1 Timothy 4:1-5

E. The problem of apostasy in the church 4:1-5

In this pericope Paul reminded Timothy of the apostasy that Jesus Christ had foretold to equip him to identify and deal with it. [Note: See Barth Campbell, "Rhetorical Design in 1 Timothy 4," Bibliotheca Sacra 154:614 (April-June 1997):189-204.]

"1 Timothy 4:1-5 does not begin a new topic. Paul, who has given his instructions on the true understanding of law, grace, and salvation (1 Timothy 1:3 to 1 Timothy 2:7) and on church behavior and leadership (1 Timothy 2:8 to 1 Timothy 3:13) and has paused to put his instructions into proper perspective (1 Timothy 3:14-16), now concludes by pointing out that these types of problems should have been expected because the Holy Spirit had clearly prophesied their occurrence . . ." [Note: Mounce, p. 233.]