1 Timothy 4:1 – Again “explicitly”

Now the spirit is saying explicitly, that in subsequent eras some will be withdrawing from the faith…

It must have been a few years before this letter was written that Paul said goodbye to the ‘elders’ of Ephesus on the beach of Miletus. He had spoken to them passionately. And also very serious. Thus he tells them (Acts 20:29): “I know that after my departing fierce wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.” Note: Paul knows this. Fierce wolves will come in and they will not spare the flock.

Serious as this announcement is in itself, Paul adds something even more astonishing (20:30): “…and from among yourselves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Try to imagine how confronting this statement must have been for the company! In addition to the fact that grim wolves will enter, men would also arise from among themselves who would distance themselves from “sound doctrine” with their teaching.

Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus (1:3) and emphatically repeats his earlier warning. The wording is different, but the message is the same. We shouldn’t miss that! Never is deception more dangerous than when it comes with a trusted label…

Delen: