2 Timothy 3:5

Having a form of godliness; having only its external form. These words mark the men whose character the apostle has drawn in such dark colors, as only outwardly members of the church of Christ.

Denying the power; showing by their lives that they have not the spirit of true religion, and have not experienced its renewing and sanctifying power.

Turn away; do not associate with or acknowledge them as Christians, and do nothing to countenance their errors. The great apostasy from the faith and practice of the gospel which has been and still is witnessed in the world, and which is manifested by its leaders exalting themselves as ecclesiastical and civil rulers, loving and amassing large sums of money, inducing men and women to stifle natural affection, to break away from and not to enter into family connections, falsely accusing men of heresy and putting them to death for reading and obeying the Bible, living in luxury and sinful pleasures, and at the same time abounding in forms and ceremonies of religion and bitterly opposing its spirit-was clearly foretold in the Bible. This is evidence that the Bible was given by the inspiration of God; and thus the wickedness of the wicked is an illustration of his truth. Romans 3:7.