1 Timothy 4:2

influenced by the hypocrisy of liars ¹  whose consciences are seared. ² 

Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

These teachers are hypocrites and liars. They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead.

These liars have lied so well and for so long that they've lost their capacity for truth.

Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron;

through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

influenced by the hypocrisy of liars ¹  whose consciences are seared. ² 

¹ tn Grk “in the hypocrisy of liars.”

² tn Or “branded.” The Greek verb καυστηριάζω (kausthriazw) can be used to refer either to the cause (“brand”) or the effect (“seared”).

sn Consciences are seared. The precise meaning of this phrase is somewhat debated. Three primary interpretations are (1) the consciences of these false teachers are “branded” with Satan’s mark to indicate ownership, (2) their consciences are “branded” with a penal mark to show they are lawbreakers, or (3) their consciences have been “seared” (i.e., totally burnt and desensitized) so that they are unable to notice the difference between right and wrong. See G. W. Knight, Pastoral Epistles (NIGTC), 189.