Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:1 - 4:1
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
1Ti 4:1. Δὲ, [now] but) The antithesis is between ἑδραίωμα, the ground, ch. 1Ti 3:15, and ἀποστήσονται, shall depart or fall away; as also between “the mystery of godliness,” and “the mystery of iniquity,” of which the apostle speaks here by description, and by name at 2Th 2:7.-ῥητῶς) expressly, as of a thing of great importance, which will speedily come to pass, in a set form of words.-λέγει, speaketh) by the prophets in the time of Paul, or by Paul himself, who also was a prophet; hence he says, “This know,” 2Ti 3:1.-ἐν ὑστέροις καιροῖς, in the last times) Paul shows that these times, following after the ascension of the Lord, ch. 1Ti 3:16, were then already in existence, inasmuch as he uses a present remedy for the then existing evil, 1Ti 4:5-6; comp. 2Ti 3:1, et seqq. ὑστέρος is used comparatively (latter), for ὕστατος expresses a different idea (the last times of all).-ἀποστήσονταί τινες τῆς πίστεως, some shall depart, or fall away, from the faith) Comp. 2Ti 2:18; shall depart, viz. by denying what is true and adding what is false.-τινἑς) some, i.e. many, and gradually more; Rom 3:3, note.[28] Their names are not mentioned. There are not wanting those who suspect the person meant to be Apollonius Tyanæus, who came to Ephesus in the lifetime of Timothy. They do not deserve well at the hands of the truth, who too much extenuate the heretical doctrines of the first century.-τῆς πίστεως, from the faith) which in all its exactness maintains Divine revelation, 1Ti 4:6, [and of which the foundation was a little ago described (1Ti 3:15-16).-V. g.]-πνεύμασι πλάνοις καὶ διδασκαλίαις δαιμονίων, seducing spirits and doctrines of demons) Seducing spirits are those who speak by false prophets, and are called spirits, not only in respect of their own nature, but because they inspire[29] (with their deceit) these false prophets; therefore the word spirits is parallel to doctrines [not to demons]. Δαιμονίων, of demons, is the genitive of the cause (the source from which the doctrines flow). Δαιμόνιν is often taken in a good sense by the Greeks; for example, by the Athenians, Act 17:18 : but with the LXX. interpreters and the apostles, it always denotes evil spirits.
[28] Some, for many. An Euphemism. And moreover unbelievers, though they be many, are spoken of as some, indefinitely, because they are not much taken into account.-ED.
[29] The use of spirant in connection with spiritus, cannot be imitated in a translation.-TRANSL.