2 Timothy 3 · Verse 5

2 Timothy 3:5

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:5, King James Version

2 Timothy 3:5 in other translations

BSBhaving a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
WEBholding a form of godliness but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
ASVholding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.
YLThaving a form of piety, and its power having denied; and from these be turning away,
DARBYhaving a form of piety but denying the power of it: and from these turn away.
BBEHaving a form of religion, but turning their backs on the power of it: go not with these.
WebsterHaving a form of godliness, but denying its power: from such turn away.

What does 2 Timothy 3:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. form--outward semblance. godliness--piety. denying--rather as Greek, "having denied," that is, renounced. the power--the living, regenerating, sanctifying influence of it. turn away--implying that some of such characters, forerunners of the last days, were already in the Church.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. Having a form of godliness. That is, they profess religion, or are in connexion with the church. This shows that the apostle referred to some great corruption in the church; and there can be little doubt that he had his eye on the same great apostasy to which he refers in 2Thes 2, 1Timm 4. All these things to which he refers here have been practised and tolerated in that apostate church, while no body of men, at any time, have been more zealous in maintaining a form of godliness; that is, in keeping up the forms of religion.

But denying the power thereof. Opposing the real power of religion; not allowing it to exert any influence in their lives. It imposes no restraint on their passions and carnal propensities; but in all respects, except in the form of religion, they live as if they had none. This has been common in the world. The most regular and bigoted adherence to the forms of religion, furnishes no evidence in itself that there is any true piety at heart, or that true religion has any actual control over the soul. It is much easier for men to observe the forms of religion than it is to bring the heart under its controlling influence.

From such turn away. Have no intercourse with them as if they were Christians; show no countenance to their religion; do not associate with them. Comp. 2Jn 1:10,11; 2Cor 6:17.

(c) "form" Tit 1:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Having a form of godliness - The original word μορφωσις signifies a draught, sketch, or summary, and will apply well to those who have all their religion in their creed, confession of faith, catechism, bodies of divinity, etc., while destitute of the life of God in their souls; and are not only destitute of this life, but deny that such life or power is here to be experienced or known. They have religion in their creed, but none in their hearts. And perhaps to their summary they add a decent round of religious observances. From such turn away - not only do not imitate them, but have no kind of fellowship with them; they are a dangerous people, and but seldom suspected, because their outside is fair.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 3:1-9 →

2 Timothy 3:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἔχοντεςechonteshavingG2192
μόρφωσινmorphōsina formG3446
εὐσεβείας,eusebeiasof godlinessG2150
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
δὲdebutG1161
δύναμινdunaminthe powerG1411
αὐτῆςautēsof itG846
ἠρνημένοι.ērnēmenoialready denying.G720
καὶkaiAndG2532
τούτουςtoutoustheseG3778
ἀποτρέπου.apotrepoudo yourself turn away from.G665

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 3:5

  • Isaiah 29:13

    Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

  • Titus 1:16

    They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

  • Matthew 23:27-28

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

  • 1 Timothy 5:8

    But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

  • Romans 2:20-24

    An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? …

  • Matthew 7:15

    Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

  • Titus 3:10

    A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

  • Ezekiel 33:30-32

    Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

  • 2 Timothy 2:16

    But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

  • 2 John 1:10-12

    If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

  • Romans 16:17-18

    Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  • Isaiah 58:1-3

    Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
a form.
Isa 29:13; 48:1,2; 58:1-3; Eze 33:30-32; Mt 7:15; 23:27,28
Ro 2:20-24; 1Ti 5:8; Tit 1:16
from.
2:16,23; Ro 16:17,18; Eph 4:14; 2Th 3:6,14; 1Ti 6:5; Tit 3:10
2Jo 1:10-12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Timothy 3:4

    Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

  • 2 Timothy 3:5

    Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

  • 2 Timothy 3:6

    For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Read all of 2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Teniendo apariencia de piedad, mas habiendo negado la eficacia de ella: y á éstos evita.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
ayant la forme de la piété, mais en ayant renié la puissance. Or détourne-toi de telles gens.
German
Elberfelder 1871
die eine Form der Gottseligkeit haben, deren Kraft aber verleugnen; und von diesen wende dich weg.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
habentes speciem quidem pietatis, virtutem autem ejus abnegantes. Et hos devita: