2 Timothy 3:13
New International Version
while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

New Living Translation
But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

English Standard Version
while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Berean Standard Bible
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Berean Literal Bible
But evil men and imposters will advance to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

King James Bible
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

New King James Version
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

New American Standard Bible
But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

NASB 1995
But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

NASB 1977
But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Legacy Standard Bible
But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Amplified Bible
But evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Christian Standard Bible
Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.

American Standard Version
But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Contemporary English Version
But evil people who pretend to be what they are not will become worse than ever, as they fool others and are fooled themselves.

English Revised Version
But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But evil people and phony preachers will go from bad to worse as they mislead people and are themselves misled.

Good News Translation
and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.

International Standard Version
But evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse as they deceive others and are themselves deceived.

Majority Standard Bible
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

NET Bible
But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.

New Heart English Bible
But evil people and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Webster's Bible Translation
But evil men and seducers will become worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Weymouth New Testament
But bad men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.

World English Bible
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and evil men and impostors will advance to the worse, leading astray and being led astray.

Berean Literal Bible
But evil men and imposters will advance to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Young's Literal Translation
and evil men and impostors shall advance to the worse, leading astray and being led astray.

Smith's Literal Translation
And evil men and impostors shall proceed to worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But evil men and deceivers will advance in evil, erring and sending into error.

New American Bible
But wicked people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived.

New Revised Standard Version
But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But bad and deceptive men shall grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But evil men and deceivers will add to their evils, as they go astray and deceive.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But evil men and impostors will become worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Godbey New Testament
But wicked men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Haweis New Testament
But wicked men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and deceived.

Mace New Testament
as for these impious impostors, they will go on from bad to worse, seducing others, and deluding themselves.

Weymouth New Testament
But bad men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.

Worrell New Testament
But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Worsley New Testament
But wicked men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
All Scripture is God-Breathed
12Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.…

Cross References
Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, ...

1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

Jude 1:4
For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Revelation 13:13-14
And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people. / Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Jeremiah 23:16
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Ezekiel 13:9-10
My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of My people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD. / Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,

Micah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.


Treasury of Scripture

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

evil.

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 2:16,17
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness…

2 Thessalonians 2:6-10
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time…

being.

Job 12:16
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.

Isaiah 44:20
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Ezekiel 14:9,10
And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel…

Jump to Previous
Advance Bad Deceit Deceived Deceivers Deceiving Evil False. Grow Impostors Leading Misleading Misled Overcome Proceed Themselves Using Wax Wicked Worse
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Advance Bad Deceit Deceived Deceivers Deceiving Evil False. Grow Impostors Leading Misleading Misled Overcome Proceed Themselves Using Wax Wicked Worse
2 Timothy 3
1. Paul advises Timothy of the difficult times to come;
6. describes the enemies of the truth;
10. explains unto him his own example;
16. and commends the holy Scriptures;














evil men
The Greek term for "evil" here is "πονηροί" (ponēroi), which implies not just moral wickedness but also a harmful, malignant nature. In the context of the early church, "evil men" refers to those who actively oppose the truth of the Gospel, often with malicious intent. Historically, the early Christian community faced persecution and opposition from both Jewish and Roman authorities, as well as from false teachers within the church. This phrase serves as a warning to believers to be vigilant against those who would seek to harm the body of Christ through deceit and malice.

imposters
The word "imposters" is translated from the Greek "γόητες" (goētes), which can mean sorcerers or deceivers. This term suggests individuals who use trickery or false appearances to mislead others. In the historical context of the New Testament, such imposters could be likened to false prophets or teachers who claim to have divine insight or authority but lead people away from the truth. The presence of imposters highlights the need for discernment within the church, as believers are called to test the spirits and hold fast to sound doctrine.

go from bad to worse
This phrase indicates a progression or escalation in wickedness. The Greek construction suggests a continual movement towards greater evil. In the scriptural context, this serves as a prophetic warning that as the end times approach, the moral and spiritual state of the world will deteriorate. This progression is not just a passive decline but an active choice to embrace greater sinfulness. For the early church, this was a call to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that the world would increasingly oppose the truth.

deceiving
The Greek word "πλανῶντες" (planōntes) is used here, meaning to lead astray or cause to wander. This term is often associated with false teaching and heresy. In the biblical narrative, deception is a tool of the enemy, used to draw believers away from the truth of God's Word. The historical context of the early church was rife with heretical teachings that sought to distort the Gospel. This serves as a reminder for Christians to be rooted in Scripture and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern truth from falsehood.

being deceived
The reciprocal nature of this phrase, "being deceived," suggests that those who deceive others are themselves caught in a web of deception. The Greek "πλανώμενοι" (planōmenoi) indicates a passive state of being misled. This reflects a biblical principle that those who reject the truth of God are given over to a reprobate mind, as seen in Romans 1:28. Historically, this can be seen in the cyclical nature of sin and deception, where those who lead others astray are themselves ensnared by their own lies. For believers, this is a cautionary tale of the dangers of departing from the truth and the importance of remaining anchored in the Word of God.

(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.--This verse is closely connected with the following (2Timothy 3:14), to which, indeed, it serves as an introduction. 2Timothy 3:14 takes up again the exhortation to Timothy begun in 2Timothy 3:10 : "But thou hast fully known my doctrine," &c. 2Timothy 3:14 takes up the thought: "Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." Here, in 2Timothy 3:13, these evil men and seducers (or better, perhaps, deceivers) are spoken of as advancing towards the worse. History has borne witness to the accuracy of these prophetic words. The false teachers known to St. Paul and Timothy developed into the leaders of the various wild and speculative Gnostic sects, whose connection with Christianity consisted alone in the name; and each succeeding age has witnessed a development in opposition to the truth as it is in Jesus. In this allusion to the gradual development of hostility to the truth it will hardly be out of place to instance the eighteenth Christian century, when opposition to the teaching of Jesus had reached such a pitch that, with the approval or even the applause of thousands, the most brilliant writer in Europe wrote of Christ and His religion in the well-known words, "Ecrasez l'infame!" while it was reserved for our own century--the nineteenth--to witness the rare, though we believe ephemeral popularity, among so-called Christian peoples of a work which, with honeyed phrases, and in romantic, graceful language, paints the Redeemer of man in the strange and apparently contradictory characters of a loving enthusiast and of a conscious impostor!

Verse 13. - Impostors for seducers, A.V. Evil men (πονηροί). In 2 Timothy 4:18 it is παντὸς ἕργου πονηροῦ. The adjective is applied indifferently to persons and things - evil men, evil servants, evil persons, evil generation, evil spirits, etc., and evil deeds, evil fruits, evil eye, evil works, etc. Satan, the embodiment of evil, is ὁ πονηρός. Impostors (γόντες); only here in the New Testament. In classical Greek γόης is a juggler, a cheat, an enchanter. St. Paul still had the Egyptian magicians in his mind. Shall wax worse and worse (προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον); see above, ver. 9, note.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
while
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

evil
πονηροὶ (ponēroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

men
ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

imposters
γόητες (goētes)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1114: A conjuror, juggler, sorcerer; a tricky (crafty) deceiver, imposter. From goao; properly, a wizard, i.e. an imposter.

go [from bad]
προκόψουσιν (prokopsousin)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4298: From pro and kopto; to drive forward, i.e. to advance.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

worse,
χεῖρον (cheiron)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 5501: Worse, more severe. Irregular comparative of kakos; from an obsolete equivalent cheres; more evil or aggravated.

deceiving
πλανῶντες (planōntes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

being deceived.
πλανώμενοι (planōmenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.


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NT Letters: 2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and impostors will grow (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim)
2 Timothy 3:12
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