King James Version

What Does 2 Timothy 3:8 Mean?

2 Timothy 3:8 in the King James Version says “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning...” — study this verse from 2 Timothy chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. reprobate: or, of no judgment reprobate: or, of no judgment”

2 Timothy 3:8 · KJV

TruthFaith

Context

6

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7

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

8

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. reprobate: or, of no judgment reprobate: or, of no judgment

9

But they shall proceed no further : for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, fully: or, been a diligent follower of

Read 2 Timothy 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. Paul reaches into Exodus tradition to illustrate false teachers' rebellion. "Jannes and Jambres" (Iannēs kai Iambrēs, Ἰαννῆς καὶ Ἰαμβρῆς) aren't named in Exodus but Jewish tradition identified Pharaoh's magicians (Exodus 7:11, 22; 8:7) by these names. They "withstood Moses" (antestēsan Mōysei, ἀντέστησαν Μωϋσεῖ)—anthistēmi (ἀνθίστημι) means oppose, resist, stand against. They used counterfeit miracles to oppose God's true prophet.

"So do these also resist the truth" (houtōs kai houtoi anthistantai tē alētheia, οὕτως καὶ οὗτοι ἀνθίστανται τῇ ἀληθείᾳ). Present tense indicates ongoing opposition. False teachers, like Egyptian magicians, don't merely err innocently but actively resist revealed truth. They produce counterfeits—teaching that resembles Christianity but subtly contradicts it, miracles that seem supernatural but lack divine source (Matthew 24:24). Paul identifies their character: "men of corrupt minds" (anthrōpoi katephtharmenoi ton noun, ἄνθρωποι κατεφθαρμένοι τὸν νοῦν). Perfect passive participle—minds have been corrupted and remain corrupted. Nous (νοῦς) means mind, understanding, intellect—their thinking is fundamentally warped.

"Reprobate concerning the faith" (adokimoi peri tēn pistin, ἀδόκιμοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν). Adokimos (ἀδόκιμος) means failing the test, rejected, worthless—like metal failing purity testing. Concerning "the faith" (tēn pistin, τὴν πίστιν, definite article indicates objective body of Christian doctrine), they have been tested and found counterfeit. They claim Christianity but are spiritually bankrupt imposters.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish tradition elaborated on Pharaoh's magicians, naming them and describing their ultimate fate. They symbolized opposition to God through counterfeit spirituality. Early Christians saw parallels: false teachers performed signs and wonders but opposed truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). The warning remained urgent: Satan's servants masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Discernment requires testing teaching against Scripture, not merely evaluating apparent success, charisma, or supernatural manifestations. Many will claim Christianity while corrupting its truth (Matthew 7:21-23).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop discernment to recognize counterfeit Christianity that resembles the real thing but subtly opposes truth?
  2. What false teachers today 'resist the truth' through corrupt minds and reprobate faith, and how should you respond to them?
  3. Are you testing teaching and teachers against Scripture or accepting messages based on charisma, apparent success, or supernatural claims?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ὃν1 of 22
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τρόπον2 of 22

“as”

G5158

a turn, i.e., (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative prefix as adverb, like); figuratively, deportment or character

δὲ3 of 22

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰάννης4 of 22

“Jannes”

G2389

jannes, an egyptian

καὶ5 of 22

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰαμβρῆς6 of 22

“Jambres”

G2387

jambres, an egyptian

ἀνθίστανται7 of 22

“do”

G436

to stand against, i.e., oppose

Μωϋσεῖ8 of 22

“Moses”

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

οὕτως9 of 22

“so”

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

καὶ10 of 22

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὗτοι11 of 22

“these”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἀνθίστανται12 of 22

“do”

G436

to stand against, i.e., oppose

τῇ13 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀληθείᾳ14 of 22

“the truth”

G225

truth

ἄνθρωποι15 of 22

“men”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

κατεφθαρμένοι16 of 22

“of corrupt”

G2704

to spoil entirely, i.e., (literally) to destroy; or (figuratively) to deprave

τὸν17 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νοῦν18 of 22

“minds”

G3563

the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning

ἀδόκιμοι19 of 22

“reprobate”

G96

unapproved, i.e., rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally)

περὶ20 of 22

“concerning”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τὴν21 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστιν·22 of 22

“the faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Timothy 3:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Timothy 3:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 2:20Acts 13:8-111 Timothy 6:5Exodus 7:111 John 4:12 Timothy 4:15

Test Your Knowledge

2 Timothy 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Timothy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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