2 Timothy 3:9

But they shall proceed no further The same words as in 2 Timothy 2:16, where their advance is predicted. Here the future beyond that advance is seen. The adverbial phrase with the verb lends itself to this double meaning, being in the comparative and so capable of being rendered there -still farther" and here -not very far." So in St Luke's usage, Acts 4:17, -that it spread no further"; but Acts 20:9, -while Paul was very long discoursing"; Acts 24:4, -that I may not weary thee at great length"; cf. 1 Timothy 3:14, -quite shortly"; 2 Timothy 1:18, -very well"; Acts 17:22, -somewhat superstitious."

manifest Lit. -thoroughly manifest," a strong classical compound occurring only here in N. T.

their folly The noun occurs only here and Luke 6:11, where R.V. renders -madness"; Ellicott, -wicked as well as insensate folly"; Trench, -the foolishness which is akin to, and derived from wickedness" (N. T. Syn. § 75); for the adjective see note on Titus 3:3.

as theirs also was R.V. literally, came to be; the conjunction emphasises pronoun and verb as in 2 Timothy 3:5.