1 Timothy 4:1
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; | Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, | But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul opens a new section by warning that some will leave the faith, misled by deceiving spirits and teachings that come from demons. The next verses name what this teaching looked like: forbidding marriage and banning certain foods (4:3). Paul answers that everything God created is good when received with thanks (4:4-5). 1 Timothy 4:11 Timothy 4:21 Timothy 4:31 Timothy 4:41 Timothy 4:51 Timothy overview
Commonly taken out of context
How it’s often usedQuoted to label any teaching one dislikes as "doctrines of devils," or used as a headline-style sign that the end of the world is arriving now.
In contextPaul has a specific error in view: teachers who forbade marriage and banned foods God made good (4:3-4). He tells Timothy to deal with it in his own church right away (4:6, 4:11). 1 Timothy 4:31 Timothy 4:41 Timothy 4:61 Timothy 4:11
SpeakingPaul the apostle writes, but he says the warning comes from the Spirit, who speaks it plainly. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 4:1
ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview
Also involvedThe "some" who will depart from the faith, the teachers who speak lies with seared consciences, and the believers Timothy must warn. 1 Timothy 4:11 Timothy 4:21 Timothy 4:6
A warning that some people will fall away from the faith by listening to deceiving spirits and demonic teaching. The teaching is identified in the next verses as false self-denial: no marriage and no certain foods. 1 Timothy 4:11 Timothy 4:3Strong's G0868Strong's G1140
The letter was sent to Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. Where Paul wrote from is not stated; he may have been in Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview
The eventsThe verse speaks of "the latter times." Paul treats this as something Timothy must already address, telling him to remind the believers of these things (4:6, 4:11). 1 Timothy 4:11 Timothy 4:61 Timothy 4:11
WrittenTraditional: about AD 62-64, by Paul, between his Roman imprisonments. Scholarly: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110 and see it as written in Paul's name by a follower; others defend Paul's authorship and the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview
HerePaul wrote to help Timothy confront false teachers in Ephesus. This verse names the danger so Timothy can warn the church and stay rooted in good doctrine. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 4:61 Timothy 4:16
In the whole of ScriptureOther New Testament passages also warn of false teachers and a falling away in the last days. The letter's theme is that sound teaching and godly living belong together. 2 Timothy 3:12 Peter 2:12 Thessalonians 2:3Jude 1:181 Timothy overview
For readersFalse teaching can look strict and holy, yet reject good gifts God made. Paul says everything God created is good and is to be received with thanksgiving. 1 Timothy 4:31 Timothy 4:41 Timothy 4:5
Christians read this differently
Readers differ on "the latter times." Some take it as the whole period after Christ, already under way in Timothy's day, since Timothy must address it now (4:6). Others link it to a final falling away before Christ's return (2 Thessalonians 2:3). 1 Timothy 4:11 Timothy 4:62 Thessalonians 2:3
- expresslyῥητῶς
The word means "in stated terms." Paul is stressing that this warning was given plainly, not guessed at. Strong's G4490
- depart fromἀφίστημι
The word can mean to fall away or apostatize. It describes people leaving a faith they once held, not outsiders. Strong's G0868
- seducingπλάνος
The Greek means leading astray or deceiving. The danger is deception, not open hostility. Strong's G4108
- devilsδαιμόνιον
The Greek word is "demons," not the devil himself. The teaching's real source is evil spirits, though it sounds religious. Strong's G1140Strong's G1319
Takeaway
This verse warns of a real, specific deception: strict-sounding rules that reject God's good gifts. Paul's answer is to receive what God made with thanks and to hold to sound teaching. 1 Timothy 4:11 Timothy 4:31 Timothy 4:41 Timothy 4:16
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.
The world around the text
Behind this verse
- Ephesus: The church at Ephesus
- Priscilla and Aquila taught there, and Paul stayed about three years, teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus. Saying farewell to its elders, he warned that from among themselves men would arise "speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts 18:24-26Acts 19:9-10Acts 20:17Acts 20:29-31
About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.
Who ruled
- Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68
Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16
- Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms
Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25
- Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s
Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203
- Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66
Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308
- King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78
Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23
What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
- AD 58-63WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia
Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31
- AD 60DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea
Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17
- AD 60-61WarBoudica's revolt in Britain
Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39
- c. AD 60-62The churchPaul under guard in Rome
Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31
- c. AD 61-63DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile
Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181
- AD 62The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem
Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13
- AD 62 or 63DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii
An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22
- c. AD 62DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines
The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35
- c. AD 63-64BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished
Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6
- July AD 64DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome
Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38
- AD 64The churchNero blames and kills Christians
To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2
- AD 65RulersA plot against Nero fails
The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17
- AD 66WarThe Jewish revolt begins
After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24
- AD 66-67BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth
Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24
- c. AD 67The churchPaul's death in Rome
In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25
- June AD 68RulersNero dies
Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| But | δὲ | de | G1161 | thenδέ (de) δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; 1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; … |
| the Spirit | πνεῦμα | pneuma | G4151G | spirit/breath: spiritπνεῦμα (pneuma) πνεῦμα, -τος, τό, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for רוּחַ ;] 1. of air in motion; (a) wind: Jhn.3:8; pl., Heb.1:7 (LXX); (b) breath: π. ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; π. τοῦ στόματος, figuratively, 2Th.2:8 (cf. Ps 32 (33)6). … |
| expressly | ῥητῶς | rhētōs | G4490 | expresslyῥητῶς (rhētōs) ῥητῶς adv. (ῥητός, stated, specified), in stated terms, expressly: 1Ti.4:1.† (AS) |
| states | λέγει | legei | G3004G | to sayλέγω (legō) λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] 1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. 2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of … |
| that | ὅτι | hoti | G3754G | that/since: thatὅτι (hoti) ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; 1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. 2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; … |
| in | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) 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; af … |
| later | ὑστέροις | husterois | G5306 | laterὕστερον (husteron) (comp.) later, second; (neu.) finally, last of all posterior, in place or time; subsequent, later, last, finally, last of all Mt. 21:31; 1Tim. 4:1 |
| times | καιροῖς | kairois | G2540 | time/right timeκαιρός (kairos) καιρός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for עֵת, also for מוֹעֵד, etc. ;] 1. due measure, fitness, proportion (Eur., Xen., al.). 2. Of Time (cl. also) in the sense of a fixed and definite period, time, season (Kennedy, Sources, 153): Mat.11:25, Mrk.1:15, Luk.21:8, Rom.13:11, Eph.6:18, Heb.11:15, 1Pe.1:5 1:11 Rev.1:3, al.; with genitive, πειρασμοῦ Luk.8:13; τ. καρπῶν, Mat.21:34; σύκων, Mrk.11:13; pl., Mat.21:41; χρόνοι ἢ (καὶ) κ., Act.1:7, 1Th.5:1; ἐθνῶν, Luk.21:24; of opportune or seasonable time, Act.24:25, Gal.6:10, Eph.5:16, Col.4:5; with inf., Heb.11:15; ὁ κ. οὗτος, Mrk.10:30, Luk.18:30; ὁ νῦν κ … |
| will depart from | ἀποστήσονταί | apostēsontai | G0868 | to leaveἀφίστημι (aphistēmi) ἀφ-ίστημι [in LXX for סוּר, מָעַל, etc. (41 words in all) ;] 1. trans. in pres., impf., fut., 1 aor., to put away, lead away; metaphorically, to move to revolt: Act.5:37. 2. Intrans. in pf., plpf., 2 aor., to stand off, depart from, withdraw from: with genitive, Luk.2:37; before ἀπό, Luk.4:13 13:27, Act.5:38 12:10 15:38 19:9 22:29, 2Co.12:8; metaphorically, ἀπὸ ἀδικίας, 2Ti.2:19; ἀπὸ θεοῦ, (fall away, apostatize), Heb.3:12 Mid. (exc. 1 aor., WH. is trans.), to withdraw oneself from, absent oneself from: Luk.2:37; metaphorically, fall away, apostatize: absol., Luk.8:13; with genitive, 1Ti.4: … |
| some | τινες | tines | G5100 | oneτις (tis) τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. I. As subst., 1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. 2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. II. II. As adj., … |
| faith | πίστεως | pisteōs | G4102G | faithπίστις (pistis) πίστις, -εως, ἡ (πείθω), [in LXX chiefly for אֱמוּנָה ;] 1. in active sense, faith, belief, trust, confidence, in NT always of religious faith in God or Christ or spiritual things: Mat.8:10, Luk.5:20, Act.14:9, Rom.1:8, 1Co.2:5, 2Co.1:24, 1Ti.1:5, al.; with genitive obj., Mrk.11:22, Act.3:16, Rom.3:22, Gal.2:16, Eph.3:12, Jas.2:1, al.; with prep., ἐν, Rom.3:25, Gal.3:26, Eph.1:15, Col.1:24, 1Ti.1:14 3:13, 2Ti.1:13 3:15, 2Pe.1:1; εἰς, Act.20:21 24:24 26:18, Col.2:5, 1Pe.1:21; πρός, 1Th.1:8, Phm 5; ἐπί, with accusative Heb.6:1; ἐν τῇ π. στήκειν (εἶναι, μένειν), 1Co.16:13, 1Co.13:5, 1Ti.2:15; ὑ … |
| giving heed | προσέχοντες | prosechontes | G4337 | to watch outπροσέχω (prosechō) προσ-έχω [in LXX for קָשַׁב hi., שָׁמַר ni., etc. ;] 1. to turn to, bring to (frequently ναῦν, expressed or understood, to bring to port, land; Hdt., al.). 2. τ. νοῦν, before dative, to turn one's mind to, attend to; in Xen. and later writers with νοῦν omitted (El., § 53, 1; 81, 1): Act.8:6 16:14, Heb.2:1, 2Pe.1:19; in sense of caring or providing for, Act.20:28; π. ἑαυτῷ, to give heed to oneself (M, Pr., 157; cf. Gen.24:6, Exo.10:28, al.): Luk.17:3 21:34, Act.5:35; id. before ἀπό (M, Pr., 102; B1., § 34, 11; 40, 3; see: βλέπω), Luk.12:1; (without dative) Mat.7:15 10:17 16:6, 11-12, Luk.20: … |
| to spirits | πνεύμασιν | pneumasin | G4151G | spirit/breath: spiritπνεῦμα (pneuma) πνεῦμα, -τος, τό, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for רוּחַ ;] 1. of air in motion; (a) wind: Jhn.3:8; pl., Heb.1:7 (LXX); (b) breath: π. ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; π. τοῦ στόματος, figuratively, 2Th.2:8 (cf. Ps 32 (33)6). … |
| deceitful | πλάνοις | planois | G4108 | deceivingπλάνος (planos) πλάνος, -ον [in LXX: Job.19:4 (מְשׁוּגָה), Jer.23:32 * ;] 1. wandering. 2. leading astray, deceiving: πνεύματα π., 1Ti.4:1. As subst., ὁ π., a deceiver, impostor: Mat.27:63, 2Co.6:8 6:1-18 2Jn.1:7.† (AS) |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| to teachings | διδασκαλίαις | didaskaliais | G1319 | teachingδιδασκαλία (didaskalia) διδασκαλία, -ας, ἡ (διδάσκω), [in LXX: Pro.2:17 (אַלּוּף), Isa.29:13 (לָמַד), Sir.24:33 39:8 * ;] teaching, instruction, in both active and objective senses, most frequently the latter: Rom.12:7 15:4, Eph.4:14, 1Ti.4:6, 13, 16 5:17 6:1, 3, 2Ti.3:10 3:16, Tit.2:7, 10; ὑγιαινοῦσα δ., 1Ti.1:10, 2Ti.4:3, Tit.1:9 2:1; pl., δ. τ. ἀνθρώπων, Col.2:22; δ. δαιμονίων, 1Ti.4:1, δ. διδάσκειν, Mat.15:9, Mrk.7:7" (LXX) (Cremer, 182).† SYN.: διδαχή (AS) |
| of demons | δαιμονίων | daimoniōn | G1140 | demonδαιμόνιον (daimonion) δαιμόνιον, -ου, τό (neut. of δαιμόνιος, -α, -ον, divine), [in LXX (so also in π; see MM, Exp., x) for שֵׁד, אֱלִיל, (frequently in To) ;] 1. as in cl.; (a) the Divine power, Deity (Hdt., Plat., al.); (b) an inferior divinity, deity or demon (as in magical π, Deiss., BS, 281; MM, Exp., x): ξένα δ., Act.17:18. 2. (a) in OT, heathen deities, false gods (e.g. Deu.32:17, Psa.95 (96):5); … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.