1Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [4:2] through the insincerity of liars whose consciences have been seared, [4:3] who forbid marriage and require abstaining from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [4:4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [4:5] for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
1TI 4:1-5
A Warning against Apostasy
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, the warning against apostasy in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 would have resonated deeply with early Christian communities navigating competing religious and philosophical claims. The mention of 'later times' evokes a sense of urgency, reflecting apocalyptic expectations common in Second-Temple Judaism and early Christianity. The accusation of 'departing from the faith' would have been understood as a deliberate rebellion, akin to abandoning a patron or breaking a covenant, actions that carried severe social and spiritual consequences. The reference to 'deceitful spirits' and 'teachings of demons' aligns with widespread beliefs in spiritual warfare and the influence of malevolent forces. The critique of those forbidding marriage and certain foods likely targets ascetic practices, possibly influenced by Gnostic or Stoic ideas, which viewed material creation as inherently corrupt. By affirming that 'every creature of God is good,' the text counters such dualism, emphasizing the sanctity of creation through God’s word and prayer, a concept rooted in Jewish blessings over meals.
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How other translations render this
1TI 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;
- BSB
- Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
- Koinōnos
- 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 4:2
- KJV
- Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
- BSB
- influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
- Koinōnos
- through the insincerity of liars whose consciences have been seared,
1TI 4:3
- KJV
- Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
- BSB
- They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- Koinōnos
- who forbid marriage and require abstaining from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
1TI 4:4
- KJV
- For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
- BSB
- For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,
- Koinōnos
- For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
1TI 4:5
- KJV
- For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
- BSB
- because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
- Koinōnos
- for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1TI 4:1
- times:The word translated 'times' here refers to a specific, opportune, or appointed time, rather than just a general span of chronological time.
- will depart from:The term 'will depart from' carries the sense of a deliberate, active withdrawal or rebellion, not merely a passive drifting away.
1TI 4:2
- seared:The word translated 'seared' literally means to be branded with a hot iron, suggesting a permanent and insensitive mark on the conscience.
1TI 4:3
- reception:The word 'reception' here emphasizes the act of partaking or sharing in something, particularly food, with a sense of active participation.