2 Timothy 3:7

2 Timothy 3:7

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

a. NLT: (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. Young’s Literal Translation: always learning, and never to a knowledge of truth able to come, [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible:  [These weak women will listen to anybody who will teach them]; they are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

1.”Ever learning…”

a. Ever [Strong: 3842 pántote, pan'-tot-eh; from G3956 and G3753; every when, i.e. at all times:—alway(-s), ever(-more).] [Zodhiates: always, at all times, ever.]

b. learning [Strong: 3129 manthánō, man-than'-o; prolongation from a primary verb, another form of which, μαθέω mathéō, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn (in any way):—learn, understand.]  [Zodhiates: to learn, to have learned something.]

2. “…and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. never [Strong: 3368 mēdépote, may-dep'-ot-eh; from G3366 and G4218; not even ever:—never.]

c. able [Strong: 1410 dýnamai, doo'-nam-ahee; of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:—be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.] [Zodhiates: to be able.]

d. [to] come [Strong: 2064 érchomai, er'-khom-ahee; middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) ἐλεύθομαι eleúthomai el-yoo'-thom-ahee, or (active) ἔλθω élthō el'-tho, which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):—accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, × light, × next, pass, resort, be set.]

e. to [Strong: 1519 eis, ice; a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:—(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with.]

f. [the] knowledge [Strong: 1922 epígnōsis, ep-ig'-no-sis; from G1921; recognition, i.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement:—(ac-)knowledge(-ing, - ment).] [Zodhiates: It is more intensive that gnosis (1108), knowledge, because it expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner. In the N.T., it often refers to knowledge which very powerfully influences the form of religious life, a knowledge laying claim to personal involvement.]

1). Paul is contrasting mere head knowledge with revelation knowledge. These people are “ever learning”, constantly educating themselves, but what they are learning never affects their life, never changes their relationship with God if they even have one.  The knowledge that Paul referred to in this verse is a deeper knowledge these people never receive. This is knowledge the Spirit of God gives to those who are hungry, their hearts cry out for it, knowing there is only one place to get it, the throne of God. The definition bears repeating. “…it expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner…”, and it “…refers to knowledge which very powerfully influences the form of religious life, a knowledge laying claim to personal involvement.” If they would come to this “knowledge” they would cease to be weak-willed women and men. This is demonstrated in the use of this same word in other verses.

a). 2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

b). The “more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner”, is referring to meditating and confessing the word of God in our lives. Jesus spoke about it the Gospel of Mark, and so did Solomon in Proverbs.

(1). Mark 4:24 And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure of thought and study you give to the truth you hear will be the measure of virtue and knowledge that comes back to you--and more besides will be given to you who hear.

(2). Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

2). The impartation of the revelation brings the grace and peace that builds us up and gives us the empowerment to obey and the faith to receive the inheritance.

a). Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 

g. [the] truth [Strong: 225 alḗtheia, al-ay'-thi-a; from G227; truth:—true, × truly, truth, verity. [Zodhiates: Truth, reality; the unveiled reality lying at the basis of and agreeing with an appearance; the manifested, the veritable essence of matter. ]

1). I am reminded of what Jesus said to his followers.

a). John 8:31, 32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2). The reason these people are ever learning, always learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth which leads to freedom, is they are not walking in what they learn, its all head knowledge. This is a perfect application of hearing and not doing.

a). James 1:22-24 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

b). The wonderful word play in the King James I believe is more profound than the NIV that says, “immediately forgets what he looks like.”  Although that may suffice it does not carry the weight of what the King James declares, he forgot “what manner of man he was”. The manner of man he saw when he looked into the mirror of the word of God, (cp. 2Corinthians 3:18).

3). Revelation knowledge will keep, preserve and protect, whereas mere head knowledge never will. Notice carefully that the “evil man” and the “strange woman” in these verses are both former believers.

a). Proverbs 2:10-19 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

2:12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

2:14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

2:18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

2:19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

b). Luke 6:46-49 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

4). If we as believers do not gain revelation knowledge and receive the grace and peace to enable us to walk in what we know and learn out of the word of God, we are building our lives upon the sand. If we never meditate on the word to receive revelation knowledge that will impart grace and peace to walk in obedience to the Word, we are deceiving ourselves, and when the storms come we will be blown away, our house will fall.