Here it is, this amazing Verse … “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.”

Let’s study this little Bible “nugget” today. It certainly describes the current “religious” scene across the globe!

Notice that our (King James Version) translators have capitalized the noun “Spirit.” While not uniformly so, here that means for sure that the Holy Spirit is in view.

So, the Third Person of the Trinity is talking! And equally so, we Christians had best be listening!

The verb unit here is captivating. “Speaketh expressly” consists of two Greek verbs. (Well, more accurately … a verb and an adverb, an adverb which is fundamentally based on a verb!) As here: leg’o rhetos’. The verb roots are leg’o and rhe’o. And both verbs mean “to talk, to speak!” A double Speech by the Spirit of God! “Lego” means to speak with “purposeful thought” (our English word logic) behind one’s utterances. “Rheo” means to know what one is going to communicate so firmly, so deeply, that the words just “flow out” of one’s heart, one’s mouth!

Wow!

THIS VERSE MUST BE VERY IMPORTANT!

“Latter times” is a construction that paints “time” (in Greek “kairos”) as a “opportunity” to serve the Lord. An “open door.” A “window of possibility” in a way. The adjective “latter” occurs only here in this form in the entire New Testament. It suggests the “later” days, prior to our Lord’s Second Coming.

But what will happen in these last days?

The Holy Spirit is forewarning us, forearming us too!

“Some shall depart from the faith.”

The verb “shall depart” is a blend of a preposition and a verb … “apo” (meaning away from, out of) and “histemi” meaning “to stand.” To step away from the old-fashioned things we have been taught! (It is related to our word “apostasy!”)

That’s happening already!

I see more and more folks who are drifting (some slowly, some not so slowly) from the moorings of Biblical Christianity!

And “the faith” is usually a technical term meaning “the Word of God!” Indeed, all “apostasy” begins with a questioning of the Bible. Doubting some portion of Scripture. (Today the Bible is marginalized or outright denied by many a so-called religious group!)

Mercy!

Why are we being told all this?

I suspect to keep us strong in the Lord, to help us not be discouraged when these people depart, leave us.

I also believe this Verse is written here to keep us from following in their deadly paths! To make our goal something like Paul’s … “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” From 2nd Timothy 4:7.

Maybe for this reason too. To help us be faithful to studying the Word of God. To help us cherish the Scriptures as God’s direct Word to men and women of any age.

Now, next lesson, we going to continue looking at this Text, 1 Timothy 4:1.

There is more to say!

—Dr. Mike Bagwell

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