Chapter 4
MSB says the first three chapters are positive instruction, the last three are warnings.
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [1Ti 4:1 ESV]
1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, [1Ti 4:1 NASB]
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, [1Ti 4:1 NKJV]
I am sure this verse is teeming with controversy. I suspect that no particular interpretation is "provable" or there wouldn't be controversy. The guidance of the Holy Spirit must prevail. Nevertheless, here is MacArthur's take:
"Those who fall prey to the false teachers will abandon the Christian faith. The Gr. word for "fall away" is the source of the Eng. word "apostatize," and refers to someone moving away from an original position. These are professing or nominal Christians who associate with those who truly believe the gospel, but defect after believing lies and deception, thus revealing their true nature as unconverted. See notes on 1Jn2:19, Jude 24.
(I will deal with the notes when I get to these passages, but for now, here are those verses:
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. [1Jo 2:19 ESV]
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, [Jde 1:24 ESV])
The people who lead these away are truly bad people. Liars with seared consciences is how Paul describes them. He expands on their teaching that certain foods should not be eaten, saying that ANYTHING is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
2021 - So two groups. First, the false teachers, who are truly false. There is no doubt at all that these teachers are unsaved, motivated by their own greed and ambition and not at all by a desire to serve God. These purposely and knowingly teach false doctrine, and in my book they do it to part people from their money. The second group is those who are deceived by these teachers. I would divide them into saved and unsaved, because I think some saved people, ungrounded, untaught, or immature in the gospel, can be deceived and led away by these. I think these people are saved, but do not recognize the teaching as false, or prefer the false to the good. Dogs returning to their vomit. Then there are those who were never saved to start with, and find a "comfortable place" with what seems like truth but with no real demand for sanctification in its members.
2022 - These unsaved may well be "outwardly religious", and inwardly in search of salvation by works. Note that these false teachings always come down to that. You need special knowledge from another person - something that you are "brilliant enough on your own" to understand, or you need to be circumcised, or need/must be able to speak in tongues, or you must prove yourself by being immune to snake bite. False teaching ALWAYS includes personal accomplishment as a component of salvation. Works based salvation is a flashing neon sign advertising false teaching.
Possible FB post with vs. 1.
2025 - This:
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [1Ti 4:1-2 ESV].
So what does this tell us about how deceitful spirits and teaching demons actually work in the world? Does it imply that they "speak" with conscience seared liars and tell them what to say and what to believe and reward them for their loyalty? Does it say that's how they work? Or is the key earlier in the verse. Some will "devote" themselves to spirits and demons. To me that implies that some, even in the church, will be actively searching out these influences.
I don't think anything here says that the demons can put thoughts into the heads of human beings. And they cannot communicate with a soul or spirit that is dead because it has not been raised to walk in new life. So how do these deceits and teachings get into the church? Through the normal functioning of ambitious, arrogant, liars who have no conscience about what they are doing. Who knowingly pursue the teachings of demons - the false gods of history, the book of the dead, spell books, and so on, that accumulate all the "knowledge" of ancient priests and Satan worshipers, and Wiccans and so on. PEOPLE have written these things down and practiced them forever. And some, in every age, pursuit them with an unhealthy craving for the sensational and for the "supernaturally derived power" that will elevate them, even though their "gods" are false.
This verse:
8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. [1Ti 4:8 ESV]
It has "some" value...though it is limited to our time on this earth in this life. Godliness has eternal value...
Possible FB post...something to remember while making NY's resolutions.
In 11 Paul tells Timothy to "command" these things, and not to let people "minimize" him because of his youth.
Here is an interesting verse I don't remember noting before:
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. [1Ti 4:14 ESV]
This comes right after Paul tells Timothy to focus on public Scripture reading, exhortation, and teaching. Apparently Paul recognized these as Timothy's spiritual gifts, conveyed(?) to him when elders laid hands on him. Am I understanding this? 2021 - Yes, I think that's what this means. It was referenced earlier also, chapter 1 I think. Paul is bringing it up a second time to remind Timothy of where he came from and that he is gifted - prophesied to do this and then gifted with the skills required to do it. This is pep talk, confidence building, encouragement.