2 Timothy 3:5
What does 2 Timothy 3:5 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 3:5 means
Paul exposes a chilling possibility: people can retain the outer shell of religion while rejecting its living power. They may speak Christian words, keep religious forms, and yet deny the transforming work of God’s grace. The command is plain—“from these also turn away.” Timothy must not grant such influencers a platform or partnership, lest the church be corrupted. Genuine godliness is more than a look; it is a life changed by the gospel, empowered by the Spirit. The safeguard is not cynicism but discernment, measuring confession by fruit and refusing fellowship that would endorse a powerless, performative piety.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Having a form of religion, but turning their backs on the power of it: go not with these.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having a form of piety, and its power having denied; and from these be turning away,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Having an appearance indeed of godliness but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890having a form of piety but denying the power of it: and from these turn away.
Context
After listing the vices of verses 2–4, Paul now explains how these can coexist with an external religious façade. This bridges to verses 6–9, where he describes the tactics and eventual exposure of such deceivers. The command to avoid them is pastoral and protective, clarifying Timothy’s responsibility to guard the flock. The flow then moves to specific examples of their methods (verses 6–7) and biblical precedent for their resistance to truth (verse 8).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14
And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
- Titus 3:10
A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;
- Matthew 23:27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
- 2 Timothy 2:23
But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
- Isaiah 58:1
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and declare unto my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins.
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