Now the Spirit manifestly saith, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error, and doctrines of devils,

“There existed, long before this time, certain men more ancient than all those who are esteemed philosophers, both righteous and beloved by God, who spoke by the Divine Spirit, and foretold events which would take place, and which are now taking place. They are called prophets. These alone both saw and announced the truth to men, neither reverencing nor fearing any man, not influenced by a desire for glory, but speaking those things alone which they saw and which they heard, being filled with the Holy Spirit. Their writings are still extant, and he who has read them is very much helped in his knowledge of the beginning and end of things, and of those matters which the philosopher ought to know, provided he has believed them. For they did not use demonstration in their treatises, seeing that they were witnesses to the truth above all demonstration, and worthy of belief; and those events which have happened, and those which are happening, compel you to assent to the utterances made by them, although, indeed, they were entitled to credit on account of the miracles which they performed, since they both glorified the Creator, the God and Father of all things, and proclaimed His Son, the Christ [sent] by Him: which, indeed, the false prophets, who are filled with the lying unclean spirit, neither have done nor do, but venture to work certain wonderful deeds for the purpose of astonishing men, and glorify the spirits and demons of error.”

“And no doubt of such people it is reasonable when, "the Spirit says expressly that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error and the teaching inspired by daemons, through hypocritical sophists who are seated in conscience and forbid marriage, and demand abstinence from foods which God created to be eaten with thanksgiving by believers who know the truth. Everything created by God is good, and none is to be rejected but accepted with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the Word of God and by prayer." It necessarily follows, then, that it is wrong to forbid marriage and indeed eating meat or drinking wine. For it is written: "It is good to eat no meat and to drink no wine" if it causes offence to do so, and that it is "good to remain as I am." But both he who eats with thanksgiving and he who does not eat, who also offers thanksgiving and has a continent enjoyment, should live in accordance with reason.”

“These are "the doctrines" of men and "of demons" that produce for itching ears of the spirit this world's wisdom. This is what the Lord called "foolishness." God "chose the foolish things of the world" to confound even philosophy itself. For philosophy is the material of the world's wisdom, the rash interpreter of the nature and the providence (dispensations) of God.”

“Others, however, styling themselves Encratites, acknowledge some things concerning God and Christ in like manner with the Church. In respect, however, of their mode of life, they pass their days inflated with pride. They suppose, that by meats they magnify themselves, while abstaining from animal food, (and) being water-drinkers, and forbidding to marry, and devoting themselves during the remainder of life to habits of asceticism. But persons of this description are estimated Cynics rather than Christians, inasmuch as they do not attend unto the words spoken against them through the Apostle Paul. Now he, predicting the novelties that were to be hereafter introduced ineffectually by certain (heretics), made a statement thus: "The Spirit speaketh expressly, In the latter times certain will depart from sound doctrine, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, uttering falsehoods in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God has created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by the faithful, and those who know the truth; because every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." This voice, then, of the blessed Paul, is sufficient for the refutation of those who live in this manner, and plume themselves on being just; (and) for the purpose of proving that also, this (tenet of the Encratites) constitutes a heresy. But even though there have been denominated certain other heresies-I mean those of the Cainites, Ophites, or Noachites, and of others of this description-I have not deemed it requisite to explain the things said or done by these, test on this account they may consider themselves somebody, or deserving of consideration. Since, however, the statements concerning these appear to be sufficient, let us pass on to the cause of evils to all, (viz.,) the heresy of the Noetians. Now, after we have laid bare the root of this (heresy), and stigmatized openly the venom, as it were, lurking within it, let us seek to deter from an error of this description those who have been impelled into it by a violent spirit, as it were by a swollen torrent.”

“Wherefore they have been excommunicated and anathematized by the Church. And indeed, although we grieve at the destruction of these men, especially that after having once learned the doctrine of the Church, they have now gone back; yet we do not wonder at it; for this very thing Hymenaeus and Philetus suffered, and before them Judas, who, though he followed the Saviour, afterwards became a traitor and an apostate. Moreover, concerning these very men, warnings are not wanting to us, for the Lord foretold: "Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them." Paul, too, having learnt these things from the Saviour, wrote, "In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils which turn away from the truth."”

“Therefore it becomes us to watch, lest some deception be conveyed under the clothing of their phrases and they lead some away from the true faith. And if they venture to advance the opinions of Arius, when they see themselves proceeding in a prosperous course, nothing remains for us but to use great boldness of speech. For we are to remember the predictions of the apostle, which he wrote to forewarn us of such heresies and which it becomes us to repeat. For we know that, as it is written, "in the latter times some shall depart from the true faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, that turn from the truth."”

“That the Holy Spirit subsists, lives, speaks and foretells I have told you repeatedly on former occasions. Paul writes clearly to Timothy, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith." This we see in the factions of former times and in our own day. How diverse and multiform are the errors of the heretics.”

“As for me, indeed, would that they might have a will to hear, that they might believe—to hear with true love and meekness, as men seeking what is true and not assailing all truth. For it is written that we pay no heed to "endless fables and genealogies, which do rather raise disputes than set forward the godly edification, which is in faith. But the aim of the charge is love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, whence some have erred and betaken themselves to empty babbling. For they are desirous of being teachers of the law, without understanding the words they say, nor the things whereof they speak with assurance." In another place also the same apostle says, "Avoid foolish and ignorant questionings." Such men, who sow disputes—that is to say, heretics—the apostle bids us leave alone. Of them he says in yet another place that "certain shall depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and the doctrines of devils."”

“As those who adhere to the faith are fixed on a safe anchor, so those who fall from the faith can nowhere rest; but after many wanderings to and fro, they are borne at last into the very gulf of perdition. And this he had shown before, saying, that some had "already made shipwreck concerning the faith," and now he says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits." This is said of the Manichaeans, the Encratites, and the Marcionites, and the whole of their tribe, that they should hereafter depart from the faith. Seest thou that this departure from the faith is the cause of all the evils that follow! But what is "expressly"? Plainly, clearly, and beyond doubt. Marvel not, he says, if some having departed from the faith still adhere to Judaism. There will be a time, when even those who have partaken of the faith will fall into a worse error, not only with respect to meats, but to marriages, and other such things, introducing the most pernicious notions. This refers not to the Jews, (for "the latter times," and a "departure from the faith," is not applicable to them;) but to the Manichees, and the founders of these sects. And he calls them very justly, "seducing spirits," since it was by these they were actuated in speaking such things.”

“How could anyone be silent in regard to the divine authority of the Holy Spirit? The ancient prophets cried out, "These things say the Lord." When Christ came, he also used this word "say" in his own person, "But I say unto you." Listen now to what the prophets of the New Testament proclaim. Take the prophet Agabus in the Acts of the Apostles, "Thus says the Holy Spirit." So, too, Paul to Timothy, "Now the Spirit expressly says …"”

“Considering the signs mentioned by Gospel and prophecy which we see happening, would anyone deny that we ought to hope for the coming of the Lord? Manifestly, it is nearer and nearer every day. But the exact span of the nearness, that, as we said, "is not for you to know." Notice when the apostle said this, "For our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is past and the day is at hand," and look how many years have passed! Yet, what he said was not untrue. How much more probable is it to say now that the coming of the Lord is near when there has been such an increase of time toward the end! Certainly the apostle said, "The Spirit manifestly says that in the last times some shall depart from the faith." Obviously, those were not yet the times of heretics such as he describes them in the same sentence, but they have now come. According to this, we seem to be in the last times, and the heretics seem to be a warning of the end of the world.”

“Above, he instructed Timothy about the things pertaining to the ordering of the Church in spiritual matters; secondly, as to the teaching of the faith, the worship of God, and the disposition of the ministries — here he instructs him about the ordering of the Church as to external things. And first as to foods; secondly as to the states of men and riches, there: whoever are under the yoke. Again, first he treats of the use of foods, secondly of the dispensing of foods, chapter 5, there: honor widows. Again, first he excludes superstitious abstinence; secondly he prefers the piety of lawful abstinence, there: exercise yourself. Again, first he foretells the false doctrine about unlawful abstinence; secondly he instructs him to propose these things to the brothers, there: proposing these things. Again, first he makes the error manifest; secondly he excludes it, there: whom God. Again, first he foretells the error to come on the part of those deceived; secondly on the part of those who deceive, there: in hypocrisy. Again, he sets down the agent of the pronouncement; secondly, the falling-away of faith, there: because in the last; thirdly, the cause of the falling-away, there: giving heed. He says therefore: great is the sacrament of piety, which was justified in the spirit, but beyond this sacrament the Holy Spirit foretells something that is to come. For it belongs to him to reveal mysteries. II Cor. XV, v. 2 and Jn. 16:13: the things that are to come, he will announce to you. The Spirit, therefore, foretells beforehand the future secrets in the heart of the Father. But formerly he spoke in similitudes. Num. 12:6: if there be among you a prophet of the Lord, I will appear to him in a vision, or I will speak to him through a dream. Hos. 12:10: I have multiplied vision, and I have been likened in the hand of the prophets. But in the New Testament the Holy Spirit speaks openly. Jn. 16:25: and openly I will announce to you about my Father. And he foretells the falling-away of faith to come; hence he says in the last times, etc. The last time is called the final age, because we are those upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Yet within this time it is the more the last, the nearer it is to the last day. And just as in the primitive Church, on account of its nearness to Christ and to the sacraments recently instituted, faith was most fervent, so in the last times, in comparison to the time of the apostles, some will depart from the faith, because they will be carnal, but errors will abound the more toward the end. Gen. 49:1: gather together, that I may announce to you the things that are to come to you in the last days, etc. The cause of the falling-away is twofold: one on the part of the Devil who seduces. II Cor. 11:3: I fear lest, as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, etc. And therefore he says giving heed to spirits of error, namely to demons, whose office it is to send into error. Jn. 8:44: he is a liar, and the father of it. III Kings, last: I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit, etc. And he says spirits, because the greater demon has many ministers. But how do they give heed to them? Do they see them? No, but they speak within them. And therefore he adds a second cause, namely false doctrine. And according to the Gloss, he here calls the false teachers demons, and not undeservedly. For just as good men are sometimes called angels, so these, on account of their excelling malice, are called demons. Jn. 6:71: have I not chosen you twelve? And one of you is a devil. On the part of those who deceive there is a twofold cause: one, their falsity; the other, the perversity of their conscience. As to the first he says of demons, that is, of men possessed by a demon, and of these, I say, speaking lies. Jer. 23:26: how long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, and that prophesy the seductions of their own heart? And note that through a bare lie, without a cloak of appearance, no one could deceive anyone. And so these could deceive no one, unless they put forward some cloak, either of good intention, or of pretense, or of false authority. I Cor. 3:18: let no one seduce you, etc. II Tim. 3:5: having indeed the appearance of piety, that is, feigned piety. And of demons, I say, having their conscience cauterized. A cautery is a corruption in the flesh by fire, from which putrefaction continually issues. So from the fire of a perverse will, of anger, of hatred, of concupiscence, the conscience is ulcerated, and from demons false doctrine issues. Tit. 1:15: their minds are defiled. Then he shows what this false doctrine is, and touches on the heresy of the Manichees, who condemn matrimony, against that word of Matt. 19:6: what God has joined together, let man not separate; I Cor. 7:36: a woman does not sin if she marries. Again, the Manichees forbid the use of foods, that is, they command abstaining from foods. Now one may lawfully abstain from foods with the intention of taming the flesh, as Timothy abstained from wine, or on account of scandal, as the Apostle says, I Cor. 8:13: if food scandalizes my brother, I will not eat meat forever. Again, unlawfully: in one way, on account of the precept of the law, as though the legal observances still had to be kept, against which he speaks in Gal. 2. In another way, according to the heresy of the Manichees, not because it is forbidden by the law (which they condemn), but because they say that in meats, eggs, and wine, and things of this kind, that is, in some particle of such things, the divine nature is mingled — which cannot be thought concerning God. But he does not seem to say this about the foods of the law, because he says in the last days, but about those forbidden by the Manichees. And he calls these Manichees demons, because among all heresies they give more honor to the Devil, because they set him up as a principle equal with the good God, positing him as the principle of visible things. Now the Apostle disproves this erroneous doctrine in two ways: namely from the intention of God who creates foods; secondly from the condition of the creature, there: every creature. He says therefore that they forbid, to abstain, and this is against the intention of God, who created them for receiving. Gen. 9:3: as the green herbs I have given you all things, etc. But you say: are not plants for the sake of animals, and animals for the sake of men? I respond. It must be said that yes, according also to the Philosopher in Politics I, because the imperfect is ordered to the more perfect. And therefore just as in generation there is a manifold perfection — first namely of plants, then of animals, and last the human — so it is in the use of things. And therefore for receiving, but with the giving of thanks. I Thess., last: in all things give thanks; namely because they have been granted to you by God. Ps. 21:26: the poor shall eat, etc. And he adds to the faithful, because those who receive with the giving of thanks are faithful. For no one can give thanks to God in that which is unlawful. For he is foolish who gives thanks to God for fornication, because God is not the author of evils. Therefore he gives thanks who has this, that the use of foods is lawful. And this indeed becomes known through faith alone. And for this reason he says to the faithful. Then when he says who have known the truth, because every, etc., he disproves the error from the condition of the creature. And first he proposes that the creature is good in itself; secondly as to its use. He says therefore every creature is good, namely in its nature. Gen. 1:31: God saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good. From a good author also nothing comes but what is good. But since many things are good in themselves, whose use nevertheless is not good, therefore he proves that every creature is good not only in itself but also as to its use. And first he sets down what is intended, secondly he proves it, there: for it is sanctified. He says therefore nothing is to be rejected, namely by the debt of the divine law, although for another cause: as eating poison, insofar as it is food, is not a sin, but it is to be rejected insofar as it is deadly. Likewise other foods too, insofar as they are such things, are not to be rejected, but insofar as they incite to wantonness. Therefore according to the discretion of reason, and the ordering of charity, they are not to be rejected. Matt. 15:11: everything that enters into the mouth does not defile a man, etc. Why then were certain foods forbidden in the old law? Augustine gives the reason against Faustus, that in that state, Christ was prefigured not only through words, but also through deeds. And therefore in foods, garments, and sacrifices there were figures of the state to come. They are not therefore forbidden in themselves, but because they are figures of unclean things, as the pig is a sign of an unclean life. And therefore the prohibition of its flesh is a sign that in the law of Christ all uncleanness is forbidden. And this is Augustine's example: this word "fatuus" can be considered according as it is a sound composed of letters, and thus it is good; or insofar as it is a sign and signifies such a thing, and thus it is bad and forbidden. Therefore the use of every creature is in itself good. The reason for this is, that if it were evil, this could not be except insofar as the Devil, after the sin of man, had received power over them: because from the moment man sinned, he received power over man, and over the things that are his. But through Christ this power has been taken away, and this is called sanctification. Hence whatever things we bless are first exorcised, and therein is a prayer expelling the Devil. And therefore he says for it is sanctified through the word of God, that is, through Christ, who sanctifies all, Jn. 17:9, and through the prayer of the faithful. Jas.: the persistent prayer of a just man avails much.”

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,.... The prophecy hereafter mentioned was not an human conjecture, but, as all true prophecy, it came from the Spirit of God, who spoke or delivered it; either in the prophets of the Old Testament, who, as they spoke of the Gospel dispensation, so of the defection that should be in it; and particularly of antichrist, and of the apostasy through him, which is what is here intended, especially in Daniel's prophecies, under the names of the little horn, and vile person, Dan 7:1 and Dan 11:1, or in the Lord Jesus Christ, who foretold that false prophets would arise and deceive many; or in some of the prophets in the Christian church, such as Agabus, and others, who might in so many words foretell this thing; or rather in the apostle himself, at this time, since this prophecy was delivered not in dark sayings, in an enigmatical way, in an obscure manner, as prophecies generally were, but in plain language, and easy to be understood, and wanted no interpreter to unriddle it; and seeing that it is nowhere to be found in so many express words elsewhere: and moreover, the apostle does not say the Spirit "hath spoken", but the Spirit "speaketh"; then, at the time of the writing of these words, in and by him. The prediction follows, that in the latter times some should depart from the faith; that is, from the doctrine of faith, notwithstanding it is indisputably the great mystery of godliness, as it is called in the latter part of the preceding chapter; for from the true grace of faith there can be no final and total apostasy, such as is here designed; for that can never be lost. It is of an incorruptible nature, and therefore more precious than gold that perishes; Christ is the author and finisher of it; his prevalent mediation is concerned for it; it is a gift of special grace, and is without repentance; it springs from electing grace, and is secured by it; and between that and salvation there is an inseparable connection; it may indeed decline, be very low, and lie dormant, as to its acts and exercise, but not be lost: there is a temporary faith, and a persuasion of truth, or a mere assent to it, which may be departed from, but not that faith which works by love: here it intends a profession of faith, which being made, should be dropped by some; or rather the doctrine of faith, which some would embrace, and then err concerning, or entirely quit, and wholly apostatize from. And they are said to be some, and these many, as they are elsewhere represented, though not all; for the elect cannot be finally and totally deceived; the foundation of election stands sure amidst the greatest apostasy; and there are always a few names that are not defiled with corrupt principles and practices; Christ always had some witnesses for the truth in the darkest times: and now this defection was to be "in the latter times"; either of the apostolic age, which John, the last of the apostles, lived to see; and therefore he calls it the last time, or hour, in which were many antichrists, Jo1 2:18. And indeed in the Apostle Paul's time the mystery of iniquity began to work, which brought on this general defection; though here it has regard to some later times under the Gospel dispensation; to the time when the man of sin, and the son of perdition, was revealed, and when all the world wondered after the beast: and indeed, such will be the degeneracy in the last days of all, that when the son of man comes, as the grace, so the doctrine of faith will be scarcely to be found in the world: the means by which this apostasy will obtain and prevail will be through men's giving heed to seducing spirits; either to doctrines which are of a deceiving nature; or to men who profess to have the Spirit of God, and have not, but are evil men and seducers, deceiving, and being deceived; that lie in wait to deceive, and handle the word of God deceitfully; and by attending on the ministry of such persons, through hearing them, and conversing with them, the defection was to begin and spread; and therefore such should be carefully avoided, and their ministry shunned; nor should they be received, nor bid God speed. And doctrines of devils; such as are devised by devils, as all damnable doctrines be; and all lying ones, for the devil is the father of them; and as are all the false doctrines introduced by antichrist, for his coming was after the working of Satan; and particularly those doctrines of his concerning worshipping of angels, and saints departed, may be called the doctrines of devils, or of "demons"; being much the same with the demon worship among the Heathens, of which the devil was the inventor: unless by doctrines of devils should be meant the doctrines of men, who for their cunning and sophistry, for their lies and hypocrisy, for their malice, and murdering of the souls of men, are comparable to devils.”

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly - Ῥητως· Manifestly, openly. It is very likely that the apostle refers here to a prophecy then furnished by the Holy Ghost, and probably immediately after he had written the words in the preceding verses; and as this prophecy contains things nowhere else spoken of in the sacred writings, and of the utmost moment to the Christian Church, we cannot hear or read them with too much reverence or respect. In the latter times - This does not necessarily imply the last ages of the world, but any times consequent to those in which the Church then lived. Depart from the faith - Αποστησονται - της πιστεως· They will apostatize from the faith, i.e. from Christianity; renouncing the whole system in effect, by bringing in doctrines which render its essential truths null and void, or denying and renouncing such doctrines as are essential to Christianity as a system of salvation. A man may hold all the truths of Christianity, and yet render them of none effect by holding other doctrines which counteract their influence; or he may apostatize by denying some essential doctrine, though he bring in nothing heterodox. Giving heed to seducing spirits - Πνευμασι πλανοις· Many MSS. and the chief of the fathers have πνευμασι πλανης· spirits of deceit; which is much more emphatic than the common reading. Deception has her spirits, emissaries of every kind, which she employs to darken the hearts and destroy the souls of men. Pretenders to inspiration, and false teachers of every kind, belong to this class. And doctrines of devils - Δαιμονιων· Demons; either meaning fallen spirits, or dead men, spectres, etc., or doctrines inspired by Satan relative to these, by which he secures his own interest, and provides for his own worship.”