2 Timothy 3:5

They will maintain the outward appearance ¹  of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. ² 

Isa 29:13; Isa 48:1,2; Isa 58:1-3; Eze 33:30-32; Mt 7:15; Mt 23:27,28; Ro 2:20-24; Ro 16:17,18; Eph 4:14; 2Th 3:6,14; 1Ti 5:8; 1Ti 6:5; 2Ti 2:16,23; Tit 1:16; Tit 3:10; 2Jo 1:10-12

¹ tn Or “form.”

sn Outward appearance. Paul’s contrast with power in 3:5b shows that he regards this “form” to be outward, one of appearance rather than reality (cf. 1 Cor 4:19-20; 1 Thess 1:5).

² tn Grk “and avoid these,” with the word “people” implied.