Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

2 Timothy 3:9

οὐ προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ πλεῖον : There is only a verbal inconsistency between this statement and those in 2 Timothy 2:16 and 2 Timothy 3:13, where see notes. The meaning here is that there will be a limit to the success of the false teachers. They will be exposed, found out; those to whom that fact is apparent will not be imposed on any more. In 2 Timothy 2:16, the increasing impiety of the teachers and the cancerous growth of their teaching is alleged as a reason why Timothy should avoid them. In 2 Timothy 3:13, προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον does not indicate success in gaining adherents, but simply advance in degradation. “Saepe malitia, quum late non potest, profundius proficit” (Bengel).

ἄνοια : dementia (m 50) is nearer the mark than insipientia (Vulg.).

ὡς καὶ ἡ ἐκείνων ἐγένετο : “Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods” (Exodus 7:12); they failed to produce lice (Exodus 8:18). “And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boils were upon the magicians” (Exodus 9:11). During the plague of darkness, “they lay helpless, made the sport of magic art, and a shameful rebuke of their vaunts of understanding” (Wis 17:7).

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

2 Timothy 3:9

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