1 Timothy 4:1

"This whole chapter (1 Timothy 4:1-16) constitutes a main division of 1Timothy; it deals with coming heresies and tells how Timothy is to be fortified and is to fortify the churches against them."[1] Lenski also denied the proposition that Paul was here merely writing instructions to the minister of a single congregation. "He is addressing his apostolic representative for the whole territory of which Ephesus is the center."[2] The first five verses (1 Timothy 4:1-5) deal with particular features of the great apostasy which all of the sacred writers revealed would develop during the historical progression of Christianity. Before beginning the study of this chapter, a glance at some of their prophecies is in order.

THE GREAT APOSTASY

Christ foretold that "wolves in sheep's clothing" would ravage the flock of God (Matthew 7:15ff), indicating that the church itself would be the theater of the apostasy.

Paul, right here in Ephesus, had warned that the "grievous wolves" would come from the eldership itself, "from among your own selves" (Acts 20:28-30).

The Corinthians were alerted to the fact that Satan would seduce them, and that their minds should "be corrupted from the simplicity and purity that is toward Christ"; and the contrast of the bride of Christ with that of Adam points to the church (2 Corinthians 11:3).

The apostasy shall occur, or be centered, in the very temple of God, in context a reference to the church, the spiritual body of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). See under those verses above.

The falling (apostasy) "away from the faith" in this passage (1 Timothy 4:1-5) carries the presumption that the apostates were once in the true faith.

Another phase of the apostasy, namely, its amorality and lawlessness, is stressed in 2 Timothy 3:1-8; and the indifference of Christians to sound teaching and their desire for "teachers after their own lusts" are pinpointed in 2 Timothy 4:1-7.

Methods and character of the apostate teachers appear in 2 Peter 2:1-3, where is found remarkably supplementary material for what Paul mentioned in this chapter of Timothy, that the false teachers, greedy for money, teach what they know to be a falsehood.

Of course, chapters 17,18 of the Revelation set forth still other characteristics of the apostasy prophesied by the Lord and his apostles; and, in perfect consonance with everything else that was written about it, the heretical and persecuting power is a harlot church.

From the above, it is concluded, to begin with, that the fulfillment of Paul's words in 1 Timothy 4 must be looked for within the church itself, and not in some obscure ancient sect.

[1] R. H. H. Lenski, St. Paul's Epistles. 1Timothy (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1937), p. 626.

[2] Ibid., p. 627.

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, (1 Timothy 4:1)

The Spirit saith expressly ... "This means that there was neither doubt nor vagueness about it."[3] The connection of this section with the preceding chapter is seen in the contrast with the triumphant Christ depicted in the final six poetical lines of chapter 3. "Over against the future triumph of the church, assured by the finished work of Christ, we must set the opposition."[4]

That in later times ... This is not limited to any immediate period after Paul's letter. "From the time at which he was writing and forward in all periods of the church, men have apostatized from the faith."[5]

Some shall fall away from the faith ... Paul did not use the same word here for "fall away" which he used in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11; but as Carl Spain said:

The APOSTASY of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is the same as the DEPARTURE here in 1Tim. 4:1. Both words are from [@afistemi], meaning to abandon, to rebel, to desert. It is translated FORSAKE (Acts 21:21), and "fall away from" (Hebrews 3:12).[6]

The obvious connection with other New Testament references to the apostasy requires the deduction mentioned by Ward, "The `later times' foreshadow the gathering eschatological storm."[7] The Second Coming is also connected with the final and complete manifestation of this apostasy in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Lenski made it "the whole time between the two Advents."[8]

From the faith ... simply means "the Christian faith," giving further emphasis to the Christian roots of the apostasy in view.

Giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons ... It is not taught here that evil spirits actually teach, but that they "through men" (mentioned a moment later) deceived multitudes and are, in fact, themselves instigators of the false teaching. In the Old Testament, the evil spirit who stood before the Lord said, "I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets" (1 Kings 22:22); and the same evil power would be able also to corrupt Christian elders, change them into hardened hypocrites, speaking the most glaring falsehood, with no reproach whatever from their dead consciences. Of course, not elders alone, but ministers, church prelates, and the whole echelon of religious hierarchies are included in this.

Most scholars accept "doctrines of demons" in this passage subjectively, that is, doctrines taught by demons (through men); but there is a very possible interpretation which construes this as meaning "doctrines regarding demons"; and, as every Roman emperor upon his death became a demon to be prayed to, the historical church herself finally began offering prayers "to" its dead saints, which most certainly fulfills the definition of "doctrines of demons" understood objectively.

[3] William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary, 1,2Timothy and Titus (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1957), p. 145.

[4] Newport J. D. White, Expositors Greek Testament, Vol. IV (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967), p. 120.

[5] David Lipscomb, Commentary on 1Timothy (Nashville: Gospel Advocate Company, 1942), p. 154.

[6] Carl Spain, The Letters of Paul to Timothy and Titus (Austin, Texas: R. B. Sweet Company, 1970), p. 73.

[7] Ronald Ward, Commentary on 1,2Timothy and Titus (Waco: Word Books, 1974), p. 67.

[8] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 618.