Defections Among Paul's Converts: But it is in Paul's pastoral letters that we get a deeper insight into corruptions threatening the early church, and even beginning to lay the foundation for that subsequent apostasy which overwhelmed it. The Apostle sent Timothy to the saints at Ephesus to represent him, that he might charge some to teach no other doctrines than those which he had delivered to them: "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith," for some had turned aside from the commandment of charity, out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, unto "vile jangling, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm."[A] Others concerning faith had made shipwreck, of whom were Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom Paul had delivered unto Satan that they might learn not to blaspheme.[B] Others had "erred concerning the faith" and had "given heed to vain babblings, and opposition of science falsely so called."[C] In his second letter to Timothy, Paul informs him that all the saints in Asia had turned away from him, of whom were Phygellus and Hermogenes.[D] He admonishes Timothy again to shun "profane and vain babblings," "for," said he, "they will increase unto more ungodliness, and their word will eat as doth a canker; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who, concerning the truth, have erred, saying that the resurrection is passed already, and overthrow the faith of some."[E] Demos, once a fellow-laborer with Paul, had forsaken him, "having loved this present world;"[F] and at Paul's first answer, that is, when arraigned before the court at Rome, no man stood with him, but all men forsook him; he prays that God will not lay this to their charge.[G] [Footnote A: I Tim. i:3-7.] [Footnote B: I Tim. i:19, 20.] [Footnote C: I Tim. vi:20, 21.] [Footnote D: II Tim. i:15.] [Footnote E: II Tim. ii:16, 18.] [Footnote F: II Tim. iv:10.] [Footnote G: II Tim. iv:16.] Paul admonished Titus to hold fast to the faith, for there were many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; who subverted whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake; and were giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men and turning from the truth.[A] [Footnote A: Titus i:9-14.]