2 Timothy 3

blasphemers
“Blasphemers” is from βλάσφημοι (blasphēmoi) in which the derivative English word “blasphemy” can be clearly recognized. In this translation, when the word refers to human people and doctrine it is rendered as slander (e.g., 1 Tim 6:1; 1 Pet 4:4). But when it refers to God and other supernatural entities, as it does here, it is blaspheme (cf. 2 Pet 2:10–12; Jude 8–10). Such blasphemy against God is one of the many sins characterizing evil men in the difficult times to come.

having denied
The translation “having denied” reflects the participial form of ἠρνημένοι (ērnēmenoi). Participles play a supporting role to the main verb of a sentence, and are thus intentionally translated in such a way that the reader can clearly recognize the main idea of a verse and how the modifying words like participles support that idea. Here, the main idea is “men will be” (ἔσονται…οἱ ἄνθρωποι; esontai…hoi anthrōpoi), modified by the two participial phrases “holding to a form of godliness” (ἔχοντες μόρφωσιν εὐσεβείας; echontes morphōsin eusebeias) and “having denied its power” (τὴν…δύναμιν αὐτῆς ἠρνημένοι; tēn…dynamin autēs ērnēmenoi). Thus the main idea of this verse is the list of evil characteristics men will be, complemented by their hypocritical claim to godliness and simultaneous denial of its actual outworking.

Keep away
The translation here as “keep away” for ἀποτρέπω (apotrepō) rather than “avoid” accurately represents Paul’s intended sense and also mitigates confusion with another Greek term usually translated as “avoid” (περιίστημι; periistēmi) in 2:16 and Titus 3:9. Just as everyone who claims the name of the Lord is to depart from wickedness (2:19), Timothy must keep away from such evil men as those described by Paul here.

take captive
“Take captive” more strongly communicates the imagery of αἰχμαλωτίζω (aichmalōtizō), which describes taking a prisoner of war. This is the kind of imagery with which Paul pictures these evil men who will arise in the last days, and this translation seeks to clearly bring this out.

disqualified
This translation renders ἀδόκιμος (adokimos) as “Disqualified,” which refers to something that has turned out worthless or unqualified after testing (see BDAG on ἀδόκιμος). Thus, “disqualified” represents the idea well, as Paul demonstrates that Jannes and Jambres eventually proved themselves to be unqualified as those who opposed the truth by their opposition to Moses, God’s true spokesman.

theirs
“Theirs” literally translates the Greek demonstrative pronoun ἐκείνων (ekeinōn; lit. “of those [ones]”). There is no need to restate the names of Jannes and Jambres because this reference back to them in verse 8 is clear enough with a simple, literal rendering. This provides the reader the clearest window to the original text.

But you
“But you” is the rendering for Σὺ δὲ (Sy de). It is a structural marker that also occurs in 3:14 and 4:5. It’s purpose is to contrast what was discussed before (i.e., something wicked contrasted by Timothy).

God-breathed
The adjective θεόπνευστος (theopneustos) here is not only a New Testament hapax legomenon, but no occurrence of the word has been found prior to the first century. Many think that Paul may have actually coined the word. Most translations render it with something like “inspired by God.” The literal idea of the two words combined into one is “breathed out” or “expired by God.” Thus, this translation gives the rendering, “God-breathed.” The fuller meaning is “God-breathed-out-to-be-effectively-breathed-in” as applied by the Holy Spirit. This idea is seen first in Genesis 1 as Yahweh said “let there be light” (an expiration) “and there was light” (an application effective to accomplishment of its intended result by His Spirit). With regard to humanity, the idea is seen most effectively first at “breathed into Adam the breath of life and he became a living being). The “expiration” of the breath into Adam, applied by the Spirit to its intended result. It is the same way that He speaks through us. We “expire” His word. It is received (inhaled) by the intended recipient. He brings it home by the power of His Spirit, who is able to divide asunder soul and spirit, and the Spirit applies the word according to His intended impact and result on the “inbreathing” party. Thus, this special word conveys something much fuller than just the expiration of God’s breath.

thoroughly equipped
The Greek participle ἐξηρτισμένος (exērtismenos) is rendered as “having been thoroughly equipped,” using the word “equipped” again because this participle is a cognate with the word ἄρτιος (aritos; “equipped”) used earlier in the verse. The added prefix ἐξ- (ex-) on the participle serves to intensify the verb, thus, “thoroughly equipped” is used. This translation clearly brings out the wordplay Paul is making here, as the man of God should be equipped in general, as well as thoroughly equipped for every good work.