The Meaning of 2 Timothy 3:6 Explained

2 Timothy 3:6

KJV: For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

YLT: for of these there are those coming into the houses and leading captive the silly women, laden with sins, led away with desires manifold,

Darby: For of these are they who are getting into houses, and leading captive silly women, laden with sins, led by various lusts,

ASV: For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  of  this sort  are they  which creep  into  houses,  and  lead captive  silly women  laden  with sins,  led away  with divers  lusts, 

What does 2 Timothy 3:6 Mean?

Study Notes

sins
Sin.
sinned
Sin, Summary: The literal meanings of the Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία sin," "sinner," etc)., disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations. Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil Psalms 51:1 ; Luke 15:29 , iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not; error, a departure from right; Psalms 51:9 ; Romans 3:23 , missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority Ephesians 2:1 , lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy 1 Timothy 1:9 , unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity John 16:9 .
Sin originated with Satan Isaiah 14:12-14 , entered the world through Adam Romans 5:12 , was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted; Romans 3:23 ; 1 Peter 2:22 , incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death; Genesis 2:17 ; Genesis 3:19 ; Ezekiel 18:4 ; Ezekiel 18:20 ; Romans 6:23 and has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ; Hebrews 9:26 ; Acts 4:12 availed of by faith Acts 13:38 ; Acts 13:39 . Sin may be summarized as threefold: An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God; a state, absence of righteousness; a nature, enmity toward God.

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

1  Paul advises Timothy of the difficult times to come;
6  describes the enemies of the truth;
10  explains unto him his own example;
16  and commends the holy Scriptures;

Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 3:6

That creep [οι ενδυνοντες]
Old and common verb (also ενδυω — enduō) either to put on (1 Thessalonians 5:8) or to enter (to slip in by insinuation, as here). See same idea in Judges 1:4 These stealthy “creepers” are pictured also in Titus 1:11. [source]
Take captive [αιχμαλωτιζοντες]
“Taking captive.” Present active participle of αιχμαλωτιζω — aichmalōtizō for which see note on 2 Corinthians 10:5; Romans 7:23. Silly women (γυναικαρια — gunaikaria). Literally, “little women” (diminutive of γυνη — gunē), found in Diocles (comedian of 5 century b.c.) and in Epictetus. The word here is neuter (grammatical gender) plural. Used contemptuously here (only N.T. example). Ramsay suggests “society ladies.” It is amazing how gullible some women are with religious charlatans who pose as exponents of “new thought.” Laden with sins Perfect passive participle of σωρευω — sōreuō old word from Aristotle down (from σωρος — sōros a heap) to heap up. In N.T. only here and Romans 12:20. Associative instrumental case αμαρτιαις — hamartiais Divers (ποικιλαις — poikilais). Many coloured. See note on Titus 3:3. One has only to recall Schweinfurth, the false Messiah of forty odd years ago with his “heavenly harem” in Illinois and the recent infamous “House of David” in Michigan to understand how these Gnostic cults led women into licentiousness under the guise of religion or of liberty. The priestesses of Aphrodite and of Isis were illustrations ready to hand. Αγομενα — Agomena (present passive participle) means “continually led astray or from time to time.” [source]
Silly women [γυναικαρια]
Literally, “little women” (diminutive of γυνη — gunē), found in Diocles (comedian of 5 century b.c.) and in Epictetus. The word here is neuter (grammatical gender) plural. Used contemptuously here (only N.T. example). Ramsay suggests “society ladies.” It is amazing how gullible some women are with religious charlatans who pose as exponents of “new thought.” [source]
Laden with sins [σεσωρευμενα αμαρτιαις]
Perfect passive participle of σωρευω — sōreuō old word from Aristotle down (from σωρος — sōros a heap) to heap up. In N.T. only here and Romans 12:20. Associative instrumental case αμαρτιαις — hamartiais Divers (ποικιλαις — poikilais). Many coloured. See note on Titus 3:3. One has only to recall Schweinfurth, the false Messiah of forty odd years ago with his “heavenly harem” in Illinois and the recent infamous “House of David” in Michigan to understand how these Gnostic cults led women into licentiousness under the guise of religion or of liberty. The priestesses of Aphrodite and of Isis were illustrations ready to hand. Αγομενα — Agomena (present passive participle) means “continually led astray or from time to time.” [source]
Divers [ποικιλαις]
Many coloured. See note on Titus 3:3. One has only to recall Schweinfurth, the false Messiah of forty odd years ago with his “heavenly harem” in Illinois and the recent infamous “House of David” in Michigan to understand how these Gnostic cults led women into licentiousness under the guise of religion or of liberty. The priestesses of Aphrodite and of Isis were illustrations ready to hand. Αγομενα — Agomena (present passive participle) means “continually led astray or from time to time.” [source]
Of this sort [ἐκ τούτων]
Lit. of these. The formula often in Paul. [source]
Which creep [οἱ ἐνδύνοντες]
N.T.oThrust themselves into. Comp. Judges 1:4, παρεισεδύησαν creptin privily (see note); 2 Peter 2:1(note), παρεισάξουσιν shallprivily bring in; and Galatians 2:4, παρεισάκτους broughtin by stealth. [source]
Lead captive [αἰχμαλωτίζοντες]
Only here in Pastorals. See on captives, Luke 4:18; and see on 2 Corinthians 10:5. [source]
Silly women [γυναικάρια]
N.T.oolxx. Silly is expressed by the contemptuous diminutive. Comp. Vulg. mulierculas. [source]
Laden [σεσωρευμένα]
Only here and Romans 12:20, citation. In lxx, see Romans href="/desk/?q=ro+8:14&sr=1">Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18. [source]
Divers [ποικίλαις]
In Pastorals only here and Titus 3:3. Lit. variegated, of different tints. See on manifold wisdom, Ephesians 3:10. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 3:6

Romans 12:20 Shalt heap [σωρεύσεις]
Only here and 2 Timothy 3:6. [source]
Romans 12:20 Thou shalt heap [σωρευσεις]
Future active of old verb σωρευω — sōreuō from σωρος — sōros a heap. In N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 3:6. Coals of fire (αντρακας πυρος — anthrakas puros). That is, burning or live coals. Anthrax (our “anthracite”) is an old word, only here in N.T. It is a metaphor for keen anguish. The Arabs have a proverb “coals in the heart,” “fire in the liver.” Such kindness may lead to repentance also. [source]
2 Timothy 4:3 Shall they heap to themselves teachers [ἑαυτοῖς ἐπισωρεύ σουσιν διδασκάλους]
A vigorous and graphic statement. Ἑπισωρεύειν toheap up, N.T.oComp. σεσωρευμένα laden 2 Timothy 3:6. The word is ironical; shall invite teachers en masse. In periods of unsettled faith, skepticism, and mere curious speculation in matters of religion, teachers of all kinds swarm like the flies in Egypt. The demand creates the supply. The hearers invite and shape their own preachers. If the people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found. “The master of superstition is the people, and in all superstition wise men follow fools” (Bacon, Ess. 17). [source]
Titus 3:3 Divers lusts [ηδοναις ποικιλαις]
“Pleasures” Ποικιλαις — Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc. [source]
Titus 3:3 Divers - pleasures [ἡδοναῖς ποικίλαις]
Ἡδονή pleasureonly here in Pastorals. oP. See on James 4:1. For ποικίλαις diverssee on 2 Timothy 3:6. [source]
Titus 3:3 Foolish [ανοητοι]
See Romans 1:14, Romans 1:21. Disobedient (απειτεις — apeitheis). See note on Romans 1:30. Deceived Present passive participle of πλαναω — planaō though the middle is possible. Divers lusts (ηδοναις ποικιλαις — hēdonais poikilais). “Pleasures” (ηδοναις — hēdonais from ηδομαι — hēdomai old word, in N.T. only here, Luke 8:14; James 4:1, James 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13). Ποικιλαις — Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc. Living See note on 1 Timothy 3:6 (supply βιον — bion). In malice (εν κακιαι — en kakiāi). See note on Romans 1:29. Envy See note on Romans 1:29. Hateful (στυγητοι — stugētoi). Late passive verbal from στυγεω — stugeō to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T. Hating one another Active sense and natural result of being “hateful.” [source]
Titus 3:3 Deceived [πλανωμενοι]
Present passive participle of πλαναω — planaō though the middle is possible. Divers lusts (ηδοναις ποικιλαις — hēdonais poikilais). “Pleasures” (ηδοναις — hēdonais from ηδομαι — hēdomai old word, in N.T. only here, Luke 8:14; James 4:1, James 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13). Ποικιλαις — Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc. Living See note on 1 Timothy 3:6 (supply βιον — bion). In malice (εν κακιαι — en kakiāi). See note on Romans 1:29. Envy See note on Romans 1:29. Hateful (στυγητοι — stugētoi). Late passive verbal from στυγεω — stugeō to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T. Hating one another Active sense and natural result of being “hateful.” [source]
James 1:2 All joy [πασαν χαραν]
“Whole joy,” “unmixed joy,” as in Philemon 2:29. Not just “some joy” along with much grief.When (οταν — hotan). “Whenever,” indefinite temporal conjunction.Ye fall into Second aorist active subjunctive (with the indefinite οταν — hotan) from περιπιπτω — peripiptō literally to fall around (into the midst of), to fall among as in Luke 10:30 ληισταις περιεπεσεν — lēistais periepesen (he fell among robbers). Only other N.T. example of this old compound is in Acts 27:41. Thucydides uses it of falling into affliction. It is the picture of being surrounded Associative instrumental case. The English word temptation is Latin and originally meant trials whether good or bad, but the evil sense has monopolized the word in our modern English, though we still say “attempt.” The word πειρασμος — peirasmos (from πειραζω — peirazō late form for the old πειραω — peiraō as in Acts 26:21, both in good sense as in John 6:6, and in bad sense as in Matthew 16:1) does not occur outside of the lxx and the N.T. except in Dioscorides (a.d. 100?) of experiments on diseases. “Trials” is clearly the meaning here, but the evil sense appears in James 1:12 (clearly in πειραζω — peirazō in James 1:13) and so in Hebrews 3:8. Trials rightly faced are harmless, but wrongly met become temptations to evil. The adjective ποικιλος — poikilos (manifold) is as old as Homer and means variegated, many coloured as in Matthew 4:24; 2 Timothy 3:6; Hebrews 2:4. In 1 Peter 1:6 we have this same phrase. It is a bold demand that James here makes. [source]
James 1:2 Ye fall into [περιπεσητε]
Second aorist active subjunctive (with the indefinite οταν — hotan) from περιπιπτω — peripiptō literally to fall around (into the midst of), to fall among as in Luke 10:30 ληισταις περιεπεσεν — lēistais periepesen (he fell among robbers). Only other N.T. example of this old compound is in Acts 27:41. Thucydides uses it of falling into affliction. It is the picture of being surrounded Associative instrumental case. The English word temptation is Latin and originally meant trials whether good or bad, but the evil sense has monopolized the word in our modern English, though we still say “attempt.” The word πειρασμος — peirasmos (from πειραζω — peirazō late form for the old πειραω — peiraō as in Acts 26:21, both in good sense as in John 6:6, and in bad sense as in Matthew 16:1) does not occur outside of the lxx and the N.T. except in Dioscorides (a.d. 100?) of experiments on diseases. “Trials” is clearly the meaning here, but the evil sense appears in James 1:12 (clearly in πειραζω — peirazō in James 1:13) and so in Hebrews 3:8. Trials rightly faced are harmless, but wrongly met become temptations to evil. The adjective ποικιλος — poikilos (manifold) is as old as Homer and means variegated, many coloured as in Matthew 4:24; 2 Timothy 3:6; Hebrews 2:4. In 1 Peter 1:6 we have this same phrase. It is a bold demand that James here makes. [source]
James 1:2 Manifold temptations [πειρασμοις ποικιλοις]
Associative instrumental case. The English word temptation is Latin and originally meant trials whether good or bad, but the evil sense has monopolized the word in our modern English, though we still say “attempt.” The word πειρασμος — peirasmos (from πειραζω — peirazō late form for the old πειραω — peiraō as in Acts 26:21, both in good sense as in John 6:6, and in bad sense as in Matthew 16:1) does not occur outside of the lxx and the N.T. except in Dioscorides (a.d. 100?) of experiments on diseases. “Trials” is clearly the meaning here, but the evil sense appears in James 1:12 (clearly in πειραζω — peirazō in James 1:13) and so in Hebrews 3:8. Trials rightly faced are harmless, but wrongly met become temptations to evil. The adjective ποικιλος — poikilos (manifold) is as old as Homer and means variegated, many coloured as in Matthew 4:24; 2 Timothy 3:6; Hebrews 2:4. In 1 Peter 1:6 we have this same phrase. It is a bold demand that James here makes. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 3:6 mean?

Out of this sort for are those entering into - households and taking captive weak women burdened with sins being led away by passions various
Ἐκ τούτων γάρ εἰσιν οἱ ἐνδύνοντες εἰς τὰς οἰκίας καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζοντες γυναικάρια σεσωρευμένα ἁμαρτίαις ἀγόμενα ἐπιθυμίαις ποικίλαις

Ἐκ  Out  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
τούτων  this  sort 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
οἱ  those 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐνδύνοντες  entering 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐνδύνω  
Sense: to put on, to envelop in, to hide in.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
τὰς  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οἰκίας  households 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: οἰκία  
Sense: a house.
αἰχμαλωτίζοντες  taking  captive 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: αἰχμαλωτίζω  
Sense: to lead away captive.
γυναικάρια  weak  women 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: γυναικάριον  
Sense: a little woman: used contemptuously.
σεσωρευμένα  burdened 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: σωρεύω  
Sense: to heap together, to heap up.
ἁμαρτίαις  with  sins 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἁμαρτία  
Sense: equivalent to 264.
ἀγόμενα  being  led  away 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἄγω  
Sense: to lead, take with one.
ἐπιθυμίαις  by  passions 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἐπιθυμία  
Sense: desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust.
ποικίλαις  various 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ποικίλος  
Sense: a various colours, variegated.