2 Timothy 3:7

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Timothy 3:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:7 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Timothy 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ever learning, etc.] Some new notion and practice or another: and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; partly because of the teachers, which they heap up to themselves, who are unapt to teach, are blind and ignorant guides, and know not the truth, but are enemies to it, and resist it; and partly because of themselves, the sins they are laden, and the lusts they are led away with, which hinder them from coming to the knowledge of the truth.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ever learning--some new point, for mere curiosity, to the disparagement of what they seemed to know before. the knowledge--Greek, "the perfect knowledge"; the only safeguard against further novelties. Gnosticism laid hold especially of the female sex [ESTIUS, 1.13.3]: so Roman Jesuitism.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ever learning - That is, these “silly women;” for so the Greek demands. The idea is, that they seeM to be disciples. They put themselves wholly under the care of these professedly religious teachers, but they never acquire the true knowledge of the way of salvation. And never able to come to the knowledge of the truth - They may learn many things, but the true nature of religion they do not learn. There are many such persons in the world, who, whatever attention they may pay to religion, never understand its nature. Many obtain much speculative acquaintance with the “doctrines” of Christianity, but never become savingly acquainted with the system; many study the constitution and government…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ever learning - New things. But not the truth of God. 2 Timothy 3:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“learning: Ti2 4:3, Ti2 4:4; Deu 29:4; Pro 14:6; Isa 30:10, Isa 30:11; Eze 14:4-10; Mat 13:11; Joh 3:20, Joh 3:21, Joh 5:44, Joh 12:42, Joh 12:43; Co1 3:1-4; Eph 4:14; Heb 5:11 never: Ti1 2:4 the knowledge: Ti2 2:25 2 Timothy 3:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification