1 Timothy Chapter 4

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, etc.] The prophecy hereafter mentioned was not an human conjecture, but, as all true prophecy, it came from the Spirit of God, who spoke or delivered it; either in the prophets of the Old Testament, who, as they spoke of the Gospel dispensation, so of the defection that should be in it; and particularly of antichrist, and of the apostasy through him, which is what is here intended, especially in Daniel's prophecies, under the names of the little horn, and vile person, (<270701>Daniel 7:1-28) and (<271101>Daniel 11:1-45), or in the Lord Jesus Christ, who foretold that false…”

“PREDICTION OF A COMING DEPARTURE FROM THE FAITH: TIMOTHY'S DUTY AS TO IT: GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO HIM. (1Ti. 4:1-16) Now--Greek, "But." In contrast to the "mystery of godliness." the Spirit--speaking by the prophets in the Church (whose prophecies rested on those of the Old Testament, Dan 7:25; Dan 8:23, &c.; Dan 11:30, as also on those of Jesus in the New Testament, Mat 24:11-24), and also by Paul himself, Th2 2:3 (with whom accord Pe2 3:3; Jo1 2:18; Jde 1:18). expressly--"in plain words." This shows that he refers to prophecies of the Spirit then lying before him. in the latter times--in the times following upon…”

“Now the Spirit - Evidently the Holy Spirit; the Spirit of inspiration. It is not quite certain, from this passage, whether the apostle means to say that this was a revelation “then” made to him, or whether it was a well-understood thing as taught by the Holy Spirit. He himself elsewhere refers to this same prophecy, and John also more than once mentions it; compare 2 Thessalonians 2:0; 1 John 2:18; Revelation 20:1-15. From 2 Thessalonians 2:5, it would seem that this was a truth which had before been communicated to the apostle Paul, and that he had dwelt on it when he preached the gospel in Thessalonica. There…”

“But the Spirit saith - By St. Paul himself to the Thessalonians, and probably by other contemporary prophets. Expressly - As concerning a thing of great moment, and soon to be fulfilled. That in the latter times - These extend from our Lord's ascension till his coming to judgment. Some - Yea, many, and by degrees the far greater part. Will depart from the faith - The doctrine once delivered to the saints. Giving heed to seducing spirits - Who inspire false prophets. 1 Timothy 4:2”

“4:1-5 Paul’s sound teaching (3:16) contrasts with the false teachings that he denounces. 4:1 The early church regarded itself as already in the last times (see Acts 2:16-17; Heb 1:2; cp. 2 Thes 2:7; 1 Jn 2:18-23).”

“the Spirit: Joh 16:13; Act 13:2, Act 28:25; Co1 12:11; Jo1 2:18; Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:29; Rev 3:6, Rev 3:13, Rev 3:22 expressly: Eze 1:3 the latter: Num 24:14; Deu 4:30, Deu 32:29; Isa 2:2; Jer 48:47, Jer 49:39; Eze 38:16; Dan 10:14; Hos 3:5; Mic 4:1; Ti2 3:1-9; Pe1 1:20; Pe2 3:3; Jde 1:4, Jde 1:18 depart: Dan 11:35; Mat 24:5-12; Th2 2:3; Ti2 3:1-5, Ti2 4:4 seducing: Gen 3:3-5, Gen 3:13; Kg1 22:22, Kg1 22:23; Ch2 18:19-22; Co2 11:3, Co2 11:13-15; Th2 2:9-12; Ti2 3:13; Pe2 2:1; Rev 9:2-11, Rev 13:14, Rev 16:14, Rev 18:2, Rev 18:23; Rev 19:20, Rev 20:2, Rev 20:3, Rev 20:8, Rev 20:10 and doctrines: Dan…”