A note from our Pastor:

”Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”

1 Timothy 4:2

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In our study verse last week, the Apostle Paul introduced the idea that some disciples would depart from following Christ in the future. Those disciples would follow this path as they believed in doctrines that were not taught by Christ and had the potential to do great harm. Although the Apostle was warning Timothy about things to happen in his lifetime the warnings hold true for all generations.

In our study verse this week, the Apostle expounds upon how the false teachings will enter into the minds of the community of believers. The first phrase in this verse, “speaking lies in hypocrisy”, can also be translated as “through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies”. It is a given fact that if the teachings are false doctrine they must be lies as well. However, the real focus in this verse is on the hypocrisy of those teachers.

Throughout the life and ministry of Christ, he condemned the sin of hypocrisy. Without doing an exact analysis, it is fair to say hypocrisy is in the top 5 items called out in the gospel accounts and is often attributed to oppressors of the people such as the ruling class of Jews. Now as the Apostle writes to the church in Ephesus through Timothy the same sin is pointed out and again it is tied to false teaching and power-seeking.

The second phrase in this verse deserves adequate understanding as well. Some have attempted to interpret this phrase as the Apostle indicating these false teachers were marked with a spiritual brand as heretics. While this might be a true description it is not the meaning of this phrase. Rather, the Apostle was indicating how their conscience worked. These false teachers were oppressing the people with extra laws and rules to follow and extra guilt to carry. Meanwhile, in the shadows and secret rooms they were engaged in the very behavior they were condemning. As Christ told the Pharisees and scribes, they were creating laws that were excessive to the people while they didn’t lift a finger to keep them. Thus, this phrase simply means their conscience had been cauterized and they felt no guilt.

Ultimately, the point the Apostle is making is this — no matter the time, no matter the situation, and no matter the teaching it is highly likely false teachings will be accompanied by burdens on the followers, departure from love and grace, and a hypocrisy of behavior in the false teachers.

Let us be cautious of any teaching that moves from love and grace.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah