2 Timothy 3:9
What does 2 Timothy 3:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 3:9 means
Although such deceivers make noise and gain a following, their advance has limits. God will draw a line. “Their folly shall be evident unto all men,” just as Jannes and Jambres were eventually exposed as frauds. Truth has a way of outlasting lies; hypocrisy sooner or later shows its seams. This promise does not remove the need for vigilance, but it encourages patience. Timothy can serve faithfully without panic, knowing that God’s providence will bring exposure in His time. The church’s task is to hold to the truth, trusting that falsehood cannot triumph indefinitely against the light of God’s Word.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But they will go no farther: for their foolish behaviour will be clear to all men, as theirs was in the end.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but they shall not advance any further, for their folly shall be manifest to all, as theirs also did become.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But they shall proceed no farther: for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But they shall not advance farther; for their folly shall be completely manifest to all, as that of those also became.
Context
This verse concludes the section on dangerous people and their methods (verses 2–8) with a note of assurance. Having warned Timothy of perilous times and deceptive workers, Paul now declares their inevitable failure. The transition prepares for a positive contrast in verses 10–11, where Paul points to Timothy’s faithful following of his example and the Lord’s deliverances. The structure moves from warning and exposure to exhortation and encouragement for persevering ministry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 13:11
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
- Exodus 8:18
And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: and there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
- Psalms 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: The residue of wrath shalt thou gird upon thee.
- 2 Timothy 3:8
And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
- Jeremiah 29:31
Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith Jehovah concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie;
- Jeremiah 28:15
Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah: Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
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