Bible Commentaries

Know this (τουτο γινωσκε — touto ginōske). See note on 1 Corinthians 11:3; Philemon 1:12.

In the last days (εν εσχαταις ημεραις — en eschatais hēmerais). See note on James 5:3 and 1 Timothy 4:1.

Grievous (χαλεποι — chalepoi). Hard. See Ephesians 5:16.

Shall come (ενστησονται — enstēsontai). Future middle of ενιστημι — enistēmi (intransitive use), old verb, to stand on or be at hand, as in 2 Thessalonians 2:2.

Lovers of self (πιλαυτοι — philautoi). Old compound adjective (πιλοσ αυτος — philosπιλαργυροι — autos), here only in N.T.

Lovers of money (αλαζονες — philarguroi). Old compound adjective, in N.T. only here and Luke 16:14. See note on 1 Timothy 6:10.

Boastful (υπερηπανοι — alazones). Old word for empty pretender, in N.T. only here and Romans 1:30.

Haughty (βλασπημοι — huperēphanoi). See also Romans 1:30 for this old word.

Railers (γονευσιν απειτεις — blasphēmoi). See note on 1 Timothy 1:13.

Disobedient to parents (αχαριστοι — goneusin apeitheis). See note on Romans 1:30.

Unthankful (ανοσιοι — acharistoi). Old word, in N.T. only here and Luke 6:35.

Unholy (αστοργοι — anosioi). See note on 1 Timothy 1:9.

Without natural affection (astorgoi). See note on Romans 1:31.

Implacable (ασπονδοι — aspondoi). Truce-breakers. Old word, only here in N.T. though in MSS. in Romans 1:31 (from α — a privative and σπονδη — spondē a libation).

Slanderers (διαβολοι — diaboloi). See note on 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:3.

Without self-control (ακρατεις — akrateis). Old word (α — a privative and κρατος — kratos), here only in N.T.

Fierce (ανημεροι — anēmeroi). Old word (α — a privative and ημερος — hēmeros tame), only here in N.T.

No lovers of good (απιλαγατοι — aphilagathoi). Found only here (α — a privative and πιλαγατος — philagathos for which see note on Titus 1:8). See also Philemon 4:8. A papyrus describes Antoninus as πιλαγατος — philagathos and has απιλοκαγατια — aphilokagathia f0).

Traitors (προδοται — prodotai). Old word (from προδιδωμι — prodidōmi), in N.T. only here, Luke 6:16; Acts 7:52.

Headstrong (προπετεις — propeteis). Old word (from προ — pro and πιπτω — piptō), falling forward, in N.T. only here and Acts 19:36.

Puffed up (τετυπωμενοι — tetuphōmenoi). Perfect passive participle of τυποω — tuphoō See note on 1 Timothy 3:6.

Lovers of pleasure (πιληδονοι — philēdonoi). Literary Koiné{[28928]}š word (πιλοσ ηδονη — philosπιλοτεοι — hēdonē), only here in N.T.

Lovers of God (πιλοσ τεος — philotheoi). Old word (philostheos), only here in N.T.

A form of godliness (μορπωσιν ευσεβειας — morphōsin eusebeias). For μορπωσιν — morphōsin see note on Romans 2:20. The outward shape without the reality.

Having denied (ηρνημενοι — ērnēmenoi). 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 (αποτρεπου — apotrepou). Present middle (direct) imperative of αποτρεπω — apotrepō “turn thyself away from.” Old verb, only here in N.T. See 4 Maccabees 1:33.

That creep (οι ενδυνοντες — hoi endunontes). 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 (παρεισεδυησαν — pareiseduēsan), 2 Peter 2:1 (παρεισαχουσιν — pareisaxousin), Galatians 2:4 (παρεισηλτον — pareisēlthon and παρεισακτους — pareisaktous). These stealthy “creepers” are pictured also in Titus 1:11.

Take captive (αιχμαλωτιζοντες — aichmalōtizontes). “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 (σεσωρευμενα αμαρτιαις — sesōreumena hamartiais). 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.”

Never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (μηδεποτε εις επιγνωσιν αλητειας ελτειν δυναμενα — mēdepote eis epignōsin alētheias elthein dunamena). Pathetic picture of these hypnotized women without intellectual power to cut through the fog of words and, though always learning scraps of things, they never come into the full knowledge (επιγνωσιν — epignōsin) of the truth in Christ. And yet they even pride themselves on belonging to the intelligentsia!

Like as (ον τροπον — hon tropon). “In which manner.” Adverbial accusative and incorporation of the antecedent τροπον — tropon into the relative clause.

Jannes and Jambres (Ιαννης και Ιαμβρης — Iannēs kai Iambrēs). Traditional names of the magicians who withstood Moses (Targum of Jonathan on Exodus 7:11).

Withstood (αντεστησαν — antestēsan). Second aorist active (intransitive) of αντιστημι — anthistēmi to stand against, “they stood against” (with dative Μωυσει — Mōusei). Same word used of Elymas in Acts 13:8 and repeated here αντιστανται — anthistantai (present middle indicative). Paul here pictures the seducers of the γυναικαρια — gunaikaria above.

Corrupted in mind (κατεπταρμενοι τον νουν — katephtharmenoi ton noun). Perfect passive participle of καταπτειρω — kataphtheirō old compound, in N.T. only here in critical text. See on 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 6:5 for διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō The accusative νουν — noun is retained in the passive.

Reprobate (αδοκιμοι — adokimoi). See note on 1 Corinthians 9:27; Titus 1:16. They had renounced their trust (πιστιν — pistin) in Christ.

They shall proceed no further (ου προκοπσουσιν επι πλειον — ou prokopsousin epi pleion). Future active of προκοπτω — prokoptō See note on 2 Timothy 2:16.

Folly (ανοια — anoia). Old word (from ανοος — anoos a privative and νους — nous), want of sense, here only in N.T.

Evident (εκδηλος — ekdēlos). Old word (εκ δηλος — ekεκεινων — dēlos outstanding), here only in N.T.

Theirs (ekeinōn). Of Jannes and Jambres (Exodus 7:12).

Didst follow (παρηκολουτησας — parēkolouthēsas). First aorist active indicative of παρακολουτεω — parakoloutheō for which see note on 1 Timothy 4:6. Some MSS. have perfect active παρηκολουτηκας — parēkolouthēkas (thou hast followed). Nine associative-instrumental cases here after the verb (teaching, διδασκαλιαι — didaskaliāi Romans 12:7; conduct, αγωγηι — agōgēi old word here only in N.T.; purpose, προτεσει — prothesei Romans 8:28; faith, πιστει — pistei 1 Thessalonians 3:6; longsuffering, μακροτυμιαι — makrothumiāi Colossians 1:11; persecutions, διωγμοις — diōgmois 2 Thessalonians 1:4; sufferings, πατημασιν — pathēmasin 2 Corinthians 1:6.). The two last items belong to 2 Timothy 3:11.

What things befell me (οια μοι εγενετο — hoia moi egeneto). Qualitative relative (οια — hoia) referring to actual experiences of Paul (εγενετο — egeneto second aorist middle indicative of γινομαι — ginomai) more fully described in 2 Corinthians 11:30-33. The Acts of the Apostles tell of his experiences in Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14, Acts 13:45, Acts 13:50), in Iconium (Acts 14:1-5), in Lystra (Acts 14:6-19). See also Galatians 2:11.

What persecutions I endured (οιους διωγμους υπηνεγκα — hoious diōgmous hupēnegka). Qualitative relative again with διωγμους — diōgmous The verb is first aorist active indicative of υποπερω — hupopherō old verb, to bear under as in 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Delivered me (με ερυσατο — me erusato). First aorist middle of ρυομαι — ruomai old verb, with εκ — ek here as in 1 Thessalonians 1:10. Used again of the Lord Jesus in 2 Timothy 4:18.

That would live godly (οι τελοντες ζηιν ευσεβως — hoi thelontes zēin eusebōs). “Those who desire (will, determine) to live godly.” Paul does not regard his experience as peculiar, but only part of the price of loyal service to Christ.

Shall suffer persecution (διωχτησονται — diōchthēsontai). Future passive of διωκω — diōkō “shall be persecuted” (shall be hunted as wild beasts).

Impostors (γοητες — goētes). Old word from wailers (γοαω — goaō to bewail), professional mourners, deceivers, jugglers. Here only in the N.T. Modern impostors know all the tricks of the trade.

Shall wax worse and worse (προκοπσουσιν επι το χειρον — prokopsousin epi to cheiron). “Shall cut forward to the worse stage.” See note on 2 Timothy 2:16 for προκοπτω — prokoptō Χειρον — Cheiron is comparative of κακος — kakos “to the worse than now.”

Deceiving and being deceived (πλανωντες και πλανωμενοι — planōntes kai planōmenoi). Present active and present passive participles of πλαναω — planaō The tragedy of it all is that these seducers are able to deceive others as well as themselves.

But abide thou (συ δε μενε — su de mene). Emphatic contrast (συ δε — su de), “But thou.” Present active imperative of μενω — menō common verb, to remain.

In the things which (εν οις — en hois). The antecedent to οις — hois is not expressed (“in which things”) and the relative is attracted from α — ha accusative with εματες — emathes (didst learn, second aorist active indicative of μαντανω — manthanō) to the case of the unexpressed antecedent (locative with εν — en).

Hast been assured of (επιστωτης — epistōthēs). First aorist passive indicative of πιστοω — pistoō old verb (from πιστος — pistos faithful), to make reliable, only here in N.T.

Knowing from whom (ειδως παρα τινων — eidōs para tinōn). Second perfect active participle of οιδα — oida Note τινων — tinōn (ablative case after παρα — para in an indirect question). The list included the O.T. prophets, Paul, Eunice, Lois. There ought to be moral authority in such personages.

From a babe (απο βρεπους — apo brephous). Only here in the Pastorals. This teaching from the fifth year, covering the whole of Timothy‘s recollections. See Mark 9:21 εκ παιδιοτεν — ek paidiothen from a child.

Thou has known (οιδας — oidas). Present active indicative, progressive perfect reaching from a babe till now. Would that Christian parents took like pains today.

The sacred writings (ιερα γραμματα — hiera grammata). “Sacred writings” or “Holy Scriptures.” Here alone in N.T., though in Josephus (Proem to Ant. 3; Apion 1, etc.) and in Philo. The adjective ιερος — hieros occurs in 1 Corinthians 9:13 of the temple worship, and γραμμα — gramma in contrast to πνευμα — pneuma in 2 Corinthians 3:6.; Romans 2:29 and in John 5:47 of Moses‘ writings, in Acts 28:21 of an epistle, in Galatians 6:11 of letters (characters). In Ephesus there were Επεσια γραμματα — Ephesia grammata that were βεβηλα — bebēla (Acts 19:19), not ιερα — hiera

To make thee wise (σε σοπισαι — se sophisai). First aorist active infinitive of σοπιζω — sophizō old verb (from σοπος — sophos), in N.T. only here, and 2 Peter 1:16.

Which is in (της εν — tēs en). Common idiom with the article, “the in.” The use of the Scriptures was not magic, but of value when used “through faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable (πασα γραπη τεοπνευστος και ωπελιμος — pāsa graphē theopneustos kai ōphelimos). There are two matters of doubt in this clause. One is the absence of the article η — hē before γραπη — graphē whether that makes it mean “every scripture” or “all scripture” as of necessity if present. Unfortunately, there are examples both ways with both πας — pās and γραπη — graphē Twice we find γραπη — graphē in the singular without the article and yet definite (1 Peter 2:6; 2 Peter 1:20). We have πας Ισραηλ — pās Israēl (Romans 11:26) for all Israel (Robertson, Grammar, p. 772). So far as the grammatical usage goes, one can render here either “all scripture” or “every scripture.” There is no copula (εστιν — estin) in the Greek and so one has to insert it either before the και — kai or after it. If before, as is more natural, then the meaning is: “All scripture (or every scripture) is inspired of God and profitable.” In this form there is a definite assertion of inspiration. That can be true also of the second way, making “inspired of God” descriptive of “every scripture,” and putting εστιν — estin (is) after και — kai “All scripture (or every scripture), inspired of God, is also profitable.”

Inspired of God (τεοπνευστος — theopneustos). “God-breathed.” Late word (Plutarch) here only in N.T. Perhaps in contrast to the commandments of men in Titus 1:14.

Profitable (ωπελιμος — ōphelimos). See note on 1 Timothy 4:8. See Romans 15:4. Four examples of προς — pros (facing, with a view to, for): διδασκαλιαν — didaskalian teaching; ελεγμον — elegmon reproof, in lxx and here only in N.T.; επανορτωσιν — epanorthōsin correction, old word, from επανορτοω — epanorthoō to set up straight in addition, here only in N.T., with which compare επιδιορτοω — epidiorthoō in Titus 1:5; παιδειαν — paideian instruction, with which compare Ephesians 6:4.

The man of God (ο του τεου αντρωπος — ho tou theou anthrōpos). See note on 1 Timothy 6:11.

May be complete (ινα ηι αρτιος — hina ēi artios). Final clause with ινα — hina and present subjunctive of ειμι — eimi Αρτιος — Artios is old word (from root αρω — arō to fit), specially adapted, here only in N.T.

Furnished completely (εχηρτισμενος — exērtismenos). Perfect passive participle of εχαρτιζω — exartizō rare verb, to furnish (fit) fully (perfective use of εχ — ex), in N.T. only here and Acts 21:5. In Josephus. For καταρτιζω — katartizō see note on Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 13:11.