2 Timothy / Chapter 3

2 Timothy 3

17 verses • SBL Greek New Testament

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Paul warns Timothy that the last days will bring moral and spiritual decay, cataloguing vices that masquerade as piety — people who hold to the outward form of godliness while denying its power. He draws a parallel between these deceivers and Jannes and Jambres, the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses. Against this backdrop, Paul points to his own life as an example: his teaching, conduct, persecution, and endurance. The chapter culminates in one of the most significant statements in Scripture about the nature of sacred writings: 'All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.'

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

Verse 16 contains the word theopneustos ('God-breathed'), found nowhere else in the New Testament or in earlier Greek literature — Paul may have coined it. The term does not describe the process of inspiration (how God did it) but the origin and character of Scripture (it comes from God's breath). The vice catalogue in verses 2-5 is structured around the concept of disordered love: love of self, love of money, and love of pleasure replace love of God. The reference to Jannes and Jambres (v. 8) draws on Jewish tradition not found in the Hebrew Bible but preserved in later texts — Paul treats this tradition as reliable.

Translation Friction

The phrase 'last days' (eschatai hemerai, v. 1) has been debated — does Paul refer to a future period or to the present age inaugurated by Christ? The Pastoral Epistles treat the 'last days' as already underway, with conditions worsening. The scope of 'all Scripture' (pasa graphe) in verse 16 originally referred to the Hebrew Scriptures (the only 'Scripture' Timothy knew from childhood), though the church later applied the principle to the New Testament writings as well. We render theopneustos as 'God-breathed' rather than the KJV's 'given by inspiration of God,' which is accurate but less precise about the metaphor.

Connections

The vice catalogue parallels Romans 1:29-31 in structure and content. The Jannes and Jambres tradition appears in the Targum of Pseudo-Jonathan on Exodus 7:11 and in later Jewish and early Christian texts. Paul's appeal to his own suffering (vv. 10-11) recalls 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. The Scripture passage (vv. 15-17) connects to the deposit language of 1 Timothy 6:20 and 2 Timothy 1:14, and provides the theological basis for the 'word of truth' in 2:15.

2 Timothy 3:1

Τοῦτο δὲ γίνωσκε, ὅτι ἐν ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις ἐνστήσονται καιροὶ χαλεποί·

But understand this: in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

KJV This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek chalepoi ('difficult, hard, dangerous') is used in Matthew 8:28 to describe the Gadarene demoniacs as 'fierce.' The 'last days' (eschatais hemerais) in Pauline theology began with Christ's resurrection and continue until his return — they are not solely future.
2 Timothy 3:2

ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι φίλαυτοι, φιλάργυροι, ἀλαζόνες, ὑπερήφανοι, βλάσφημοι, γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς, ἀχάριστοι, ἀνόσιοι,

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

KJV For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The catalogue begins with two phil- compounds: philautoi ('lovers of self') and philargyroi ('lovers of money'), establishing disordered love as the root problem. This prepares for the climactic contrast in verse 4: 'lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.' The list echoes Romans 1:29-31, where moral decay follows the rejection of God.
2 Timothy 3:3

ἄστοργοι, ἄσπονδοι, διάβολοι, ἀκρατεῖς, ἀνήμεροι, ἀφιλάγαθοι,

Apart from natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are upright,.

KJV Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek astorgoi ('without natural affection, heartless') denotes the absence of storge — the instinctive love within families. The word diaboloi ('slanderous') is the same word used as a title for the devil (ho diabolos, 'the slanderer'). These people take on the character of the adversary himself.
2 Timothy 3:4

προδόται, προπετεῖς, τετυφωμένοι, φιλήδονοι μᾶλλον ἢ φιλόθεοι,

Treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God;.

KJV Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The catalogue reaches its climax with the contrast: philedonoi mallon e philotheoi ('lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God'). The structure mirrors the opening — phil-compounds frame the entire list. The Greek tetyphomenoi ('puffed up, blinded by smoke') suggests delusion caused by pride.
2 Timothy 3:5

ἔχοντες μόρφωσιν εὐσεβείας τὴν δὲ δύναμιν αὐτῆς ἠρνημένοι· καὶ τούτους ἀποτρέπου.

Indeed, having a form of godliness, but denying the authority thereof — from such turn away.

KJV Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

εὐσέβεια eusebeia
"godliness" — godliness, piety, reverence, devotion

A key term in the Pastoral Epistles, appearing fifteen times. It denotes the lived expression of faith — reverent conduct that flows from genuine relationship with God.

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek morphosin ('outward form, appearance') implies an external shape without internal reality — a religious veneer over moral emptiness. The 'power' (dynamin) of godliness is the transformative energy of the Holy Spirit working through genuine faith. The command apotrepou ('turn away from, avoid') is present imperative — this is an ongoing stance, not a one-time action.
2 Timothy 3:6

ἐκ τούτων γάρ εἰσιν οἱ ἐνδύνοντες εἰς τὰς οἰκίας καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζοντες γυναικάρια σεσωρευμένα ἁμαρτίαις, ἀγόμενα ἐπιθυμίαις ποικίλαις,

For among them are those who creep into households and captivate vulnerable women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek gynaikaria (diminutive of gynē) has often been translated pejoratively ('silly women'). The diminutive likely indicates vulnerability rather than contempt — these are people in precarious situations who are exploited by predatory teachers. 'Captivate' (aichmalotizontes) is military language: taking prisoners of war. The false teachers conduct household-level infiltration campaigns.
2 Timothy 3:7

πάντοτε μανθάνοντα καὶ μηδέποτε εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας ἐλθεῖν δυνάμενα.

Ever learning, and never able to arrive to the knowledge of the what is genuine.

KJV Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The paradox of perpetual learning without ever reaching truth (epignosin aletheias) describes a cycle of religious consumption without transformation. The intensified epignosis ('full, experiential knowledge') underscores what is missing — not information but genuine encounter with truth.
2 Timothy 3:8

ὃν τρόπον δὲ Ἰάννης καὶ Ἰαμβρῆς ἀντέστησαν Μωϋσεῖ, οὕτως καὶ οὗτοι ἀνθίστανται τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, ἄνθρωποι κατεφθαρμένοι τὸν νοῦν, ἀδόκιμοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν.

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth — people of corrupted minds, disqualified regarding the faith.

KJV Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Jannes and Jambres are not named in the Hebrew Bible but appear in Jewish tradition as the Egyptian magicians who replicated Moses' signs (Exodus 7:11, 8:7). Paul draws on this extrabiblical tradition without qualification. The term adokimoi ('disqualified, failing the test') is the opposite of dokimos ('approved') in 2:15 — these men fail the very test Timothy is called to pass.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Exodus 7:11 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
2 Timothy 3:9

ἀλλ' οὐ προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ πλεῖον· ἡ γὰρ ἄνοια αὐτῶν ἔκδηλος ἔσται πᾶσιν, ὡς καὶ ἡ ἐκείνων ἐγένετο.

But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was the folly of those two.

KJV But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Paul offers reassurance: the false teachers' progress has limits. Just as Jannes and Jambres were ultimately exposed and defeated (Exodus 8:18-19, 9:11), so these opponents will be revealed. The Greek anoia ('folly, senselessness') contrasts with the 'knowledge of truth' they claim to possess.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Exodus 8:18-19. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
2 Timothy 3:10

Σὺ δὲ παρηκολούθησάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ,

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance,

KJV But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek parekolouthesas ('followed closely, investigated, accompanied') means Timothy did not merely hear Paul's teaching but observed his entire life. The seven items form a comprehensive portrait: doctrine (didaskalia), behavior (agoge), purpose (prothesis), faith (pistis), patience (makrothymia), love (agape), and endurance (hypomone).
2 Timothy 3:11

τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος.

Persecutions, afflictions, which arrived to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra. What persecutions I endured — but out of them every one of the Lord delivered me.

KJV Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Paul cites three cities from his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14) — notably, these are cities in Timothy's home region. Timothy would have known firsthand about these events (Acts 16:1-2). The Lystra reference is especially poignant: Paul was stoned and left for dead there (Acts 14:19). The declaration 'the Lord rescued me from them all' (ek pantōn me errhysato ho kyrios) echoes Psalm 34:19.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Psalm 34:19. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
2 Timothy 3:12

καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῆν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται.

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

KJV Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This is a universal statement without qualification: all (pantes) who pursue godliness in Christ will face persecution. The passive diochthesontai ('will be persecuted') is a divine passive — God permits persecution as part of the faithful life. This verse functions as a theological axiom grounding the entire chapter.
2 Timothy 3:13

πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι.

However, evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

KJV But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek goetes ('impostors, sorcerers, charlatans') originally meant 'wailing ones' — referring to the incantations of sorcerers. The double participle planōntes kai planōmenoi ('deceiving and being deceived') captures the self-referential nature of deception: the deceivers are themselves deceived. This is not merely about bad actors but about a contagion of falsehood.
2 Timothy 3:14

σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνων ἔμαθες,

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

KJV But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek epistōthes ('have become convinced, have been assured') implies settled conviction, not mere intellectual acceptance. 'From whom' (para tinōn) is plural — Timothy learned from multiple sources: Paul, his grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice (1:5). The appeal to personal relationships as a basis for trust in teaching is characteristic of the Pastoral Epistles.
2 Timothy 3:15

καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

That from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation by way of faith which is in Christ Jesus.

KJV And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

ἱερὰ γράμματα hiera grammata
"sacred writings" — sacred writings, holy scriptures, sacred letters

This phrase was widely used in Hellenistic Judaism for the Hebrew Scriptures. It establishes the context for the theopneustos declaration in the next verse.

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek ta hiera grammata ('the sacred writings') refers to the Hebrew Scriptures — the Torah, Prophets, and Writings that Timothy learned from his Jewish mother and grandmother. The word brephos ('infant, baby') indicates that Timothy's scriptural education began in earliest childhood. These writings accomplish their saving purpose 'through faith in Christ Jesus' — the Old Testament is not superseded but fulfilled.
2 Timothy 3:16

πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ,

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

θεόπνευστος theopneustos
"God-breathed" — God-breathed, inspired by God, breathed out by God

A hapax legomenon (occurring only once in the New Testament). The metaphor connects to Genesis 2:7 (God breathes life into Adam) and Ezekiel 37 (breath brings dry bones to life). Scripture is alive because it carries God's own breath.

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek theopneustos ('God-breathed') is a compound of theos ('God') and pneō ('to breathe, blow'). It appears nowhere else in the New Testament and may be Paul's own coinage. The word describes not the process by which Scripture was written but its character and origin — it carries God's breath, his life-giving and authoritative word. The KJV's 'given by inspiration of God' accurately conveys the meaning but obscures the vivid breath metaphor. The four uses of Scripture — teaching (didaskalia), reproof (elegmon), correction (epanorthōsin), and training in righteousness (paideian tēn en dikaiosynē) — cover both doctrine and ethics, both confrontation and formation.
2 Timothy 3:17

ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος, πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισμένος.

Indeed, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished to all good deeds.

KJV That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek artios ('complete, capable, proficient') does not mean sinless perfection but fitness for purpose. The related verb exertismenos ('equipped, fully furnished') reinforces the practical aim: Scripture is not given for abstract knowledge but to produce people capable of every good work. 'The person of God' (ho tou theou anthropos) is a title with Old Testament roots (applied to Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and others) now applied to the Christian minister.
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