1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1-5 KJV)
Some Will Depart from the Faith
We have here a prophecy of the apostasy of the latter times, which Paul had spoken of as a thing expected among Christians (2 Thessalonians 2). In the close of the previous chapter, the mystery of godliness was summed up; now, in this chapter, the mystery of iniquity is revealed. “The Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some will depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1). Whether this refers to the Spirit in the Old Testament or the Spirit in the prophets of the New, the meaning is that the Spirit clearly foretold a general apostasy from the faith of Christ and the true worship of God. This would come during the Christian era, for the “mystery of iniquity” had already begun to work. Some—not all—would depart from the faith delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3), giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines taught by those who pretended to have the Spirit but were not truly guided by Him (1 John 4:1).
One great instance of this apostasy is “giving heed to doctrines of demons”—that is, teachings that promote the worship of saints and angels as mediators between God and man, similar to the pagan worship of “demons.” This plainly fits the early developments of the Roman Church, where relics of martyrs were enshrined, divine honors paid to them, altars and images erected, incense burned, and prayers offered to saints. Such worship is paganism revived—the image of the first beast (Revelation 13:14).
The promoters of this apostasy would be hypocrites speaking lies, agents of Satan spreading delusions through forgeries and pretended miracles (1 Timothy 4:2). They would profess to honor Christ while corrupting His truth and ordinances. Their consciences would be “seared with a hot iron,” meaning they had lost all moral sensitivity. If their consciences were not so hardened, they could never justify dispensing with oaths for “the good of the church,” breaking faith with heretics, or practicing cruelty under the guise of religion.
Another mark of these deceivers is that they forbid marriage—especially among the clergy—and speak reproachfully of it, though marriage is a divine ordinance (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4). They also command abstinence from certain meats, placing religion in such practices to dominate consciences, though God has made all things good for use.
From this, we learn several lessons. First, the apostasy should not surprise us, for it was foretold by the Spirit. Second, the Spirit who predicted it is God, for only God can certainly foresee future events. Third, unlike the vague oracles of the heathen, the Spirit “speaks expressly.” Fourth, even in times of widespread apostasy, God preserves a faithful remnant (Romans 11:5). Fifth, deceivers often pretend to be guided by the Spirit, for they know that men respect what seems to come from God. Sixth, men must be hardened in conscience before they can depart from the faith and lead others astray. Seventh, it is a clear sign of apostasy when men command what God has forbidden—such as the worship of saints—and forbid what God has allowed, such as marriage and eating certain foods.
Having mentioned these hypocritical fastings, the apostle then affirms the doctrine of Christian liberty regarding the use of God’s creatures. Under the law, certain foods were called clean or unclean, but now God has removed those distinctions. Peter was taught this in a vision: “What God has cleansed, you must not call common” (Acts 10:15).
We must look upon our food as that which God has created. It comes from Him, and therefore must be used for Him. God made these things for those who “believe and know the truth,” meaning Christians who have a covenant right to the blessings of creation. “Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4). We must not reject God’s gifts nor invent distinctions where He has made none. His good creatures are most delightful when received with gratitude, “for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:5).
This sanctification occurs in two ways: by the word of God and by prayer. By His word, God grants us liberty to use all foods and promises to provide what we need (Philippians 4:19). By prayer, we bless our food and acknowledge our dependence on Him. When God’s word and prayer accompany our daily actions, we sanctify them and act in faith.
Every creature belongs to God, for He made all things: “Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10-11). When He surveyed His creation, “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). The blessing of God makes our food nourishing, for “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Therefore, we must always seek His blessing through prayer, so that the good things we receive may become holy and beneficial to us.