2 Timothy 3 13

2 Timothy 3:13 kjv

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

2 Timothy 3:13 nkjv

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:13 niv

while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:13 esv

while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:13 nlt

But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

2 Timothy 3 verses

2 Timothy 3 13 Meaning

2 Timothy 3:13 presents a solemn prophetic warning regarding the future moral and spiritual trajectory of those who oppose God. It foretells a continuous, worsening deterioration among wicked individuals and false teachers, marked by an increasing intensity in both actively leading others astray and simultaneously being themselves under the influence of deceit. It describes a spiraling descent into deeper depravity and error.

2 Timothy 3 13 Context

This verse appears within Paul's second letter to Timothy, likely his final written communication before his death. The broader context of 2 Timothy chapter 3 is a dire warning about the "perilous times" (v. 1) that will come in the last days. Paul has just described the morally depraved characteristics of people in these times (vv. 2-5) and specifically highlighted their nature as deceivers who "creep into households" and lead astray vulnerable individuals (vv. 6-7). He then references the resistance of Jannes and Jambres to Moses (v. 8) as an analogy for how these false teachers oppose the truth. In contrast to these ungodly figures, Paul reminds Timothy of his own faithful conduct and doctrine (vv. 10-11) and notes that all who desire to live godly will suffer persecution (v. 12). Verse 13 then pivots to emphasize the inevitable, worsening trajectory of evil individuals, setting up Paul's imperative for Timothy to hold fast to the truth found in the Holy Scriptures (vv. 14-17) as the antidote. This verse underscores the increasing urgency for the faithful to be grounded in sound doctrine amidst rising deception.

2 Timothy 3 13 Word analysis

• But (δὲ, de): Functions as a strong contrast, drawing a clear distinction between the faithful conduct of Timothy (and Paul) described previously, and the inevitable downward progression of the ungodly. It marks a transition to highlight the escalating threat.
• evil men (πονηροὶ ἄνθρωποι, ponēroi anthrōpoi): Ponēroi signifies those who are not merely wicked by nature, but are actively hurtful, malignant, and harmful in their actions. They embody active mischief and destructive intent, going beyond mere moral badness to an aggressive malevolence. This term implies a profound spiritual corruption.
• and seducers (καὶ γόητες, kai goētes): Goētes refers to charlatans, impostors, deceivers, sorcerers, or enchanters. It strongly implies one who manipulates or exploits through trickery, often for selfish gain, and possibly through a display of supernatural power (as seen with "Jannes and Jambres" in v. 8 who used magic). This term directly links their deception to spiritual fraud or even occultic practices.
• shall wax worse and worse (προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, prokopsousin epi to cheiron):
  • Prokopsousin: Derived from prokoptō, which means "to cut forward," "to advance," or "to make progress." Originally used for clearing a path or advancing in battle. Here, it denotes progress or advance in a negative direction.
  • Epi to cheiron: "To the worse." This phrase vividly describes an inevitable, escalating deterioration. Their progress is not towards improvement, but towards increased wickedness, a deepening of depravity. It suggests an active, continuous slide rather than a static state.
• deceiving (πλανῶντες, planōntes):
  • Planōntes: A present active participle of planaō, meaning "to lead astray," "to wander," "to deceive," "to cause to err." The active voice emphasizes their role as agents of deception, actively misleading others from the path of truth, goodness, and sound doctrine. The present participle highlights this as an ongoing, continuous action.
• and being deceived (καὶ πλανώμενοι, kai planōmenoi):
  • Planōmenoi: A present passive participle of planaō. This is a profound paradox. While actively deceiving others, they are simultaneously being deceived themselves. This implies a spiritual blindness or judicial hardening where their own wickedness and rejection of truth makes them susceptible to error and the lies they propagate. They are caught in a self-reinforcing cycle of falsehood, led astray either by their own darkened understanding, evil desires, or by demonic influences.

2 Timothy 3 13 Bonus section

The cyclical nature of "deceiving and being deceived" implies a strong connection to spiritual delusion and a progressively darkened understanding. This spiritual blindness is not merely a lack of information but an active judgment that accompanies a consistent rejection of truth (cf. 2 Thess 2:10-12). It underscores the idea that sin's power lies in its ability to enslave, not only intellectually but volitionally, trapping individuals in an ever-tightening spiral of unreality. The verse acts as a warning against complacency, urging vigilance against not only outward threats but also the inner susceptibility to deception when one drifts from the anchor of truth.

2 Timothy 3 13 Commentary

2 Timothy 3:13 delivers a stark and essential truth: the world's spiritual and moral decay among the wicked is not static, but an ever-deepening decline. Paul asserts that "evil men and seducers" will actively "wax worse and worse." This isn't merely a passive deterioration, but a destructive "progress" towards greater evil and deception. The term "seducers" points to those who mislead others, often with spiritual or mystical pretenses, aligning with the false teachers Paul warned against throughout his epistles.

The paradox embedded in the verse – that these individuals are simultaneously "deceiving, and being deceived" – is profoundly insightful. Those who propagate falsehood are often blinded by it themselves. Their active choice to reject truth leads to a judicial hardening, where they become victims of the very deception they sow. This highlights the self-destructive nature of ungodliness and rebellion against divine truth. The increasing darkness among the wicked serves as a urgent reminder for believers to anchor themselves even more firmly in sound doctrine and righteous living, as presented in the subsequent verses (14-17), knowing that the ungodly will spiral further into error.