Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
х En (G1722) hupokrisei (G5272) pseudologoon (G5573)] 'Through (literally, 'in:' the element in which the apostasy has place) hypocrisy of lying speakers:' the means through which "some shall (be led to) depart from the faith" - namely, the feigned sanctity of the seducers (cf. Titus 1:10).
Having [ teen (G3588 ) idian (G2398 ): their own] their conscience seared - i:e., "speaking lies" to others, to seduce them by a show of sanctity, but all the while having their own conscience, etc. Bad consciences have recourse to hypocrisy. As faith and a good conscience are joined (1 Timothy 1:5), so hypocrisy
(i:e., unbelief, Matthew 24:5; Matthew 24:51: cf. Luke 12:46) and a bad conscience. "Seared" (Theodoret) implies extreme insensibility; as cauterizing deadens sensation. Rather [kekauteriasmenon], 'branded' with the consciousness of sins against their better knowledge, like scars burnt in by a branding-iron. Compare Titus 1:15; Titus 3:11, "condemned of himself." As a "seal" marks the elect (2 Timothy 2:19), so 'a brand' the condemned. The image is from branding criminals; consciously-branded slaves of sin.