1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
now (v.1) = here “but” — contrasting what follows with what has just been said in chapter 3
the Spirit expressly says (v.1) — through revelation to Paul directly
latter (v.1) = that which comes after — No period of time is referred to. Paul was indicating things that would happen after he wrote this, and were already happening.
times (v.1) = seasons characterized by some spiritual or moral feature, as opposed to a period marked by length — so Paul was referring to this entire age of grace.
No specific signs were given to herald the close of the present dispensation of grace or the coming of Christ to catch His own away from this earth. The dispensation of grace is timeless and signless in character. Nothing whatever is said as to how long it will last, or when it will be brought to a close, for every day is a day of grace, pure grace, and this grace is enhanced by the very apostasy which began in apostolic days and has continued to the present. To Paul, the apostasy was already close at hand, and he instructed Timothy as to what to do abut it but God, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy, has allowed it to continue for twenty long centuries. — Stam, pages 87-88.
some (v.1) — those who are misled by the the seducing spirits
depart (v.1) = fall way, turn away
faith (v.1) — the article before the word in the original proves this refers to a specific doctrine — Paul’s doctrine
giving heed (v.1) = attaching oneself to, cleaving to (see 1 Timothy 1:4)
deceiving (v.1) = wandering, roving, misleading, leading to error
doctrines (v.1) = teachings, instructions
Verse 2 refers to the human agents of the deceiving spirits.
Our Lord called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44) and 2 Corinthians 11:14 declares that to deceive men he is “transformed into an angel of light.” And the passage goes on to say: “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:15). — Stam, pages 92-93.
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The spirit’s work, and the teachings are exhibited in the hypocrisy of them that speak lies; and this hypocrisy finds detailed expression in regulations suggested by a false asceticism. The clause could be better rendered “through the hypocrisy of liars.” It connects with “departing from the faith.” That is, these individuals depart from the faith through the hypocrisy of liars, the false teachers. These who depart from the faith have their conscience seared with a hot iron. The words, “Hot iron,” are superfluous … “branded in their conscience.” The metaphor is from the practice of branding slaves or criminals, the latter on the brow. These deceivers are not acting under delusion, but deliberately, and against conscience. They wear the form of godliness, and contradict their profession by their crooked conduct (2 Timothy 3:5). The brand is not on their brow but on their conscience. These are branded with the marks of Satan (2 Timothy 2:26) as Paul was with the marks of the Lord Jesus (Galatians 6:17). — Wuest, page 67.
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