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2 Timothy 3

BSB·17 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → understandγίνωσκεginōske — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → thisΤοῦτοTouto — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study →: Inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the last daysἡμέραιςhēmerais — A 24-hour period; time; eraG2250 — Full Word Study → terribleχαλεποίchalepoi — harsh, fierce, severe, difficultG5467 — Full Word Study → timesκαιροὶkairoi — The right or appointed time; a season or opportunityG2540 — Full Word Study → will comeἐνστήσονταιenstēsontai — to be present; to stand by or at handG1764 — Full Word Study →. 2Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → menἄνθρωποιanthrōpoi — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → will beἔσονταιesontai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → lovers of themselvesφίλαυτοιphilautoi — self-loving, devoted to oneselfG5367 — Full Word Study →, lovers of moneyφιλάργυροιphilargyroi — money-loving, covetous, greedy for wealthG5366 — Full Word Study →, boastfulἀλαζόνεςalazones — boaster; one who speaks arrogantly about oneselfG213 — Full Word Study →, arrogantὑπερήφανοιhyperēphanoi — arrogant, haughty, excessively proudG5244 — Full Word Study →, abusiveβλάσφημοιblasphēmoi — Blasphemous; slanderous; revilingG989 — Full Word Study →, disobedientἀπειθεῖςapeitheis — Disobedient, refusing to obey or complyG545 — Full Word Study → to their parents, ungratefulἀχάριστοιacharistoi — Ungrateful, thankless, unappreciativeG884 — Full Word Study →, unholyἀνόσιοιanosioi — unholy, profane, wickedG462 — Full Word Study →, 3unlovingἄστοργοιastorgoi — Lacking natural affection or compassionG794 — Full Word Study →, unforgivingἄσπονδοιaspondoi — irreconcilable, unwilling to make peaceG786 — Full Word Study →, slanderousδιάβολοιdiaboloi — The Devil; slanderer; adversaryG1228 — Full Word Study →, without self-controlἀκρατεῖςakrateis — lacking self-control, intemperate, unrestrainedG193 — Full Word Study →, brutalἀνήμεροιanēmeroi — fierce, savage, brutalG434 — Full Word Study →, without love of goodἀφιλάγαθοιaphilagathoi — One who hates what is goodG865 — Full Word Study →, 4traitorousπροδόταιprodotai — One who betrays or delivers upG4273 — Full Word Study →, recklessπροπετεῖςpropeteis — Reckless, hasty, impulsiveG4312 — Full Word Study →, conceitedτετυφωμένοιtetyphōmenoi — To be puffed up with pride; become conceitedG5187 — Full Word Study →, lovers of pleasureφιλήδονοιphilēdonoi — Lover of pleasure; pleasure-seekingG5369 — Full Word Study → ratherμᾶλλονmallon — more, rather, increasinglyG3123 — Full Word Study → thanē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → lovers of Godφιλόθεοιphilotheoi — One who loves God; God-loverG5377 — Full Word Study →, 5havingἔχοντεςechontes — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → a formμόρφωσινmorphōsin — External form or outward appearanceG3446 — Full Word Study → of godlinessεὐσεβείαςeusebeias — Godliness; reverent devotion to GodG2150 — Full Word Study → butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → denyingἠρνημένοιērnēmenoi — to deny, disown, or refuseG720 — Full Word Study → itsαὐτῆςautēs — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → powerδύναμινdynamin — Power, strength, ability, or mighty workG1411 — Full Word Study →. Turn away fromἀποτρέπουapotrepou — to turn away from; to avoidG665 — Full Word Study → such as these! 6They areεἰσινeisin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → the kind whoτούτωνtoutōn — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → worm their wayἐνδύνοντεςendynontes — to enter in secretly; to sneak intoG1744 — Full Word Study → intoεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → householdsοἰκίαςoikias — A house or household; a dwelling placeG3614 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → captivateαἰχμαλωτίζοντεςaichmalōtizontes — to capture or take captive; to lead away as a prisonerG163 — Full Word Study → vulnerable womenγυναικάριαgynaikaria — weak or silly womanG1133 — Full Word Study → who are weighed down with sinsἁμαρτίαιςhamartiais — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study → and led astray by variousποικίλαιςpoikilais — various, diverse, manifoldG4164 — Full Word Study → passionsἐπιθυμίαιςepithymiais — Strong desire; craving; lustG1939 — Full Word Study →, 7who are always learningμανθάνονταmanthanonta — to learn, acquire knowledge or skillG3129 — Full Word Study → but neverμηδέποτεmēdepote — Never at any time; not everG3368 — Full Word Study → ableδυνάμεναdynamena — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → to comeἐλθεῖνelthein — to come, go, arrive, or appearG2064 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → a knowledgeἐπίγνωσινepignōsin — Deeper knowledge, recognition, or acknowledgmentG1922 — Full Word Study → of the truth. 8Just asὃνhon — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → JannesἸάννηςIannēs — One of Pharaoh's magiciansG2389 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → JambresἸαμβρῆςIambrēs — Egyptian magicianG2387 — Full Word Study → opposedἀντέστησανantestēsan — to resist, oppose, or stand againstG436 — Full Word Study → MosesΜωϋσεῖMōusei — The lawgiver and prophetG3475 — Full Word Study →, soοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theseοὗτοιhoutoi — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → menἄνθρωποιanthrōpoi — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → opposeἀνθίστανταιanthistantai — to resist, oppose, or stand againstG436 — Full Word Study → theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → truthἀληθείᾳalētheia — Truth; reality; authenticityG225 — Full Word Study →. They are depravedκατεφθαρμένοιkatephtharmenoi — To corrupt utterly; to destroy completelyG2704 — Full Word Study → in mindνοῦνnoun — The mind; one's thinking faculty or understandingG3563 — Full Word Study → and disqualified fromπερὶperi — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → faithπίστινpistin — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study →. 9Butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → they will not advanceπροκόψουσινprokopsousin — to advance, progress, or make progressG4298 — Full Word Study → muchπλεῖονpleion — greater, more, larger in quantity or qualityG4119 — Full Word Study → furtherἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study →. Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → justκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → likeὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → Jannes and Jambres, theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → follyἄνοιαanoia — Senseless folly; lack of understanding or prudenceG454 — Full Word Study → will beἔσταιestai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → plainἔκδηλοςekdēlos — Clearly evident, openly manifest, plain to seeG1552 — Full Word Study → to everyoneπᾶσινpasin — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →. 10YouΣὺSy — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, howeverδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study →, have observedπαρηκολούθησάςparēkolouthēsas — to follow closely, to understand fully, to trace out carefullyG3877 — Full Word Study → myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → teachingδιδασκαλίᾳdidaskalia — instruction, doctrine, or authoritative teachingG1319 — Full Word Study →, my conductἀγωγῇagōgē — manner of life, conduct, way of livingG72 — Full Word Study →, my purposeπροθέσειprothesei — purpose, plan, intention, or displayG4286 — Full Word Study →, my faithπίστειpistei — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study →, my patienceμακροθυμίᾳmakrothymia — Patient endurance; longsuffering forbearanceG3115 — Full Word Study →, my loveἀγάπῃagapē — Self-giving love; covenant affectionG26 — Full Word Study →, my perseveranceὑπομονῇhypomonē — Steadfast endurance; patient perseverance through trialsG5281 — Full Word Study →, 11my persecutionsδιωγμοῖςdiōgmois — Persecution, hostile pursuit, or oppressive pressureG1375 — Full Word Study →, and the sufferingsπαθήμασινpathēmasin — suffering, affliction, hardshipG3804 — Full Word Study → thatοἷάhoia — of such a kind, what sort ofG3634 — Full Word Study → came uponἐγένετοegeneto — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → meμοιmoi — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → AntiochἈντιοχείᾳAntiocheia — Syrian city of importanceG490 — Full Word Study →, IconiumἸκονίῳIkoniō — Ancient city in Asia MinorG2430 — Full Word Study →, and LystraΛύστροιςLystrois — Lycaonian cityG3082 — Full Word Study →. Whatοἵουςhoious — of such a kind, what sort ofG3634 — Full Word Study → persecutionsδιωγμοὺςdiōgmous — Persecution, hostile pursuit, or oppressive pressureG1375 — Full Word Study → I enduredὑπήνεγκαhypēnenka — To bear up under, endure patientlyG5297 — Full Word Study →! Yetκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριοςKyrios — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → rescuedἐρρύσατοerrysato — To rescue, deliver, or snatch away from dangerG4506 — Full Word Study → meμεme — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → all of them. 12Indeedδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study →, allπάντεςpantes — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → whoοἱhoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → desireθέλοντεςthelontes — to desire, wish, or will; to be inclined towardG2309 — Full Word Study → to liveζῆνzēn — to live, be alive, existG2198 — Full Word Study → godly lives inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστῷChristō — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → will be persecutedδιωχθήσονταιdiōchthēsontai — To pursue, persecute, or press forwardG1377 — Full Word Study →, 13whileδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → evilπονηροὶponēroi — Evil, wicked, morally badG4190 — Full Word Study → menἄνθρωποιanthrōpoi — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → impostersγόητεςgoētes — deceiver, sorcerer, imposterG1114 — Full Word Study → go from bad toἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → worseχεῖρονcheiron — worse, more severe, inferior in qualityG5501 — Full Word Study →, deceivingπλανῶντεςplanōntes — to lead astray, deceive, or cause to wanderG4105 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → being deceivedπλανώμενοιplanōmenoi — to lead astray, deceive, or cause to wanderG4105 — Full Word Study →. 14Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → as for you, continueμένεmene — to remain, stay, abide, endureG3306 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the thingsοἷςhois — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → you have learnedἔμαθεςemathes — to learn, acquire knowledge or skillG3129 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → firmly believedἐπιστώθηςepistōthēs — to convince, persuade, or assureG4104 — Full Word Study →, since you knowεἰδὼςeidōs — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → fromπαρὰpara — from, beside, with, nearG3844 — Full Word Study → whomτίνωνtinōn — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → you have learned them. 15Fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → infancyβρέφουςbrephous — newborn infant, young childG1025 — Full Word Study → you have knownοἶδαςoidas — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → the[τὰ]ta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → Holyἱερὰhiera — sacred, holy, set apart for divine purposesG2413 — Full Word Study → Scripturesγράμματαgrammata — Written document; letter; scriptureG1121 — Full Word Study →, whichτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → are ableδυνάμενάdynamena — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → to make you wiseσοφίσαιsophisai — to make wise, devise cunninglyG4679 — Full Word Study → forεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → salvationσωτηρίανsōtērian — deliverance, rescue, salvationG4991 — Full Word Study → throughδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → faithπίστεωςpisteōs — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστῷChristō — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study →. 16Allπᾶσαpasa — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → Scripture is God-breathedθεόπνευστοςtheopneustos — God-breathed, divinely inspiredG2315 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → is usefulὠφέλιμοςōphelimos — Profitable, useful, beneficialG5624 — Full Word Study → forπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → instructionδιδασκαλίανdidaskalian — instruction, doctrine, or authoritative teachingG1319 — Full Word Study →, forπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → convictionἐλεγμόνelegmon — Rebuke; reproof; conviction of sinG1650 — Full Word Study →, forπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → correctionἐπανόρθωσινepanorthōsin — Correction, improvement, restoration to right conditionG1882 — Full Word Study →, and for trainingπαιδείανpaideian — Discipline, training, instruction, correctionG3809 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → righteousnessδικαιοσύνῃdikaiosynē — Righteousness; right standing with GodG1343 — Full Word Study →, 17so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → may beē — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → completeἄρτιοςartios — Fully equipped, complete, proficientG739 — Full Word Study →, fully equippedἐξηρτισμένοςexērtismenos — To complete, finish, or fully equipG1822 — Full Word Study → forπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → everyπᾶνpan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → goodἀγαθὸνagathon — good, beneficial, morally excellentG18 — Full Word Study → workἔργονergon — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 2 Timothy 3
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

In 2 Timothy 3, Paul writes with apostolic urgency to prepare Timothy for the spiritual challenges ahead. The chapter opens with a sobering prediction about the "last days"—not necessarily the end of time, but the final age of human history in which the gospel operates. Paul catalogs the moral and spiritual decline that will characterize this era, then contrasts it with the sufficiency of Scripture and the call to faithfulness. This passage equips Timothy (and us) to recognize false teachers, stand firm in sound doctrine, and trust God's Word as our anchor in turbulent times.

Verses 1–5: The Character of Last-Days Apostasy

Paul begins with a stark warning: "in the last days perilous times shall come" (v. 1). The word "perilous" suggests times of difficulty, danger, and hardship—not primarily from external persecution, but from the moral and spiritual corruption within the church itself. Verses 2–4 paint a portrait of humanity turned inward: lovers of self, covetous, proud, blasphemous, disobedient, unthankful, and unholy. The list culminates in a devastating summary—these people are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (v. 4). This is not unbelief alone; it is the inversion of all proper values.

Verse 5 identifies the particular danger: "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." These false teachers maintain outward religious appearance while rejecting the transformative power of the gospel. This is spiritual counterfeit at its worst. Paul's instruction is direct: "from such turn away." This speaks to necessary separation from those who corrupt the faith from within.

Application: We must learn to distinguish between genuine faith and mere religious performance. Does our faith in Christ change how we live, or do we simply maintain appearances?

Verses 6–9: The Method and Doom of False Teachers

Paul now exposes the tactics of these deceivers. They "creep into houses" (v. 6)—gaining access through subtlety and manipulation—and deliberately target vulnerable people, specifically "silly women laden with sins." This is not a commentary on women's intellect, but on those who, burdened by guilt and seeking answers, become prey to manipulation. These false teachers specialize in endless, circular learning: "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (v. 7). Knowledge without transformation is spiritually bankrupt.

Paul compares them to Jannes and Jambres (v. 8), traditionally understood as the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses. Just as those men resisted God's truth through counterfeit signs, so these deceivers "resist the truth" with "corrupt minds" and are "reprobate concerning the faith"—rejected by God's standard. Yet their fate is sealed: "they shall proceed no further" (v. 9). God's purposes cannot ultimately be thwarted by human deceit.

Application: Beware of teachers and movements that keep people in perpetual confusion rather than leading them to settled, biblical truth rooted in Christ.

Verses 10–13: Persecution and Perseverance

Paul reminds Timothy of his own example—his doctrine, manner of life, and especially his suffering. He lists specific cities where he endured persecution (v. 11), yet affirms: "out of them all the Lord delivered me." Verse 12 states a universal principle: "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." This is not optional; faithfulness invites opposition.

By contrast, "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (v. 13). They spiral downward, trapped in their own deception. Timothy's path—the path of the faithful—leads through hardship but ultimately to vindication.

Verses 14–17: The Sufficiency of Scripture

Paul's final word is the remedy: "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned" (v. 14), grounded in the authority of those who taught him. Most importantly, Timothy has "known the holy scriptures" since childhood (v. 15), which are "able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

The climax: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (v. 16). Scripture equips the "man of God" to be "perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (v. 17). This is the antidote to deception—the living Word of God.

Application for Today

We live in an age of religious confusion and spiritual counterfeits. Like Timothy, we must anchor ourselves in Scripture, recognize false teaching by its fruit and method, and stand faithfully even when opposed. Our sufficiency is not in our intellect or resources, but in God's Word and the power of the gospel to transform lives. In perilous times, the faithful response is not retreat but reliance on the truth.

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