A Form of Godliness 2 Timothy 3:5

As Paul the apostle continued to describe the characteristics of people who live “in the last days”, he included that they would be “traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” among many others. In chapter three and verse five of his final letter to Timothy, Paul told him these “last days” people would also have “a form of godliness” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:” Paul began with the word, “Having” which means “possessing, owning and holding” “a form” or “semblance, appearance or shape” “of godliness” which refers to “reverence, respect and piety toward God”, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was previously written “denying” or “disregard, abnegate, abjure, reject, refuse and do not accept” “the power” which means “strength, resources and influence” “thereof” or “within it”.

The verse goes on to say, “ from such turn away.” Paul continued, “from” which means “also, even and indeed” “such” or “these” “turn away” or “shun, avoid and turn one's self away from”. Paul knew these who had an “appearance” of “reverence, respect and piety toward God” and “disregarding” “the power” of it, were to be avoided and shunned.

When we think about Paul's words, we may know of those who appear to be “godly”, but they live in a manner that doesn't demonstrate the power of “God Like Ness” in their lives. Those who live “in the last days” will look like they are living in respect and honor toward God, but the core of their lives are far from Him. We should take this opportunity to inspect our own lives to see if we are living in this manner, and should we find any area that denies the power of God, let us seek the Lord Jesus in prayer and ask Him to be faithful to the “godliness” we proclaim to possess.

Next time Paul tells more about those who have “a form of godliness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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