The only occurrence of the Greek word translated in this text as "seared" is in 1 Timothy 4:2. The Greek word means "seared" in the sense of being cauterized. That which felt became that which could not feel. A person feels because the nerve ending are sensitive to and respond to touch. If the nerve endings are destroyed by "searing" or "cauterizing," no longer is that part of the physical body sensitive to touch. Nerves allowing the sensation of "feeling" no longer exist.
The human conscience is designed to "feel" evil. It responds to evil by communicating a sensation of "guilt." In the 1 Timothy 4:2 reference, the conscience was rendered useless. It no longer can sense the presence of evil and produce a sensation of guilt. Its capacity to "feel" the presence of evil is dead. Thus, the person possessing this conscience "feels" nothing when he/she is in evil's presence or participates in a wicked attitude or behavior.
To increase understanding of the seared conscience, carefully consider the context. Remember these things. (1) This is a letter. Paul wrote Timothy a letter. There were no chapter and verse notations in his letter. These were added much, much later to make the writing easier to use. (2) The last thought in chapter three (3:16) emphasized Jesus Christ as the mystery of godliness [Paul's use of the concept of mystery stressed something that was not known in the past but was "now" plainly revealed]. It is important to note the last thought prior to this "falling away from the faith" stressed the importance of Jesus Christ. (3) While the last of chapter three stressed God's actions in human history to send and to receive again Jesus Christ, chapter four began by stressing that in the church, the community of Christians, the war between good and evil was not over. (4) Those who functioned at one time with a living, sensitive conscience no longer had a conscience that was able to "feel" anything--it had been seared!
A contrast between 3:16 and 4:1-5 is seen in a contrast between confidence in a procedure and trust in God's act through Jesus. Timothy should not be surprised if he sees Christians leaving faith in Jesus Christ. These people would trust something other than Jesus Christ. The "later times" do not specify a "when," though it seems to be something Timothy would witness in his lifetime. Paul had no doubt that this "fall(ing) away from the faith" would occur.
Paul classified the source of the deceiving teachings as "deceitful spirits" and "demons." To Paul, the conflict between God and Satan, the forces of God and the forces of Satan, good and evil are quite real. There is a real war occurring between good and evil. In that war, God, the Supreme commander of the forces of good, is quite real. Satan, the supreme commander of the forces of evil, is quite real. Because God acted in sending and resurrecting Jesus Christ (3:16) did not mean the conflict was over. The conflict is now restricted to the physical earth, and the defeat of Satan is certain (Luke 10:18; Revelation 20:10). Satan can no longer confront God where God resides, but he can through deception bring hurt to those whom God originally made in His image and likeness. Satan can grieve God by hurting those whom God loves.
Both God and Satan work primarily through human receptive representatives. These human agents who serve Satan's purposes were described by Paul as liars who function in hypocrisy and are totally insensitive.
These people, formerly devout Christians who had fallen away, had rules they imposed. Rule one: marriage was forbidden. Rule two: certain food could not be eaten. These two rules powerfully promoted a significant religious concept in the Mediterranean world of that time--the principle of asceticism. "Holiness does not come through God's sanctification granted by being in Jesus Christ. You make yourselves holy by abstaining from marriage and by avoiding certain foods. Jesus Christ is not the key to holiness. Self denial is the key to holiness."
Paul said the concept was ridiculous. Marriage predated the existence of sin and existed by God's creative will and design. Food predated the existence of sin and existed by God's creative acts. God said of all He created, "it is good" (Genesis 1:31). The problem with marriage and food is not inherent evil because they are physical. All physical things result from God's creative acts. All began as "good." The problem is perversion, not God's creative acts.
The key to making marriage holy is gratitude to God coupled with using marriage for God's purposes. The key to making food holy is gratitude to God coupled with using food for God's purposes. (1) If a Christian gratefully honors God in marriage and food though prayer by acknowledging God as the Creator and (2) if a Christian gratefully honors God in marriage and food by using both for God's purposes, God Himself sanctifies both [makes both holy].
Note: the problem began because Christians who fell from trusting God achievements in Jesus Christ used the hypocrisy of deception. These fallen Christians could be deceptive hypocrites because they had no conscience. They could deceive and "feel" nothing! They could be convincing in their deception and "feel" nothing! Why could they be so insensitive to those who trusted them? Their consciences were cauterized! Commission of evil did not distress them. The conscience should have been their first line of defense against evil. However, their first line of defense did not exist. A seared conscience offered them no protection against evil.
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 7