2 Timothy 3:13

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

But {G1161} evil {G4190} men {G444} and {G2532} seducers {G1114} shall wax {G4298} worse and worse {G1909}{G5501}, deceiving {G4105}, and {G2532} being deceived {G4105}.

while evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.

while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Commentary

This verse, from Paul's second letter to his young protégé Timothy, serves as a stark warning about the escalating nature of evil in the world, particularly as the end times draw near. It underscores the deceptive tactics employed by those who oppose divine truth and the unfortunate reality of their own self-deception.

Context

2 Timothy is one of Paul's final letters, written from prison, urging Timothy to remain faithful to the gospel amidst growing apostasy and false teachings. Chapter 3 begins with Paul's urgent warning to Timothy about the challenging nature of the last days, describing a society characterized by self-love, greed, pride, disobedience, and a rejection of true godliness (2 Timothy 3:2-5). Following this general description, Paul specifically addresses those who "creep into houses and lead captive silly women" (2 Timothy 3:6-9), likening them to Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses. Verse 13 then summarizes the inevitable downward spiral of such individuals and their influence.

Key Themes

  • Progression of Evil: The phrase "wax worse and worse" highlights a deepening moral decay and increasing hostility towards truth. This isn't a static state but a dynamic, worsening condition of those engaged in deception.
  • Active Deception: "Deceiving" points to the deliberate intent of these individuals to mislead others, often for personal gain or to promote their false doctrines. They are active agents of spiritual confusion.
  • Self-Deception: The powerful phrase "and being deceived" reveals that these evil men and seducers are not merely cynical manipulators; they themselves are caught in the snare of their own lies. They believe their own falsehoods, illustrating a profound spiritual blindness.
  • Spiritual Warfare: This verse serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle, where truth is pitted against falsehood, and believers must be vigilant.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Evil men" (poneros): This Greek term denotes inherent wickedness, malice, and a destructive nature, going beyond mere bad behavior to describe a fundamentally corrupt character.
  • "Seducers" (goes): A very strong word, often translated as 'impostors,' 'charlatans,' or even 'sorcerers.' It implies one who uses cunning, trickery, and even magical arts to deceive, highlighting the manipulative and deceptive nature of their influence.
  • "Wax worse and worse" (prokopto): This verb literally means "to cut forward" or "to advance." Here, it signifies a progression or advancement into a deeper state of evil and error, not merely remaining in wickedness but actively deteriorating.
  • "Deceiving, and being deceived" (planao): The same root word is used for both actions. Planao means "to wander," "to lead astray," or "to deceive." The repetition emphasizes the cyclical and self-reinforcing nature of their deception: they lead others astray, and in doing so, they themselves become further lost in error.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Timothy 3:13 offers both a warning and an encouragement:

  • Discernment is Crucial: We are called to be spiritually discerning, testing what we hear against the unchanging truth of God's Word. The world will increasingly present attractive but deceptive philosophies and spiritualities.
  • Stand Firm in Truth: This verse highlights the importance of spiritual maturity and discernment so that we are not "tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14). The antidote to deception is found in holding fast to the inspired Word of God, which is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
  • Compassion Mixed with Caution: While recognizing the destructive path of deceivers, we are also reminded that they themselves are often deceived, trapped in their own lies. This calls for both a firm stand against error and a compassionate heart for those lost in it.
  • Hope Amidst Darkness: Despite the grim forecast, the Bible consistently reminds us that God's truth will ultimately prevail. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast, knowing that their hope is secure in Christ, even as the world around them declines.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 4:1

    ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

  • 2 Peter 2:20

    For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

  • 2 Timothy 3:8

    Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

  • Titus 3:3

    For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:6

    And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:11

    And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

  • Ezekiel 14:9

    And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
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