FOR AMONG THEM ARE THOSE (masculine pronoun) WHO ENTER INTO HOUSEHOLDS: ek touton gar eisin (3PPAI) oi endunontes (PAPMPN) eis tas oikias: (Titus 1:11; Jude 1:4)

creep (ESV)

craftily sneak (TLB)

work their way into (NLT)

worm (Amp, NIV, Darby)

go secretly (BBE)

slip into homes (NAB)

by means of insinuate (NET).

Among them - Literally out of these, i.e., those described as a group in verses 2-5 out of which will arise certain creepers and captivators.

Those - This is the masculine pronoun.

Enter (enduno from en = in, into + dúno = sink) means to slip in, insinuate oneself into, enter secretly (with insidious methods and ulterior motives), worm one's way in. Enduno conveys the idea that these men were sneaking in stealthily and undetected.

Enduno comes from a root word which was used to describe "the setting of the sun" which is so slow as to be almost imperceptible, and yet it is most certainly actually taking place. In a similar manner, these heretics don't come knocking loudly on the front door, but sneak quietly in the back door (so to speak) while no one is watching or even if they are watching, the movement is so "slow" as to be imperceptible.  They are very good at being bad. They are continually stealthily sneaking (present participle) into households, creeping in undetected, disguising "themselves as servants of righteousness" (2Cor 11:15).

They are like those described by Jude who

“crept in unnoticed,...who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).

Peter also warned the saints about the clever nature of

"false teachers among you (coming from within the body just like the men Paul is warning Timothy about) who will secretly introduce (secretly & craftily bring in error alongside of the truth) destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves (cf "they will not make further progress...")

AND THEY CAPTIVATE: kai aichmalotizontes (PAPMPN):

carry off as their prisoners (Weymouth)

making prisoners of (BBE)

take captive the minds (Wuest)

to get control of (ICB)

gain control over (GNT, NIV)

get influence over (NJB).

Captivate (aichmaloteuo from aichme = spear + halotós = be taken, conquered) means literally to take captive at spear point which is a clear picture of one gaining complete control over another . And thus by either force or deception these serpentine shysters cause these women to become prisoners of a very real spiritual war for the hearts and souls of men.

The present tense indicates this their continual practice.

Peter has a parallel thought, ending his second epistle with the warning to the "beloved" to

"be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness." (2Pe 3:17-note)

Paul warned the saints at Colossae to

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Col 2:8-note)

Jesus surely had these hypocritical hucksters in mind when he warned the listeners to

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits...." (Mt 7:15, 16-note)

Because these "silly women" are deep into sins and ungodly impulses that have weighed them down emotionally and spiritually, they are especially vulnerable to being religiously seduced by false teachers. They are weak in truth and feel the heavy weight of their sin and the guilt it brings, making them open and vulnerable to being

"tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming". (Eph4:14-note)

And just as wrong doctrine leads to wrong living, so can their wrong living easily lead to embracing wrong doctrine. False teachers prey on the gullible and vulnerable, lurking in the shadows to pick off spiritual stragglers.

WEAK WOMEN WEIGHED DOWN WITH SINS : gunaikaria sesoreumena (RPPNPA0 hamartiais: (Ps 38:4; Is 1:4; Mt 11:28 )
 

silly women (YLT, Wuest, Phillips, KJV, Darby)

weak minded women (GWT)

gullible women (NRSV)

vulnerable women (NLT)

silly and weak-natured and spiritually women (Amp)

Weak women (1133) (gunaikarion the diminutive - small size - of gune = woman, wife) is used contemptuously here to describe a foolish or frivolous woman and so speaks of the contemptible state into which these weak minded, gullible women have fallen. The Greek can also be translated as something like “silly” or “unstable” women. While this term is not meant to describe all women, in context it does describe a certain class of women who are unusually gullible. They carry a load of guilt for their sins, and they let their sinful desires (perhaps a reference to sexual immorality) get them into all sorts of bad situations. The principle applies generally to all those who are easily led and easily confused.

Weighed down (4987) (soreuo from sorós = heap) is variously translated "loaded down" (NIV, NKJV), "weighted down" (BBE), "overwhelmed" (NLT, NRSV), "heavily laden" (Wuest) and means to heap up or pile up with something, here picturing "sins" as a heavy burden which overwhelms and weighs these women down.

The perfect tense further pictures this burdened state as an abiding or permanent one with continuing effect. They have been weighed down by sins at some time in the past and continue in the same state - they are overburdened and vulnerable.  Their conscience is weighted down with many sins of a "multi-colored" nature. Uneasy about the consequences of their sins, they are receptive to the false teachers worming their way in with their attractive panaceas. Unconfessed sin forms a barrier in our relationship with God, and it renders the decision-making faculty (the conscience) ineffective.  Those who have not broken free from the bondage to sin are most susceptible to false teaching and they will believe anything they are told. Just as Eve was the first target, as the weaker sex (Peter 3:7-note), so Satan continues to target women as his initial captives. Cults not only are often spawned by women, but women are the most numerous and devout adherents.

LED ON BY VARIOUS IMPULSES: agomena (PPPNPA) epithumiais poikilais: (1Co 12:2; 2Pe 3:17 Mk 4:19; 1Ti 6:9; Titus 3:3; 2Pe 2:18; Jude 1:16, 18)

Swayed by (ISV)
obsessed with (NJB)
driven (TEV)
controlled by many desires (NLT)
who are under the impelling urge of variegated, passionate desires (Wuest)
led by ever changing caprice (Weymouth)
lead away (NKJV)
follow one craze after another (NJB)

Led on (ago) is in the passive voice indicating the effect of the leading is being exerted by another force, in this case their "impulses" and cravings which are personified as their "motley leader" or "master" which governs their conduct. Paul reminded Titus "we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures" again picturing "lusts" as our master. (Titus 3:3-note)

Various (4164)  (poikilos [word study]) means motley, various in character, different kinds, diversified, manifold, variegated, many–colored. Poikilos was used to describe the skin of a leopard, the different-colored veining of marble or an embroidered robe and thence passes into the meaning of changeful, diversified, applied to the changing months or the variations of a strain of music.

Paul characterizes their fleshly cravings as "multi-colored" and of great variety but provide specific details. Note the use of the passive voice signifying action exerted by external power or force, in this case the strong desires resident in the old flesh [study]  nature which are "many colored", motley, diversified.

ALWAYS LEARNING: pantote manthanonta (PAPNPA): (2Ti 4:3;4:4 Dt 29:4; Pr14:6; Is 30:10;30:11 Eze 14:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; Mt 13:11; Jn 3:20;3:21 5:44; 12:42; 43)
 

Always seeking instruction (NET)

forever inquiring and getting information (Amp)

ever learning (KJV)

always learning something new (Weymouth)

forever following new teachings (NLT).

Learning (3129) (manthano [word study]) means to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience. At every opportunity these women are eager to receive instruction. Note the present tense emphasizes that this "learning" was their continual pursuit, "professional learners" as it were! Most of us know some folks like this.

Manthano - 25x in 24v - Matt 9:13; 11:29; 24:32; Mark 13:28; John 6:45; 7:15; Acts 23:27; Rom 16:17; 1 Cor 4:6; 14:31, 35; Gal 3:2; Eph 4:20; Phil 4:9, 11; Col 1:7; 1 Tim 2:11; 5:4, 13; 2 Tim 3:7, 14; Titus 3:14; Heb 5:8; Rev 14:3. NAS = educated(1), find(1), learn(12), learned(9), learning(1), receive instruction(1).

MacArthur explains their learning...

Sin and lack of discernment neutralized their ability to apprehend God’s truth. If they have been reared in the church, they are especially susceptible to ideas that purport to be Christian. But their ignorance of Scripture and their sinful living make them utterly undiscerning and defenseless against unbiblical and ungodly precepts. They are continually learning about everything except the knowledge of the truth. Because legalism deals only in outward performance, it is very attractive. Many such women, and men as well, are glad to find a way that promises to make them right with God simply by adhering to certain outward forms and conforming to certain behavioral standards. (MacArthur, J. 2 Timothy. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

AND NEVER ABLE TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH: kai medepote eie epignosin aletheias elthein (AAN) dunamena (PPPNPA): (1Ti 2:4)

can never arrive at (NRSV)

never able to arrive at (ESV)

Never (medepote = medé = not even + poté = at any time, ever) means literally not even ever and thus suggests an abiding inability on the part of these weak willed, gullible women to come to a " precise and experiential knowledge of the truth" (Wuest) of the Gospel, which alone proclaims "release to the captives...recovery of sight to the blind" and freedom to "those who are downtrodden", the very truth these heavily burdened women needed to hear and receive. (Lk 4:18).

Able (1410)(dunamai) conveys the basic meaning of that which has the inherent ability to do something or accomplish some end. Thus dunamai means to be able to, to be capable of, to be strong enough to do or to have power to do something. It is usually translated able (50x), can (61x and cannot 58x) or could.

The truth - This specific phrase is used by Paul 33x out of 76x in Scripture - Ro 1:18, 25; 2:8, 20; 3:7; 9:1; 15:8; 1Co 13:6; 2Co 7:14; 11:10; 12:6; 13:8; Gal 2:5, 14; 4:16; 5:7; Ep 4:15, 24; 2Th 2:10, 12, 13; 1Ti 2:4, 7; 3:15; 4:3; 6:5; 2Ti 2:18, 25; 3:7, 8; 4:4; Titus 1:1, 14

The knowledge of the truth - This is an important phrase used only by Paul (with one exception, [Heb10:26]) and all four uses are in the pastoral epistles.

God our Savior...desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Ti 2:4)

God is the One Who grants

repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth" women and men "from the snare of the devil. (2Ti 2:25-note)

Finally, writing to Titus Paul opened that epistle with the reminder that

the knowledge of the truth (leads to) godliness (Titus 1:1)

For completeness, Hebrews warns that

if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins (Heb 10:26-note)

I realize this last verse can be the cause of some consternation but see Matthew Henry's helpful analysis

This text (Heb 10:26, 27) has been the occasion of great distress to some gracious souls; they have been ready to conclude that every willful sin, after conviction and against knowledge, is the unpardonable sin: but this has been their infirmity and error. The sin here mentioned is a total and final apostasy, when men with a full and fixed will and resolution despise and reject Christ, the only Saviour, -- despise and resist the Spirit, the only Sanctifier, -- and despise and renounce the gospel, the only way of salvation, and the words of eternal life; and all this after they have known, owned, and professed, the Christian religion, and continue to do so obstinately and maliciously.

><>><>><>

The Truth About Truth - When Harvard University was founded, its motto was

Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae—
“Truth for Christ and the Church.”

Its crest showed three books, one face down to symbolize the limitation of human knowledge. But in recent decades that book has been turned face up to represent the unlimited capacity of the human mind. And the motto has been changed to Veritas—“Truth.”

The pursuit of knowledge is praiseworthy, yet learning can quickly lead to pride and a refusal to acknowledge any limits on our mental abilities. When that happens, biblical truth is ignored.

What, then, is the truth about truth? A wise king wrote centuries ago, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Pr 1:7). We must recognize the relationship between God and truth. Without the help of God’s Spirit and the instruction of God’s Word, man will be ever “learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2Ti 3:7). When we acknowledge and obey His truth, however, we will be set free from spiritual ignorance and error (Jn 8:32; 17:17). That’s why we must be diligent in studying the Bible (2Ti 2:15-note). It is the only book that tells us the truth about truth.— Vernon C. Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

AND JUST AS JANNES AND JAMBRES  OPPOSED MOSES: on tropon de Iannes kai Iambres antesthesan (3PAAI) Mousei: (Ex7:11;7:22, 8:7,18)

resisted (NKJV)

defied (NJB)

withstood (KJV)

stand against (YLT)

set themselves against (Wuest)

fought against (NLT)

these teachers fight truth (TLB).

Opposed (436) (anthistemi [word study] from anti = against, opposite + histemi = stand) means they set themselves in array against the truth. The picture is of two enemy forces setting themselves in array against one another in battle lines, the truth on one side arrayed against lies, deception, error and falsehood on the other side. This verb suggests vigorously opposing, with the idea of standing face-to-face against an adversary so as to stand one's ground.

Anthistemi - Mt 5:39; Lk 21:15; Acts 6:10; 13:8; Ro 9:19; 13:2; Gal 2:11; Ep 6:13; 2Ti 3:8; 4:15; Jas 4:7; 1Pe 5:9. NAS - cope(1), oppose(1), has opposed(1), opposed(4), opposing(1), resist(5), resists(2).

Paul's dramatically illustrates the idea of the verb anthistemi when Cephas (Peter) began to withdraw from eating with the Gentiles for fear of Jewish criticism, saying

I (Paul) opposed (anthistemi) him (Peter) to his face. (Ga 2:11)

Paul also used this "battle word" anthistemi to exhort the saints at Ephesus (and us) to 

take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist (anthistemi) in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ep 6:13-note)

Most expositors accept Jannes and Jambres as the Egyptian court magicians in Exodus (Ex 7:11; 22 8:7, 18) but since they are not named in the OT account, this area is rife with fruitless speculation. The point in the comparison that is quite clear is their opposition to the truth of God. As Jannes and Jambres in Egypt set themselves against the truth of God by means of their counterfeit miracles, so these self-seeking, fraudulent men now oppose the truth of the glorious Gospel. With this comparison, Paul does leave open the possibility that these men likewise will avail themselves of occult supernatural powers and practices. One would not be surprised if this were the case for Jesus warned that in the end times (actually referring in context to "the great tribulation", the last 3.5 year period preceding Christ's return) 

false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (Mt 24:24)

SO THESE MEN ALSO OPPOSE THE TRUTH: houtos kai houtoi anthistantai (3PPMI) te aletheia: (2Ti 4:15; 1Ki 22:22; 23, 24; Jer 28:1-17; Acts 13:8; 9, 10, 11, 15:24; Ga 1:7; 8, 9, 2:4; 5; Ep 4:14; 2Th 2:9; 10, 2Th 2:11 Titus 1:10; 2Pe 2:1; 2, 3; 1Jn 2:18; 4:1; Re 2:6, 14, 15, 20)

Oppose (anthistemi [word study] from anti = against + histemi = stand) or literally stand against and resist the truth by either their words or their deeds,  effectively setting themselves against the truth. Their opposition can span the range from mere objection to bitter hostility or even open warfare (albeit all their opposition is a form of spiritual warfare). Note use of middle voice indicates their personal involvement in initiating the opposition and then actively participating in the opposition. In other words they are fully cognizant that they are standing against God and not simply happenchance, innocent bystanders.

They were men like

"Elymas the magician" who "was opposing (anthistemi) them (Barnabas and Saul), seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith." (Acts 13:8).

They were like Alexander the coppersmith who "vigorously opposed (Paul's) teaching." (2Ti 4:15-note)

The point is clear that when you stand for the truth, you will be opposed by the lie. So all you young "Timothys" and "Timotheas",

"gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1Pe 1:13) so that strengthened by this truth, you may be enabled to "fight the good fight of faith (and) take hold of the eternal life to which you were called (1Ti 6:12).

In 2Timothy 1:16-note Phygelus and Hermogenes were ashamed of the truth, in 2Ti 2:17, 18-note Hymenaeus and Philetus went astray from the truth and in 2Ti 3:8 men like Jannes and Jambres were against the truth.

MEN OF DEPRAVED MIND: anthropoi katephtharmenoi (RPPMPN) ton noun: (Ac 8:21;8:22 Ro 1:28; 16:18; 2Co11:13;11:14,15 1Ti1:19; 4:2; 6:5; Titus 1:16; 2Pe2:14; Jude18, 19)

Their minds are variously described as

distorted (Amp)

warped (NET)

debased intellectuals (Weymouth)

warped & twisted (TLB)

sick (CEV)

corrupt (NJB, NRSV)

whose minds do not function (TEV)

Depraved (kataphtheiro from katá = intensifies the meaning + phtheíro = corrupt, destroy) describes a human mind entirely spoiled and lain waste. The perfect tense pictures the unalterable, permanently corrupted condition of their minds which in turn explains their utter moral depravity (as described in 2T 3:2, 3, 4, 5). They are like those Paul warns about in (1Ti 4:2) who are "seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron" and whom Jude described as "worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit" (Jude 19).

Mind (nous) is the God given faculty of perceiving and understanding and is the channel through which truth reaches the heart. The mind of these men has become so thoroughly corrupted that the truth of the Gospel cannot penetrate and be perceived. This state naturally leads to them being reprobate and disqualified regarding the Christian faith. These men are like those men Paul described in Romans who

"did not see fit (dokimazo) to acknowledge God any longer (so) God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper." (Ro1:28-note)

REJECTED AS REGARDS THE FAITH: adokimoi peri ten pistin: (2Co13:5, 6)

disqualified (NET, ESV)

reprobate and counterfeit and to be rejected (Amp)

their faith spurious (NJB)

of no real worth (Weymouth)

put to the test but disapproved (Wuest)

failures in the faith (TEV)

who cannot pass the test (Jewish NT)

Rejected (96) (adokimos from a = without + dokimos = that which after testing has stood the test and been proven authentic, reliable, acceptable) refers to those who do not stand the test, and so are worthless, unapproved, and rejected after God's searching test. They failed to pass His test of purity and were "discarded", even as metals that do not pass the purity test of purity are discarded.

These men have been tested in regard to "the faith" (Christian teaching and the gospel) and like counterfeit coins they have been found wanting and hence are discarded as worthless!

As Hiebert notes

the truth which they claim to bring in their teaching, upon examination, is found to be counterfeit gold.

Adokimos was used in secular Greek writings to describe (1) a counterfeit coin below standard weight, (2) a cowardly soldier who fails in the testing hour of battle, (3) a rejected candidate for office whom citizens regarded as useless, (4) a stone which the builders rejected. If a stone had a flaw it was marked with a capital "A" for Adokimos and left aside, as unfit to have any place in the building.

The ultimate test of life is usefulness, of doing the "good and acceptable and perfect" will of the Lord (Ro12:1-note). These men are like the stones marked with the letter "A" who are of no value in building the Kingdom of God or building up the body of Christ. In fact in context, instead of helping God's work, these men actively (albeit often surreptitiously) oppose it and stand against it. Furthermore, the fact that the men were rejected as regards the faith makes it very clear that Paul was speaking of individuals within the church who professed to be Christians but were not.

Paul exhorted (actually commanded) the Corinthians to

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine (dokimazo = test something to prove it worthy) yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test (adokimos)?(2Co 13:5)  

But (alla) expresses contrast and here the contrast is between the false teacher's present "success" with silly women and opposition to the truth and their final future fate. In order that Timothy may be the more encouraged to fight, Paul makes it clear that the truth of the Gospel of God will prevail and that these men's "end shall be according to their deeds." (2Cor 11:15)

The NLT says "they won’t get away with this for long." NIV has "they will not get very far".

Progress (4298) (prokopto [word study] from pró = before or forward + kópto =cut, strike) means literally to "cut down in front" and was used to describe the removal of obstacles from a road so that straight and uninterrupted progress was possible. The figurative use here speaks of advancement of their evil ways.

FOR THEIR FOLLY: e gar anoia auton: (Ex 7:12; 8:18;8:19, 9:11;1Ki22:25; Ps 76:10;Jer 28:15; 28:16, 17; 29:21, 22, 23,31,32;29:22, 29:23, 31, 32, 37:19; Acts 13:11;19:15, 16, 17)
 

foolishness (NET)

rash folly (Amp)

their stupidity (ISV)

insane folly (Wuest)

what fools they are (NLT)

foolish behavior (BBE)

madness (Geneva).

Folly (anoia from ánous = mad, foolish in turn from a = without + noús = mind) means "without one's mind" and describes the senselessness of these men who lacked understanding and good sense. This is what one would expect in "men of depraved mind" who "in the long run they won't get far." (Phillips) Their plunge into the depth of sin and error, which deceives them and other ungodly men, ceases to deceive the people of God, who see the folly of their error clearly.

Hiebert adds that

absurdity and fraud eventually overstep their bounds and thus expose their folly.

WILL BE OBVIOUS TO ALL AS ALSO THAT OF THOSE CAME TO BE: ekdelos estai (3SFMI) pasin os kai e ekeinon egeneto (3SAMI):
 

Will be plain (ISV)

will be clearly manifest (Weymouth)

shall become evident (Wuest)

will be clear (NIV).

Obvious (ekdelos from ek = intensifies meaning + delos = manifest) means very evident, clearly manifest, quite plain, conspicuous (obvious to the eye and mind), easily known. These men will be brought forth from concealment into open day just like Jannes and Jambres who came to realize that the source of the plagues was something other than human or demonic power as Moses explained --