2 Timothy 3:7
New International Version
always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

New Living Translation
(Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)

English Standard Version
always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Berean Standard Bible
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Berean Literal Bible
always learning and never being able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

King James Bible
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

New King James Version
always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

New American Standard Bible
always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

NASB 1995
always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

NASB 1977
always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Legacy Standard Bible
always learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.

Amplified Bible
always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Christian Standard Bible
always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

American Standard Version
ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Contemporary English Version
These women always want to learn something new, but they never can discover the truth.

English Revised Version
ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These women are always studying but are never able to recognize the truth.

Good News Translation
women who are always trying to learn but who can never come to know the truth.

International Standard Version
These women are always studying but are never able to arrive at a full knowledge of the truth.

Majority Standard Bible
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

NET Bible
Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

New Heart English Bible
always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Weymouth New Testament
and are always learning something new, and yet are never able to arrive at real knowledge of the truth.

World English Bible
always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
always learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of truth,

Berean Literal Bible
always learning and never being able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Young's Literal Translation
always learning, and never to a knowledge of truth able to come,

Smith's Literal Translation
Always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of the truth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
always learning, yet never achieving knowledge of the truth.

New American Bible
always trying to learn but never able to reach a knowledge of the truth.

New Revised Standard Version
who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Ever striving to learn, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Who are always learning and are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
that are always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Godbey New Testament
always learning, and never able to come into the perfect knowledge of the truth.

Haweis New Testament
always learning, yet never able to attain unto the knowledge of truth.

Mace New Testament
and by lending an assiduous ear to such lessons, render it impossible they should ever be acquainted with the truth.

Weymouth New Testament
and are always learning something new, and yet are never able to arrive at real knowledge of the truth.

Worrell New Testament
always learning, and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.

Worsley New Testament
and led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Evil in the Last Days
6They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, 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.…

Cross References
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

Romans 1:21-22
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Jeremiah 4:22
“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”

Ephesians 4:18
They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.

Proverbs 14:6
A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

1 Timothy 6:20-21
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” / which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.

Isaiah 44:18-20
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

Matthew 13:14-15
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

John 8:43-47
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. / 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. / But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me! ...

Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, / if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ...

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

1 Corinthians 1:18-21
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ...


Treasury of Scripture

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

learning.

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; …

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

Proverbs 14:6
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

never.

1 Timothy 2:4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

the knowledge.

2 Timothy 2:25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

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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;














always learning
The phrase "always learning" suggests a continuous pursuit of knowledge. In the Greek, the word for "learning" is "μανθάνω" (manthano), which implies acquiring information or skills through study or experience. Historically, this reflects the context of the early church, where many were exposed to various teachings and philosophies. The Apostle Paul warns Timothy about individuals who are perpetually seeking new teachings but lack discernment. This serves as a caution against the endless pursuit of knowledge without the foundation of truth found in Christ. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the importance of grounding one's learning in the Scriptures, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge leads to spiritual growth and understanding.

but never able
The phrase "but never able" indicates a limitation or incapacity. The Greek word "δυναμαι" (dunamai) is used here, meaning to have the power or ability to do something. This suggests that despite their continuous learning, these individuals lack the capability to reach a certain goal. Historically, this reflects the struggle of those who, despite their efforts, cannot attain true understanding without divine revelation. From a conservative viewpoint, this emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit's role in illuminating the truth, as human effort alone is insufficient.

to come to a knowledge
"To come to a knowledge" involves reaching a full understanding or realization. The Greek term "ἐπίγνωσις" (epignosis) is used, which denotes a precise and correct knowledge. This is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, experiential understanding. In the historical context, this would contrast with the superficial or incomplete knowledge prevalent among false teachers. For conservative Christians, this underscores the importance of not just knowing about God but truly knowing Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, facilitated by the Holy Spirit.

of the truth
The phrase "of the truth" refers to the ultimate reality as revealed by God. The Greek word "ἀλήθεια" (aletheia) signifies truth in its fullest sense, encompassing both factual accuracy and moral integrity. In the scriptural context, "the truth" is often synonymous with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Historically, this truth was under attack by various heresies and false teachings. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the centrality of the Gospel as the foundation of all true knowledge and the standard against which all teachings must be measured. It serves as a reminder that true wisdom and understanding are found in Christ alone, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6, BSB).

(7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.--A morbid love of novelty, and a hope to penetrate into mysteries not revealed to God's true teachers, spurred these female learners on; but "to the full knowledge of the truth"--for this is the more accurate rendering of the Greek word--they never reached, for by their evil life their heart was hardened. That some of these false teachers laid claim to occult arts, to a knowledge of magic and sorcery, is clear from the statement contained in the next verse, where certain sorcerers of the time of Moses are compared to them.

Verse 7. - Ever learning, etc. This is the crowning feature of this powerful sketch of those "silly women," whose thoughts are busied about religion without their affections being reached or their principles being influenced by it. They are always beating about the bush, but they never get possession of the blessed and saving truth of the gospel of God. Their own selfish inclinations, and not the grace of God, continue to be the motive power with them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
always
πάντοτε (pantote)
Adverb
Strong's 3842: Always, at all times, ever. From pas and hote; every when, i.e. At all times.

learning
μανθάνοντα (manthanonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3129: Prolongation from a primary verb, another form of which, matheo, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn.

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

never
μηδέποτε (mēdepote)
Adverb
Strong's 3368: Not at any time, never. From mede and pote; not even ever.

able
δυνάμενα (dynamena)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to come
ἐλθεῖν (elthein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

a knowledge
ἐπίγνωσιν (epignōsin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1922: From epiginosko; recognition, i.e. full discernment, acknowledgement.

of [the] truth.
ἀληθείας (alētheias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.


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NT Letters: 2 Timothy 3:7 Always learning and never able to come (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim)
2 Timothy 3:6
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