Table of Contents
1 Timothy 4:1 (AMP) #
“But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons.”
Authorship & Audience #
Author: The Apostle Paul (1 Tim 1:1), writing around AD 62-64 after his first Roman imprisonment. (LINK journey timeline)
Recipient: Timothy, Paul’s protégé and pastor of Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3). A young church leader (likely in his 30s), entrusted with overseeing the church in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3). Faced intense challenges: false teachers, cultural pressure, and spiritual deception.
Purpose of the Letter: #
· To instruct Timothy on church leadership and combat heresy in Ephesus. #
- To strengthen Timothy as a young leader.
- To warn against and combat false teachings and growing apostasy.
- To instruct the Church in sound doctrine, leadership, and godly conduct.
Key Historical Note:
This is a pastoral epistle—Paul is training Timothy to guard doctrine in a city rife with false teaching.
Word-by-Word Breakdown (Greek to English) #
| English Word/Phrase | Greek Word (Transliteration) | Meaning & Explanation |
| But | δέ (de) | A mild contrast word – “however,” “and now,” or “on the other hand.” It connects this thought to the previous context. |
| the [Holy] Spirit | τὸ πνεῦμα (to pneuma) | Literally “the Spirit.” In context, clearly the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. |
| explicitly and unmistakably declares | ῥητῶς λέγει (rētōs legei) | Rētōs means “explicitly, clearly, distinctly” and legei means “says.” Together: “speaks with clarity.” |
| that | ὅτι (hoti) | A conjunction introducing what the Spirit says – “that” or “because.” |
| in later times | ἐν ὑστέροις καιροῖς (en husterois kairois) | Husterois = “later, future.” Kairois = “appointed times” or “seasons.” Refers to a future season before Christ returns. |
| some | τινες (tines) | “Certain people,” not everyone, but a subset. |
| will turn away from | ἀποστήσονται (apostēsontai) | From apostasia – where we get apostasy. Means “to fall away,” “to abandon,” “to withdraw.” |
| the faith | τῆς πίστεως (tēs pisteōs) | Pistis = “faith,” “trust,” “belief.” Refers to the Christian faith, the Gospel truth, not just general belief. |
| paying attention instead to | προσέχοντες (prosechontes) | From prosechō – “to give attention to,” “to devote oneself to,” “to listen closely.” |
| deceitful | πλάνοις (planois) | “Misleading,” “deceiving,” “deluding.” From planē (deception). |
| and seductive spirits | πνεύμασιν (pneumasin) | Plural of pneuma – “spirits.” These are not Holy Spirits but evil, demonic influences. |
| — | πλάνοις πνεύμασιν (planois pneumasi) | Together: “deceitful spirits” – unseen spiritual beings that mislead. |
| and doctrines | καὶ διδασκαλίαις (kai didaskaliais) | Didaskalia = “teaching,” “instruction.” Used both for true and false doctrine. |
| of demons | δαιμονίων (daimoniōn) | Evil spiritual beings; demons. These teachings originate from demonic sources, not God. |
Who is speaking?
- The Holy Spirit, not Paul himself. This gives divine authority to the warning.
What is He saying?
- The Spirit is being clear and direct. This isn’t a guess; it’s a certainty.
- In the last days (or later seasons of church history), some believers will abandon their faith.
3. Why will they fall away?
- Because they will begin to pay attention to wrong voices:
- Deceitful spirits = spiritual beings who mislead or twist truth.
- Doctrines of demons = false teachings that originate in evil, not just from misguided people.
4. What is the danger here?
- The danger is not just bad behavior—it’s spiritual deception, which leads people to leave the truth of Jesus and believe a lie.
1 Timothy 4:1 – “But the Spirit explicitly says…” #
Original Greek:
Τὸ δὲ Πνεῦμα ῥητῶς λέγει (To de Pneuma rētōs legei)
“Now the Spirit speaks explicitly…”
- “Πνεῦμα” (Pneuma) – Clearly refers to the Holy Spirit, not Paul himself.
- Paul attributes the source of the message to the Holy Spirit, not to his own reasoning or authority.
Examples where The Holy Spirit EXPLICITLY speaks: #
| # | Reference | Summary of Explicit Speech | Key Insight |
| 1 | 2 Samuel 23:2 | “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me…” | David confirms direct prophetic speech by the Spirit. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 2:2 | “The Spirit entered me… I heard Him speaking to me.” | Spirit empowers and speaks clearly. |
| 3 | Isaiah 30:21 | “You will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it…’” | Foreshadowing Spirit’s guidance. |
| 4 | Acts 13:2 (AMP) | ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work…’ LINK (video) LINK (journey timeline) | The Holy Spirit directly speaks and gives instructions. Paul knows the voice of the Spirit. Holy Spirit directly instructs and calls out leaders. Paul recognizes His voice. |
| 5 | John 16:13 | ‘He will guide you into all the truth… and disclose what is to come.’ | Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would speak clearly and reveal future events—exactly what 1 Timothy 4:1 is doing. Jesus affirms the Spirit will speak clearly and reveal the future. |
| 6 | 2 Peter 1:21 (AMP) | ‘Men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.’ | The apostles, including Paul, spoke as the Holy Spirit inspired them. When Paul says “the Spirit says,” it is an acknowledgment of divine inspiration. Holy Spirit is the source of prophetic revelation—not human will. |
| 7 | 1 Corinthians 2:13 | ‘Not in words taught by human wisdom but by the Spirit.’ | Paul distinguishes between his own wisdom and the Holy Spirit’s teaching. He claims divine guidance in what he teaches. Paul’s teachings are guided by the Holy Spirit, not human logic. |
| 8 | Revelation 2:7 | ‘Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ | Shows that God still speaks through His Spirit to believers and communities of faith, not just in prophecy but through clear direction. Holy Spirit gives ongoing direction to churches—not just past prophecy. |
| 9 | Acts 8:29 | “The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go join this chariot.’” | Clear command for immediate obedience. |
| 10 | Acts 10:19-20 | “The Spirit said to him… ‘Go… I have sent them Myself.’” | Direct instruction with divine initiative. |
| 11 | Acts 15:28 | “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” | Spirit guides doctrinal decisions. |
| 12 | Acts 16:6-7 | “The Spirit forbade them… did not permit them.” | Divine restriction on ministry plans. |
| 13 | Acts 20:23 | “The Holy Spirit solemnly affirms… imprisonment awaits me.” | Repeated warnings from the Spirit. |
| 14 | Hebrews 3:7-8 | “The Holy Spirit says, ‘Today if you hear His voice…’” | Spirit speaks through Scripture urging repentance. |
| 15 | Revelation 2–3 | “Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” | Repeated, direct messages of warning and promise. |
| 16 | 1 Timothy 4:1 | “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away…” | Clear prophetic warning. |
| 17 | 1 John 5:6-8 | “The Spirit testifies… the Spirit is truth.” | Holy Spirit affirms Christ’s divinity. |
Summary #
| Theme | Explanation |
| Tone of Speech | Authoritative, urgent, and specific (names, places, outcomes). |
| Why He Speaks Explicitly | To guide in critical moments, protect from deception, and initiate God’s will. |
| Testing the Spirit | Confirm alignment with Scripture, observe godly fruit, and use communal wisdom. |
| Key Takeaway | The Holy Spirit still speaks clearly and purposefully, exalting Christ always. |
