1 Timothy 4:1-5

The Coming Apostasy

Despite the fact that Jesus had been fully shown to be Lord, the Spirit plainly revealed to Paul a coming apostasy. At some time in the future, Paul said some would abandon or desert the sum of things believed by Christians. Instead, they would addict themselves to the teaching that leads men astray. This doctrine comes from evil spirits through the men who allow themselves to be used as their instruments (1 Kings 22:20-22). The teaching may be called the doctrine of demons in the same sense or it may refer to false teachings about demons. These false teachers would knowingly teach error. A hypocrite is one who plays a role or acts out a part. These false teachers would use their role playing to deceive others and lead them away from the truth. Like a man who builds up a callous through hard work, these teachers would consciously turn themselves away from the truth until they became hardened to it (1 Timothy 4:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-19).

Paul said those false teachers would forbid marriage and the eating of meats as a part of their false doctrine. Some had the belief that flesh was evil, which might have led to this erroneous teaching in the late first and early second century. In our own times, others have obviously followed the same course. Yet, God did not disallow marriage or the eating of meats (Hebrews 13:4; Mark 7:18-19). God made marriage because it was not good for man to be alone. He also made meat for man to eat. Any teaching contrary to this is in error (Genesis 2:18-25; Genesis 9:1-4). Man was forbidden to eat the blood of animals with the meat, but not the meat. Everything God created is good if it is used in a manner befitting God's purpose. Of course, all things given by God should be received with thanksgiving and not be considered taboo. All things were made holy by God's word in the creation (Genesis 1:4; Genesis 1:12; Genesis 1:17; Genesis 1:21; Genesis 1:25; Genesis 1:31). We set it apart for God's service when we give thanks for it (1 Timothy 4:3-5).