Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, July 19th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Bible Commentaries
Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament Bengel's Gnomon
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Bengel, Johann Albrecht. "Commentary on 2 Timothy 3". Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jab/2-timothy-3.html. 1897.
Bengel, Johann Albrecht. "Commentary on 2 Timothy 3". Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament. https://studylight.org/
Whole Bible (52)New Testament (18)Individual Books (11)
Verse 1
2 Timothy 3:1 . ΤοῦÏο δὲ γίνÏÏκε , but know this ) The apostle’s statement is quite distinct, 1 Timothy 4:1 . á¼Î½ á¼ÏÏάÏÎ±Î¹Ï á¼¡Î¼ÎÏÎ±Î¹Ï , in the last days ) which had at that time begun to be, 2 Timothy 3:5 , at the end. A similar expression is found at 2 Peter 3:3 ; Jude 1:18 . á¼Î½ÏÏήÏονÏαι ) shall come unexpectedly. The future, in respect of prophecies that had gone before. καιÏοὶ ÏαλεÏοὶ , perilous times ) when it will be difficult to discover what should be done.
Verse 2
2 Timothy 3:2 . á¼ÏονÏαι οἱ á¼Î½Î¸ÏÏÏοι , men shall be ) Such shall be of higher rank and of greater number in the Church than ever formerly: 2 Timothy 3:5 . They shall be worse even than those who had abused the light of nature alone, Romans 1:29 , etc.: where we explain many things in the notes, which are here repeated. ÏÎ¯Î»Î±Ï Ïοι , lovers of their own selves ) The first root of evil. ÏιλάÏÎ³Ï Ïοι , lovers of money ) The second root. γονεῦÏιν á¼Ïειθεá¿Ï , disobedient to parents ) The character of the times is to be gathered even especially from the manners of the young. á¼ÏάÏιÏÏοι , ungrateful ) The obligation of a grateful mind is next to that of filial duty.
Verse 3
2 Timothy 3:3 . á¼ÎºÏαÏεá¿Ï , á¼Î½Î®Î¼ÎµÏοι , incontinent, fierce ) at once both soft (yielding as to self-indulgence) and hard. á¼Ïιλάγαθοι , haters of those that are good ) Its contrary is a lover of good , Titus 1:7 , note 3.
Verse 4
2 Timothy 3:4 . Î ÏοÏεÏεá¿Ï ) rash, those who are headstrong [Engl. Vers. heady ] in acting, etc. ÏεÏÏ ÏÏμÎνοι , [ high-minded ] puffed up ) 1 Timothy 6:4 , note; as if a person should be so suffocated with smoke ( ÏÏÏÏ ), that he has no longer power over his mind. Such is the condition to which pride brings men. Ïιλήδονοι , lovers of pleasure ) An epithet of the Epicureans. Pleasure destroys the love and sense of God. Such are our Epicureans.
Verse 5
2 Timothy 3:5 . ÎÏÏÏÏÏιν ) the outward appearance , not without some internal rudiment of godliness. á¼ÏοÏÏÎÏÎ¿Ï ) ΤÏÎÏεÏαι is said of one who, when he is forced, flees: á¼ÏοÏÏÎÏεÏαι , of one who á¼Î½Î±ÏÏÏεῠ, withdraws, and spontaneously shuns any one. Eustath.
Verse 6
2 Timothy 3:6 . á¼Îº ÏοÏÏÏν , of these ) See the preceding verse, these ( such ). The expression is clearly demonstrative. οἱ á¼Î½Î´ÏνονÏÎµÏ , they who creep in ) privately. Î³Ï Î½Î±Î¹ÎºÎ¬Ïια ) silly women , who are presently described as like those (in 2Ti 3:5 ). á¼ÏÎ¹Î¸Ï Î¼Î¯Î±Î¹Ï ÏÎ¿Î¹ÎºÎ¯Î»Î±Î¹Ï , with various or divers lusts ) of the mind and of the flesh: 2 Timothy 4:3 . Even this variety is a source of delight.
Verse 7
2 Timothy 3:7 . ÎανθάνονÏα , learning ) for the indulgence of curiosity. μηδÎÏοÏε , never ) Whence they are easily led captive , 2 Timothy 3:6 .
Verse 8
2 Timothy 3:8 . Ἰαννá¿Ï καὶ ἸαμβÏá¿Ï , Jannes and Jambres ) Euseb., 2 Timothy 1:9 , Præp. Evang., quotes the following passage from Numemius: “Jannes and Jambres, understood to be Egyptian sacred scribes ( ἱεÏογÏαμμαÏεá¿Ï , a lower order of priests in Egypt), men of no small skill in magical operations, at the time when the Jews were driven out of the land of Egypt,” etc. Jannes and Jambres were names very well known in Paul’s time; for they were very often mentioned in the ancient books of the Hebrews, as two of the principal magicians among the Egyptians. The very acute Hillerus, according to the Abyssinian language, interprets Jannes , a jester or trickster , and Jambres, a juggler; for he is of opinion, that the appellatives were changed into proper names in the lapse of time. Onom. S., p. 671, 843. Certainly, if they were entirely proper names, we may believe that they were formerly μÎÏα (terms intermediate between appellatives and proper names), which indicated the profession of the art itself (as well as the person); comp. Acts 13:8 . á¼Î½ÏÎÏÏηÏαν ÎÏÏá¿ , withstood Moses ) by rivalling to some extent his wonders. á¼Î½Î¸Î¯ÏÏανÏαι , resist ) The opposite is, shall suffer persecution , 2 Timothy 3:12 . á¼Î´Î¿ÎºÎ¯Î¼Î¿Î¹ ) reprobate, having no power to approve: comp. Romans 1:28 .
Verse 9
2 Timothy 3:9 . Îá½ ÏÏοκÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïιν á¼Ïὶ Ïλεá¿Î¿Î½ , they shall proceed no further ) not so as to seduce others, although they themselves, and those like them, shall proceed ( ÏÏοκÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïιν ) to worse and worse , 2 Timothy 3:13 . Often malice proceeds deeper down when it cannot extend itself. á¼Î½Î¿Î¹Î± , folly ) though they may think themselves wise . á¼ÎºÎ´Î·Î»Î¿Ï ) brought from ( á¼Îº ) concealment into open day . ἡ á¼ÎºÎµÎ¯Î½Ïν , theirs ) Exodus 7:12 ; Exodus 8:18 ; Exodus 9:11 . A very severe punishment is denoted by the moderate expression, used by the apostle in reference to a well-known fact.
Verse 10
2 Timothy 3:10 . Σὺ δὲ , but thou ) An antithesis: so again after new descriptions of evils, 2 Timothy 3:14 , ch. 2 Timothy 4:5 . ÏαÏηκολοÏÎ¸Î·ÎºÎ±Ï , thou hast followed out ) [ fully followed up , traced out and known]. Timothy became the companion of Paul after the persecutions mentioned in this place, Acts 13:50 ; Acts 14:5 ; Acts 14:19 ; Acts 16:3 . This is therefore a well chosen word to employ here, as in Luke 1:3 . So Antiochus concerning his son: “I am persuaded that he, understanding my mind ( ÏαÏÎ±ÎºÎ¿Î»Î¿Ï Î¸Î¿á¿¦Î½Ïα , following up my mode of thinking); 2Ma 9:27 . Ïá¿ á¼Î³Ïγῠ) á¼Î³Ïγὴ , mode of life , Fr. conduite . Ïá¿ ÏÏοθÎÏει , purpose ) His purpose for the future follows close after his (present) mode of life; comp. Acts 11:23 , note; and long-suffering follows close after faith , as in Hebrews 6:12 : patience follows close after love , as in 2 Thessalonians 3:5 .
Verse 11
2 Timothy 3:11 . á¼Î½ á¼Î½ÏιοÏείᾳ , á¼Î½ Ἰκονίῳ , á¼Î½ ÎÏÏÏÏÎ¿Î¹Ï , at Antioch, Iconium, Lystra ) Acts 13:14 ; Acts 13:51 ; Acts 14:6 . οἷα ) Î¿á¼·Ï shows the weightiness of the matter in hand: 1Ma 5:56 , “he heard the valiant and warlike deeds , οἷα á¼ÏοίηÏαν , how great were the acts which they did.” Î¿á¼¶Î¿Ï Ï Î´Î¹ÏÎ³Î¼Î¿á½ºÏ , how great persecutions ) The noun repeated after the interposition of another adds perspicuity and weight to what is said. ÎιÏÎ³Î¼á½¸Ï and Ïάθημα are species and genus: persecution is properly, when they drive a man from one city to another, or when they attempt to apprehend him in his flight; but suffering is any calamity in general, for example, when Paul was stoned, etc. á½Ïήνεγκα , I endured ) The mark of an apostle. á¼á¿¤á¿¥ÏÏαÏο , delivered ) Another mark, to be miraculously preserved; Psalms 34:0 (33):17, á¼Îº ÏαÏῶν Ïῶν θλίÏεÏν αá½Ïῶν á¼á¿¤á¿¥ÏÏαÏο αá½ÏοÏÏ , He delivered them out of all their afflictions . á½ ÎÏÏÎ¹Î¿Ï , the Lord ) Christ.
Verse 12
2 Timothy 3:12 . Îαὶ ÏάνÏÎµÏ Î´á½² , yea and all ) all , and they alone. The third mark, to have persecutors; so far should persecution be from being a stumbling-block to any one. At the beginning of persecution , it does not yet appear that that is the mark of an apostle: it at length appears from the help that is afforded, and from the endurance of them. In this, however, is the third mark of an apostle: á½Ïομονὴ , patience , is a great thing in the eyes of the apostle; he prefers it to all the others. All other things may be taken from a man, so that he may suffer their utter loss and he himself fall away; but when he has á½Ïομονὴ , all things are preserved. Hence Timothy might at the same time gather that he would also suffer persecution. There is a similar transition from Paul to all godly men, ch. 2 Timothy 4:8 . οὶ θÎλονÏÎµÏ , those wishing or willing ) Consider therefore whether you are willing; comp. the word wishing (intending), Luke 14:28 . Even a persevering will has a beginning. εá½ÏÎµÎ²á¿¶Ï Î¶á¿Î½ ) to live godly; the whole energy of their life being devoted to Christian piety, Philippians 1:21 . ζá¿Î½ , to live ) to pass life, Galatians 2:14 . á¼Î½ ΧÏιÏÏá¿· in Christ ) There is no godliness out of Christ Jesus. [ And indeed the world easily wears that mask of religion which depends on itself; but the piety which flourishes directly from Jesus Christ is very hateful, as it was to the old Jews, so to the modern Christians, who are without any token of good . V. g.] διÏÏθήÏονÏαι , shall suffer persecution ) Nor will they indeed refuse it, Galatians 5:11 . They shall proceed to worse and worse, 2 Timothy 3:13 , stands in opposition to this future.
Verse 13
2 Timothy 3:13 . ΠονηÏοὶ , evil men ) The antithesis is godly , 2 Timothy 3:12 . These are ÏλανÏμενοι , with a middle signification, who permit themselves to be seduced . γÏηÏÎµÏ ) seducers, enchanters , like those of Egypt, 2 Timothy 3:8 . These are ÏλανῶνÏÎµÏ , seducers. ÏÏοκÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïιν , shall proceed to) so that no one will persecute them, but they will persecute the godly. ÏλανῶνÏÎµÏ ÎºÎ±á½¶ ÏλανÏμενοι , deceiving and being deceived ) He who has once begun to deceive others, is the less easily able to recover himself from error, and the more easily embraces in turn the errors of others.
Verse 14
2 Timothy 3:14 . Σὺ δὲ , but thou ) Whatever they may do. He takes up again what he began to say at 2 Timothy 3:10 . á¼ÏιÏÏÏÎ¸Î·Ï ) ÏίÏÏÎ¿Ï , I make sure a thing on the mind: á¼Î½ Î¿á¼·Ï á¼ÏιÏÏÏÎ¸Î·Ï , in which thou hast been rendered ÏιÏÏá½¸Ï , faithful and firm (thou hast been assured) [ out of the Scripture , 2 Timothy 3:15 . V. g.] Comp. LXX., Psalms 78:8 ; Psalms 78:37 , where ÏιÏÏοῦÏθαι corresponds to × ××× . Îµá¼°Î´á½¼Ï ÎºÎ±á½¶ á½Ïι Î¿á¼¶Î´Î±Ï , knowing and because thou hast known) A double Ãtiology [assigning of a reason; see Append.], of which the first part is to be referred to in those things which thou hast learned, the second to thou hast been rendered faithful (assured). A similar construction, διὰ καὶ á½ Ïι , occurs, John 2:24-25 : also á¼ÏÎ¹Î³Î½Î¿á½ºÏ ÎºÎ±á½¶ á½ Ïι , Acts 22:29 . ÏαÏá½° ÏÎ¯Î½Î¿Ï , from whom) from Paul, an approved teacher, 2 Timothy 3:10-11 .
Verse 15
2 Timothy 3:15 . Îαὶ , and ) Even after the death of Paul, Timothy is the more bound to the Scripture. Paul does not bind Timothy to himself alone, but enjoins him who, however grown up, was his son in the faith, to use the Scriptures. They ought to consider this, who are so devoted to their teachers, under whose training they have been once for all brought up, that they admit nothing beyond their circle which is afterwards presented to them from Scripture. Sometimes slothful over-fulness of the mind and αá½Î¸Î¬Î´ÎµÎ¹Î± , self-complacency , creep over men under the name of stedfastness (steadiness) and sobriety. á¼Ïὸ βÏÎÏÎ¿Ï Ï , from childhood [ a child ]) Tender age is best adapted for ÏιÏÏοῦÏθαι , being made faithful (assured), so that faith may be impressed upon it, diffusing firmness throughout the whole life. Ïá½° ἱεÏá½° γÏάμμαÏα , the sacred Scriptures ) the books of Moses and the prophets. For these existed when Timothy was a child. Î¿á¼¶Î´Î±Ï , thou hast known ) by the instructions of thy mother, ch. 2 Timothy 1:5 . Ïá½° Î´Ï Î½Î¬Î¼ÎµÎ½Î± , which were able ) The force of a preterite redounds from thou hast known , to the participle. This ability (of Scripture) expresses (its) sufficiency and perfection. Ïá½² , thee ) in such a way as if they were written for thee alone. ÏοÏίÏαι , to make wise ) A grand expression. The antithesis is á¼Î½Î¿Î¹Î± , folly , 2 Timothy 3:9 . Îµá¼°Ï ÏÏÏηÏίαν , to salvation ) thy own and that of others. διὰ ÏίÏÏεÏÏ , through faith ) He who does not believe, does not receive wisdom and salvation. Through is construed with salvation .
Verse 16
2 Timothy 3:16 . ΠᾶÏα γÏαÏá½´ , all Scripture ) The sacred Scripture, in all its parts. All the latest epistles of Paul as much as possible recommend the Scripture. θεÏÏÎ½ÎµÏ ÏÏÎ¿Ï , given by inspiration o God ) This is a part, not of the subject (for what Scripture or class of writings [as Scripture means] Paul intends, is evident in itself, as elsewhere, so in this passage), but of the predicate. It was divinely inspired , not merely while it was written, God breathing through the writers; but also, whilst it is being read, God breathing through the Scripture, and the Scripture breathing Him [He being their very breath]. Hence it is so profitable . ÏÏá½¸Ï Î´Î¹Î´Î±Ïκαλίαν , for doctrine ) Doctrine instructs the ignorant; reproof convinces also those who are labouring under error and under prejudice; correction recalls a man from wrong (obliquity) to right (rectitude): training [‘eruditio,’ Engl. Vers. instruction] in righteousness positively instructs; ch. 2 Timothy 2:24 ; Sir 18:13 .
Verse 17
2 Timothy 3:17 . á¼ÏÏÎ¹Î¿Ï á¾ may be perfect ) in his duty. á½ Ïοῦ Îεοῦ á¼Î½Î¸ÏÏÏÎ¿Ï , the man of God ) 1 Timothy 6:11 , note. ÏÏá½¸Ï Ïᾶν , for every good work ) These kinds of such works are enumerated, 2 Timothy 3:16 . For the man of God ought to teach, reprove, correct, train or instruct; comp. 2 Timothy 4:2 . á¼Î¾Î·ÏÏιÏμÎÎ½Î¿Ï , thoroughly fitted or perfected [ furnished ]) by Scripture. He ought á¼Î¾Î±ÏÏίζεÏθαι , to be thoroughly perfected , then he will be á¼ÏÏÎ¹Î¿Ï , perfect. To become and to be differ.