Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 34

Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 4

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV

Now the Apostle Paul declares to Brother Timothy and everyone of us who are true born again believers today and of every era and generation that those in visible churches that are lovers of pleasure more than they are lovers of God are of this sort, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:5) (KJV). The little English phrase 'a form' is translated by the Greek word morphōsis which means formation, that is, (by implication) appearance (semblance or [concretely] formula): - form. In other words, it means that many people present in visible churches have or hold in their possession an outward pattern or mold of godliness that in many places consist of various rites and rituals like the lighting of many candles in their services or ceremonies or long winded readings of various creeds and church doctrines and many other practices that have no spiritual power associated with them at all. What they have is an outward appearance of godliness without the inward reality of godliness, for our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ vehemently denounced the Jewish religious rulers in His day of walking on the earth of this same thing.

Here is what He said, "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:1-12) (KJV).

The English word 'denying' Paul uses here speaking about godliness is translated by the Greek word arneomai meaning (as used here) (as a negative particle); to contradict, that is, disavow (refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of), reject: - deny, refuse. The English word 'power' is translated by the Greek word dunamis which means force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself). In other words, these people in some cases by their perversion of the Scripture, that is, tearing it violently with profane doctrine, definitions, and descriptions so that it will accept their perverse desires of living and lifestyles in the flesh and they do this to their own destruction as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, "Don't forget that the Lord is patient because He wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too." (2 Peter 3:15-16) (Contemporary English Version).

However, there is true power in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that cannot be denied. That spiritual power that only comes from God the Holy Spirit that turns a sinner into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), for example taking a man or woman off the crippling addiction to drugs and alcohol for many years and removing from his or her inner man or inner woman the desire for those drugs or drink and this is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote these words to the Corinthian believers in his first (1) letter to them, "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20) (Modern King James Version) and "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) (Modern King James Version).

Finally, Paul tells Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to 'turn away' from such people and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word apotrepō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to deflect, that is, (reflexively) avoid: - turn away. This is not hard to translate or understand, Paul is telling us to stay clear of or keep away from or have nothing whatsoever to do with these people found in visible churches and visible christianity period. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse of Scripture, "The original word signifies a draught, sketch, or summary, and will apply well to those who have all their religion in their creed, confession of faith, catechism, bodies of divinity, etc., while destitute of the life of God in their souls; and are not only destitute of this life, but deny that such life or power is here to be experienced or known. They have religion in their creed, but none in their hearts. And perhaps to their summary they add a decent round of religious observances. From such turn away - not only do not imitate them, but have no kind of fellowship with them; they are a dangerous people, and but seldom suspected, because their outside is fair."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…