2 Timothy 3:5

“Having a form of godliness, etc.] Either a mere external show of religion, pretending great piety and holiness, being outwardly righteous before men, having the mask and visor of godliness; or else a plan of doctrine, a form of sound words, a scheme of truths, which men may have without partaking of the grace of God; and which, with respect to the doctrine of the Trinity, the church of Rome has; or else the Scriptures of truth, which the members of that church have, and profess to hold to, maintain and preserve; and which contains doctrines according to godliness, and tend to a godly life and godly edification: but denying the power thereof; though in words they profess religion and…”

“form--outward semblance. godliness--piety. denying--rather as Greek, "having denied," that is, renounced. the power--the living, regenerating, sanctifying influence of it. turn away--implying that some of such characters, forerunners of the last days, were already in the Church.”

“Having a form of godliness - That is, they profess religion, or are in connection with the church. This shows that the apostle referred to some great corruption in the church; and there can be little doubt that he had his eye on the same great apostasy to which he refers in 2 Thessalonians 2:0:, and 1 Timothy 4:0: All these things to which he refers here have been practiced and tolerated in that apostate church, while no body of men, at any time, have been more zealous in maintaining “a form of godliness;” that is, in keeping up the forms of religion. But denying the power thereof - Opposing the real power of religion; not allowing it to exert any influence in their lives. It imposes no…”

“Having a form - An appearance of godliness, but not regarding, nay, even denying and blaspheming, the inward power and reality of it. Is not this eminently fulfilled at this day? 2 Timothy 3:6”

“3:5 People like that (3:2-4) had rejected sound teaching and cut themselves off from the power that could make them godly (see 1 Tim 1:5-11; Col 2:16-23).”

“a form: Isa 29:13, Isa 48:1, Isa 48:2, Isa 58:1-3; Eze 33:30-32; Mat 7:15, Mat 23:27, Mat 23:28; Rom 2:20-24; Ti1 5:8; Tit 1:16 from: Ti2 2:16, Ti2 2:23; Rom 16:17, Rom 16:18; Eph 4:14; Th2 3:6, Th2 3:14; Ti1 6:5; Tit 3:10; Jo2 1:10-12 2 Timothy 3:6”