1 Timothy 4:1 – The Spirit is saying explicitly

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

In the previous chapter, Paul wrote, among other things, about the high demands he places on “the supervisor”. Because there was a danger that teachings would penetrate into the ecclesia that were contrary to “the sound teaching” that Paul had taught (1 Tim. 1:3,11). An ecclesia can only be considered a “house of God” if it is actually “a pillar and base of the truth” (Tim.3:15).

Paul was very aware of the developments that would soon take place in Christendom. That wasn’t just a vague premonition of his or a possibility he took into account. No, Paul knew for sure. “…the Spirit is saying explicitly, that in subsequent eras some will be withdrawing from the faith.” Note that Paul is not speaking here of the “last days,” as he does in 2Timothy 3:1, but of “subsequent eras.” The abandonment of the faith would begin with “some” until eventually virtually all of Christendom would be corrupted. So much so that people (in general) will no longer tolerate “sound teaching” (Tim.4:4). Yes, Paul preached a message of ultimate expectation, but when it came to Christendom he was extremely pessimistic. And he therefore warns emphatically.

Delen: