2 Timothy 3 5

2 Timothy 3:5 kjv

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:5 nkjv

having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

2 Timothy 3:5 niv

having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

2 Timothy 3:5 esv

having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2 Timothy 3:5 nlt

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

2 Timothy 3 verses

2 Timothy 3 5 Meaning

Second Timothy 3:5 describes individuals who outwardly appear religious or devout but whose lives lack the transforming power that true faith imparts. They have a superficial display of godliness—a "form" or "outward shape"—yet their conduct demonstrates a denial of genuine spiritual effectiveness and inward transformation. This spiritual impotence results from their rejection of the very power (the Holy Spirit working in truth) that enables a truly godly life. Believers are strictly warned to disassociate from such individuals who represent a dangerous spiritual hypocrisy.

2 Timothy 3 5 Context

The immediate context of 2 Timothy 3:5 is Paul's prophecy concerning the "last days" (2 Tim 3:1), which he describes as "terrible times." He enumerates a long list of depraved characteristics prevalent among people, leading up to verse 5. These include self-love, greed, boastfulness, disobedience, blasphemy, ingratitude, unholiness, malice, and treachery (2 Tim 3:2-4). Verse 5 serves as a concluding point and a particularly insidious aspect of this godlessness: it manifests not as overt rebellion, but as a deceptive religiosity. Paul's letter to Timothy, his protégé, is a charge to endure in sound doctrine, avoid empty spiritual discourse, and guard the truth against those who would corrupt it from within. Historically, the early church faced internal challenges from Gnosticism, legalism, and various forms of hypocrisy, making Paul's warning relevant for Timothy's ministry and for all future believers in dealing with similar deceptions.

2 Timothy 3 5 Word analysis

• "Having a form": morphōsin (μορφωσιν) - This Greek word refers to the outward shape, outline, or appearance of something. It signifies a superficial semblance rather than the true inner reality or substance. It is distinct from eidos (shape, kind) or schema (fashion, external appearance, usually implying something transient). Here, morphōsin suggests a recognizable religious facade without corresponding spiritual content. It implies mimicry or imitation.
• "of godliness": eusebeias (ευσεβειας) - This term denotes piety, reverence, devotion, and true religion in the sight of God. In the New Testament, it consistently refers to right conduct springing from a right relationship with God. It encompasses reverence, obedience, and uprightness. Here, "a form of godliness" means having the outward markers, rituals, or language of true devotion, but lacking its heart.
• "but denying": arnoumenoi (αρνουμενοι) - The verb arneomai means to disown, reject, deny, refuse, or disavow. It implies an active turning away from or refusal to acknowledge something. It's not mere ignorance but a deliberate rejection. In this context, it highlights that their outward religiosity is fundamentally at odds with a deep, internal rejection of what genuine godliness represents.
• "its power": dunamin (δυναμιν) - This word signifies inherent ability, strength, capacity, and effectiveness. In a spiritual sense, it often refers to the Holy Spirit's power to transform lives, empower believers for righteousness, overcome sin, and enable effective service. It's the enabling force behind true spiritual life, not just miraculous acts. Their denial is of this transforming and enabling power.
• "Have nothing to do with such people": A strong, imperative command indicating the necessity of separation from those characterized by this deceptive godliness. It means to turn away from them, to avoid close association or endorsement. This is not about judgment but about protecting the integrity of true faith and avoiding spiritual defilement and deception. It's a call to disfellowship or remove oneself from their influence.

Words-group analysis:

• "Having a form of godliness but denying its power": This phrase succinctly captures spiritual hypocrisy. It portrays individuals who maintain an outward religious veneer—participating in rites, using religious language, appearing morally upright—yet refuse the internal, transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Their "godliness" is purely external, a hollow shell without the divine vitality that authentic faith brings. This "denial" is manifest not necessarily in explicit words but implicitly through their persistent ungodly character and behavior, despite their religious posture. It’s a performative religiosity that lacks efficacy or heart.

2 Timothy 3 5 Bonus section

The denial of "power" in 2 Timothy 3:5 also hints at a spiritual deception related to asceticism or false wisdom that Colossians 2:23 describes: "These are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh, but are of a merely external compliance that is a display of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and unsparing severity to the body." Here, Paul differentiates between religious acts that genuinely come from God's Spirit and those that are humanly devised, having "an appearance of wisdom" but lacking real transformative "power." This concept aligns perfectly with 2 Timothy 3:5's emphasis on outer "form" vs. inner "power." The passage implicitly encourages a discernment not just of outright immorality, but of subtle, deceptive religious posturing that mimics authentic faith yet offers no victory over sin or conformity to Christ.

2 Timothy 3 5 Commentary

The passage in 2 Timothy 3:5 is a critical warning for believers in all ages. Paul identifies a severe spiritual deception characterized by outward religious observance divorced from inward transformation. People may engage in church activities, use Christian vocabulary, and maintain an appearance of piety ("a form of godliness"), yet actively "deny its power." This denial is evidenced by a lack of real spiritual change in their lives – a persistent practice of sin, an absence of the Holy Spirit's fruits, and a refusal to yield to divine authority and grace. The "power" denied is the dynamic, life-altering efficacy of God's Spirit, which empowers one to live a genuinely righteous, holy, and obedient life. True godliness is not just about religious acts but about a radical internal reshaping.

Paul's stark command, "Have nothing to do with such people," is a protective measure for the integrity of the church and for individual believers. It is not an invitation to judgmentalism but a directive for spiritual discernment and boundary-setting. Associating closely with those whose faith is merely superficial can lead to spiritual contamination, compromise, or being led astray from true doctrine and godly living. This verse underscores that genuine faith must manifest not only in belief and outward actions but, crucially, in the internal, transformative work of God's power. It challenges believers to assess their own spiritual lives: Is our godliness truly powered by the Spirit, leading to character transformation, or is it merely an outward display lacking substance?

Practical usage examples:

• A person who regularly attends church, participates in rituals, and speaks Christian jargon but is known for dishonesty in business.
• An individual who performs acts of service in the church but consistently struggles with anger and refuses to forgive others, showing no desire for change.
• Someone who can articulate theological concepts well but has a notoriously unloving and divisive spirit towards fellow believers.