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;
Now - Greek, 'But.' The "mystery of iniquity" here, already working (2 Thessalonians 2:7), stands opposed to the ' "mystery of godliness" (1 Timothy 3:16).
The Spirit - in the prophets, then in the Church (resting on the prophecies of the Old Testament, Daniel 7:25; Daniel 8:23, etc.; Daniel 11:30; as also on those of Jesus, Matthew 24:11-24), and Paul himself, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (with whom accord 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:18; Jude 1:18).
Expressly - in plain words. Not enigmatically, as some prophecies.
In the latter times - following upon the times in which he is now writing. Not some remote future: times immediately subsequent, the beginnings of the apostasy being already discernible (Acts 20:29); these are the forerunners of "the last days" (2 Timothy 3:1).
Depart from the faith. The apostasy was to be within the Church, the faithful one becoming the harlot. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (written earlier) the apostasy of the Jews from God (joining the pagan against Christianity) is the ground-work on which the prophecy rises; whereas in the pastoral letters the prophecy is connected with Gnostic errors, the seeds of which were already sown in the Church (Auberlen) (2 Timothy 2:18). Apollonius Tyanaeus, a heretic, came to Ephesus in the lifetime of Timothy. The mediaeval apostasy of Romish and Greek superstition is described here (1 Timothy 4:1-3). The last apostasy, of blasphemy and apotheosis of man, is described, 2 Timothy 3:1-17. The true "fast" looks to the spirit; the mode of expression will vary with persons and circumstances. To fix on one mode as divinely obligatory is a brand of the apostasy (Isaiah 58:4-7; Mark 2:18; Acts 13:2; Acts 14:23; Romans 14:3; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Corinthians 7:25-27; 1 Corinthians 8:8).
Giving heed (1 Timothy 1:4 ; Titus 1:14 ) to seducing spirits - working in heretical teachers. 1 John 4:2-3; 1 John 4:6, "the spirit of error," opposed to "the spirit of truth," "the Spirit" which "speaketh" in the true prophets against them.
Doctrines of devils, х didaskaliais (G1319) daimonioon (G1140)] - 'teachings of (i:e., suggested by; not concerning) demons.' James 3:15, 'wisdom-devilish; 2 Corinthians 11:15.