SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:5
teniendo apariencia de piedad, pero negando la eficacia de ella; y a stos evita.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:5
Verse 5. Having a form of godliness] The original word morfwsiv 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, &c., 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 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 godliness, the fear of God, and the pure worship of him, yet in works they deny all; and though they may have a set of notions in their heads, yet they feel nothing of the power of them on their hearts; and are strangers to experimental religion, and powerful godliness: or though they profess the Scriptures to be the word of God, yet they deny the use, the power, and efficacy of them; they deny the use of them to the laity, and affirm that they are not a sufficient rule of faith and practice, without their unwritten traditions; and that they are not able to make men wise, or give them a true knowledge of what is to be believed and done, without them; and that the sense of them is not to be understood by private men, but depends upon the infallible judgment of the church or pope: from such turn away ; have no fellowship with them, depart from their communion, withdraw from them, and come out from among them: this passage sufficiently justifies the reformed churches in their separation from the church of Rome.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and d their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men d not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedien to their parents, that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy an without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts Times are perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despis that which is good and to be honoured. God is to be loved above all but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing befor him, especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is very differen from the power; from such as are found to be hypocrites, rea Christians must withdraw. Such persons have been found within the outward church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have bee artful men, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour an confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every ne notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus. Like the Egyptia magicians, these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and found to be quite without faith. Yet though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the nations an the churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit.
Greek Textus Receptus
εχοντες 2192 5723 μορφωσιν 3446 ευσεβειας 2150 την 3588 δε 1161 δυναμιν 1411 αυτης 846 ηρνημενοι 720 5768 και 2532 τουτους 5128 αποτρεπου 665 5732
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. A form (morfwsin). Only here and Rom. ii. 20. Morfh Form (for the want of any other rendering) is the expression or embodiment of the essential and permanent being of that which is expressed Morfwsiv, lit. forming or shaping. Yet the meaning differs in different passages. In Rom. ii. 20, morfwsiv is the truthful embodiment of knowledge and truth as contained in the law of God. Here, the mere outward semblance, as distinguished from the essential reality.
The power (thn dunamin). The practical virtue. Comp. 1 Corinthians iv. 20. It is impossible to overlook the influence of Rom. i. 29-31 in shaping this catalogue.
Turn away (apotrepou). N.T.o . Comp. paraitou avoid, chapter. ii. 23; ejktrepomenov turning away, 1 Tim. vi. 20; and ejkklinete turn away, Rom. xvi. 17.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:5 {A form of godliness} (morfwsin eusebeias). For morfwsin, see #Ro 2:20. The outward shape without the reality. {Having denied} (ernemenoi). Perfect middle participle of arneomai (see #2:12f.). {Power} (dunamin). See #1Co 4:20. See #Ro 1:29-31 for similar description. {Turn away} (apotrepou). Present middle (direct) imperative of apotrepw, "turn thyself away from." Old verb, only here in N.T. See IV Macc. 1:33.
