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1 Timothy 4:2

1 Timothy 4:2 in Multiple Translations

influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

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

through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron;

These hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared,

Which speake lies through hypocrisie, and haue their cosciences burned with an hote yron,

in hypocrisy speaking lies, being seared in their own conscience,

through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron,

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

Speaking lies in hypocrisy, and having their conscience seared,

The people who teach those false doctrines/teachings are liars! And they do not feel at all guilty [MET] when they teach such teachings!

And some of them will teach those lies to other people. They tell everybody they are good people, but really, they are bad. And they never feel bad about the bad things they do.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Timothy 4:2

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1 Timothy 4:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK εν υποκρισει ψευδολογων κεκαυτηριασμενων την ιδιαν συνειδησιν
εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep
υποκρισει hupokrisis G5272 hypocrisy Noun-DSF
ψευδολογων pseudologos G5573 lying Adj-GPM
κεκαυτηριασμενων kautēriazō G2743 to brand Verb-RPP-GPM
την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF
ιδιαν idios G2398 one's own/private Adj-ASF
συνειδησιν suneidēsis G4893 conscience Noun-ASF
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Timothy 4:2

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep
This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.
Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.
υποκρισει hupokrisis G5272 "hypocrisy" Noun-DSF
Hypocrisy is when someone acts like they are something they are not, like in Matthew 23:28. It is about deceiving others. In the Bible, Jesus teaches against hypocrisy, saying that people should be genuine in their faith and actions.
Definition: ὑπό-κρισις, -εως, ἡ (ὑποκρίνομαι, which see) [in LXX: 2Ma.6:25 * ;] __1. a reply, answer (Hdt.). __2. play-acting (Arist., Polyb., al.). Metaphorical, pretence, hypocrisy: Mat.23:28, Mrk.12:15, Luk.12:1, Gal.2:13, 1Ti.4:2, 1Pe.2:1 (Polyb., Pss Sng.4:7).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy See also: 1 Peter 2:1; James 5:12; Matthew 23:28.
ψευδολογων pseudologos G5573 "lying" Adj-GPM
Lying means speaking falsely, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:2. It is saying things that are not true, often to deceive others.
Definition: ψευδο-λόγος, -ον (ψευδής, λέγω), speaking falsely, lying: 1Ti.4:2 (Aristoph., Polyb., al.).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: speaking lies See also: 1 Timothy 4:2.
κεκαυτηριασμενων kautēriazō G2743 "to brand" Verb-RPP-GPM
To brand or mark with a hot iron, as in 1 Timothy 4:2. It can also mean to render someone insensitive. The KJV translates it as sear with a hot iron.
Definition: καυστηριάζω (Rec. καυτηρ-, and so usually in Gk. writers, see Soph., Lex., see word) to mark by branding, brand (AV, scar, but see CGT, in l): metaphorically, pass. pf. ptcp., 1Ti.4:2 (cf. καυτήριον, 4Ma.15:22 *).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: sear with a hot iron See also: 1 Timothy 4:2.
την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
ιδιαν idios G2398 "one's own/private" Adj-ASF
Something that is one's own is private or personal, like in Matthew where Jesus is alone with his disciples.
Definition: ἴδιος, -α, -ον (in Attic usually -ος, -ον), [in LXX chiefly for of person(s) suff., also for לָהֶם, etc.; (τὰ ἴ.) בֵּיתוֹ ;] __1. one's own; __(a) of that which is private and personal (in cl. opposite to κοινός, δημόσιος; cf. infr. 3); __(b) of property, friends, home, country, etc. (in cl. opposite to ἀλλότριος; in late writers often, like ἑαυτοῦ, with weakened sense, see M, Pr., 87ff.; Deiss., BS, 123f.): Luk.6:41, Jhn.1:42 5:43, Act.2:6 20:28, 1Co.11:21, Gal.6:5, 2Ti.1:9, Heb.7:27, Ju 6, al.; πράσσειν τὰ ἴ., 1Th.4:11; κατὰ τὰς ἰ. ἐπιθυμίας, 2Ti.4:3; οἱ ἴδιοι, Jhn.1:11 (M, Pr., 90f.; Field, Notes, 84) 13:1, Act.4:23, 1Ti.5:8; τὰ ἴδια, one's home (Field, Notes, l.with), Luk.18:28, Jhn.1:11 16:32 19:27. __2. peculiar, distinct, appropriate, proper: τὸ ἴ. σῶμα, 1Co.15:38; ἐν τ. ἰ. τάγματι, 1Co.15:23; εἰς τ. τόπον τ. ἴ., Act.1:25; = αὐτοῦ (see Deiss., ut. supr.), Mat.22:5, Jhn.1:42 (cf. Wis.10:1). __3. Adverbially (see supr., 1 (a); and cf. WM, 739:2); __(a) ἰδίᾳ, severally, separately: 1Co.12:11; __(b) κατ᾽ ἰδίαν, apart, privately, in private: Mat.14:13, 23 20:17, Mrk.4:34 7:33, Luk.10:23, Act.23:19, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 109 NT verses. KJV: X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; Galatians 6:5; 1 Peter 3:1.
συνειδησιν suneidēsis G4893 "conscience" Noun-ASF
Conscience is a moral awareness that guides our actions, as seen in Romans 2:15 and 1 Corinthians 10:29. It's an inner sense of right and wrong. The Bible often mentions a clear or weak conscience.
Definition: συν-είδησις, -εως, ἡ (συνεῖδον), [in LXX: Ecc.10:20 (מַדָּע), Wis.17:11, Sir.42:18 א * ;] __1. consciousness: with genitive obj., Heb.10:2, 1Pe.2:19. __2. In ethical sense, innate discernment, self-judging consciousness, conscience (Stoics and late writers): Rom.2:15 9:1, 1Co.10:29, 2Co.1:12 4:2 5:11, 1Ti.4:2, Heb.9:14; σ. ἀγαθή, Act.23:1, 1Ti.1:5 1:19, 1Pe.3:16 3:21; ἀσθενής, 1Co.8:7 8:10; ἀσθενοῦσα, 1Co.8:12; ἀπρόσκοπος, Act.24:16; καθαρά, 1Ti.3:9, 2Ti.1:3; καλή, Heb.13:18; πονηρά, Heb.10:22; ὁ νοῦς καὶ ἡ σ., Tit.1:15; διὰ τὴν σ., Rom.13:5, 1Co.10:25 10:27-28; κατὰ σ., Heb.9:9; ὑπὸ (τῆς) σ., Jhn.8:1-59 [9] (Rec.), 1Co.10:29 (cf. Cremer, 233 ff.; ICC on Rom.2:15; DB, i, 468 ff.).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 30 NT verses. KJV: conscience See also: 1 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 2:19.

Study Notes — 1 Timothy 4:2

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Ephesians 4:19 Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.
2 Acts 20:30 Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
3 Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
4 Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
5 2 Peter 2:1–3 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
6 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
7 Revelation 16:14 These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.
8 Romans 1:28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
9 Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
10 Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.

1 Timothy 4:2 Summary

[This verse is talking about people who have been fooled by liars and have become hardened to the truth, as it says in 1 Timothy 4:2, their consciences are seared with a hot iron. This means they can no longer tell right from wrong, and are easily misled by false teachings, much like those warned about in 2 Peter 2:1. To avoid this, we need to stay close to God and His word, as stated in Psalm 119:11, where it says we can hide God's word in our hearts, so we might not sin against Him. By doing so, we can keep our consciences sensitive to the truth, and avoid being led astray.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for someone's conscience to be seared with a hot iron?

This phrase, found in 1 Timothy 4:2, means that a person's conscience has become hardened and insensitive to the truth, much like a piece of skin that has been burned with a hot iron, as described in Ephesians 4:19, where it says people have given themselves over to sensuality, so as to indulge in every kind of impurity.

How can we recognize if someone is being influenced by the hypocrisy of liars?

We can recognize this influence by looking for teachings that contradict the Bible, such as 2 Peter 2:1, which warns of false prophets who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them.

What role do deceitful spirits play in influencing people, as mentioned in the surrounding verses?

Deceitful spirits, as mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:1, play a significant role in influencing people to abandon the faith, and their teachings can be recognized as being opposed to the teachings of the Bible, such as in 2 Corinthians 11:3, where it says that the minds of believers can be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

How can we protect ourselves from being influenced by the hypocrisy of liars?

We can protect ourselves by staying grounded in the truth of God's word, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where it says that all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways can I be more discerning of the teachings I listen to, to avoid being influenced by the hypocrisy of liars?
  2. How can I ensure that my conscience remains sensitive to the truth, and not become seared like those described in this verse?
  3. What are some ways that I can stay grounded in the truth of God's word, to avoid being led astray by deceitful spirits?
  4. In what ways can I be a positive influence on those around me, to help them avoid the influence of the hypocrisy of liars?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 4:2

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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 4:2

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [ En (G1722) hupokrisei (G5272) pseudologoon (G5573)] 'Through (literally, 'in:' the element in which the apostasy has

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:2

The words, as translated by us, are very difficult; for the word which we translate speaking lies, being the genitive case, will neither agree with spirits nor doctrines, in the former verse, they being both the dative: but neither is our translation agreeable to the Greek, which is thus: In or through the hypocrisy of such as speak lies, and of such as have a conscience seared with a hot iron; which doubtless is the sense; so the words explain the manner how they were seduced to apostacy, viz. through the hypocrisy or dissimulation of men that speak lies, and had consciences benumbed, and mortified, as it were cauterized and seared with a hot iron. By their hypocrisy he characterizes seducers, uncertain, false men, that regarded not what they said, but made a show and appearance of piety, when indeed they had no sense of piety in them. By men whose consciences were seared with a hot iron, he means persons so far from any sense of piety, that they were hardened to any degree of iniquity: and indeed by both terms he excellently expresseth such persons as generally they are who seduce others to false doctrine, they could not do it without some show or pretence of piety, they would not do it if they had any true sense of it; and by both terms he too well expresseth those that in our days seduce men to the doctrines concerning demons, and abstaining from marriage and meats, which are those doctrines he alone instanceth in.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:2

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Ver. 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy] It was grown to a common proverb, "A friar, a liar." One of them undertook to show a feather of the wing of the angel Gabriel. The pope, to honour and encourage Tyrone the rebel, sent him (but who will believe it?) a plume of Phoenix’ s feathers. The poor people are persuaded to believe that the thunder of the pope’ s excommunication hath so blasted the English heretics, that their faces are grown all black and ugly as devils; their eyes and looks ghastly, their breaths noisome and pestilent, that they are grown barbarous, and eat children, blaspheme God and all his saints. Having their consciences seared] There is more hope of a sore, than of a seared, conscience, a dead and dedolent disposition, Ephesians 4:17-20, a heart that hath contracted a kind of hoof.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:2

(2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy.—The Greek words here should be translated, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies. The lies that these men utter, refer to their teaching that it was pleasing to the eye of the All-seeing Creator for men and women to avoid certain meats, and to abstain from marriage. Their hypocrisy consisted in their assumption of a mask of holiness, which holiness they considered was derived from their false asceticism and their abstinence from things which the Apostle proceeded to show were lawful. Having their conscience seared with a hot iron.—Better rendered, Branded in their own con-science as with a hot iron. The image is drawn from the practice of branding slaves and certain criminals on their forehead with a mark. “Qua nota turpitudinis non inusta tua vita est?” (Cic. Cat. i. 6.) These men tried to teach the efficacy of a substitution of certain counsels of perfection in place of a faithful loving life. They based their teaching on wild Oriental speculations about the evil nature of all matter. They were often themselves evil-livers, who, conscious of their own stained, scarred lives, strove with a show of outward sanctity and hypocritical self-denial to beguile and to lead astray others, and in the end to make them as vile as themselves.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:2

Verse 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy] Persons pretending, not only to Divine inspiration, but also to extraordinary degrees of holiness, self-denial, mortification, c., 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, c. 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."

Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 4:2

2. speaking lies in hypocrisy] Rather, as R.V. through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, that is, the ‘false prophets,’ ‘many of whom,’ we read, by the time of the writing of 1 John 4:1, ‘are gone out into the world’ as the scene of their activity; cf. Westcott’s note there. ‘The words point, as it appears, to the great outbreak of the Gentile pseudo-Christianity which is vaguely spoken of as Gnosticism, the endeavour to separate the ideas of the Faith from the facts of the historic Redemption.’having their conscience seared] Lit. branded as to their own conscience, grown callous in their own case as flesh would with the branding of hot iron: the word is found nowhere else in N.T. Individually conscious of their own responsibility, they were like branded slaves who knew their guilt.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 4:2

Speaking lies in hypocrisy - ἐνὑποκρισειψευδολόγων en hupokrisei pseudologōn. Or rather, “by, or through the hypocrisy of those speaking lies. So it is rendered by Whitby, Benson, Macknight, and others.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:2

2. Speaking lies—In the Greek a single noun, lie-utterers. And the whole should read, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons, of (or by) those in hypocrisy, speaking lies, (to

Sermons on 1 Timothy 4:2

SermonDescription
David Wilkerson God's Hatchet by David Wilkerson In 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
E.A. Johnston America: Reprobate Nation? by E.A. Johnston In 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
Shane Idleman America Needs a Slap in the Face by Shane Idleman Shane 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 the
Charles Finney A Seared Conscience by Charles Finney Charles 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 obligati
Charles Finney A Seared Conscience--No. 2 by Charles Finney Charles 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
St. John Chrysostom Homily 7 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom John 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
Chuck Smith Judges 16:21 by Chuck Smith Chuck 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 lea

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