having a form of godliness but denying its power

[OpenDoor]

2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power...

what does this mean?
how has it been seen?

 

[rahmiyn]

2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power...

what does this mean?
how has it been seen?

When I read the first part of the chapter, I believe Paul is talking about false teachers who give the appearance of godliness but their lives are vacant of the power of God with respect to temptations (money, greed, sexuality, cheating, lying, drunkenness, etc. . .) In particular, notice what he says about these men in verse 6.

1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

It takes great power and faith to truly follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. That's why the actual teachings are often void from today's more popular pulpits.

 

[eyzonthepriz]

2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power...

what does this mean?
how has it been seen?

2Timothy chapter 3 is exactly where we are living now. When you read it, do so with the understanding that it is talking about Christians. The worldly have always exhibited these traits. Having a form of godliness means that our lifestyles reflect that we are "formed" or "simular too" or better yet "in the likeness thereof" a follower of Christ. Denying its power means Because WE exibit the traits found in this chapter WE have denied the Lords authority in our lives to command Holy lives. You'd have to admit that the majority of christians are hard to spot while amoung the worldly. We are all in danger of falling into the attributes of this chapter. God help us and pray that he would grant us true repentance. I'm going to post part 1 of a 4 part sermon series regarding this chapter and the perilous times we are NOW living in if you are interested. Click on the sermon.
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