disesteem μηδείς (mēdeís, G3367) — not even one (man, woman, thing) σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy νεότης (neótēs, G3503) — newness, i.e. youthfulness ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… τύπος (týpos, G5179) — a die (as struck), i.e. (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e. a… πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ἀναστροφή (anastrophḗ, G391) — behavior ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of…
Open source ↗ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) προσέχω (proséchō, G4337) — (figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be… ἀνάγνωσις (anágnōsis, G320) — (the act of) reading παράκλησις (paráklēsis, G3874) — imploration, hortation, solace διδασκαλία (didaskalía, G1319) — instruction (the function or the information)
Open source ↗ἀμελέω (ameléō, G272) — to be careless of μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… χάρισμα (chárisma, G5486) — a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) προφητεία (prophēteía, G4394) — prediction (scriptural or other) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ἐπίθεσις (epíthesis, G1936) — an imposition (of hands officially) χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or… πρεσβυτέριον (presbytérion, G4244) — the order of elders, i.e. (specially), Israelite Sanhedrin or Christian "presbytery"
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.