Bible Commentary

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 7. never able ] The negative used indicates the class of persons conceived of. the knowledge of the truth ] The fall knowledge, a ‘decisive and stable apprehension,’ Alford. See note on 1Ti 2:4. Cf. Lightfoot, Revision N.T. p. 61, where he … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 3:7”

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 6 9. Appeal to Timothy for pure doctrine in view of the worse doctrines to come 6. For of this sort ] For of these, the reason of the warning; the mischief … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 3:6”

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 5. having a form of godliness ] The word for ‘form’ is strictly ‘formation,’ its ending implying process rather than result, the producing of the form; hence in Rom 2:20 ‘thou hast the ideally perfect presentation of knowledge and truth.’ ‘The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 3:5”

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 4. traitors, heady, highminded ] The last triad again descending, false and forward and full of conceit, the spirit of one who ‘with a light heart’ (1) betrays old friends, and (2) rushes headlong on new faiths, and (3) remains to the end impenetrably … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 3:4”

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 3. without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers ] Or, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, another triad which starts from another breach of the same fifth commandment, the rending of the family ties of love, and advances to a breach of the sixth commandment … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 3:3”

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves ] ‘The article is generic; the men who shall live in those times,’ Alford. Self-lovers, money-lovers; the first pair of adjectives in the description go naturally together; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 3:2”

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 1. This know also ] Lit., ‘take notice of this,’ the present tense. Our Lord in Luk 12:39 has the same formula. in the last days ] ‘Not only the very last days, towards the end of the world, but in general (according … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 3:1”

And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 26. and that they may recover themselves ] Omit ‘that,’ the verb depending on ‘if perchance.’ The verb ‘recover themselves’ is literally ‘return to soberness.’ Constructed with the preposition ‘out of’ it has … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 2:26”

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 25. in meekness instructing ] Meekness, gentleness of heart, the feeling as separate from the demeanour: still more clearly brought out by the use of the compound word 1Ti 6:11. The corresponding adjective is used … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 2:25”

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men,] apt to teach, patient, 24. And the servant of the Lord ] The conjunction here is exactly parallel in its force to ‘and follow after’ in 2Ti 2:22. ‘The servant,’ not ‘a servant,’ the emphatic position of ‘servant’ at the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 2:24”