2 Timothy 3:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul likens these false teachers to those who opposed Moses, calling them corrupt in mind and failing the test of faith.
What Does 2 Timothy 3:8 Mean?
Paul reaches back to tradition, naming Jannes and Jambres, remembered as those who opposed Moses in Egypt. Just as they resisted God's servant, so these false teachers resist the truth, their minds corrupted and their faith proven counterfeit.
The comparison places present opposition within a long line of resistance to God's truth. Such opponents are marked by minds gone corrupt and a faith that fails the test when examined. The reference reminds Timothy that resisting God is nothing new, and neither is its eventual exposure. For the reader, this offers perspective. Opposition to the truth has always existed and has always, in the end, been unmasked. The call is not to be unsettled by such resistance but to stand firm, trusting that corrupt minds cannot finally prevail against the truth of God.
2 Timothy 3:8 in the Original Language
adokimos (ἀδόκιμος), 'reprobate' -- failing the test, like metal that does not pass inspection and is rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Timothy 3:8
What does 2 Timothy 3:8 mean?
Paul likens these false teachers to those who opposed Moses, calling them corrupt in mind and failing the test of faith.