1 Timothy 4:1
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;
Original Language Analysis
Τὸ
G3588
Τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύμασιν
spirits
G4151
πνεύμασιν
spirits
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
3 of 19
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
λέγει
speaketh
G3004
λέγει
speaketh
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀποστήσονταί
shall depart from
G868
ἀποστήσονταί
shall depart from
Strong's:
G868
Word #:
10 of 19
to remove, i.e., (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστεως
the faith
G4102
πίστεως
the faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
13 of 19
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
προσέχοντες
giving heed
G4337
προσέχοντες
giving heed
Strong's:
G4337
Word #:
14 of 19
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
πνεύμασιν
spirits
G4151
πνεύμασιν
spirits
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
15 of 19
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
πλάνοις
to seducing
G4108
πλάνοις
to seducing
Strong's:
G4108
Word #:
16 of 19
roving (as a tramp), i.e., (by implication) an impostor or misleader
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
2 Peter 2:1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.Jude 1:18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.2 Peter 3:3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,Jude 1:4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.2 Timothy 3:13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.1 John 4:6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.1 John 2:18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.Daniel 10:14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
Historical Context
The early church faced constant pressure from Gnostic dualism teaching that matter is evil (leading to asceticism or libertinism) and from Jewish legalism adding works to grace. Paul identifies these as demonic deceptions, not mere human error. Behind intellectual arguments stand spiritual powers seeking to destroy faith. The 'latter times' began with Christ's first coming and extend until His return—the entire church age sees this spiritual conflict.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we discern when false teaching has demonic origin versus merely human error?
- What does it mean to 'give heed to seducing spirits'—how do demons work through ideas?
- Why does Paul emphasize that apostasy will happen in 'the latter times'—what's the warning?
Analysis & Commentary
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly (Τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα ῥητῶς λέγει, To de pneuma rhētōs legei)—'the Spirit explicitly says.' Rhētōs means expressly, in stated terms, explicitly—not vague or ambiguous. The Holy Spirit has clearly warned. That in the latter times some shall depart from the faith (ὅτι ἐν ὑστέροις καιροῖς ἀποστήσονταί τινες τῆς πίστεως, hoti en hysterois kairois apostēsontai tines tēs pisteōs)—'in later times some will abandon the faith.' Apostēsontai is future tense of aphistēmi (to stand away from, depart, apostatize).
Giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (προσέχοντες πνεύμασιν πλάνοις καὶ διδασκαλίαις δαιμονίων, prosechontes pneumasin planois kai didaskaliais daimoniōn)—'paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.' Planos means deceiving, leading astray. Daimonion means demon, evil spirit. False teaching has demonic origin—Satan working through deception to lead believers away from truth.
Paul warns of apostasy—professing believers who abandon faith for demonic lies. This isn't theoretical but practical: the Ephesian false teachers exemplify this defection. Their ascetic teaching (4:3) originated not from God but from seducing spirits. The church must recognize spiritual warfare behind false doctrine.