¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Now {G1161} the Spirit {G4151} speaketh {G3004} expressly {G4490}, that {G3754} in {G1722} the latter {G5306} times {G2540} some {G5100} shall depart from {G868} the faith {G4102}, giving heed {G4337} to seducing {G4108} spirits {G4151}, and {G2532} doctrines {G1319} of devils {G1140};
The Spirit expressly states that in the acharit-hayamim some people will apostatize from the faith by paying attention to deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
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2 Timothy 3:1
¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. -
2 Timothy 3:9
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was. -
2 Peter 2:1
¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. -
Jude 1:18
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. -
2 Corinthians 11:13
For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. -
2 Corinthians 11:15
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 Thessalonians 2:3
¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV)
¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Commentary
This verse is a solemn warning from the Apostle Paul to Timothy and the church. It highlights the reality of spiritual deception and apostasy that would occur in the future, a period referred to as "the latter times," which began in the apostolic era and continues until Christ's return.
The phrase "the Spirit speaketh expressly" indicates that this is a clear, unambiguous prophecy given by the Holy Spirit. It is not a mere human speculation but a divine revelation about future events concerning the church.
The core message is that "some shall depart from the faith." The Greek word for "depart" is related to the term "apostasy," meaning a falling away, a defection, or abandonment of previously held faith. This departure is not accidental but results from actively "giving heed" to external influences.
These influences are identified as "seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." This reveals the spiritual warfare behind false teaching. "Seducing spirits" (Greek: pneumasin planois) are spirits that lead astray or deceive. "Doctrines of devils" (Greek: didaskaliais daimoniōn) refers to teachings that originate from demons. This means that false doctrines are not merely human errors but are often rooted in demonic deception aimed at undermining the truth of the gospel and leading people away from Christ.
This warning serves as a call to vigilance for believers to discern spirits and teachings, testing everything against the established truth of God's Word (1 John 4:1). It underscores the importance of holding firmly to sound doctrine and being aware that forces of darkness actively seek to draw people away from genuine faith. Similar warnings about future deception are found in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and 2 Peter 2:1.