Prediction of Apostasy
41 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith , paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons , 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron ,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:1-2
Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:1-5
(Read 1 Timothy 4:1-5)
The Holy Spirit, both in the Old and the New Testament, spoke of a general turning from the faith of Christ, and the pure worship of God. This should come during the Christian dispensation, for those are called the latter days. False teachers forbid as evil what God has allowed, and command as a duty what he has left indifferent. We find exercise for watchfulness and self-denial, in attending to the requirements of God's law, without being tasked to imaginary duties, which reject what he has allowed. But nothing justifies an intemperate or improper use of things; and nothing will be good to us, unless we seek by prayer for the Lord's blessing upon it.