1 Timothy 4:2
What does 1 Timothy 4:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 4:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 4:2 means
Apostasy spreads through human messengers who wear a mask of piety while speaking lies. Their deceit is not naive; it springs from consciences that have been seared, like skin cauterized by a hot iron, no longer sensitive to right and wrong. Such teachers can speak confidently and religiously, yet be unmoved by conviction or compassion. The image warns that habitual rejection of truth hardens a person. For the church, this means not mistaking intensity for integrity, or eloquence for honesty. Sound leaders must be marked by a tender conscience formed by God’s word, not by hypocrisy. Recognizing the moral condition of false teachers helps believers resist their influence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in hypocrisy speaking lies, being seared in their own conscience,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Speaking lies in hypocrisy and having their conscience seared,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890speaking lies in hypocrisy, cauterised as to their own conscience,
Context
Having named the spiritual source of error, Paul turns to its human channel: hypocritical liars with dulled consciences. This explains how demonic doctrine gains a voice in the congregation. The description readies Timothy to evaluate teachers not only by ideas but by character. Next, Paul will give tangible examples of what these people forbid, showing their distinctively ascetic slant, and then he will rebut them by affirming the goodness of creation and the sanctifying effect of thanksgiving, Scripture, and prayer.
v.1But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
v.2This passage
v.3forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 8:23
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
- Ephesians 4:14
that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
- 1 Kings 22:22
And Jehovah said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so.
- 1 Kings 13:18
And he said unto him, I also am a prophet as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Bring him back with thee into thy house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
- 2 Timothy 3:5
holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.
- Ephesians 4:19
who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
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