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2 Timothy 3:7

2 Timothy 3:7 in Multiple Translations

who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of what is true.

These women are always trying to learn but they're never able to understand the truth!

Which women are euer learning, and are neuer able to come to the acknowledging of the trueth.

always learning, and never to a knowledge of truth able to come,

always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of the truth.

Even though they are always wanting to learn new things, they are never able to recognize what is true.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Timothy 3:7

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2 Timothy 3:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK παντοτε μανθανοντα και μηδεποτε εις επιγνωσιν αληθειας ελθειν δυναμενα
παντοτε pantote G3842 always Adv
μανθανοντα manthanō G3129 to learn Verb-PAP-APN
και kai G2532 and Conj
μηδεποτε mēdepote G3368 never Adv-N
εις eis G1519 toward Prep
επιγνωσιν epignōsis G1922 knowledge Noun-ASF
αληθειας alētheia G225 truth Noun-GSF
ελθειν erchomai G2064 to come/go Verb-2AAN
δυναμενα dunamai G1410 be able Verb-PNP-APN
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 2 Timothy 3:7

παντοτε pantote G3842 "always" Adv
Always means at all times, like in Matthew 26:11 where Jesus says the poor will always be present.
Definition: πάντοτε adv. of time (πᾶς), [in LXX: Wis.11:21 19:18 * ;] in late writers (once in Arist.) for διαπαντός, ἑκάστοτε, at all times, always: Mat.26:11, Mrk.14:7, Luk.15:31, Jhn.6:34, Rom.1:10, and frequently in Paul. Epp (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 38 NT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ever(-more) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 5:20; Hebrews 7:25.
μανθανοντα manthanō G3129 "to learn" Verb-PAP-APN
This verb means to learn or understand something, often through inquiry or experience, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:31 and 1 Timothy 2:11.
Definition: μανθάνω [in LXX chiefly for לָמַד ;] __1. to learn, esp. by inquiry: absol., 1Co.14:31, 1Ti.2:11, 2Ti.3:7; with accusative of thing(s), Jhn.7:15 (sc. αὐτά), Rom.16:17, 1Co.14:35, Php.4:9, 2Ti.3:14, Rev.14:3; before quaes. indir., Mat.9:13; Χριστόν, Eph.4:20 (ICC, in l); before ἀπό, with genitive of thing(s), Mat.24:32, Mrk.13:28; ἀπό, with genitive of person(s), Mat.11:29, Col.1:7; παρά, with genitive of person(s), 2Ti.3:14; ἐν, with dative of person(s), 1Co.4:6; "point" aorist (M, Pr., 117), to ascertain, before ὅτι, Act.23:27; with accusative before ἀπό, Gal.3:2. __2. to learn by use and practice, acquire the habit of, be accustomed to: with inf. (Bl., § 69, 4), 1Ti.5:4, Tit.3:14; id. with nom, in pred. (El., § 72, 1), Php.4:11; with accusative of thing(s) before ἀπό, Heb.5:8; ἀργαὶ μανθάνουσιν (EV, they learn to be idle; Bl., § 73, 5; Field, Notes, 210), 1Ti.5:13.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 24 NT verses. KJV: learn, understand See also: 1 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 5:8; Revelation 14:3.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
μηδεποτε mēdepote G3368 "never" Adv-N
Translates to never, used in 2 Timothy 3:7 to describe those who are never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Definition: μηδέποτε (μηδέ, ποτέ) adv., never: 2Ti.3:7.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: never See also: 2 Timothy 3:7.
εις eis G1519 "toward" Prep
This word means toward or into, indicating direction or purpose, as seen in Matthew 8:23 and Mark 1:45. It can also imply a sense of movement or action. The KJV translates it in various ways.
Definition: εἰς, prep. with accusative, expressing entrance, direction, limit, into, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among (Lat. in, with accusative). __I. Of place. __1. After verbs of motion; __(a) of entrance into: Mat.8:23, 9:7, Mrk.1:45, Luk.2:15, 8:31, al.; __(b) of approach, to or towards: Mrk.11:1, Luk.6:8, 19:28, Jhn.11:31, 21:6, al.; __(with) before pl. and collective nouns, among: Mrk.4:7, 8:19, 20, Luk.11:49, Jhn.21:23, al.; __(d) Of a limit reached, unto, on, upon: Mat.8:18, 21:1, Mrk.11:1, 13:16, Luk.14:10, Jhn.6:3, 11:32, al.; with accusative of person(s) (as in Ep. and Ion.), Act.23:15, Rom.5:12, 16:19, 2Co.10:14; __(e) elliptical: ἐπιστολαὶ εἰς Δαμασκόν, Act.9:2; ἡ διακονία μου ἡ εἰς Ἱ., Rom.15:31; metaphorically, of entrance into a certain state or condition, or of approach or direction towards some end (Thayer, B, i, 1; ii, 1), εἰς τ. ὄνομα, M, Pr., 200. __2. Of direction; __(a) after verbs of seeing: Mat.6:26, Mrk.6:41, Luk.9:16, 62, Jhn.13:22, al.; metaphorically, of the mind, Heb.11:26, 12:2, al.; __(b) after verbs of speaking: Mat.13:10, 14:9, 1Th.2:9, al. __3. After verbs of rest; __(a) in "pregnant" construction, implying previous motion (cl.; see WM, 516; Bl., §39, 3; M, Pr., 234f.): Mat.2:23, 4:13, 2Th.2:4, 2Ti.1:11, Heb.11:9, al.; __(b) by an assimilation general in late Gk (see Bl., M, Pr., ll. with) = ἐν: Luk.1:44, 4:23, Act.20:16, 21:17, Jhn.1:18 (but see Westc, in l.), al. __II. Of time, for, unto; __1. accentuating the duration expressed by the accusative: εἰς τ. αἰῶνα, Mat.21:19; εἰς γενεὰς καὶ γ., Luk.1:50; εἰς τ. διηνεκές, Heb.7:3, al. __2. Of a point or limit of time, unto, up to, until: Mat.6:34, Act.4:3, 25:21, Php.1:10, 2:16, 1Th.4:15, 2Ti.1:12; of entrance into a future period, σεις τὸ μέλλον (see: μέλλω), next (year), Luk.13:9 (but with ICC, in l.); εἰς τ. μεταξὺ σάββατον, on the next Sabbath, Act.13:42; εἰς τὸ πάλιν (see: πάλιν, 2Co.13:2. __III. Of result, after verbs of changing, joining, dividing, etc.: στρέφειν εἰς, Rev.11:6; μετας-, Act.2:20, Jas.4:9; μεταλλάσσειν, Rom.1:26; σχίζειν εἰς δύο, Mat.27:51, al.; predicatively with εἴναι, Act.8:23. __IV. Of relation, to, towards, for, in regard to (so in cl., but more frequently in late Gk., εἰς encroaching on the simple dative, which it has wholly displaced in MGr.; Jannaris, Gr., §1541; Robertson, Gr., 594; Deiss., BS, 117f.): Luk.7:30, Rom.4:20, 15:2, 26, 1Co.16:1, Eph.3:16, al.; ἀγάπη εἰς, Rom.5:8, al.; χρηστός, Eph.4:32; φρονεῖν εἰς, Rom.12:16; θαρρεῖν, 2Co.10:1. __V. Of the end or object: εὔθετος εἰς, Luk.14:34; σόφος, Rom.16:19; ἰσχύειν, Mat.5:13; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, al.; ἀφορίζειν εἰς, Rom.1:1; indicating purpose, εἰς φόβον, Rom.8:15; εἰς ἔνδειξιν, Rom.3:25; εἰς τό, with inf. (= ἵνα or ὥστε; Bl., §71, 5; M, Pr., 218ff.): Mat.20:19, Rom.1:11, 1Co.9:18, al. __VI. Adverbial phrases: εἰς τέλος, εἰς τὸ πάλιν, etc (see: τέλος, πάλιν, etc.). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1512 NT verses. KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Peter 1:2.
επιγνωσιν epignōsis G1922 "knowledge" Noun-ASF
Having a deep understanding of something, like recognizing God's truth. In the Bible, it's used in Philippians 1:9 and Colossians 3:10 to describe knowing God's will.
Definition: ἐπί-γνωσις, -εως, ἡ (ἐπιγινώσκω, which see), [in LXX: 3Ki.7:14 (B. γν-), Pro.2:5, Hos.4:1, 6 6:6 (דַּעַת), Jdth.9:14, 2Ma.9:11 * ;] acquaintance, discernment, recognition (Plut., al.): Php.1:9, Col.3:10; with genitive of thing(s), Col.1:9 2:2, Phm 6; τ. ἀληθείας, 1Ti.2:4, 2Ti.2:25 3:7, Tit.1:1, Heb.10:26; τ. ἁμαρτίας, Rom.3:20; with genitive of person(s), of God: Eph.1:17, Col.1:10, 2Pe.1:2-3; of Christ: Eph.4:13, 2Pe.1:8 2:20; of God and Christ: 2Pe.1:2; κατ ̓ ἐ., Rom.10:2; ἔχειν ἐν ἐ., Rom.1:28 (see AR, Eph., 248 ff.; and for a somewhat different view, Thayer, see word; Lft. on Col, 1:9; Tr., Syn., LXXv; Cremer, 159 f.; cf. αἴσθησις).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 20 NT verses. KJV: (ac-)knowledge(-ing, - ment) See also: 1 Timothy 2:4; Colossians 3:10; Hebrews 10:26.
αληθειας alētheia G225 "truth" Noun-GSF
The Greek word for truth, meaning the reality of a matter, is used in Romans 9:1 and Galatians 2:5 to describe Christian doctrine. It can also mean truthfulness, as in being honest. Jesus teaches about truth in John 8:32.
Definition: ἀλήθεια, -ας, ἡ (ἀληθής), [in LXX chiefly for אֱמֶת (on which, see Cremer, 627f.), אֱמוּנָה ;] truth (see DB, iv, 818f.). __1. Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter" (Cremer, 86): Rom.9:1, al.; of religious truth, Rom.1:25, al.; esp. of Christian doctrine, Gal.2:5, al.; ἀ. θεοῦ, Rom.15:8. __2. Subjectively, truthfulness, truth, not merely verbal (cl.), but sincerity and integrity of character: Jhn.8:44, 3Jo.3. __3. In phrases (MM, VGT, see word): ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείας, Mrk.12:14, al.; ἀ. λέγειν (εἰπεῖν, λαλεῖν), Rom.9:1, 2Co.12:6, Eph.4:25, al.; ἀ. ποιεῖν, Jhn.3:21, 1Jn.1:6 (cf. DB, iv, 818b, ff.). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 99 NT verses. KJV: true, X truly, truth, verity See also: 1 Corinthians 5:8; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Peter 1:22.
ελθειν erchomai G2064 "to come/go" Verb-2AAN
To come or go is the meaning of this word, used in many applications, such as in Matthew 8:9 and Romans 9:9. The KJV translates it in various ways, including come, go, and enter.
Definition: ἔρχομαι, [in LXX very frequently for בּוֹא, also for הלךְ ni., אתה, etc., 34 words in all ;] __1. to come; __(a) of persons, either as arriving or returning from elsewhere: Mat.8:9, Mrk.6:31, Luk.7:8, Jhn.4:27, Rom.9:9, al.; before ἀπό, Mrk.5:35 7:1, Jhn.3:2, al.; ἐκ, Luk.5:17, Jhn.3:31, al.; εἰς, Mrk.1:29, al.; διά before εἰς, Mrk.7:31; ἐν (Cremer, 263f., but see: ἐν), Rom.15:29, 1Co.4:21; ἐπί, with accusative, Mrk.6:53 11:13, Jhn.19:33, al.; κατά, with accusative, Luk.10:33 Act.16:7; παρά, with genitive, Luk.8:49; with accusative, Mat.15:29, Mrk.9:14, al.; with dative comm., incomm. (M, Pr., 75, 245), Mat.21:5, Rev.2:5, 16; with adverbs: πόθεν, Jhn.3:8, al.; ἄνωθεν, Jhn.3:31; ὄπισθεν, Mrk.5:27; ὧδε, Mat.8:29; ἐκεῖ, Jhn.18:3; ποῦ, Heb.11:8; before ἕως, Luk.4:42; ἄχρι, Act.11:5; with purpose expressed by inf., Mrk.5:14, Luk.1:59, al.; by fut. ptcp., Mat.27:49; ἵνα, Jhn.12:9; εἰς τοῦτο, ἵνα, Act.9:21; διά, with accusative, Jhn.12:9; before verbs of action, ἔρχεται καί, ἦλθε καί, etc.: Mrk.2:18, Jhn.6:15, al.; ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε, Jhn.1:47 11:34; ἐλθών (redundant; Dalman, Words, 20 f.), Mat.2:8 8:7, Mrk.7:25, Act.16:39, al.; similarly ἐρχόμενος, Luk.15:25, al.; of coming into public view: esp. of the Messiah (ὁ ἐρχόμενος, Mat.11:3, al.; see Cremer, 264), Luk.3:16, Jhn.4:25; hence, of Jesus, Mat.11:19, Luk.7:34, Jhn.5:43, al.; of the second coming, Mat.10:23, Act.1:11, 1Co.4:5, 1Th.5:2, al.; __(b) of time: ἔρξονται ἡμέραι (present for fut.: Bl., §56, 8), Luk.23:29, Heb.8:8" (LXX) ; fut., Mat.9:15, Mrk.2:20, al.; ἔρξεται ὥρα, ὅτε, Jhn.4:21, 23. al.; ἦλθεν, ἐλήλυθε ἡ ὥρα, Jhn.13:1 16:32 17:1; ἡ ἡμέρα τ. κυρίου, 1Th.5:2; καιροί, Act.3:19; __(with) of things and events: κατακλυσμός, Luk.17:27; λιμός, Act.7:11; ἡ ὀργή, 1Th.1:10; ὁ λύχνος, Mrk.4:21 (see Swete, in l.). Metaphorical, τ. ἀγαθά, Rom.3:8; τ. τέλειον, 1Co.13:10; ἡ πίστις, Gal.3:23, 25; ἡ ἐντολή, Rom.7:9; with prepositions: ἐκ τ. θλίψεως, Rev.7:14; ἐις τ. χεῖρον, Mrk.5:26; εἰς πειρασμόν, ib. 14:38, al. __2. to go: ὀπίσω, with genitive (Heb. הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי), Mat.16:24, Mrk.8:34, Luk.9:23; σύν, Jhn.21:3; ὁδόν, Luk.2:44. (Cf. ἀν-, ἐπ-αν-, ἀπ-, δι-, εἰς, ἐπ-εἰσ-, συν-εἰσ-, ἐξ-, δι-εξ-, ἐπ-, κατ-, παρ-, ἀντι-παρ-, περι-, προ-, προσ-, συν-έρχομαι.) SYN.: πορεύομαι, χωρέω (v, Thayer, see word ἔρξομαι). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 603 NT verses. KJV: accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set See also: 1 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 22:11; Hebrews 6:7.
δυναμενα dunamai G1410 "be able" Verb-PNP-APN
To be able or have power, as in Matthew 6:24 and Mark 2:7, meaning to have the capability or strength to do something.
Definition: δύναμαι, depon., [in LXX chiefly for יָכֹל ;] to be able, have power, whether by personal ability, permission, or opportunity: with inf. (M, Pr., 205; WM, §44, 3) pres., Mat.6:24, Mrk.2:7, Jhn.3:2, 1Co.10:21, al.; with inf. aor., Mat.3:9, Mrk.1:45, Jhn.3:3, 4 Rom.8:39, al.; with accusative, to be able to do something: Mrk.9:22, Luk.12:26; 2Co.13:8; absol., to be able, capable, powerful: 1Co.3:2 10:13. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 199 NT verses. KJV: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power See also: 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 15:4; Hebrews 2:18.

Study Notes — 2 Timothy 3:7

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Timothy 4:3–4 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
2 Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
3 1 Timothy 2:4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
4 2 Timothy 2:25 He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
5 Proverbs 14:6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
6 John 5:44 How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
7 Hebrews 5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.
8 John 3:20–21 Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”
9 1 Corinthians 3:1–4 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
10 John 12:42–43 Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

2 Timothy 3:7 Summary

This verse is talking about people who are always trying to learn new things, but they never actually come to understand what is truly important - God's truth. It's like they are always reading books, but never really understanding what they are reading. This can happen to us if we are not careful, as seen in Ephesians 4:14, where we are warned against being tossed back and forth by every wind of teaching. We need to make sure that we are seeking knowledge for the right reasons, and that we are using it to follow God and live according to His Word, as encouraged in Psalm 119:66.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be 'always learning' in 2 Timothy 3:7?

This verse refers to people who are constantly seeking knowledge, but never come to a genuine understanding of the truth, as seen in their inability to apply it to their lives, much like those described in Matthew 7:26 who hear but do not do.

Is it wrong to seek knowledge and learn new things?

No, seeking knowledge is not wrong; in fact, the Bible encourages us to seek wisdom and knowledge, as seen in Proverbs 1:7, but it must be rooted in a desire to know and follow God's truth, not just to accumulate information.

What is the 'knowledge of the truth' that these people are unable to come to?

The 'knowledge of the truth' refers to a deep understanding of God's Word and His plan of salvation, as revealed in Scripture, such as in John 14:6 where Jesus says He is the way, the truth, and the life.

How can we avoid being like those described in 2 Timothy 3:7?

We can avoid being like them by ensuring that our pursuit of knowledge is accompanied by a humble and obedient heart, as seen in James 1:22, where we are encouraged to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I may be 'always learning' but not truly coming to a knowledge of the truth in my own life?
  2. How can I balance my desire for knowledge with a deepening understanding of God's truth and a willingness to apply it to my life?
  3. What are some practical steps I can take to ensure that my pursuit of knowledge is rooted in a desire to follow God's truth?
  4. In what ways can I use my knowledge to serve and glorify God, rather than just to accumulate information?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Timothy 3:7

Ever learning,.... Some new notion and practice or another: and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; partly because of the teachers, which they heap up to themselves, who are unapt to

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Timothy 3:7

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Ever learning - some novelty to suit their own fancies, from mere curiosity and instability, to the disparagement of old truths (Acts 17:21).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:7

Women that pretend to be ever learning the truth, but cannot obtain of their lusts a leave to acknowledge the truth in their practice. The word is epignwsin, which rather signifies a practical acknowledgment than a notional knowledge.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:7

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Ver. 7. Ever learning, and never able] Because resolved not to lose their lusts. Intus existens prohibebat alienum; there was that within that kept out holy learning. It was therefore an excellent prayer of holy Zuinglius before his public lectures, Father of lights, enlighten our minds and open our hearts, so as that we may both understand thine oracles and be transformed into them. (Scultet. Annal.)

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:7

(7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.—A morbid love of novelty, and a hope to penetrate into mysteries not revealed to God’s true teachers, spurred these female learners on; but “to the full knowledge of the truth”—for this is the more accurate rendering of the Greek word—they never reached, for by their evil life their heart was hardened. That some of these false teachers laid claim to occult arts, to a knowledge of magic and sorcery, is clear from the statement contained in the next verse, where certain sorcerers of the time of Moses are compared to them.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:7

Verse 7. Ever learning] From their false teachers, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, because that teaching never leads to the truth; for, although there was a form of godliness, which gave them a sort of authority to teach, yet, as they denied the power of godliness, they never could bring their votaries to the knowledge of the saving power of Christianity. There are many professors of Christianity still who answer the above description. They hear, repeatedly hear, it may be, good sermons; but, as they seldom meditate on what they hear, they derive little profit from the ordinances of God. They have no more grace now than they had several years ago, though hearing all the while, and perhaps not wickedly departing from the Lord. They do not meditate, they do not think, they do not reduce what they hear to practice; therefore, even under the preaching of an apostle, they could not become wise to salvation.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Timothy 3:7

7. never able] The negative used indicates the class of persons conceived of.the knowledge of the truth] The fall knowledge, a ‘decisive and stable apprehension,’ Alford. See note on 1 Timothy 2:4. Cf. Lightfoot, Revision N.T. p. 61, where he defines our word as ‘the advanced or perfect knowledge which is the ideal state of the true Christian,’ and quotes 2 Corinthians 6:9 ‘as unknown and yet well known.’

Barnes' Notes on 2 Timothy 3:7

Ever learning - That is, these “silly women;” for so the Greek demands. The idea is, that they seeM to be disciples.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:7

7. Ever learning—Being continually poring over the doctrines of their visionary teachers, and trying to obtain satisfactory discoveries.

Sermons on 2 Timothy 3:7

SermonDescription
Jeff Noblit Preaching a Watered Down Gospel - Part 5 by Jeff Noblit This sermon emphasizes the importance of moving beyond shallow understanding of the Bible and delves into the deeper truths of God's Word. It warns against remaining spiritually im
Chuck Smith (The Word for Today) Isaiah 29:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of not just going through the motions of worship, but truly drawing near to God with our hearts. He emphasizes the need
Steve Gallagher The Coming Great Deception by Steve Gallagher In this sermon, the preacher discusses the consequences of rejecting the truth of God's word. He emphasizes the importance of understanding right from wrong and warns against accep
Bob Jennings Stewards of the Mysteries of God by Bob Jennings This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing the truth and sharing it with others, highlighting the role of believers as stewards of the mysteries of God and ambassadors of Chr
J.B. Stoney Laodicean State by J.B. Stoney J.B. Stoney delves into the state of the Laodicean assembly, emphasizing the danger of boastfulness in intelligence and acquisitions while lacking pursuit of Christ. This phase rep
Chip Brogden Revelation Is Sufficient by Chip Brogden Chip Brogden emphasizes the importance of receiving revelation from God, contrasting earthly knowledge with spiritual truth revealed by the Heavenly Father. He highlights that true
Daniel Steele St. Paul Shows the Certainty of Spiritual Knowledge. by Daniel Steele Daniel Steele preaches about the importance of having a full assurance and certainty of spiritual knowledge, emphasizing the impact of the outpouring of the Spirit in quickening sp

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