1 Timothy 4:2
Verse
Context
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Speaking lies in hypocrisy - Persons pretending, not only to Divine inspiration, but also to extraordinary degrees of holiness, self-denial, mortification, etc., in order to accredit the lies and false doctrines which they taught. Multitudes of lies were framed concerning miracles wrought by the relics of departed saints, as they were termed. For, even in this country, Thomas a Becket was, deemed a saint, his relics wrought numerous miracles; and his tomb was frequented by multitudes of pilgrims! However, as he works none now, we may rest assured that he never did work any. In 1305, King Edward I. was prevailed on by his clergy to write to Pope Clement V. to canonize Thomas de Cantelupo, bishop of Hereford, because a multitude of miracles had been wrought by his influence; In tantum, says the king, quod ipsius meritis et intercessionibus gloriosis, lumen caecis, surdis auditus, verbum mutis, et gressus claudis, et alia pleraque beneficia ipsius patrocinium implorantibus, caelesti dextra conferuntur. "Insomuch that, by his glorious merits and intercessions, the blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, the dumb speak, and the lame walk; and many other benefits are conferred by the right hand of the Divine Being on those who implore his patronage." And therefore he prays that this dead bishop may be added to the calendar, "that he and his kingdom may enjoy his suffrages and merit his patronage in heaven, who had the benefit of his conversation on earth." Nos attendentes, per Dei gratiam, fideles in Christo, nosque praecipue, et populum regni nostri, ejus posse suffragiis adjuvari, ut, quem familiarem habuimus in terris, mereamur habere patronum in caelis. Foedera, vol. i., p. 976. Edit. 1816. Having their conscience seared with a hot iron - They bear the marks of their hypocrisy as evidently and as indelibly in their conscience in the sight of God, as those who have been cauterized for their crimes do in their bodies in the sight of men. It was customary in ancient times to mark those with a hot iron who had been guilty of great crimes, such as sacrilege, etc. And the heathens supposed that even in the other world they bear such marks; and by these the infernal judges knew the quantum of their vices, and appointed the degrees of their punishment. There is a saying much like that of the apostle in the invective of Claudian against Rufinus, whom he supposes to be thus addressed by Rhadamanthus, one of the infernal judges: - Quid demens manifesta negas? En pectus InUstae Deformant Maculae! vitiisque inolevit imago, Nec sese commissa tegunt. "Thou fool, why dost thou deny what is so manifest? Behold the deep-burnt marks deform thy conscience; the appearance of them has grown up with thy vices; neither can the crimes which thou hast committed hide themselves."
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Rather translate, "Through (literally, 'in'; the element in which the apostasy has place) the hypocrisy of lying speakers"; this expresses the means through which "some shall (be led to) depart from the faith," namely, the reigned sanctity of the seducers (compare "deceivers," Tit 1:10). having their conscience seared--Greek, "having their own conscience," &c., that is, not only "speaking lies" to others, but also having their own conscience seared. Professing to lead others to holiness, their own conscience is all the while defiled. Bad consciences always have recourse to hypocrisy. As faith and a good conscience are joined (Ti1 1:5); so hypocrisy (that is, unbelief, Mat 24:5, Mat 24:51; compare Luk 12:46) and a bad conscience here. THEODORET explains like English Version, "seared," as implying their extreme insensibility; the effect of cauterizing being to deaden sensation. The Greek, however, primarily means "branded" with the consciousness of crimes committed against their better knowledge and conscience, like so many scars burnt in by a branding iron: Compare Tit 1:15; Tit 3:11, "condemned of himself." They are conscious of the brand within, and yet with a hypocritical show of sanctity, they strive to seduce others. As "a seal" is used in a good sense (Ti2 2:19), so "a brand" in a bad sense. The image is taken from the branding of criminals.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Speaking lies in hypocrisy,.... Or "through the hypocrisy of those that speak lies"; for the apostle is still speaking of the means by which the apostasy should rise, and get ground; and it should be by the means of persons that should deliver lying or false doctrine under the colour of truth, and make great pretensions to religion and holiness, which would greatly take with men, and captivate and lead them aside: and this plainly points at the abettors of antichrist, the Romish priests, who deliver out the lying doctrines of merit, purgatory, invocation of saints, fastings, pilgrimages, &c. and the fabulous legends of saints, and the lying wonders and miracles done by them, and all under a show of godliness, and the promoting of religion and holiness: having their conscience seared with a hot iron; which exactly describes the above mentioned persons, whose consciences are cauterized and hardened, and past feeling; and have no regard to what they say or do, make no conscience of anything, but under a cloak of sanctity commit the most shocking impieties; and are men of the most infamous characters, and of the most enormous and scandalous lives and conversations; so that the metaphor may be taken either from the searing of flesh with an iron, or cauterizing it, whereby it grows callous and hard; or from the stigmas or marks which used to be put on malefactors, or such who have been guilty of notorious crimes.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:2 Consciences that are dead either don’t function or function wickedly, rendering judgments that oppose the truth of the gospel (see also Titus 1:15; Rom 1:28-32).
1 Timothy 4:2
A Warning against Apostasy
1Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,2influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
God's Hatchet
By David Wilkerson3.4K1:28:30DefenceDEU 5:28PSA 74:1MAT 6:332CO 11:21TI 4:2HEB 4:12JAS 1:22In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of idolatry and the deception that has taken hold of the church. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God and warns against the dangers of being consumed by worldly distractions, such as television. The preacher shares a personal story of a grandson who became disillusioned with his grandmother's faith due to her addiction to television soaps. He calls for a return to the fire and glory of true worship and urges the congregation to let go of their idols and seek God wholeheartedly.
America: Reprobate Nation?
By E.A. Johnston1.2K19:01AmericaGEN 19:24HOS 4:171TI 4:2TIT 1:15In this sermon, the preacher highlights the excessive use of cell phones and the internet in today's society, suggesting that it has led to a disconnection from God's creation. The preacher also warns that this addiction to technology could potentially be used by the Antichrist to control the masses. The sermon then shifts focus to the decline of religious denominations and the changing moral landscape of America. The preacher points out the economic crisis, natural disasters, and increase in violent crimes as signs of God's judgment on the nation due to its acceptance of sexual perversion.
America Needs a Slap in the Face
By Shane Idleman1703:25AwakeningConfronting Sin2CH 7:14PSA 94:16PRO 28:13ISA 5:20JER 6:15MAT 5:14ROM 12:2GAL 6:7EPH 5:141TI 4:2Shane Idleman passionately addresses the urgent need for America and the church to awaken from their slumber of unrepentant sin and moral decay. He emphasizes that many justify their sinful actions, leading to a divisive and angry society. Idleman calls for boldness in confronting evil, particularly regarding issues like abortion, and urges a return to biblical principles in governance. He likens the need for awakening to the jarring sound of an alarm clock, stressing that it is time to speak out against injustices and stand firm in faith. The sermon serves as a wake-up call to both individuals and the nation to recognize and repent from their wrongdoings.
A Seared Conscience--No. 2
By Charles Finney0Spiritual SensitivityConscienceMAT 7:21ROM 2:152CO 1:12GAL 6:7EPH 4:191TI 4:2HEB 10:22JAS 1:221PE 2:191JN 1:9Charles Finney warns about the dire consequences of a seared conscience, emphasizing that it leads to delusion regarding one's moral character, false security, and a mistaken sense of hope. He explains that a seared conscience can result in abandonment by the Spirit of God, a life of uselessness, and even physical ailments due to neglect of moral and physical laws. Finney stresses the importance of maintaining a sensitive conscience to avoid becoming a negative influence on others and to fulfill one's potential for good in the world. He calls for self-examination and the cultivation of a quick conscience, especially among those in ministry, to prevent the spread of sin and to promote true holiness.
Homily 7 on Matthew
By St. John Chrysostom0MAT 2:41CO 7:41CO 11:271CO 14:341TI 4:2John Chrysostom preaches on the significance of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, emphasizing how even the enemies of the truth unwittingly contributed to the fulfillment of prophecies and the revelation of Christ's divinity. He highlights the contrast between the wise men's reverence and the Jews' indifference, urging the congregation to emulate the magi's dedication in seeking and worshipping Christ. Chrysostom warns against the dangers of succumbing to worldly temptations, particularly the lure of immoral entertainment like the theater, and calls for a life of chastity, decency, and devotion to Christ, regardless of one's marital status or occupation.
The New Covenant Part Iii ('States' of the Conscience)
By Robert Wurtz II0ROM 1:28ROM 14:13ROM 14:21ROM 14:23GAL 5:131TI 4:2HEB 2:15HEB 9:9Robert Wurtz II preaches about the different types of conscience - the guilty conscience, the evil conscience, the good conscience, and the weak conscience. He emphasizes the importance of having a conscience purged by the blood of Christ and aligned with God's laws to make moral decisions. Wurtz also discusses the dangers of legalism and liberty in the Christian life, cautioning against using freedom as an excuse for sin or causing others to stumble.
Sharp Conscience
By James Stalker0PRO 4:23ROM 2:15ROM 14:231TI 4:2HEB 10:22HEB 13:18James Stalker delves into the concept of a seared conscience as described in 1 Timothy 4:2, highlighting how repeated disobedience can lead to a numbing of the conscience, allowing individuals to commit heinous acts without remorse. He emphasizes the importance of obedience to conscience, which sharpens it and refines character, contrasting the outcomes of a hardened versus a tender conscience on the soul and body.
Judges 16:21
By Chuck Smith0Consequences of SinSpiritual BlindnessJDG 16:21PRO 6:27PRO 14:12ISA 59:2JHN 8:36ROM 6:16GAL 5:11TI 4:2JAS 1:152PE 2:19Chuck Smith discusses the tragic consequences of sin as illustrated in the life of Samson, emphasizing how sin blinds individuals to their true state, binds them in chains, and leads to a grinding existence devoid of joy. He explains that sin desensitizes the conscience, making it easier to indulge repeatedly without remorse, ultimately leading to spiritual blindness. Smith warns that many, like Samson, may not realize the Spirit of God has departed from them due to their sinful choices. He highlights the binding power of sin, which can start innocently but can lead to devastating consequences, and concludes with the hope that Jesus can set individuals free from the grip of sin.
A Seared Conscience
By Charles Finney0Moral ResponsibilityConsciencePSA 32:3PRO 28:13ROM 2:15EPH 4:191TI 4:22TI 3:1HEB 10:22JAS 1:221PE 3:161JN 1:9Charles Finney addresses the concept of a seared conscience, explaining that it is not merely a lack of knowledge of right and wrong, but a state of insensitivity to moral obligations and guilt. He outlines the characteristics and consequences of a seared conscience, emphasizing how it can develop through neglecting moral duties, indulging in sin, and resisting the affirmations of reason. Finney warns that a seared conscience leads to apathy towards moral issues and a lack of remorse for wrongdoing, ultimately distancing individuals from God. He encourages self-examination and a return to a sensitive conscience to restore moral clarity and spiritual health.
I Will Take Heed to My Ways
By C.H. Spurgeon0MAT 23:28MRK 12:15LUK 12:1GAL 2:131TI 4:21PE 2:1The preacher delves into the concept of hypocrisy, which originated from Greek theater as the act of putting on a mask and playing a part on stage. In the New Testament, hypocrisy is portrayed negatively as deceit, insincerity, and pretense, where one's outward appearance contradicts their true intentions. Hypocrisy involves pretending to possess virtues or beliefs that one does not truly hold, leading to a false impression of one's motives. The sermon emphasizes the dangers of hypocrisy, warning that hypocrites will face severe consequences and that God detests this sin above all others.
Seared Conscience
By Ernest O'Neill0GEN 1:27JHN 16:7EPH 2:3COL 2:161TI 4:2HEB 9:14Ernest O'Neill discusses the gyro-compass within each of us, representing our original purpose and connection to our creator. Despite our corruption and distance from God, our conscience serves as a homing device guiding us back to Him. Conscience, a reflection of God's nature, has been maintained by Him to lead us back if we choose. However, many have prioritized worldly desires over conscience, leading to a dilution of moral standards and a searing of conscience through repeated ignorance.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Speaking lies in hypocrisy - Persons pretending, not only to Divine inspiration, but also to extraordinary degrees of holiness, self-denial, mortification, etc., in order to accredit the lies and false doctrines which they taught. Multitudes of lies were framed concerning miracles wrought by the relics of departed saints, as they were termed. For, even in this country, Thomas a Becket was, deemed a saint, his relics wrought numerous miracles; and his tomb was frequented by multitudes of pilgrims! However, as he works none now, we may rest assured that he never did work any. In 1305, King Edward I. was prevailed on by his clergy to write to Pope Clement V. to canonize Thomas de Cantelupo, bishop of Hereford, because a multitude of miracles had been wrought by his influence; In tantum, says the king, quod ipsius meritis et intercessionibus gloriosis, lumen caecis, surdis auditus, verbum mutis, et gressus claudis, et alia pleraque beneficia ipsius patrocinium implorantibus, caelesti dextra conferuntur. "Insomuch that, by his glorious merits and intercessions, the blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, the dumb speak, and the lame walk; and many other benefits are conferred by the right hand of the Divine Being on those who implore his patronage." And therefore he prays that this dead bishop may be added to the calendar, "that he and his kingdom may enjoy his suffrages and merit his patronage in heaven, who had the benefit of his conversation on earth." Nos attendentes, per Dei gratiam, fideles in Christo, nosque praecipue, et populum regni nostri, ejus posse suffragiis adjuvari, ut, quem familiarem habuimus in terris, mereamur habere patronum in caelis. Foedera, vol. i., p. 976. Edit. 1816. Having their conscience seared with a hot iron - They bear the marks of their hypocrisy as evidently and as indelibly in their conscience in the sight of God, as those who have been cauterized for their crimes do in their bodies in the sight of men. It was customary in ancient times to mark those with a hot iron who had been guilty of great crimes, such as sacrilege, etc. And the heathens supposed that even in the other world they bear such marks; and by these the infernal judges knew the quantum of their vices, and appointed the degrees of their punishment. There is a saying much like that of the apostle in the invective of Claudian against Rufinus, whom he supposes to be thus addressed by Rhadamanthus, one of the infernal judges: - Quid demens manifesta negas? En pectus InUstae Deformant Maculae! vitiisque inolevit imago, Nec sese commissa tegunt. "Thou fool, why dost thou deny what is so manifest? Behold the deep-burnt marks deform thy conscience; the appearance of them has grown up with thy vices; neither can the crimes which thou hast committed hide themselves."
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Rather translate, "Through (literally, 'in'; the element in which the apostasy has place) the hypocrisy of lying speakers"; this expresses the means through which "some shall (be led to) depart from the faith," namely, the reigned sanctity of the seducers (compare "deceivers," Tit 1:10). having their conscience seared--Greek, "having their own conscience," &c., that is, not only "speaking lies" to others, but also having their own conscience seared. Professing to lead others to holiness, their own conscience is all the while defiled. Bad consciences always have recourse to hypocrisy. As faith and a good conscience are joined (Ti1 1:5); so hypocrisy (that is, unbelief, Mat 24:5, Mat 24:51; compare Luk 12:46) and a bad conscience here. THEODORET explains like English Version, "seared," as implying their extreme insensibility; the effect of cauterizing being to deaden sensation. The Greek, however, primarily means "branded" with the consciousness of crimes committed against their better knowledge and conscience, like so many scars burnt in by a branding iron: Compare Tit 1:15; Tit 3:11, "condemned of himself." They are conscious of the brand within, and yet with a hypocritical show of sanctity, they strive to seduce others. As "a seal" is used in a good sense (Ti2 2:19), so "a brand" in a bad sense. The image is taken from the branding of criminals.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Speaking lies in hypocrisy,.... Or "through the hypocrisy of those that speak lies"; for the apostle is still speaking of the means by which the apostasy should rise, and get ground; and it should be by the means of persons that should deliver lying or false doctrine under the colour of truth, and make great pretensions to religion and holiness, which would greatly take with men, and captivate and lead them aside: and this plainly points at the abettors of antichrist, the Romish priests, who deliver out the lying doctrines of merit, purgatory, invocation of saints, fastings, pilgrimages, &c. and the fabulous legends of saints, and the lying wonders and miracles done by them, and all under a show of godliness, and the promoting of religion and holiness: having their conscience seared with a hot iron; which exactly describes the above mentioned persons, whose consciences are cauterized and hardened, and past feeling; and have no regard to what they say or do, make no conscience of anything, but under a cloak of sanctity commit the most shocking impieties; and are men of the most infamous characters, and of the most enormous and scandalous lives and conversations; so that the metaphor may be taken either from the searing of flesh with an iron, or cauterizing it, whereby it grows callous and hard; or from the stigmas or marks which used to be put on malefactors, or such who have been guilty of notorious crimes.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:2 Consciences that are dead either don’t function or function wickedly, rendering judgments that oppose the truth of the gospel (see also Titus 1:15; Rom 1:28-32).