forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Are these who fall away from the truth believers or unbelievers? The Greek verb Paul used to describe their activity (aphistemi, to withdraw from, lit. to stand away) and the noun he used to describe their action (apostasia, defection, apostasy) do not answer this question. Either could be in view. The context must determine whether the one departing is a believer or an unbeliever. In some passages the context argues for Christian apostates (called "backsliders" by some Christians; Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:20-21; Hebrews 3:12; cf. 2 Timothy 2:12 b, 16-18; 1 Timothy 3:13; 1 Timothy 4:3-4). A Christian who follows the impulses of his or her sinful human nature rather than those of the Holy Spirit is a carnal believer (1 Corinthians 3:3).