2 Timothy 3:8
New International Version
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.

New Living Translation
These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.

English Standard Version
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.

Berean Standard Bible
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.

Berean Literal Bible
Now as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, men being depraved in mind, disqualified regarding the faith.

King James Bible
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

New King James Version
Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;

New American Standard Bible
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, worthless in regard to the faith.

NASB 1995
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.

NASB 1977
And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith.

Legacy Standard Bible
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, disqualified in regard to the faith.

Amplified Bible
Just as Jannes and Jambres [the court magicians of Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith.

Christian Standard Bible
Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth. They are men who are corrupt in mind and worthless in regard to the faith.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men who are corrupt in mind, worthless in regard to the faith.

American Standard Version
And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

Contemporary English Version
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, these people are enemies of the truth. Their minds are sick, and their faith isn't real.

English Revised Version
And like as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men oppose the truth. Their minds are corrupt, and the faith they teach is counterfeit.

Good News Translation
As Jannes and Jambres were opposed to Moses, so also these people are opposed to the truth--people whose minds do not function and who are failures in the faith.

International Standard Version
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and their faith is a counterfeit.

Majority Standard Bible
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.

NET Bible
And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people--who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith--also oppose the truth.

New Heart English Bible
Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; people corrupted in mind, disapproved concerning the faith.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Weymouth New Testament
And just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these false teachers withstand the truth--being, as they are, men of debased intellects, and of no real worth so far as faith is concerned.

World English Bible
Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith are rejected.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and even as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, so these also stand against the truth, men corrupted in mind, disapproved concerning the faith;

Berean Literal Bible
Now as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, men being depraved in mind, disqualified regarding the faith.

Young's Literal Translation
and, even as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, so also these do stand against the truth, men corrupted in mind, disapproved concerning the faith;

Smith's Literal Translation
And as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these have withstood the truth: men corrupted in mind, not tried concerning the faith.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And in the same manner that Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so also will these resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobates from the faith.

New American Bible
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so they also oppose the truth—people of depraved mind, unqualified in the faith.

New Revised Standard Version
As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now just as Jan’nes and Jam’bres stood up against Moses, so do these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds and far off from the faith.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But just as Jannes and Jambres arose against Moses, in this way also they have withstood the truth; persons who corrupt their minds and are rejected from faith.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so these also will withstand the truth; men corrupt in mind, rejected as it respects the faith.

Godbey New Testament
In the manner in which Jannes and Jambres also resisted Moses, so these indeed resist the truth; men who are corrupt as to their mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

Haweis New Testament
But in the same manner as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also set themselves in opposition to the truth; men corrupt in mind, reprobate respecting the faith.

Mace New Testament
Moses did not meet with greater opposition from Jannes and Jambres, than truth does from men so corrupted in their mind, and so adulterated in their faith.

Weymouth New Testament
And just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these false teachers withstand the truth--being, as they are, men of debased intellects, and of no real worth so far as faith is concerned.

Worrell New Testament
And as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also do these withstand the truth; men utterly corrupted in mind, disapproved concerning the faith.

Worsley New Testament
And as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; being men of corrupt minds, and of no judgement in the faith.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Evil in the Last Days
7who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. 9But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone.…

Cross References
Exodus 7:11-12
But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.

Exodus 7:22
But the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:7
But the magicians did the same thing by their magic arts, and they also brought frogs up onto the land of Egypt.

Exodus 9:11
The magicians could not stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and on all the Egyptians.

1 Kings 18:19-40
Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.” / So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. / Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. ...

Matthew 23:13-15
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Acts 13:8-10
But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. / Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas / and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

Romans 1:28
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

1 Corinthians 10:10-11
And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. / Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Galatians 1:7-9
which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. / But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! / As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.


Treasury of Scripture

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

as.

Exodus 7:11,22
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments…

Exodus 8:7,18
And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt…

resist.

2 Timothy 4:15
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

1 Kings 22:22-24
And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so…

Jeremiah 28:1
And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

men.

Acts 8:21,22
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God…

Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

reprobate.

2 Corinthians 13:5,6
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? …

Jump to Previous
Concerned Corrupt Corrupted Counterfeit Depraved Evil Faith False. Far Found Intellects Jambres James Jannes Manner Mind Minds Moses Oppose Opposed Real Regard Rejected Reprobate Resist Stand Stood Teachers Tested True. Truth Withstand Withstood Worth Worthless
Jump to Next
Concerned Corrupt Corrupted Counterfeit Depraved Evil Faith False. Far Found Intellects Jambres James Jannes Manner Mind Minds Moses Oppose Opposed Real Regard Rejected Reprobate Resist Stand Stood Teachers Tested True. Truth Withstand Withstood Worth Worthless
2 Timothy 3
1. Paul advises Timothy of the difficult times to come;
6. describes the enemies of the truth;
10. explains unto him his own example;
16. and commends the holy Scriptures;














Just as Jannes and Jambres
The mention of Jannes and Jambres is unique to this passage in the New Testament, as these names do not appear in the Old Testament. According to Jewish tradition and extra-biblical texts, Jannes and Jambres were the magicians in Pharaoh's court who opposed Moses during the Exodus (Exodus 7:11-12). Their opposition to Moses symbolizes the resistance to God's truth and authority. The use of their names here serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual battle between truth and deception, highlighting the timeless nature of this conflict.

opposed Moses
Moses, as a central figure in the Old Testament, represents God's chosen leader and the bearer of divine truth. The opposition he faced from Jannes and Jambres is emblematic of the broader resistance to God's plans and purposes. This historical context underscores the reality that those who stand for God's truth will inevitably face opposition, just as Moses did. It serves as an encouragement to remain steadfast in the face of adversity.

so also these men oppose the truth
The phrase draws a direct parallel between the ancient opposition to Moses and the contemporary opposition faced by Paul and Timothy. "These men" refers to false teachers and those who distort the gospel message. The "truth" here is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is under attack by those who seek to lead believers astray. This opposition is not merely intellectual but is deeply spiritual, as it challenges the very foundation of Christian faith.

They are depraved in mind
The Greek word for "depraved" (κατεφθαρμένοι) suggests a corruption or moral decay. This phrase indicates a fundamental distortion in the thinking and reasoning of those who oppose the truth. Their minds are not aligned with God's wisdom, leading them to embrace falsehoods. This depravity is a result of rejecting God's truth and is a warning of the spiritual consequences of such a rejection.

and disqualified from the faith
The term "disqualified" (ἀδόκιμοι) implies a failure to meet the standard or test. In the context of faith, it means that these individuals have been found lacking in genuine belief and adherence to the gospel. This disqualification is not merely a temporary setback but a serious spiritual condition that separates them from the community of true believers. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine and living a life that reflects genuine faith in Christ.

(8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses.--To one brought up, like Timothy, by a pious Jewish mother, and who from a child knew the Holy Scriptures and all the history and ancient traditions connected with the early history of the people, such a comparison would be very striking. No child of Israel could hear the name of Moses, the loved hero of the chosen people, unmoved; and to be told that these false teachers of Ephesus stood in the same relation to him and the Church of Christ as, in old days--in the never-to-be-forgotten Egyptian episode--those famous magicians Jannes and Jambres stood to Moses, would throw for Timothy a new light on all the words and works of these wicked and ambitious men. We can well imagine the comparison being repeated in many an assembly of the faithful, long after the great Apostle's death: how St. Paul had likened these early Heresiarchs to those evil men who before Pharaoh had dared to resist God and His servant Moses. These magicians, also termed wise men and sorcerers (Exodus 7:11-22) at the court of Pharaoh, appear as the enemies of Moses. The names "Jannes" and "Jambres," though not given in the sacred text, are preserved in the oral tradition of Israel. The names are found in the Targum of Jonathan on Exodus 7:11; Exodus 22:22. These traditions relate how these men were sons of Balaam, and in the first instance were the instructors of Moses, though subsequently his enemies and opponents. One legend mentions them as perishing in the catastrophe when the waves of the Red Sea overwhelmed the armies of Egypt; another tradition speaks of their having met their death in the slaughter after the worship of the golden calf, the making of which they advised. It was their prophetic words, so say these legendary histories, which, foretelling the birth of Moses, induced Pharaoh to give this order for the destruction of the Jewish children. The later Jews distorted the names into John and Ambrose.

So do these also resist the truth.--The point of comparison between the depraved teachers of Ephesus and these Egyptian sorcerers consisted in a persistent and deadly enmity to the truth, which existed in both cases. The life of the prophet Balaam, the traditionary father of this Jannes and Jambres, supplies a vivid illustration of this malignant and persistent hatred of what is known and felt to be true. That these Ephesian heretics in like manner availed themselves, or pretended to avail themselves of occult power is just probable, though in the comparison this point is of but little moment. We know, however, that the claim at least to possess mysterious and unearthly powers was often made by covetous and worldly men in these times: as, for instance, by Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-24), by Elymas the sorcerer, the false prophet and Jew in Cyprus (Acts 13:6-12). See also the episode of Acts 19:18-20, when "many which used curious arts came to Paul and his companions, and confessed and shewed their deeds." . . .

Verse 8. - And like for now, A.V.; withstand for resist, A.V.; corrupted in mind for of corrupt minds, A.V. And; but would be better. Jannes and Jambres; the traditional names of the magicians who opposed Moses; and, if Origen can be trusted, there was an apocryphal book called by their names. But Theodoret ascribes their names to an unwritten Jewish tradition. Their names are found in the Targum of Jonathan on Exodus 7:11; Exodus 22:22; and are also mentioned, in conjunction with Moses, with some variation in the name of Jambres, by Pliny ('Hist. Nat.,' 31:2), who probably got his information from a work of Sergius Paulus off magic, of which the materials were furnished by Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13:6-8). Withstood (ἀντέστησαν); the same word as is used of Elymas in Acts 13:8 (so ch. 4:15 and elsewhere). Corrupted in mind (κατεφθαρμένα τὸν νοῦν); elsewhere only in 2 Peter 2:12, in the sense of" perishing," being "utterly destroyed," which is the proper meaning of καταφθείρομαι Here in a moral sense κατεφθαρμένοι τὸν νοῦν means men whose understanding is gone, and perished, as διεφθαρμένος τὴν ἀκοήν means one whose hearing has perished - who is deaf. In 1 Timothy 6:5 St. Paul uses the more common διεφθαρμένων. Reprobate (ἀδόκιμα); as Titus 1:16, and elsewhere frequently in St. Paul's Epistles. It is just the contrary to δόκιμος (2 Timothy 2:15, note).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Just as
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

Jannes
Ἰάννης (Iannēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2389: Jannes, a sorcerer at the court of the Pharaoh. Of Egyptian origin; Jannes, an Egyptian.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Jambres
Ἰαμβρῆς (Iambrēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2387: Jambres, a sorcerer at the court of the Pharaoh. Of Egyptian origin; Jambres, an Egyptian.

opposed
ἀντέστησαν (antestēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 436: To set against; I withstand, resist, oppose. From anti and histemi; to stand against, i.e. Oppose.

Moses,
Μωϋσεῖ (Mōusei)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3475: Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.

so
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

these
οὗτοι (houtoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

men
ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

oppose
ἀνθίστανται (anthistantai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 436: To set against; I withstand, resist, oppose. From anti and histemi; to stand against, i.e. Oppose.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

truth.
ἀληθείᾳ (alētheia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.

They are depraved
κατεφθαρμένοι (katephtharmenoi)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2704: To destroy, corrupt. From kata and phtheiro; to spoil entirely, i.e. to destroy; or to deprave.

in mind
νοῦν (noun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563: Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.

[and] disqualified
ἀδόκιμοι (adokimoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 96: Failing to pass the test, unapproved, counterfeit. By implication, worthless.

from
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

faith.
πίστιν (pistin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.


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NT Letters: 2 Timothy 3:8 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim)
2 Timothy 3:7
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