Bible Strands
2 Timothy 3:13
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy during his final imprisonment, immediately warning that those who pursue godliness will face persecution and instructing him to remain steadfast in the faith.
The words — πονηροὶ (ponēroi) translates as "evil" and προκόψουσιν (prokopsousin) as "will advance," describing men and imposters who progress toward greater corruption rather than moral improvement.
The thread — This pattern of escalating deception and moral decline runs through 1 Timothy 4:1 regarding the abandonment of faith for deceitful spirits and Titus 3:3 regarding lives characterized by being misled and enslaved to desires.
Why it lands — The text demands sober recognition that spiritual opposition intensifies over time, requiring believers to anchor themselves in established teaching rather than adapt to corrupt influences.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
- Titus 3:3 For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
- 2 Timothy 3:8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.
- 2 Peter 2:20 If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.
- 2 Peter 3:3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
- Ezekiel 14:9 But if the prophet is enticed to speak a message, then it was I the LORD who enticed him, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel.
- 2 Timothy 2:16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
- Isaiah 44:20 He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
- Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.