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2 Timothy 3:5-9

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was.

2 Timothy 3:5-9 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:5

Theological / Devotional

Form of godliness. That is, the external characteristics of religion, such as church attendance, church gifts, and even personal service for the church. This characteristic applies specifically to those who identify themselves with Christianity.

The power thereof. That is, the power of God, which cooperates with the will of man for the eradication of all sinful tendencies (see on Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 13:4; Eph. 3:20).

Turn away. Paul counsels Timothy and all future leaders to be alert to the dangers confronting the church. Besides a personal vigilance lest he succumb to the evil practices here described (vs. 2-5), Timothy was to point out publicly these insidious tendencies and practices, which were curtailing the influence of Christianity. Through the years the behavior of nominal church members, that is, those who profess loyalty to God’s way of life and yet reveal no tangible evidence of a development in Christlikeness, has been a greater handicap to the progress of the gospel than any other factor. Compare 2 Cor. 2:14-16; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Peter 3:12.

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