Their
folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.
2 Timothy 3:9
2 Timothy 3 [6.] For some of these are people who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith, are rejected. But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.
2 Timothy 3 [10.] But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.
Meaning:
These verses, written by the Apostle Paul, reference two individuals—Jannes and Jambres—who opposed Moses. Paul uses their example to illustrate the characteristics and eventual downfall of false teachers who oppose the truth.
Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy: This letter is one of Paul’s pastoral epistles, written to his young protégé, Timothy. Paul writes with a sense of urgency, aware that his death is imminent. He seeks to encourage and instruct Timothy on how to lead and safeguard the church.
Warnings Against False Teachers: In chapter 3, Paul describes the difficult times that will come in the last days, characterized by people who are lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than lovers of God. He warns Timothy about the presence of false teachers and their destructive influence.
- Key Elements of the Verses:
Jannes and Jambres: These names are not found in the Old Testament but are traditionally associated with the magicians who opposed Moses in Pharaoh’s court (Exodus 7:11). Jewish tradition and extra-biblical texts identify them as such.
Opposition to the Truth: Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, false teachers oppose the truth of the gospel. They are characterized by corrupted minds and a rejection of true faith.
Men Corrupted in Mind: This indicates a deep moral and spiritual corruption. Their opposition is not merely intellectual but stems from a corrupt nature.
Concerning the Faith, Rejected: These individuals are disqualified regarding the faith. Their teachings and behaviors are inconsistent with the true gospel.
Folly Will Be Evident: Paul assures Timothy that the folly of these false teachers will eventually become clear to all, just as the defeat of Jannes and Jambres was ultimately evident.
Theological Significance
- Opposition to the Truth:
Historical Parallel: Paul draws a parallel between the opposition faced by Moses and that faced by Christian leaders. This historical example serves to illustrate the persistent nature of opposition to God’s truth.
Nature of False Teachers: False teachers are depicted as being deeply corrupt, with their teachings fundamentally opposed to the gospel. This underscores the severity of their influence and the need for vigilance.
- Ultimate Exposure of Folly:
Temporary Success: False teachers may experience temporary success and influence, but their true nature and the folly of their teachings will eventually be exposed.
Divine Justice: The eventual exposure and downfall of false teachers reflect divine justice. God’s truth prevails, and those who oppose it are ultimately revealed and judged.
Applications for Our Lives
- Vigilance Against False Teachings:
Discernment: We need to develop spiritual discernment to identify and reject false teachings. This requires a deep and abiding knowledge of Scripture and a commitment to the truth.
Guarding the Faith: Just as Paul encouraged Timothy, we must be vigilant in safeguarding the faith, ensuring that our teachings and practices align with the gospel.
- Trust in God’s Justice:
Patience in Opposition: When facing opposition, we can trust that God will ultimately reveal the truth and expose the folly of those who oppose Him. This encourages us to remain steadfast and patient.
Faith in Divine Justice: Believing in God’s justice allows us to focus on faithfully proclaiming the truth, knowing that He will take care of those who oppose it.
- Personal Integrity:
Avoiding Corruption: We must strive to maintain personal integrity, avoiding the moral and spiritual corruption that characterizes false teachers. This involves regular self-examination and a commitment to living out the gospel.
Living Out the Truth: Our lives should be a testament to the truth of the gospel. By living with integrity and faithfulness, we demonstrate the power and reality of God’s truth.
Cross-References:
Exodus 7:11-12: "Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same thing with their enchantments. For they each cast down their rods, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods." This passage illustrates the initial opposition faced by Moses and Aaron from the Egyptian magicians, traditionally identified as Jannes and Jambres.
2 Peter 2:1-3: "But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber." Peter echoes the warnings about false teachers, emphasizing their destructive influence and the inevitability of their judgment.
Jude 1:10-13: "But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason. Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion. These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever." Jude also addresses false teachers, using vivid imagery to describe their character and the certainty of their judgment.
Conclusion: 2 Timothy 3:8-9 provides a stark warning about the nature and eventual downfall of false teachers. By drawing on the example of Jannes and Jambres, Paul highlights the persistent opposition to God’s truth and the moral corruption of those who spread false teachings. However, he also assures us that their folly will become evident, reflecting God’s ultimate justice.
For us today, this means developing discernment, guarding the faith, and maintaining personal integrity. We can trust in God’s justice, remaining patient and steadfast in the face of opposition. By living out the truth of the gospel, we not only protect ourselves from false teachings but also bear witness to the transformative power of God’s word.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible