Folly Manifested 2 Timothy 3:9

As Paul the apostle continued his final instructions to Timothy, he wrote concerning “Jannes and Jambres” who “withstood Moses” and resisted “the truth”. He said they were “men of corrupt minds” and “reprobate concerning the faith”. In chapter three and verse nine of these last words of Paul, he told Timothy false teachers like them “shall proceed no further” and “their folly shall be manifested” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “But they shall proceed no further:” Paul began this verse with the disassociation conjunction “But” which means what is about to be written takes precedence over the previous words, and in this case is referring to the advancement of these corrupt men and their ideas. He continued, “they shall proceed” or “lengthen out by hammering as a smith forges metals, promote forward, further, advance, increase or make progress” “no further” which means “upon, at, by, before, over against and across”. In other words, though these men and their false ideas at one point made progress among the people, their time for advancement was to be no longer.

The verse goes on to say, “for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” Paul added the reason for this halt in their progress, “for their folly” or “because, on account of and since their lack of understanding and madness expressing itself in rage” “shall be manifested” which means “will be with strong emphasis evident, clear and conspicuous” “unto all men” or “to each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone” “as theirs also was” or “as theirs even, indeed and for certain came into existence, began, happened, was made public and appeared in history”. Just as “Jannes and Jambres” “folly” was made evident before Moses and all the people who watched them, these false teachers would also be exposed for their fraud.

While we think about Paul's words, we may take comfort in the fact that people who speak “folly” “lack of understand and madness” will be made known. Though it may appear for a time that their false doctrine goes unnoticed and without event, the word of God promises these untruths will be brought to light. Let us continually remember, though for a season people who are opposed to the truth of God are advancing, the Lord Jesus Christ knows all things and there is nothing hidden from Him. Jesus will reveal them, and every heretical thought and false doctrine will be manifested. We can be certain that our Lord knows these things, and no one, anywhere or in any way will be able to stand against Him when He comes on the scene.

Next time Paul tells Timothy how he knew his character, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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