Verse 1. The man of the church comes into a state of the adulteration of good externally.

Verses 2-4. But those who are internally in such a state fear genuine spiritual truths.

Verses 5-7. And hence they consult falsity derived from evil, which interprets the Word from selfish love.

Verses 8-14. The false teacher, however, is forbidden to cause aversion from the Lord in the truly spiritual man, and, outwardly, he is constrained to submit.

Verses 15-21. But he is now more strongly tempted by evil, inwardly desiring to comply with its promptings, notwithstanding his knowledge of the truth; and hence he is permitted to go forward in the path of error.

Verse 22. And yet Divine Truth is really opposed to him, while, by means of his rational powers he endeavours to carry out his purposes.

Verse 23. But even natural reason recognizes Divine Truth, and is afraid of it, being thereby diverted from error and urgent for the cultivation of good, while evil is persistent, and therefore injures the Rational.

Verses 24-25. Again, the progress of error is impeded by the opposition of the truth in an accommodated form, yet still the false teacher persists, the natural affections are injured, and the Rational is further perverted.

Verses 26-35. And, thirdly, Divine Truth opposes error in the state where falsity is confirmed, and the Rational is therefore prostrated, but still has power to speak, from the Lord, convincing truths; and reproof from Divine Truth Itself follows, producing repentance, but only outwardly.

Verses 36-41.And therefore the false teacher is permitted to continue his career and to come into communication with adulterated good.