Finally these people would (19) make a pretense of being religious but deny the source of true spiritual power (i.e, God"s Word). This last characteristic makes clear that those individuals described in 2 Timothy 3:2-4 would even claim to be Christians (i.e, false teachers and their followers). Timothy was to avoid association with people who demonstrated these characteristics except, of course, for purposes of evangelism and instruction. [source][source][source]
"Self-love is the basic shortcoming mentioned in the list of vices in 2 Timothy 3:2-5. This vice leads to action in 2 Timothy 3:6-9 that is deceitful, determined to dominate, stubborn, and rejected by God." [1][source]
Context Summary
2 Timothy 3:1-9 - A Dark Picture Of Evil Men
The last days of the present age are to be black and sorrowful. Sinful rejection of Christ will come to a head. We must not be misled by the wide-spread profession of the forms of religion; this may co-exist with the rankest apostasy. When women are conscious of sins against God, society, and themselves, they are very liable to the seduction of false teachers, who promise peace and condone impurity.
Tares and wheat grow together unto the harvest. The devil has always set himself to counterfeit God's handiwork: the Holy City by Babylon; the Son of man by the man of sin; blessedness by the worldling's giddy merriment. Thus the Egyptian conjurers repeated the miracles of Moses by resorting to sleight of hand. So there is a pure gospel and a specious mimicry of it. Wait for the inevitable unfoldings of God's purpose. Time will show what is true and what is false. In the meantime, examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Timothy 3
1Paul advises Timothy of the difficult times to come; 6describes the enemies of the truth; 10explains unto him his own example; 16and commends the holy Scriptures;
Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 3:5
A form of godliness [μορπωσιν ευσεβειας] For μορπωσιν morphōsin see note on Romans 2:20. The outward shape without the reality. [source]
Having denied [ηρνημενοι] Perfect middle participle of αρνεομαι arneomai (see note on Romans 2:11.). Power (δυναμιν dunamin). See 1 Corinthians 4:20. See Romans 1:29-31 for similar description. Turn away Present middle (direct) imperative of αποτρεπω apotrepō “turn thyself away from.” Old verb, only here in N.T. See 4 Maccabees 1:33. [source]
Turn away [αποτρεπου] Present middle (direct) imperative of αποτρεπω apotrepō “turn thyself away from.” Old verb, only here in N.T. See 4 Maccabees 1:33. [source]
A form [μόρφωσιν] Only here and Romans 2:20. Μορφὴ Form(for the want of any other rendering) is the expression or embodiment of the essential and permanent being of that which is expressed Μόρφωσις , lit. forming or shaping. Yet the meaning differs in different passages. In Romans 2:20, μόρφωσις isthe truthful embodiment of knowledge and truth as contained in the law of God. Here, the mere outward semblance, as distinguished from the essential reality. [source]
The power [τὴν δύναμιν] The practical virtue. Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:20. It is impossible to overlook the influence of Romans 1:29-31in shaping this catalogue. [source]
Romans 2:20Of babes [νηπιων] Novitiates or proselytes to Judaism just as in Galatians 4:1. Paul used it of those not of legal age. The form (την μορπωσιν tēn morphōsin). Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and 2 Timothy 3:5). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the μορπωσις morphōsis as “the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the μορπη morphē the outline or framework, and in 2 Timothy 3:5 “the outline without the substance.” This is Paul‘s picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony. [source]
Romans 2:20The form [την μορπωσιν] Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and 2 Timothy 3:5). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the μορπωσις morphōsis as “the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the μορπη morphē the outline or framework, and in 2 Timothy 3:5 “the outline without the substance.” This is Paul‘s picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony. [source]
1 Timothy 4:2Having their conscience seared with a hot iron [ἐν ὑποκρίσει ψευδολόγων] Better, branded in their own conscience. With a hot iron is superfluous. The verb N.T.oolxx, oClass. The metaphor is from the practice of branding slaves or criminals, the latter on the brow. These deceivers are not acting under delusion, but deliberately, and against their conscience. They wear the form of godliness, and contradict their profession by their crooked conduct (2 Timothy 3:5). The brand is not on their brow, but on their conscience. Comp. Titus 1:15; Titus 3:11. [source]
2 Timothy 1:7Of power [δυνάμεως] Found in all the Pauline Epistles except Philemon. In Pastorals only here, 2 Timothy 1:8, and 2 Timothy 3:5. Not used by our writer in the sense of working miracles, which it sometimes has in Paul. Here, the power to overcome all obstacles and to face all dangers. It is closely linked with the sense of παρρησία boldnessOf love ( ἀγάπης )See on Galatians 5:22. [source]
Revelation 3:1That hath the seven Spirits of God [ο εχων τα επτα πνευματα του τεου] For which picture of the Holy Spirit see Revelation 1:4.And the seven stars (και τους επτα αστερας kai tous hepta asteras). As in Revelation 1:16,Revelation 1:20.A name that thou livest A name in contrast with reality. The οτι hoti clause in apposition with ονομα onoma thou art dead “The paradox of death under the name of life” (Swete). Not complete (a nucleus of life) death (Revelation 3:2), but rapidly dying. See the picture in James 2:17; 2 Corinthians 6:9; 2 Timothy 3:5. [source]
Revelation 3:1A name that thou livest [ονομα οτι ζηις] A name in contrast with reality. The οτι hoti clause in apposition with ονομα onoma thou art dead “The paradox of death under the name of life” (Swete). Not complete (a nucleus of life) death (Revelation 3:2), but rapidly dying. See the picture in James 2:17; 2 Corinthians 6:9; 2 Timothy 3:5. [source]
What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 3:5 mean?
havinga formof godliness-butthe powerof itdenyingAndtheseturn away from
Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 3:5
For μορπωσιν morphōsin see note on Romans 2:20. The outward shape without the reality. [source]
Perfect middle participle of αρνεομαι arneomai (see note on Romans 2:11.). Power (δυναμιν dunamin). See 1 Corinthians 4:20. See Romans 1:29-31 for similar description. Turn away Present middle (direct) imperative of αποτρεπω apotrepō “turn thyself away from.” Old verb, only here in N.T. See 4 Maccabees 1:33. [source]
See 1 Corinthians 4:20. See Romans 1:29-31 for similar description. [source]
Present middle (direct) imperative of αποτρεπω apotrepō “turn thyself away from.” Old verb, only here in N.T. See 4 Maccabees 1:33. [source]
Only here and Romans 2:20. Μορφὴ Form(for the want of any other rendering) is the expression or embodiment of the essential and permanent being of that which is expressed Μόρφωσις , lit. forming or shaping. Yet the meaning differs in different passages. In Romans 2:20, μόρφωσις isthe truthful embodiment of knowledge and truth as contained in the law of God. Here, the mere outward semblance, as distinguished from the essential reality. [source]
The practical virtue. Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:20. It is impossible to overlook the influence of Romans 1:29-31in shaping this catalogue. [source]
N.T.oComp. παραιτοῦ avoid 2 Timothy 2:23; ἐκτρεπόμενος turningaway, 1 Timothy 6:20; and ἐκκλίνετε turnaway, Romans 16:17. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 3:5
Novitiates or proselytes to Judaism just as in Galatians 4:1. Paul used it of those not of legal age. The form (την μορπωσιν tēn morphōsin). Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and 2 Timothy 3:5). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the μορπωσις morphōsis as “the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the μορπη morphē the outline or framework, and in 2 Timothy 3:5 “the outline without the substance.” This is Paul‘s picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony. [source]
Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and 2 Timothy 3:5). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the μορπωσις morphōsis as “the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the μορπη morphē the outline or framework, and in 2 Timothy 3:5 “the outline without the substance.” This is Paul‘s picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony. [source]
Better, branded in their own conscience. With a hot iron is superfluous. The verb N.T.oolxx, oClass. The metaphor is from the practice of branding slaves or criminals, the latter on the brow. These deceivers are not acting under delusion, but deliberately, and against their conscience. They wear the form of godliness, and contradict their profession by their crooked conduct (2 Timothy 3:5). The brand is not on their brow, but on their conscience. Comp. Titus 1:15; Titus 3:11. [source]
Found in all the Pauline Epistles except Philemon. In Pastorals only here, 2 Timothy 1:8, and 2 Timothy 3:5. Not used by our writer in the sense of working miracles, which it sometimes has in Paul. Here, the power to overcome all obstacles and to face all dangers. It is closely linked with the sense of παρρησία boldnessOf love ( ἀγάπης )See on Galatians 5:22. [source]
For which picture of the Holy Spirit see Revelation 1:4.And the seven stars (και τους επτα αστερας kai tous hepta asteras). As in Revelation 1:16, Revelation 1:20.A name that thou livest A name in contrast with reality. The οτι hoti clause in apposition with ονομα onoma thou art dead “The paradox of death under the name of life” (Swete). Not complete (a nucleus of life) death (Revelation 3:2), but rapidly dying. See the picture in James 2:17; 2 Corinthians 6:9; 2 Timothy 3:5. [source]
A name in contrast with reality. The οτι hoti clause in apposition with ονομα onoma thou art dead “The paradox of death under the name of life” (Swete). Not complete (a nucleus of life) death (Revelation 3:2), but rapidly dying. See the picture in James 2:17; 2 Corinthians 6:9; 2 Timothy 3:5. [source]