2 Timothy 3 9

2 Timothy 3:9 kjv

But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

2 Timothy 3:9 nkjv

but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

2 Timothy 3:9 niv

But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

2 Timothy 3:9 esv

But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

2 Timothy 3:9 nlt

But they won't get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

2 Timothy 3 verses

2 Timothy 3 9 Meaning

Despite the temporary advance of evil men and deceivers, their progress will be halted, and their underlying foolishness and moral corruption will be plainly exposed for all to see. Their eventual public shame and failure are inevitable, mirroring the defeat experienced by those who resisted God in the past, specifically the magicians who opposed Moses. This serves as an assurance of God's sovereignty over wickedness and a promise of ultimate divine vindication.

2 Timothy 3 9 Context

This verse is part of Paul's final letter to his protégé, Timothy, written as Paul faced imminent martyrdom. The broader context of 2 Timothy chapter 3 focuses on the "perilous times" that will come in the "last days" (v. 1), characterized by a detailed list of depraved behaviors and moral corruption among people who would appear religious ("having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof," v. 5). Paul instructs Timothy to "turn away" from such people. Verse 8 directly links these future deceivers to Jannes and Jambres, two Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses during the Exodus, serving as an historical prototype for false teachers. Thus, verse 9 serves as a crucial point of assurance, proclaiming that just as the magicians' opposition was futile and their inadequacy was exposed, so too will the future adversaries of the truth be restrained and their folly unveiled. It empowers Timothy not to fear their seemingly successful schemes but to remain steadfast in the truth.

2 Timothy 3 9 Word analysis

• But: (δὲ, de) - An adversative conjunction, strongly contrasting what was just described (the evil men's opposition) with what will actually happen to them. It introduces a turning point and divine intervention.
• they: (αὐτοὶ, autoi) - Refers directly back to the "evil men and seducers" of verses 1-8, highlighting their personal accountability and inevitable failure.
• shall proceed no further: (προκόψουσιν οὐκέτι, prokopsousin ouketi) - From the verb prokopto meaning "to cut forward," "to make progress," or "to advance." Coupled with ouketi (no longer, no more), it conveys that their advance will be halted. It signifies a divine limitation placed upon their ability to deceive or cause harm. They might gain initial traction, but their power or influence will not grow indefinitely; it will reach an immovable barrier. This indicates a preordained, certain outcome by God's decree.
• for: (γὰρ, gar) - Explanatory conjunction, introducing the reason or cause for their inability to progress.
• their folly: (ἡ ἄνοια αὐτῶν, hē anoia autōn) - Anoia is a strong word, combining "a-" (negative prefix) with nous (mind), literally meaning "lack of mind," "senselessness," "foolishness," or even "madness" or "insanity." It implies not just a mistaken opinion but an irrational, ungodly, morally perverse absurdity at the core of their being. It’s not merely error, but a moral and spiritual corruption manifesting as utter spiritual absurdity.
• shall be manifest: (ἔκδηλος ἔσται, ekdēlos estai) - Ekdēlos means "clearly visible," "manifest," "obvious to all," "quite clear." The future tense indicates certainty. Their true nature and the futility of their ways will not remain hidden but will be brought into plain sight for public discernment. This exposure is certain and complete.
• unto all men: (πᾶσιν, pasin) - "To all" or "before all." This implies a public, undeniable revelation, not just to believers, but to a wider audience, demonstrating the transparency of their wicked motives and the barrenness of their doctrine.
• as theirs also was: (ὡς καὶ ἐκείνων ἐγένετο, hōs kai ekeinōn egeneto) - "Just as that of those ones also happened/was." This is a direct parallel drawn from verse 8 concerning Jannes and Jambres. It emphasizes that the pattern of resistance and subsequent exposure is not new but a historical reality. Their historical exposure serves as a guarantee for the future exposure of similar individuals. The defeat of Jannes and Jambres was so complete they were afflicted with boils and could not even stand before Moses (Exo 9:11).

Words-group analysis:

• "But they shall proceed no further": This phrase introduces a divine boundary. Though false teachers may gain some ground for a season, a sovereign hand sets their limit. Their 'progress' in leading people astray is not absolute but has an appointed end. It speaks of divine restraint.
• "for their folly shall be manifest unto all men": This explains the mechanism of their limitation. Their fundamental spiritual and intellectual perversion – their 'madness' or 'senselessness' – will be openly revealed. This exposure will naturally curtail their influence because once the underlying absurdity and deceit are clear, their followers will dwindle. It’s a self-defeating strategy because their essence is folly.
• "as theirs also was": This comparative clause draws a powerful parallel to the well-known Old Testament account of Jannes and Jambres. This makes the future fate of false teachers concrete and predictable. It suggests a consistent divine pattern of exposing and shaming those who resist the truth, giving historical validation to the promise of their downfall. The past guarantees the future in this specific aspect of God's justice.

2 Timothy 3 9 Bonus section

The inevitability of the deceiver's exposure underscores a core principle of divine justice and God's interaction with evil: while God often permits wickedness to exist for a season, He sets boundaries and ensures that it will never ultimately triumph. The pattern established with Jannes and Jambres highlights God's consistency in exposing those who claim divine power or insight but are fueled by deceit. This verse is not merely a warning about the character of false teachers but a comfort that their influence has a divinely ordained expiry date. It encourages faithful perseverance in the face of spiritual opposition, reminding believers that the outcome of the battle between truth and falsehood is not in question; God's light will always expose darkness. It also subtly emphasizes the power of truth; once revealed, folly loses its persuasive power.

2 Timothy 3 9 Commentary

2 Timothy 3:9 offers profound comfort and reassurance to Timothy and believers throughout the ages. Amidst the predicted rise of morally depraved and spiritually deceptive individuals, Paul assures that their ultimate success is curtailed by divine intervention. The term "proceed no further" does not imply they will do no harm, but that their true progress in perverting the Gospel or overcoming the church is divinely restricted. They cannot permanently dismantle God's truth or subvert His purposes. The reason for their failure is intrinsic: "their folly" or madness will inevitably "be manifest." This refers to their spiritual senselessness, their irrational opposition to divine truth, which eventually becomes glaringly evident. Just as Jannes and Jambres were ultimately powerless against Moses' divine authority and were publicly exposed and humiliated by God (Exo 8:18-19, 9:11), so too will all subsequent purveyors of spiritual deceit have their true nature, methods, and lack of power unveiled for all to witness. This provides encouragement to endure through difficult times, trusting that God's truth will prevail and expose all falsehood. Believers are called to discern these deceivers but also to trust in God's certain judgment and revelation of their deceit.