“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
(1 Timothy 4:1-3 NKJV)

a departure from the faith

1. The context of this passage warns of a departure from the faith (1 Tim.4:1). “Faith” here refers to the gospel (see Acts 6:7; Jude 1:3, et al.). Some would depart from the gospel.
2. Their success in deception would depend on the teachers’ talent and ability to speak lies with a seared conscience.
3. They would forbid marriage—a feature that recalls the Roman Catholic doctrine of unmarried “priests.” Quite possibly, many Catholics do not know this passage exists.
4. These false teachers would command abstinence from foods that God allows. Once again, this recalls Roman Catholic prohibitions from eating certain foods on certain days.
5. False teachers seem not to care that many of their dogmas directly contradict the plain teaching of Scripture. Only the truth can set us free (John 8:32). Don’t simply take man’s word for it.

– Rick Duggin