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1 Timothy 4:1
by Don Costello 1 Timothy 4:1 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; 1. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly" a. expressly [4490 * rhetos] [Zodhiates: spoken, expressed in wordsdistinctly, expressly. b. The only explanation for this phrase I believe, is that this was a prophetic utterance given by or to the Apostle Paul under instruction to write it down and include it in Scripture. No doubt similar to the one recorded in Acts regarding the sending out of Barnabas and Paul. 1). Acts 13:1, 2 "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." c. Jesus said that one of the ministries of the Holy Ghost would be to show the church things to come. 1). John 16:12-14 "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." 2. "that in the latter times" a. The "latter times" simply means the time from the cross. b. The same meaning is implied in the second book of Timothy. 1). 2 Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." 3. "some shall depart from the faith" a. shall depart [868 * aphistemi] [Zodhiates: to put away, remove. In 1 Timothythis does not refer to those who had at one time been believers, but those who refuse to believe, who stand aloof, alone.] [Vines:to apostatize.] [Vincent's Word Studies In The New Testament: apostasy.] [Bullinger: to place away from, remove, cause to depart.] b. Zodhiates seems to be the only one of the sources I have to say these were not believers, while Vines and Vincent do. It could mean both. A believer can be seduced away from faith and surely an unbeliever can be seduced more firmly into an opposing philosophy against the gospel. But the use of the phrase "depart from the faith" I believe clearly implies one who once believed but no longer does. 4. "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." a. seducing [4108 * plano] [Zodhiates: deceitful, deceiving, seducing, a deceiver, imposter."] [Thayer: misleading, leading into error, a corrupter, deceiver.] b. spirits [4151 * pneuma] [D.C.: the context clearly implies this is a demon spirit that draws believers away from the faith and into error and apostasy.] c. doctrines [1319 * didaskalia] [Zodhiates: Teaching or instruction.] [D.C.: in this case the instruction is from devils.] d. devils [1140 * diamonion] [Zodhiates: a devil, a demon, an evil spirit.] e. This warning no doubt applies to a number of scenarios, from devils whispering into our ears, to deceived ministers who received their instruction from devils, to prophetic utterances. The Apostle John gives this warning in his first epistle. 1). 1 John 4:1-3 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know we the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." f. If it does not line up with the Word of God reject it. The Apostle Peter in his second epistle said one of the most astounding things in regard to this subject. All dreams, visions, spiritual experiences are subject to the Word of God. The word of God is more sure more dependable than any dream or vision. 1). 2 Peter 1:16-19 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts." My name is Don Costello. Ever since I received Christ in November of 1976 I have had a passion to study and know God's word.My wife Melissa and I have 5 children. My e-mail address is [email protected] I have a blog located at: www.theophilus-loverofgodsword.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |