1 Timothy 4:1 (ASV)

Passage

But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

Nearby Context

1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

1 Timothy 4:2 through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "faith", "saith", "expressly", "later", "times", "some", and "shall". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "faith", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The next verse adds "through the hypocrisy of men that speak...", so "Spirit" and "faith" should be read forward into that movement. In 1 Timothy context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "faith" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.