Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
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 1Jn 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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Speaking lies in hypocrisy – en hupokrisei pseudologon. Or rather, by, or through the hypocrisy of those speaking lies. So it is rendered by Whitby, Benson, Macknight, and others. Our translators have rendered it as if the word translated speaking lies – pseudologon – referred to demons, or, devils, daimonion – in the previous verse. But there are two objections to this. One is, that then, as Koppe observes, the words would have been inverted – pseudologon en hupokrisei. The other is, that if that construction is adopted, it must be carried through the sentence, and then all the phrases speaking lies, having their conscience seared, forbidding to marry, etc., must be referred to demons. The preposition en, in may denote by or through, and is often so used.
If this be the true construction, then it will mean that those who departed from the faith did it by or through the hypocritical teachings of those who spoke lies, or who knew that they were inculcating falsehoods; of those whose conscience was seared; of those who forbade to marry, etc. The meaning then will be, In the last days certain persons will depart from the faith of the gospel. This apostasy will essentially consist in their giving heed to spirits that lead to error, and in embracing corrupt and erroneous views on demonology, or in reference to invisible beings between us and God. This they will do through the hypocritical teaching of those who inculcate falsehood; whose consciences are seared, etc. The series of characteristics, therefore, which follow, are those of the teachers, not of the taught; of the ministers of the church, not of the great body of the people.
The apostle meant to say that this grand apostasy would occur under the influence of a hypocritical, hardened, and arbitrary ministry, teaching their own doctrines instead of the divine commands, and forbidding that which God had declared to be lawful. In the clause before us – speaking lies in hypocrisy – two things are implied, first, that the characteristic of those referred to would be that they would speak lies; second, that this would be done hypocritically. In regard to the first, there can be no doubt among Protestants of its applicability to the papal communion. The entire series of doctrines respecting the authority of the Pope, purgatory, the mass, the invocation of the saints, the veneration of relics, the seven sacraments, the authority of tradition, the doctrine of merit, etc., is regarded as false. Indeed, the system could not be better characterized than by saying that it is a system speaking lies. The entire scheme attempts to palm falsehood upon the world, in the place of the simple teaching of the New Testament. The only question is, whether this is done in hypocrisy, or hypocritically. In regard to this, it is not necessary to maintain that there is no sincerity among the ministers of that communion, or that all are hypocritical in their belief and their teaching. The sense is, that this is the general characteristic, or that this is understood by the leaders or prime movers in that apostasy. In regard to the applicability of this to the ministers of the Papal communion, and the question whether they teach what they know to be false, we may observe:
(1) That many of them are men of eminent learning, and there can he no reason to doubt that they Know that many of the Catholic legends are false, and many of the doctrines of their faith contrary to the Bible.
(2) Not a few of the things in that communion must be known by them to be false, though not known to be so by the people. Such are all the pretended miracles performed by the relics of the saints; the liquefying of the blood of Januarius, etc.; see the notes on 2Th 2:9. As the working of these tricks depends wholly on the priesthood, they must know that they are speaking lies in hypocrisy.
(3) The matter of fact seems to be, that when young men who have been trained in the Catholic Church, first turn their attention to the ministry, they are sincere. They have not yet been made acquainted with the mysteries of iniquity in the communion in which they have been trained, and they do not suspect the deceptions that are practiced there. When they pass through their course of study, however, and become acquainted with the arts and devices on which the fabric rests, and with the scandalous lives of many of the clergy, they are shocked to find how corrupt and false the whole system is. But they are now committed. They have devoted their lives to this profession. They are trained now to this system of imposture, and they must continue to practice and perpetuate the fraud, or abandon the church, and subject themselves to all the civil and ecclesiastical disabilities which would now follow if they were to leave and reveal all its frauds and impostures. A gentleman of high authority, and who has had as good an opportunity as any man living to make accurate and extensive observations, stated to me, that this was a common thing in regard to the Catholic clergy in France and Italy. No one can reasonably doubt that the great body of that clergy must be apprized that much that is relied on for the support of the system is mere legend, and that the miracles which are pretended to be performed are mere trick and imposture.
Having their conscience seared with a hot iron – The allusion here is doubtless to the effect of applying a hot iron to the skin. The cauterized part becomes rigid and hard, and is dead to sensibility. So with the conscience of those referred to. It has the same relation to a conscience that is sensitive and quick in its decisions, that a cauterized part of the body has to a thin, delicate, and sensitive skin. Such a conscience exists in a mind that will practice delusion without concern; that will carry on a vast system of fraud without wincing; that will incarcerate, scourge, or burn the innocent without compassion; and that will practice gross enormities, and indulge in sensual gratifications under the mask of piety. While there are many eminent exceptions to an application of this to the Papal communion, yet this description will apply better to the Roman priesthood in the time of Luther – and in many other periods of the world – than to any other body of men that ever lived.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
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.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. Rather translate, “Through(literally, ‘in‘; the element in which the apostasy hasplace) the hypocrisy of lying speakers”; this expresses themeans through which “some shall (be led to) depart fromthe faith,” namely, the reigned sanctity of the seducers(compare “deceivers,” Tit1:10).
having their consciencesearedGreek, “having their own conscience,”c., that is, not only “speaking lies” to others, butalso having their own conscience seared. Professing to leadothers to holiness, their own conscience is all the whiledefiled. Bad consciences always have recourse to hypocrisy. As faithand a good conscience are joined (1Ti1:5) so hypocrisy (that is, unbelief, Mat 24:5;Mat 24:51; compare Lu12:46) and a bad conscience here. THEODORETexplains like English Version, “seared,” as implyingtheir extreme insensibility; the effect of cauterizing beingto deaden sensation. The Greek, however, primarily means”branded” with the consciousness of crimes committedagainst their better knowledge and conscience, like so many scarsburnt in by a branding iron: Compare Tit 1:15;Tit 3:11, “condemned ofhimself.” They are conscious of the brand within, and yet with ahypocritical show of sanctity, they strive to seduce others. As “aseal” is used in a good sense (2Ti2:19), so “a brand” in a bad sense. The image is takenfrom the branding of criminals.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies ( ). For , see Ga 2:13. (, ) Koine word from Aristophanes on. Here only in N.T. “A good classical word for liars on a large scale” (Parry).
Branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron ( ). Accusative case retained with the perfect passive participle of , a rare verb only here and once in Strabo. Branded with the mark of Satan (2Ti 2:26) as Paul was with the marks of Christ (Ga 6:17). Agreeing in case with .
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Speaking lies in hypocrisy [ ] . Wrong. Rend., through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies. Upokrisiv hypocrisy once in Paul, Gal 2:13, see note. See also on Mt 23:13. The phrase ejn uJpokrisei only here. Yeudologov speaking lies, N. T. o. o LXX Rare in Class.
Having their conscience seared with a hot iron [ ] Better, branded in their own conscience. With a hot iron is superfluous. The verb N. T. o. o LXX, o Class. The metaphor is from the practice of branding slaves or criminals, the latter on the brow. These deceivers are not acting under delusion, but deliberately, and against their conscience. They wear the form of godliness, and contradict their profession by their crooked conduct (2Ti 3:5). The brand is not on their brow, but on their conscience. Comp. Tit 1:15; Tit 3:11.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Speaking lies in hypocrisy;” (en hupokrisei pseudologon) “In hypocrisy (of men) speaking lies,” evil, seducing, deluding, demon spirits speak, whisper evil things, deceptive things, lies into the ears of those who furnish them a garbage container Mat 7:15-20, Act 19:11-18; 2Co 11:13-15.
2) “Having their conscience” (ten idian soneidesin) “The (their) own conscience.” It is the men speaking lies, false teachers, and false prophets who have seared or scarred or marred conscience, not the demon spirits; they have no conscience.
3) “Seared with a hot iron;” (kekausteriastiretion) “Having been seared,” or branded, as with an hot iron. Demon spirits breathe breezes of lies upon the minds of willing listeners, that when long-listened to, sear or scar ones’ conscience, with relationship to Divine truth. Spirits of demons are just as real, in existence of personal being, as good angels are real. Their evil witness and callous influence on men is to be avoided always, Mar 5:8-13; Luk 7:21; 1Jn 4:3.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy If these words refer to “demons,” then this word will mean men deceiving through the instigation of the devil. But we may also supply the words, “of men speaking.” He now descends to a particular instance, when he says that they “speak lies in hypocrisy,” and have their conscience seared with a hot iron And, indeed, it ought to be known that these two are so closely Joined together that the former springs from the latter; for consciences, that are bad and seared with the hot iron of their crimes, always flee to hypocrisy as a ready refuge; that is, they contrive hypocritical presences, in order to dazzle the eyes of God; and what else is done by those who endeavor to appease God by the mask of outward observances?
The word hypocrisy must therefore be explained agreeably to the passage in which it now occurs; for, first, it must relate to doctrine, and, next, it denotes that kind of doctrine which adulterates the spiritual worship of God by exchanging its genuine purity for bodily exercises; and thus it includes all methods contrived by men for appeasing God or obtaining his favor. The meaning may be thus summed up; first, that all who assume a pretended sanctimoniousness are led by the instigation of the devil; because God is never worshipped aright by outward ceremonies; for true worshipers
“
worship him in spirit and truth,” (Joh 4:24)
and, secondly, that this is a useless medicine, by which hypocrites mitigate their pains, or rather a plaster by which bad consciences conceal their wounds, without any advantage, and to their utter destruction.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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 others,) being seared (or rather, branded) in their own conscience. The some are the followers, as the lie-utterers are the leaders of the apostasy, who are inspired by the seducing spirits, and their teachings are demoniac doctrines. The best commentators understand, not seared, by which the conscience is deadened, but branded, so marked and spotted with criminalities that they are conscious of their own guilt. It will be seen that the apostle’s charges of deep guilt fall much more heavily upon the leaders than upon the followers.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded (or ‘seared’) in their own conscience as with a hot iron,’
The ‘seducing spirits and doctrines of demons’ come through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies. The reason that they have believed lies is because they are hypocrites, that is because their hearts are not genuine. Paul is not pulling his punches. It is as though their consciences have been cauterised from truth with a hot iron. Or alternatively the idea may be that because of their lying words their conscience has been branded with the word ‘Liar’. They have been branded as slaves of sin because of their spiritual dishonesty.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
1Ti 4:2 . ] Leo: “errarunt sine dubio, qui genitivos, qui sequuntur, , , , lege appositionis, junctos esse dicebant cum voc. ;” but we must also reject Leo’s opinion, that . . was added to the previous statement as a second characteristic of the heretics, meaning: eadem simulantes, quae simulare solent homines , etc.; ., ., denote the heretics themselves, and not those whom they imitated. To regard the genitive as dependent on , and as defining more precisely the substantive following it (Estius: doctrinis, inquam, hominum in hypocrisi loquentium mendacium), would make a double difficulty of construction. Nor can Luther’s translation be defended: “by means of such as are speakers of lies in hypocrisy.” is either to be taken with (so Bengel: Constr. cum deficient; hypocrisis ea, quae est falsiloquorum, illos auferet; aliqui, illi, sunt seducti; falsiloqui, seductores; falsiloquorum, genitivus, unice pendet ab hypocrisi), or, still better, with (Wiesinger, van Oosterzee, Plitt). The objection of Matthies, which agrees with Leo’s explanation, that in that case we should have had instead of either or with the article, is contradicted by the usage of the N. T. In the N. T. is not seldom used with the instrument, and in regard to the article there prevails a greater freedom of use than in classic Greek. Hofmann strangely combines into one idea, explaining to be an adjective with , and also as a qualification of in the sense of “hypocritical.” [154]
The hypocrisy of the heretics consisted in giving themselves, in obedience to a false spiritualism (see 1Ti 4:3 ), the appearance of a spiritually-inspired life.
The word , (“liars,” Luther) occurs only here in the N. T. In sense it is equivalent to , 2Pe 2:1 , and , 1Jn 4:1 (comp. , Tit 1:10 ).
] On the grammatical structure, comp. 1Ti 6:5 ( ; the more precise definition is not infrequently added in the accusative, see Winer, p. 215 [E. T. p. 287]), “ branded as to their conscience ” (Wahl: . ).
It is to be noted that the (cauterio notare) was not only done on slaves “ut facilius possent discerni” (Leo), but was also a form of punishment for, marking criminals as such (comp. Meyer on Gal 6:17 ). As these bore the brand on their forehead, that is the figurative expression, so do the heretics bear it on their conscience, i.e. they bear in their conscience the knowledge of their guilt. Theophylact rightly: , . Theodoret (followed by Heumann) wrongly understands the apostle’s expression to denote moral deadness: , . The apostle does not blame the heretics for having a conscience completely blunted, but for acting against their conscience; comp. Tit 3:11 : .
On , de Wette remarks that it is not emphatic here; but it is not improbable that the apostle had some such side-thought in mind as Bengel suggests: dum alios tamen urgent (so, too, Wiesinger).
[154] Hofmann opposes the view here put forward that is to be taken with , and makes the curious remark that “can only introduce that which is of use to me for doing something, not that which makes me do a thing only in so far as it is of use to another to determine me to do it” (!).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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, Eph 4:17-20 , a heart that hath contracted a kind of hoof.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ti 4:2 . : The three genitives . . . are coordinate, and refer to the human agents of the seducing spirits and demons. depends on and . The spirits work, and the teachings are exhibited, in the hypocrisy of them that speak lies; and this hypocrisy finds detailed expression in regulations suggested by a false asceticism.
Although the are included in the , yet there is a large class of persons who are merely deceived; who are not actively deceiving others, and who have not taken the initiative in deceit. These latter are the . For this reason it is better to connect with (Ell., von Soden) rather than with (Bengel, Alf.), though no doubt both verbs refer to the same class.
of course is not adverbial as A.V., speaking lies in hypocrisy . This could only be justified if referred to . The absence of an article before need cause no astonishment.
: This word expresses perhaps more than the notion of definite false statements. A man might be on some occasions and on special points a , a speaker of that which is not true , and yet not deserve to be classed as a , a liar .
: These speakers of falsehood are radically unsound. They are in worse case than the unsophisticated heathen whose conscience bears witness with the law of God (Rom 2:15 ). The conscience of these men is perverted. . may mean that they are past feeling , (Eph 4:19 ), that their conscience is callous from constant violation, as skin grows hard from searing (A.V., R.V. m., so Theodoret); or it may mean that these men bore branded on their conscience the ownership marks of the Spirit of evil , the devil’s seal (ctr. 2Ti 2:19 ), so perhaps R.V.; as St. Paul “bore branded on his body the marks of Jesus” (Gal 6:17 ), as “Christ’s bondservant” (1Co 7:22 ). (So Theophylact). Either of these interpretations is more attractive than that of Bengel, followed by Alford, who takes it to mean that the marks of crime are burnt into them , so that they are self-condemned. See Tit 1:15 ; Tit 3:11 .
There is no special force in (see on chap. 1Ti 3:4 ), as though a course of deceiving others should, by a righteous judgment, result in a loss to themselves of moral sensitiveness.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Speaking, &c. = By (Greek. en) the hypocrisy of liars (Greek. pseudologos. Only here).
having, &c. = having been seared with a hot iron as to their own conscience.
seared, &c. Greek. kauteriazomai, Only here.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Ti 4:2. , [Engl. Vers. speaking lies in hypocrisy] through the hypocrisy of liars) This is construed with they shall fall away, or depart. That hypocrisy, which is the characteristic of liars, shall carry them away. , some, viz. they, are the seduced; the liars are the seducers, , the genitive, depends solely on . The expression, of liars, implies a relation to others, and therefore the antithesis is in , their own conscience.- , having their own conscience seared with a hot iron) As faith and a good conscience are joined in ch. 1Ti 1:5 (where see the note[30]), so, hypocrisy (i.e. unbelief, Mat 24:51, note[31]) and a depraved conscience in this passage; where, on the contrary, faith and the knowledge of the truth, and thanksgiving (1Ti 4:3; 1Ti 4:6), are presently after commended. The medical use of cautery is for the purpose of curing; here, therefore, a different use is denoted, it is for the purpose of branding men as infamous. Those who are , condemned of themselves, are here intended, Tit 3:11; those who are infamous of themselves in their own conscience, which is branded with spots (scars) of deceit; having a conscience not good and pure, because they have cast it from them, but , polluted. For so, in Tit 1:15, those seared as with a hot iron here, are described by the expression, their conscience is defiled; just as liars () here, are described by the words there, their mind is defiled. , a branding iron, denotes the same thing, in a bad sense, as , a seal, in a good sense, 2Ti 2:19; although Macarius uses both words in a good sense, concerning the flock of Christ, Homil. xii. 13. Plato, in Gorgias, speaks of the soul marked with stripes () and covered with scars ( ), in consequence of perjury and iniquity, which every mans own conduct has deeply impressed () upon his soul. Claudian says, Why do you foolishly deny what is manifest? lo! branded spots disfigure the breast.[32]- , their own) while, however, they urge others.
[30] Faith is as the precious liquor, a good conscience as clean glass. Faith is towards God; conscience, towards ones self.-ED.
[31] In Mat 24:5, Shall appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; in Luk 12:46, with the unbelievers. The two are therefore akin.-ED.
[32] Quid demens manifesta negas? En pectus inust Deformant macul.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Ti 4:2
through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies,-These seducing spirits speak lies, pretending to lead them into the way that will bless them. No greater hypocrisy was ever shown than Satan when persuading Eve to believe that to eat the fruit would bring good to her, when he knew it would bring her and the world into subjection to him, and that the wages of sin is death. These demons work through evil men who hypocritically speak lies to accomplish their wicked designs.
branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;-These men have become hardened and insensible to all feelings of justice and right. To live in neglect of a known duty or violation of a principle of right is to demoralize the spiritual man, weaken his moral character, and sear his conscience. This unfits man for the higher duties of life and gradually fits him for a life of sin and wrongdoing. Habitual violation of the sense of right educates a man for doing what is wrong. An occasional outburst, a great wrong repented of is not so fatal in its tendency, not so hardening in its influence on the heart and character of men as a continual violation of the principles of right in what are regarded as small matters. Peter, under the impulse of fear, could deny hid Master and repent of it, and yet have a better conscience and a truer character than Judas Iscariot, who, during the time he carried the bag for the disciples, was doubtless guilty of petty peculations and pilferings continually. The man who cherishes some private or secret sin, which he thinks is petty and unimportant, is gradually hardening his heart and fitting himself for a total breakdown of his moral character that will develop itself in permanent open sinfulness and degradation. The conscience should be kept good and tender; the heart pure.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
lies: 1Ki 13:18, 1Ki 22:22, Isa 9:15, Jer 5:21, Jer 23:14, Jer 23:32, Dan 8:23-25, Mat 7:15, Mat 24:24, Act 20:30, Rom 16:18, Eph 4:14, 2Ti 3:5, 2Pe 2:1-3, Rev 16:14
their: Rom 1:28, Eph 4:19
Reciprocal: 2Ch 18:22 – the lord hath Pro 19:9 – and Isa 44:20 – Is there Isa 48:1 – not in truth Isa 57:11 – that thou Isa 59:3 – your lips Jer 9:5 – taught Jer 14:14 – The prophets Jer 23:26 – prophets of Jer 50:36 – upon the liars Eze 13:4 – like Dan 11:34 – cleave Hab 2:18 – a teacher Mat 27:4 – What Luk 10:13 – for Act 19:35 – and of Rom 1:18 – who hold Rom 2:15 – their conscience 1Co 11:19 – there Eph 4:25 – putting Col 2:4 – lest 1Ti 1:19 – concerning 2Ti 3:8 – men Tit 1:12 – liars Heb 10:22 – an evil 2Pe 3:3 – that there 1Jo 1:6 – we lie Rev 21:8 – and all
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ti 4:2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy. The last word is from HUPOKRISIS, and its primary definition in Thayer’s lexicon is, “the acting of a stage-player.” When a person goes on the stage to act the part of a certain character, he and everyone else knows he is not really that person–that he is only acting. The word has been appropriated by composers of moral speech to mean a man who pretends to be what he knows he is not. The speakers of Rome, then, know they are expressing lies when they put forth their false doctrine. The question arises, why will these teachers express what they know to be false? The answer is in the rest of the verse, namely, their conscience has been seared with a hot iron. This is figurative, as we understand, but is used because when a part of one’s body has been seared over, it becomes dull to pain, so that it will not even flinch from a contact that would at other times cause much resistance. At this point I insist that the reader see the comments at 2Th 2:11.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Ti 4:2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy. The grammar of the sentence requires a different rendering: In, or by, the hypocrisy of men who speak lies.
Having their conscience seared as with a red-hot iron. The English Version (rightly, as I think) gives prominence to the idea of the callous insensibility produced by cauterizing. The thought of this as the stage to which even conscience may be brought, as of one who has made himself past feeling, was already indeed familiar to St. Paul, in Eph 4:19. The other aspect of the word, as pointing to the brand by which criminals were stamped with infamy, is perhaps included. The fact that the one implied the other in the actual branding process,a fact which he may well have learnt from St. Lukes medical experience,would suggest to him that which was analogous to it in the history of the soul.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
1Ti 4:2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy Greek, , by the hypocrisy of them that speak lies. This is a more literal, and at the same time a more just translation of the words than that given in our Bible, which represents the demons as speaking lies in hypocrisy, which could not be the apostles meaning, as it would not accord with what follows. Having their conscience seared, &c. An expression which could not be intended of devils. The hypocrisy here mentioned is that reigned show of extraordinary piety and sanctity which the lying teachers were to put on, with an intention to gain the confidence of the multitude. Hence they are described as having the form of godliness, but denying the power, 2Ti 3:5. These hypocritical teachers are called liars, because of the gross fictions and frauds which they were to contrive for the purpose of establishing the worship of demons. How well the appellation agrees to the Romish clergy in the dark ages, any one may understand who is acquainted with the lies then propagated concerning the apparitions of angels, and of the ghosts of departed saints; and concerning the miracles done by them, and by their relics, and by the sign of the cross, &c., all preached by monks, priests, and even bishops; and committed to writing, in the fabulous legends of their saints, to render them objects of adoration. It is impossible, says Bishop Newton, to relate or enumerate all the various falsehoods and lies which have been invented and propagated for this purpose; the fabulous books forged under the names of apostles, saints, and martyrs; the fabulous legends of their lives, actions, sufferings, and deaths; the fabulous miracles ascribed to their sepulchres, bones, and other relics; the fabulous dreams and revelations, visions, and apparitions of the dead to the living; and even the fabulous saints who never existed but in the imagination of their worshippers: and all these stories the monks, the priests, the bishops of the church, have imposed and obtruded upon mankind, it is difficult to say, whether with greater artifice or cruelty, with greater confidence or hypocrisy, and pretended sanctity, a more hardened face, or a more hardened conscience. The history of the church, saith Pascal, is the history of truth; but, as written by bigoted Papists, it is rather the history of lies.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Verse 2
Seared with a hot iron; hardened to sin.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
1Ti 4:2 “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
How would you describe “lies in hypocrisy? Can you think of an example? Maybe speaking lies with a smile on their face? Maybe speaking lies from the lectern? Maybe speaking lies from the pulpit? Maybe speaking lies from the microphone on radio and TV?
Anyone that puts forth a, known to them, lie as truth – he is guilty of Paul’s thought at this point in the text.
If I know that something is false and teach you folks that lie then I am speaking lies in hypocrisy.
“conscience seared with a hot iron” My Father years ago had very bad nose bleeds. He went to the doctor and they burned the inside of his nose on both sides to cauterize the area so that the nose bleeds would stop. He had no more nose bleeds, but he no longer could smell the great smell of a roast in the oven or the smell of a flower, or the smell of smoke, or anything else. With the benefit he had a real loss.
Indeed, the loss was the sense of danger if burning odors had ever floated his ways. He could have been in serious trouble had a fire started when he was alone.
So, the person with a seared conscience is in deep danger of the things that they might get into because they do not have the proper input from the Holy Spirit into their lives.
Nothing further can move their conscience – it has no feeling left.
I do know of people that have sidestepped God’s command one time, then another time, then they find other commands that they can sidestep and another, until they are sidestepping everything that they know to be right and calling their error truth to justify their life style and actions.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
4:2 {2} Speaking lies in {b} hypocrisy; having their {c} conscience seared with a hot iron;
(2) Even though heretics pretend holiness ever so much, yet they have no conscience.
(b) For they will as it were practise the art of disguised persons and players, so that we may not think they will lie lurking in some one corner or keep any resemblance of being shameful.
(c) Whose conscience became so hard, that there grew a callous over it, and so became to have a canker in it, and now at length required by very necessity to be burned with a hot iron.