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| 2 Timothy 3:9 |
But they shall proceed no further:
for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as
theirs also was.
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Note:
before doing a study on any
single verse, read all the verses from the beginning
of the chapter to this point and maybe a verse or
two beyond. Do this so you have the verse in context
before you begin.
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This section consists of two verses.
2 Timothy 3:8-9
8 Now as Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez]
withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth:
men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the
faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly
shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Let us begin with the Barclay
The Opponents of God
2 Timothy 3:8–9
[paraphrased]
In the same way as Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez]
opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men
whose minds are corrupt, and whose faith is
counterfeit. But they will not get much further, for
their folly will be as clear to all as that of those
ancient impostors.
In the days between the Old and the New Testaments,
many Jewish books were written which expanded the
Old Testament stories. In certain of these books,
Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez]
figured largely. These were the names given to the
court magicians of Pharaoh who opposed Moses and
Aaron, when Moses was leading the children of Israel
out of their slavery in Egypt. At first, these
magicians were able to match the wonders which Moses
and Aaron did, but in the end they were defeated and
discredited. In the Old Testament they are not
named, but they are referred to in Exodus 7:11, 8:7
and 9:11.
Quoted verses:
Exodus 7:11
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the
sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did
in like manner with their enchantments.
Exodus 8:7
And the magicians did so with their enchantments,
and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
Exodus 9:11
And the magicians could not stand before Moses
because of the boils; for the boil was upon the
magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
A whole collection of stories gathered round their
names. They were said to be the two servants who
accompanied Balaam when he was disobedient to God
(Numbers 22:22); they were said to have been part of
the great mixed multitude who accompanied the
children of Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 12:38); some
said that they perished at the crossing of the Red
Sea; other stories said that it was Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez]
who were behind the making of the golden calf and
that they perished among those who were killed for
that sin (Exodus 32:28); still other stories said
that in the end they became converts to Judaism.
Amid all the stories, one fact stands out – Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez]
became legendary figures typifying all those who
opposed the purposes of God and the work of his true
leaders.
Quoted verses:
Numbers 22:22
And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the
angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary
against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his
two servants were with him.
Exodus 12:38
And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and
flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
Exodus 32:28
And the children of Levi did according to the word
of Moses: and there fell of the people that day
about three thousand men.
The Christian leader will never lack opponents.
There will always be those who have their own
twisted ideas of the Christian faith, and who wish
to win others to their mistaken beliefs. But of one
thing Paul was sure – the days of the deceivers were
numbered. Their falsehood and deception would be
demonstrated, and they would receive their
appropriate reward.
The history of the Christian Church teaches us that
false teaching cannot survive. It may flourish for a
time, but when it is exposed to the light of truth
it is bound to shrivel and die. There is only one
test for such misrepresentation – ‘You will know
them by their fruits’ (Matthew 7:16, 7:20). The best
way to overcome and to banish the false is to live
in such a way that the loveliness and the
graciousness of the truth are plain for all to see.
The defeat of error depends not on skill in
controversy but in the demonstration in life of the
more excellent way. ~Barclay's commentary
Quoted verses:
Matthew 7:16
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:20
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Note: Remember
our
Bible study on Matthew 7:15-20 and what is meant
by "fruit."
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves.
Those who enter upon the narrow way must beware of
false prophets, who claim to guide believers but
really practice deception. Sheep's clothing is not
to be regarded as prophets' grab, but is an evident
contrast to vicious wolves. God's people in al ages
have needed to beware of deceptive leaders
(Deuteronomy 13:1; Acts 20:29; 1 John 4:1;
Revelation 13:11-14). By their fruits. The doctrines
produced by these false prophets, rather than the
works they perform, since outward appearances may
not cause suspicion. The
test of the prophet is his conformity to Scripture
(1 Corinthians 14:37; Deuteronomy
13:1-5). Corrupt tree. One that is decayed,
worthless, and unusable. The worthlessness of such a
tree calls for its swift removal from the orchard
lest it infect the others.
~Wycliffe Bible Commentary [Emphasis
mine]
Quoted verses:
Deuteronomy 13:1
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of
dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
Acts 20:29
For I know this, that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the
flock.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the
spirits whether they are of God: because many false
prophets are gone out into the world.
Revelation 13:11-14
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the
earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he
spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first
beast before him, and causeth the earth and them
which dwell therein to worship the first beast,
whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh
fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight
of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the
means of those miracles which he had power to do in
the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on
the earth, that they should make an image to the
beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Then the scriptures speaking to the test of the
prophet [minister]:
1 Corinthians 14:37
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or
spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that
I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
...we already read the
first verse above
1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer
of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof
he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other
gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve
them;
3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that
prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD
your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the
LORD your God with all your heart and with all your
soul.
4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear
him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice,
and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall
be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you
away from the LORD your God, which brought you out
of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the
house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way
which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So
shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
~end of excerpt from
the study~
We will now begin with the general
commentaries and move to the specific. We will begin
with the Matthew Henry commentaries:
The Matthew Henry commentary in this area covers
verses 1-9 and what follows is me jumping into the
commentary for verse 8 and going through verse 9.
3. He foretells the certain stop that should be put
to their progress (2 Timothy 3:8, 2 Timothy 3:9),
comparing them to the Egyptian magicians who
withstood Moses, and who are here named, Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez];
though the names are not to be met with in the story
of the Old Testament, yet they are found in some old
Jewish writers. When Moses came with a divine
command to fetch Israel out of Egypt, these
magicians opposed him. Thus those heretics resisted
the truth and like them were men of corrupt minds,
men who had their understandings perverted, biased
and prejudiced against the truth, and reprobate
concerning the faith, or very far from being true
Christians; but they shall proceed no further, or
not much further, as some read it. Observe,
(1.) Seducers seek for corners, and love obscurity;
for they are afraid to appear in public, and
therefore creep into houses. Further, They attack
those who are the least able to defend themselves,
silly and wicked women.
(2.) Seducers in all ages are much alike. Their
characters are the same - namely, Men of corrupt
minds, etc.; their conduct is much the same - they
resist the truth, as Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez]
withstood Moses; and they will be alike in their
disappointment.
(3.) Those who resist the truth are guilty of
folly, yea, of egregious [ih-gree-juh
s--extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant]
folly; for magna est veritas, et praevalebit - Great
is the truth, and shall prevail.
Note: the
word “folly” means “lack of understanding” and used
to mean wickedness; wantonness. “Wantonness speaks
to deliberate actions without motive or provocation,
without regard for what is right, just and humane.
Therefore, those who resist the truth lack
understanding and begin doing wicked things without
regard for what is right.
(4.) Though the spirit of error may be let loose
for a time, God has it in a chain. Satan can deceive
the nations and the churches no further and no
longer than God will permit him: Their folly shall
be manifest, it shall appear that they are
imposters, and every man shall abandon them.
~Matthew Henry Main
Now to the Matthew Henry Concise. We have read this
before as it covers verses 1-9 and must be a part of
the record for each lesson covering those verses.
Even in gospel times there would be perilous times;
on account of persecution from without, still more
on account of corruptions within. Men love to
gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and
do their duty. When every man is eager for what he
can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes
men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear
God, they will not regard man. When children are
disobedient to their parents, that makes the times
perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of
God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We
abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel
of our lusts. Times are perilous also, when parents
are without natural affection to children. And when
men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise
that which is good and to be honored. God is to be
loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity
against him, prefers any thing before him,
especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is
very different from the power; from such as are
found to be hypocrites, real Christians must
withdraw. Such persons have been found within the
outward church, in every place, and at all times.
There ever have been artful men, who, by pretenses
and flatteries, creep into the favor and confidence
of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and
fanciful. All must be ever learning to know the
Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never
seek the truth as it is in Jesus.
...and now the part of
this commentary on verses 8 and 9:
Like the Egyptian magicians, these were men of
corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and
found to be quite without faith. Yet though the
spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan
can deceive the nations and the churches no further,
and no longer, than God will permit.
~Matthew Henry Concise
Here are some items from the Biblical Illustrator
related to verse 9. They are all rather short. Each
speaks to the fact that heresies are eventually
exposed.
Heresies short-lived
Heresies are seldom long-lived—such meteors last not
long, such mushrooms soon vanish. Though for a time
they may deceive many, yet in a short time God
discovers their hypocrisy to their reproach.
~Biblical Illustrator
Error vanisheth, truth increaseth
Heresy is like a cloud which for a little time
darkens the Church, and then vanisheth. But truth,
though it meet with opposition at first and hath few
followers, yet increaseth and prevails against all
opposition. ~Biblical
Illustrator
Impudent error near its end
Pride and impudence, they do not only preach but
print their blasphemy: a sign their end is near.
Smoke, the higher it riseth the sooner it is
scattered. ~Biblical
Illustrator
The fall of error
They shall fall—
1. Irrecoverably.
2. Easily.
3. Suddenly.
4. Surely. ~Biblical
Illustrator
False teachers exposed
Observe, that God will overthrow false teachers, by
discovering their coverings and making known their
delusions to the world. As a disease discovered is
half cured, so an error discovered is half
conquered. Usually before God overthrows wicked men
He discovers their vileness first, that the glory of
His justice may be the more apparent, and His people
may come out from amongst them.
~Biblical Illustrator
A faithful ministry the best safeguard against
error
When the sun ariseth the clouds scatter, and where
the Son of Righteousness is powerfully preached and
published, heretics hide themselves, and dare not
make that open sale of their wares as they do in
dark corners. Let us therefore pull off their masks
of liberty, their sleeves of sanctity, and their
trappings of hypocrisy: let us expose their error,
stripped and naked in their own natural deformity,
and they will soon be exploded by all, so that they
shall proceed no further.
~Biblical Illustrator
Error cannot stand
Error is a palace of ice, which at last must melt
and tumble down necessarily, when but one ray of the
sunlight of truth penetrates it.
~Biblical Illustrator
Now to the specific commentary.
This verse is in three parts as you can see by the
punctuation.
1] But they shall proceed no further:
2] for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,"
3] as theirs also was.
1] But they shall proceed no further:
But they shall proceed no further - There is a
certain point beyond which they will not be allowed
to go. Their folly will become manifest, and the
world will understand it. The apostle does not say
how far these false teachers would be allowed to go,
but that they would not be suffered always to
prosper and prevail. They might be plausible at
first, and lead many astray; they might, by art and
cunning, cover up the real character of their
system; but there would be a fair development of it,
and it would be seen to be folly. The apostle here
may be understood as declaring a general truth in
regard to error. It often is so plausible at first,
that it seems to be true. It wins the hearts of many
persons, and leads them astray. It flatters them
personally, or it flatters them with the hope of a
better state of things in the church and the world.
But the time will always come when men will see the
folly of it. Error will advance only to a certain
point, when it will be “seen” to be falsehood and
folly, and when the world will arise and cast it
off. In some cases, this point may be slower in
being reached than in others; but there “is” a
point, beyond which error will not go.
~Barnes Notes
2] for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,"
For their folly shall be manifest unto all men - The
world will see and understand what they are, and
what they teach. By smooth sophistry, and cunning
arts, they will not be able always to deceive
mankind. ~Barnes Notes
3] as theirs also was.
As theirs also was - That of Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez].
That is, it became manifest to all that they could
not compete with Moses and Aaron; that their claims
to the power of working miracles were the mere arts
of magicians, and that they had set up pretensions
which they could not sustain; compare Exodus
8:18-19. In regard to the time to which the apostle
referred in this description, it has already been
observed (see the notes at 2 Timothy 3:1 -
See Lesson), that it was probably to that great
apostasy of the “latter days,” which he has
described in 2 Thessalonians 2: and 1 Timothy 4: But
there seems to be no reason to doubt that he had his
eye immediately on some persons who had appeared
then, and who had evinced some of the traits which
would characterize the great apostasy, and whose
conduct showed that the great “falling away” had
already commenced. In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, he says
that the “mystery of iniquity” was already at work,
or was even then manifesting itself; and there can
be no doubt that the apostle saw that there had then
commenced what he knew would yet grow up into the
great defection from the truth. In some persons, at
that time, who had the form of godliness, but who
denied its power; who made use of insinuating arts
to proselyte the weak and the credulous; who
endeavor to imitate the true apostles, perhaps by
attempting to work miracles, as Jannes [JAN-eez]
and Jambres [JAM-breez]
did, he saw the “germ” of what was yet to grow up
into so gigantic a system of iniquity as to
overshadow the world. Yet he consoled Timothy with
the assurance that there was a point beyond which
the system of error would not be allowed to go, but
where its folly must be seen, and where it would be
arrested. ~Barnes Notes |
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