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1Ti 4:2. Ἐν ὑποκρίσει ψευδολόγων, [Engl. Vers. speaking lies in hypocrisy] through the hypocrisy of liars) This is construed with they shall fall away, or depart. That hypocrisy, which is the characteristic of liars, shall carry them away. Τινὲς, some, viz. they, are the seduced; the liars are the seducers, ψευδολόγων, the genitive, depends solely on ὑποκρίσει. The expression, of liars, implies a relation to others, and therefore the antithesis is in ἰδίαν, their own conscience.-κεκαυτηριασμένων τὴν ἰδίαν συνείδησιν, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron) As faith and a good conscience are joined in ch. 1Ti 1:5 (where see the note[30]), so, hypocrisy (i.e. unbelief, Mat 24:51, note[31]) and a depraved conscience in this passage; where, on the contrary, ‘faith’ and “the knowledge of the truth,” and ‘thanksgiving’ (1Ti 4:3; 1Ti 4:6), are presently after commended. The medical use of cautery is for the purpose of curing; here, therefore, a different use is denoted, it is for the purpose of branding men as infamous. Those who are αὐτοκατάκριτοι, condemned of themselves, are here intended, Tit 3:11; those who are infamous of themselves in their own conscience, which is branded with spots (scars) of deceit; having a conscience not good and pure, because they have cast it from them, but μεμιασμένην, polluted. For so, in Tit 1:15, those seared as with a hot iron here, are described by the expression, their conscience is defiled; just as liars (ψευδόλογοι) here, are described by the words there, their mind is defiled. Καυτὴρ, a branding iron, denotes the same thing, in a bad sense, as σφραγὶς, a seal, in a good sense, 2Ti 2:19; although Macarius uses both words in a good sense, concerning the flock of Christ, Homil. xii. § 13. Plato, in Gorgias, speaks of “the soul marked with stripes (διαμεμαστιγωμένην) and covered with scars (οὐλῶν μεστὴν), in consequence of perjury and iniquity, which every man’s own conduct has deeply impressed (ἐξωμόρξατο) upon his soul.” Claudian says, “Why do you foolishly deny what is manifest? lo! branded spots disfigure the breast.”[32]-τὴν ἰδίαν, their own) while, however, they urge others.
[30] Faith is as the precious liquor, a good conscience as clean glass. Faith is towards God; conscience, towards one’s self.-ED.
[31] In Mat 24:5, “Shall appoint him his portion with the hypocrites;” in Luk 12:46, “with the unbelievers.” The two are therefore akin.-ED.
[32] “Quid demens manifesta negas? En pectus inustæ Deformant maculæ.”