1 Timothy 4:1-3
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
As those who adhere to the faith are fixed on a safe anchor, so those who fall from the faith can nowhere rest; but after many wanderings to and fro, they are borne at last into the very gulf of perdition. And this he had shown before, saying, that some had already made shipwreck concerning the faith, and now he says, Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits. This is said of the Manichæans, the Encratites, and the Marcionites, and the whole of their tribe, that they should hereafter depart from the faith. Do you see that this departure from the faith is the cause of all the evils that follow!
But what is expressly? Plainly, clearly, and beyond doubt. Marvel not, he says, if some having departed from the faith still adhere to Judaism. There will be a time, when even those who have partaken of the faith will fall into a worse error, not only with respect to meats, but to marriages, and other such things, introducing the most pernicious notions. This refers not to the Jews, (for the latter times, and a departure from the faith, is not applicable to them;) but to the Manichees, and the founders of these sects. And he calls them very justly, seducing spirits, since it was by these they were actuated in speaking such things. Speaking lies in hypocrisy. This implies that they utter not these falsehoods through ignorance and unknowingly, but as acting a part, knowing the truth, but having their conscience seared, that is, being men of evil lives.
But why does he speak only of these heretics? Christ had before said, Offenses must need come, and he had predicted the same in his parable of the sower, and of the springing up of the tares. But here admire with me the prophetic gift of Paul, who, before the times in which they were to appear, specifies the time itself. As if he had said, Do not wonder, if, at the commencement of the faith, some endeavor to bring in these pernicious doctrines; since, after it has been established for a length of time, many shall depart from the faith. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats. Why then has he mentioned no other heresies? Though not particularized, they are implied by the expressions of seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. But he did not wish to instill these things into the minds of men before the time; but that which had already commenced, the case of meats, he specifies. Which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. Why did he not say, by the unbelievers too? How by the unbelievers, when they exclude themselves from them by their own rules? But is not luxury forbidden? Certainly it is. But why? If good things are created to be received. Because He created bread, and yet too much is forbidden; and wine also, and yet excess is forbidden; and we are not commanded to avoid dainties as if they were unclean in themselves, but as they corrupt the soul by excess.
Ver. 4. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.
If it be the creature of God, it is good. For all things, it is said, were very good. By speaking thus of things eatable, he by anticipation impugns the heresy of those who introduce an uncreated matter, and assert that these things proceed from it. But if it is good, why is it sanctified by the word of God and prayers? For it must be unclean, if it is to be sanctified? Not so, here he is speaking to those who thought that some of these things were common; therefore he lays down two positions: first, that no creature of God is unclean: secondly, that if it had become so, you have a remedy, seal it, give thanks, and glorify God, and all the uncleanness passes away. Can we then so cleanse that which is offered to an idol? If you know not that it was so offered. But if, knowing this, you partake of it, you will be unclean; not because it was offered to an idol, but because contrary to an express command, you thereby communicate with devils. So that it is not unclean by nature, but becomes so through your wilful disobedience. What then, is not swine’s flesh unclean? By no means, when it is received with thanksgiving, and with the seal; nor is anything else. It is your unthankful disposition to God that is unclean.
Ver. 6. If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto you have attained.
What are the things here meant? The same which he had before mentioned, that great is the mystery; that to abstain from meats is the doctrine of devils, that they are cleansed by the word of God and prayer.