1 Timothy 4:1

“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 prophets would arise and deceive many; or in some of the prophets in the Christian…”

“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 the times in which he is now writing. Not some remote future, but times…”

“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 is no improbability, however, in the supposition that so important a subject was…”

“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 11:35-38; Co1 8:5, Co1 8:6, Co1 10:20; Col 2:18; Act 17:18; Rev 9:20 \*Gr. 1…”