2 Timothy 2 26

2 Timothy 2:26 kjv

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

2 Timothy 2:26 nkjv

and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:26 niv

and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:26 esv

and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:26 nlt

Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

2 Timothy 2 verses

2 Timothy 2 26 Meaning

2 Timothy 2:26 describes the desired outcome for those caught in error and opposing the truth, who are to be gently instructed as outlined in the previous verse (2 Tim 2:24-25). It reveals that these individuals are in a state of spiritual stupor, ensnared and held captive by the devil himself. The ultimate purpose of their capture is to make them unknowingly carry out his evil designs. However, the verse holds out the hope that through repentance, which is a divine gift granted by God, they may awaken to sound judgment and escape this spiritual bondage, turning instead to do the will of God.

2 Timothy 2 26 Context

This verse is the concluding thought to Paul's instruction to Timothy on how to deal with opponents and those entangled in false teaching (2 Tim 2:24-25). Paul stresses that the Lord's servant "must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness." The hope expressed in these preceding verses, and fulfilled in verse 26, is that "God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." Therefore, 2 Timothy 2:26 presents the blessed consequence when such gentle instruction is accompanied by God's sovereign act of granting repentance. The chapter itself urges Timothy to be a faithful and approved workman, enduring hardship, separating from ungodly talk, and fleeing youthful passions, all while upholding the truth amidst rampant error. Historically, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus where false doctrines and disputations were a significant challenge, making Paul's guidance on confronting error crucial. The passage underscores that theological disagreement is often not merely intellectual but involves spiritual bondage, hence the need for divine intervention in granting repentance.

2 Timothy 2 26 Word analysis

• and that they may come to their senses: Greek: ἀνανήψωσιν (ananēpsōsin).
  • This term literally means "to return to soberness," "to wake up from drunkenness or stupor." Figuratively, it denotes a recovery from a state of irrationality, folly, spiritual intoxication, or being spiritually insensible.
  • It implies a profound mental and spiritual awakening—a recovery of sound judgment and clear perception that was previously clouded or lost. This awakening is foundational for recognizing truth and escaping deception.
• and escape from the snare: Greek: ἐκνήψωσιν (eknēpsōsin) and παγίδος (pagidos).
  • ἐκνήψωσιν: Derived from the same root as ἀνανήψωσιν, meaning "to wake out of" or "escape from." It highlights the result of coming to their senses – the ability to get out of the trap.
  • παγίδος: "Snare" or "trap." Commonly used for a device to catch birds or wild animals. It implies a subtle, hidden, or unexpected means of entanglement or ruin. This imagery stresses that people often become captive not by direct choice, but by falling into a cleverly laid trap, emphasizing the insidious nature of the devil's deception.
• of the devil: Greek: διαβόλου (diabolou).
  • Literally "slanderer" or "accuser." This is the proper name for Satan, the chief adversary of God and humanity. He is depicted as the master strategist behind the spiritual entrapment, luring people into deception and sin.
• after being captured by him: Greek: ἐζωγρημένοι (ezōgrēmenoi) and ὑπ' αὐτοῦ (hyp' autou).
  • ἐζωγρημένοι: "Having been captured alive." This verb often describes taking prisoners in warfare or capturing animals for survival, not necessarily killing them. Here, it implies that the individuals are held captive by the devil, under his control, but they are "alive," meaning they have the potential to be freed and repurposed.
  • ὑπ' αὐτοῦ: "by him" clearly refers to the devil, establishing the agency behind the capture.
• to do his will: Greek: τοῦ ἐκείνου θελήματος (tou ekeinou thelēmatos).
  • ἐκείνου: "His," referring unequivocally to the devil.
  • θελήματος: "Will," "purpose," "desire." This phrase defines the objective of the devil's capture: not just to hold them in bondage, but to actively employ them to fulfill his agenda. Those who are thus captured, even unknowingly, are instruments in advancing the devil's desires and opposing God's.

Words-group analysis:

• "and that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare": This coupling shows a clear progression. Spiritual awakening (coming to senses) is the necessary first step to being able to effectively free oneself (escape) from the devil's ensnaring influence. It speaks to a restoration of discernment.
• "snare of the devil, after being captured by him": This emphasizes the profound reality of spiritual bondage. It is not merely individual sin, but an entrapment orchestrated by a malevolent, spiritual entity who holds sway over those caught. The "snare" implies subtlety and deceit in the initial capture.
• "captured by him to do his will": This highlights the terrifying extent of the devil's spiritual dominion. Individuals caught in his trap are not merely passively held; their very actions and decisions are subtly influenced and directed to serve the devil's purposes, often in opposition to truth and righteousness.

2 Timothy 2 26 Bonus section

The exact meaning of "his will" (ἐκείνου θελήματος) was occasionally debated in older scholarship, whether it referred to the devil's will or God's will. However, modern scholarly consensus and the immediate context (specifically the preceding verse 2 Tim 2:25 which mentions "repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth") strongly support the interpretation that "his" refers to the devil. To suggest that the devil would capture people "to do God's will" would be contradictory and nonsensical within the broader biblical narrative of spiritual warfare. Therefore, "his will" refers directly to the malevolent intentions and purposes of the devil himself. This grammatical clarification solidifies the profound spiritual reality of active demonic control over those caught in serious error, highlighting the necessity of divine intervention for their deliverance.

2 Timothy 2 26 Commentary

2 Timothy 2:26 offers a stark yet hopeful description of the condition of those entrenched in error and opposing the truth, emphasizing both their deep spiritual plight and the divine provision for their release. The passage unveils that the spiritual opposition Timothy faced, and which believers still encounter, is often rooted in individuals being under the subtle but powerful sway of the devil. They are described as being in a state of spiritual "drunkenness" or stupor, incapable of clear spiritual discernment, leading them into the "snare" of false doctrine and sin. This snare is no random misfortune; it's a deliberate entrapment by the devil, whose ultimate aim is to press these captive souls into service, making them unwitting agents of his destructive will, rather than followers of God's.

Crucially, the verse reiterates the preceding idea that human effort alone is insufficient to free someone from such bondage. The turning point is an awakening—"coming to their senses"—which is portrayed as a recovery of sanity and clarity. This recovery, along with the subsequent escape from the devil's snare, is presented not as a human accomplishment through mere argument, but as a sovereign act initiated by God, who "may grant them repentance." The implication is that patient and gentle instruction by a servant of God creates the environment for the Spirit to work, but God Himself provides the enabling grace for the repentance that leads to freedom. The transformation described is a radical shift: from living according to the devil's agenda to embracing a knowledge of the truth that allows one to live out God's divine will. This offers immense hope and calls believers to prayerful, patient, and humble engagement with those caught in spiritual error, trusting God for the breakthrough.