2 Timothy 3 · Verse 8

2 Timothy 3:8

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

2 Timothy 3:8, King James Version

2 Timothy 3:8 in other translations

BSB	Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.
WEB	Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith are rejected.
ASV	And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
YLT	and, even as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, so also these do stand against the truth, men corrupted in mind, disapproved concerning the faith;
DARBY	Now in the same manner in which Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, thus these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, found worthless as regards the faith.
BBE	And as James and Jambres went against Moses, so do these go against what is true: men of evil minds, who, tested by faith, are seen to be false.
Webster	Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

What does 2 Timothy 3:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

8. Now--Greek, "But"; it is no wonder there should be now such opponents to the truth, for their prototypes existed in ancient times [Alford]. Jannes ... Jambres--traditional names of the Egyptian magicians who resisted Moses (Ex 7:11, 22), derived from "the unwritten teaching of the Jews" [Theodoret]. In a point so immaterial as the names, where Scripture had not recorded them, Paul takes the names which general opinion had assigned the magicians. Eusebius [Preparation of the Gospel], quotes from Numenius, "Jannes and Jambres were sacred scribes (a lower order of priests in Egypt) skilled in magic." Hiller interprets "Jannes" from the Abyssinian language a trickster, and "Jambres" a juggler" (Ac 13:8). resist--"withstand," as before. They did so by trying to rival Moses' miracles. So the false teachers shall exhibit lying wonders in the last days (Mt 24:24; 2Th 2:9; Re 13:14, 15). reprobate--incapable of testing the truth (Ro 1:28) [Bengel]. Alford takes passively, "not abiding the test"; rejected on being tested (Jr 6:30).

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses. The names of these two men are not elsewhere mentioned in the Bible. They are supposed to have been two of the magicians who resisted Moses, Ex 7:11, et al., and who opposed their miracles to those of Moses and Aaron. It is not certain where the apostle obtained their names; but they are frequently mentioned by the Hebrew writers, and also by other writers; so that there can be no reasonable doubt that their names were correctly handed down by tradition. Nothing is more probable than that the names of the more distinguished magicians who attempted to imitate the miracles of Moses, would be preserved by tradition; and though they are not mentioned by Moses himself, and the Jews have told many ridiculous stories respecting them, yet this should not lead us to doubt the truth of the tradition respecting their names. A full collection of the Jewish statements in regard to them may be found in Wetstein, in loc. They are also mentioned by Pliny, Nat. Hist. xxx. 7; and by Numenius, the philosopher, as quoted by Eusebius, ix. 8; and Origen, against Celsus, p. 199. See Wetstein. By the rabbinical writers, they are sometimes mentioned as Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses in Egypt, and sometimes as the sons of Balaam. The more common account is, that they were the princes of the Egyptian magicians. One of the Jewish rabins represents them as having been convinced by the miracles of Moses, and as having become converts to the Hebrew religion. There is no reason to doubt that these were, in fact, the leading men who opposed Moses in Egypt, by attempting to work counter miracles. The point of the remark of the apostle here, is, that they resisted Moses by attempting to imitate his miracles; thus neutralizing the evidence that he was sent from God. In like manner, the persons here referred to, opposed the progress of the gospel by setting up a similar claim to that of the apostles; by pretending to have as much authority as they had; and by thus neutralizing the claims of the true religion, and leading off weak-minded persons from the truth. This is often the most dangerous kind of opposition that is made to religion.

Men of corrupt minds. Comp. 1Timm 6:5.

Reprobate concerning the faith. So far as the Christian faith is concerned. On the word rendered reprobate, Rom 1:28. 1Cor 9:27, rendered cast-away. 2Cor 13:5. The margin here is, "of no judgment." The meaning is, that in respect to the Christian faith, or the doctrines of religion, their views could not be approved, and they were not to be regarded as true teachers of religion.

(e) "Jannes and Jambres" Ex 7:11 (f) "of corrupt minds" 1Timm 6:5 (2) "reprobate" "of no judgment" (&) "concerning" "disproved"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses - This refers to the history of the Egyptian magicians, given in Exodus 7 (see on Exo 7:11 (note) and Exo 7:12 (note)), and particularly the concluding observations at the end of that chapter, (note) where several things are said concerning these two men. Men of corrupt minds - It appears as if the apostle were referring still to some Judaizing teachers who were perverting the Church with their doctrines, and loudly calling in question the authority and doctrine of the apostle. Reprobate concerning the faith - Αδοκιμοι· Undiscerning or untried; they are base metal, unstamped; and should not pass current, because not standard. This metaphor is frequent in the sacred writings.

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 3:8 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.

ὋνHonBy whichG3739

τρόπονtroponwayG5158

δὲdenowG1161

ἸάννηςIannēsJannesG2389

καὶkaiandG2532

ἸαμβρῆςIambrēsJambresG2387

ἀντέστησανantestēsanopposedG436

Μωϋσεῖ,Mōuseito Moses,G3475

οὕτωςhoutōssoG3779

καὶkaialsoG2532

οὗτοιhoutoitheseG3778

ἀνθίστανταιanthistantaiopposeG436

τῇtēato theG3588

ἀληθείᾳ,alētheiatruth,G225

ἄνθρωποιanthrōpoimenG444

κατεφθαρμένοιkatephtharmenoidepravedG2704

τὸνton<the>G3588

νοῦν,nounin mind,G3563

ἀδόκιμοιadokimoidisqualifiedG96

περὶperiregardingG4012

τὴνtēntheG3588

πίστιν.pistinfaith.G4102

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

Cross references for 2 Timothy 3:8

Acts 13:8-11
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 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 7:11
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
Revelation 2:20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
1 Timothy 6:5
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Revelation 2:14-15
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
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.
2 Timothy 4:15
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
Galatians 2:4-5
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
2 Peter 2:14
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

as.
Ex 7:11,22; 8:7,18
resist.
4:15; 1Ki 22:22-24; Jer 28:1-17; Ac 13:8-11; 15:24; Ga 1:7-9; 2:4,5
Eph 4:14; 2Th 2:9-11; Tit 1:10; 2Pe 2:1-3; 1Jo 2:18; 4:1
Re 2:6,14,15,20
men.
Ac 8:21,22; Ro 1:28; 16:18; 2Co 11:13-15; 1Ti 1:19; 4:2; 6:5
Tit 1:16; 2Pe 2:14; Jude 1:18,19
reprobate. or, of no judgment.
2Co 13:5,6

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

Context

2 Timothy 3:7
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:8
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2 Timothy 3:9
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Read all of 2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3:8 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y de la manera que Jannes y Jambres resistieron á Moisés, así también éstos resisten á la verdad; hombres corruptos de entendimiento, réprobos acerca de la fe.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Or de la même manière dont Jannès et Jambrès résistèrent à Moïse, ainsi aussi ceux-ci résistent à la vérité, hommes corrompus dans leur entendement, réprouvés quant à la foi:
German Elberfelder 1871	Gleicherweise aber wie Jannes und Jambres Mose widerstanden, also widerstehen auch diese der Wahrheit, Menschen, verderbt in der Gesinnung, unbewährt hinsichtlich des Glaubens.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Quemadmodum autem Jannes et Mambres restiterunt Moysi: ita et hi resistunt veritati, homines corrupti mente, reprobi circa fidem;