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;
Study Note
Study Note
The 'Spirit expressly says' (rhētōs) that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to 'deceitful spirits and teachings of demons' — one of the New Testament's most direct attributions of heresy to demonic origin. The phrase 'later times' (hysterois kairois) is an eschatological marker, though unlike the Synoptic 'last days' (eschatai hēmerai), it may indicate an imminent development rather than a distant end-time. The specific errors named — forbidding marriage and requiring abstinence from foods (verses 2–3) — reflect an ascetic dualism that later appeared in Marcionite and various Gnostic movements. The verse is part of the Pastoral Epistles' sustained concern with doctrinal fidelity and the authority of established teaching against innovative deviation.
Other Translations
But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
And the Spirit expressly speaketh, that in latter times shall certain fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons,
But the Spirit says clearly that in later times some will be turned away from the faith, giving their minds to spirits of deceit, and the teachings of evil spirits,
Cross References
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established …
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith …
Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the Lord. Thus far is the …
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby …
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there …
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the …
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, …
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should …
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a …