2 Timothy 3:9
New International Version
But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

New Living Translation
But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

English Standard Version
But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

Berean Standard Bible
But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone.

Berean Literal Bible
But they will not advance much further, for their folly will be plain to all, as also that of those two became.

King James Bible
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

New King James Version
but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

New American Standard Bible
But they will not make further progress; for their foolishness will be obvious to all, just as was that also of Jannes and Jambres.

NASB 1995
But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

NASB 1977
But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, as also that of those two came to be.

Legacy Standard Bible
But they will not make further progress, for their folly will be obvious to all, just as theirs was also.

Amplified Bible
But they will not get very far, for their meaningless nonsense and ignorance will become obvious to everyone, as was that of Jannes and Jambres.

Christian Standard Bible
But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be clear to all, as was the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But they will not make further progress, for their lack of understanding will be clear to all, as theirs was also.

American Standard Version
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.

Contemporary English Version
But they won't get very far with their foolishness. Soon everyone will know the truth about them, just as Jannes and Jambres were found out.

English Revised Version
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Certainly, they won't get very far. Like the stupidity of Jannes and Jambres, their stupidity will be plain to everyone.

Good News Translation
But they will not get very far, because everyone will see how stupid they are. That is just what happened to Jannes and Jambres.

International Standard Version
But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those two men, their stupidity will be plain to everyone.

Majority Standard Bible
But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone.

NET Bible
But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.

New Heart English Bible
But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all, as theirs also was.

Webster's Bible Translation
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly will be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.

Weymouth New Testament
But they will have no further success; for their folly will be as clearly manifest to all men, as that of the opponents of Moses came to be.

World English Bible
But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but they will not advance any further, for their folly will be evident to all, as theirs also became.

Berean Literal Bible
But they will not advance much further, for their folly will be plain to all, as also that of those two became.

Young's Literal Translation
but they shall not advance any further, for their folly shall be manifest to all, as theirs also did become.

Smith's Literal Translation
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they shall proceed no farther; for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But they will not advance beyond a certain point. For the folly of the latter shall be made manifest to all, just as that of the former.

New American Bible
But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be plain to all, as it was with those two.

New Revised Standard Version
But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men, their folly will become plain to everyone.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But they shall not progress, for their folly is well known to every man, as theirs also was.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But they will not proceed to their advancement, for their madness is known to every person, just as theirs was also known.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But they shall proceed no further; for their madness shall be manifest to all, as was the madness of those men.

Godbey New Testament
But they shall proceed no further: for their insanity will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Haweis New Testament
But they shall not proceed to the uttermost; for their infatuation shall be evident to all men, as theirs also was.

Mace New Testament
but they will be stop'd in their career; for they shall be expos'd to the world for impostors, as those magicians were.

Weymouth New Testament
But they will have no further success; for their folly will be as clearly manifest to all men, as that of the opponents of Moses came to be.

Worrell New Testament
But they will proceed no further; for their folly will be fully manifest to all, as theirs also became.

Worsley New Testament
But they shall not proceed far: for their folly shall be evident to all, as theirs also was.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Evil in the Last Days
8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. 9But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone. 10You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,…

Cross References
Exodus 7:11-12
But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.

Exodus 9:11
The magicians could not stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and on all the Egyptians.

1 Timothy 6:5
and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

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.

Jude 1:10-13
These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively. / Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. / These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. ...

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...

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 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.

Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Galatians 1:6-9
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— / which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. / But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! ...

Titus 1:10-11
For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, / who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.

Acts 13:8-11
But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. / Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas / and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? ...

1 Kings 18:19-40
Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.” / So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. / Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. ...

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.

Ezekiel 13:9
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.


Treasury of Scripture

But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as their's also was.

their.

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.

Exodus 7:12
For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

Exodus 8:18,19
And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast…

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Advance Behaviour Case Clear Clearly Completely End Evident Far Farther Folly Foolish Further Jambres Jannes Manifest Moses Obvious Opponents Plain Proceed Progress Success Theirs Their's
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Advance Behaviour Case Clear Clearly Completely End Evident Far Farther Folly Foolish Further Jambres Jannes Manifest Moses Obvious Opponents Plain Proceed Progress Success Theirs Their's
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;














But they will not advance much further
This phrase serves as a reassurance to Timothy and the early church that the influence of false teachers and those who oppose the truth will be limited. The Greek word for "advance" (προκόψουσιν, prokopsousin) implies progress or advancement, often used in a positive sense. However, in this context, it is a negative progression, indicating that the spread of falsehood will be curtailed. Historically, this reflects the early church's struggle against heresies and false teachings, which were prevalent. The assurance here is that God’s truth will ultimately prevail, and the deceptive teachings will not continue indefinitely.

For just like Jannes and Jambres
Jannes and Jambres are traditionally understood to be the magicians who opposed Moses in Pharaoh's court, as referenced in Jewish tradition and extra-biblical texts, though not named in the Old Testament. Their mention here serves as a typology for those who resist the truth. The historical context of these figures highlights the persistent opposition to God's messengers throughout biblical history. Their inclusion in this epistle underscores the reality that opposition to divine truth is not new, but it is ultimately futile.

their folly will be plain to everyone
The word "folly" (ἄνοια, anoia) in Greek denotes a lack of understanding or senselessness. This phrase promises that the foolishness of those who oppose the truth will become evident to all. The historical context of the early church, which faced numerous false teachings, is mirrored in this assurance that truth will shine through deception. Scripturally, this aligns with the biblical theme that God’s wisdom will ultimately expose and triumph over human folly. The phrase serves as an encouragement to believers to remain steadfast in truth, knowing that falsehood will be revealed and truth will be vindicated.

(9) But they shall proceed no further.--After that St. Paul, with no gentle hand, had torn aside the veil which was hiding apparently from Timothy the real state of his great charge at Ephesus, and had pointed out what fearful ravages among his flock had been committed by these ambitious and evil men, the Apostle proceeds to comfort his friend and disciple with the assurance that, great though the mischief already accomplished was, still it should proceed no further. To human eyes, such a state of things as here pictured by the Apostle would appear desperate. It would seem as though a deadly and incurable cancer was eating away the whole life of the community; but Timothy need not despair: the evil would only be allowed to advance to a certain point; and since St. Paul thus wrote, the same prophecy, not only in Ephesus but in a thousand churches, has been fulfilled to the very letter. Still, the same old foes under new faces make havoc of the Church. But they never seem to advance beyond a certain point, and after all these centuries the Church is still full of faith and life, bright, too, in spite of discouragements, in spite of the perpetual presence of these treacherous, deceitful men, with promise for the future.

For their folly shall be manifest.--Men and women would be led away for a season by the plausible words of such deceivers, but one school of error after another would fall into disrepute, then into neglect, then into the silent darkness of utter oblivion (the event in numberless instances has shown the truth of this prophecy); and Timothy might take comfort, by considering what Holy Scripture had placed on record respecting the Egyptian sorcerers, whose folly was manifest unto all men (Exodus 8:18-19; Exodus 9:11). Their folly was yet more manifest when men considered their latter end. (See Note above on Jannes and Jambres, 2Timothy 3:8.)

Verse 9. - Evident for manifest, A.V.; came to be for was, A.V. Shall proceed (proko/yousin); as ch. 2:16 (where see note) and ver. 13. The apostle's meaning here is, as explained by the example of the magicians, that heresies shall not prevail against the truth. Απὶ πλεῖον means beyond the point indicated in his description of their future progressive evil. They would "proceed further in ungodliness," as he said in 2 Timothy 2:16, but not up to the point of destroying the gospel, as history has shown. The various forms of Gnosticism have perished. The gospel remains. As theirs also came to be (Exodus 8:18, 19). Surely the A.V. "was" is better.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

they will not advance
προκόψουσιν (prokopsousin)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4298: From pro and kopto; to drive forward, i.e. to advance.

much
πλεῖον (pleion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.

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

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

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

like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

[Jannes and Jambres],
ἐκείνων (ekeinōn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

folly
ἄνοια (anoia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 454: Folly, madness, foolishness. From a compound of a and nous; stupidity; by implication, rage.

will be
ἔσται (estai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

plain
ἔκδηλος (ekdēlos)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1552: Perfectly evident, manifest. From ek and delos; wholly evident.

to everyone.
πᾶσιν (pasin)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.


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NT Letters: 2 Timothy 3:9 But they will proceed no further (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim)
2 Timothy 3:8
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