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NASB | 2 Timothy 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 3:5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. |
Bible Question:
Hi Nolan, Thank you for your response. I agree with your answer, also that the term 'end times' refers to the time period since Jesus ressurection. I would like to focus in on verse 5, if I may... we are commanded here to turn away from such a people as described in the above passages. "...having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away..." My question to you then is this...do you believe this could also mean our own family? And to extend that question just a bit further...do you believe it could also mean nations and peoples, opposed to just individules? I look forward to your comments. Thanks! coop1 |
Bible Answer: I think we should consider what Paul was thinking when he wrote these words. It is hard to see that he would have had nations in mind. True, that if you get enough sinners together, they will make up a nation and so ultimately, cumulatively, and collectively this list of sins could characterize a nation. That is just an interesting way to look at it, but there does not seem to be anything in the text (that I can see) indicating that Paul was thinking of anything other than individuals. If that is so, we cannot really apply this verse and say we ought to turn away from this nation or that nation. We need to start by thinking of the church and turning from those individuals who would be living in sin but professing to be Christians. We should also protect the church from those outside of the church and especially from those who seek to destroy it explicitly. But that would be the application of some other verse perhaps, not this one. waldo garcia |