The list concludes with a description of false piety. Holding is literally “having.” Form appears only here and in Rom 2.20 (“embodiment”). In the present context it refers to mere appearance that has no relation to reality (so “outward form” [Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version], “outward appearance” [New Jerusalem Bible], “make a pretense” [New American Bible, Revised], “maintain a facade” [Phillips]). Religion translates a word that appears frequently in the Pastorals and is also often translated “godliness” (New Revised Standard Version; see further comments on “godly” in 1 Tim 2.2).

For denying see 1 Tim 5.8 (“disowned”). For power see 2 Tim 1.7.

This is indeed a fitting concluding statement regarding these people who indulge in the above-mentioned vices. They enjoy the outward expressions of the Christian faith, including endless and often senseless theological discussions, and assume that the practice of these visible manifestations of religion is sufficient. But they themselves haven’t changed, since they still participate in the vices that are common among the heathen, and as a result their very lives deny the very power of the religious faith that they profess. This first sentence may also be expressed as “They act as if they worship God, but they don’t really believe in him at all” or “… but they have really stopped believing in him.”

Naturally and logically Timothy is urged to avoid such people, that is, to “keep away” from them, and “have nothing to do” (Translator’s New Testament) with them at all. In this brief instruction to Timothy, Paul shows, perhaps not deliberately, that while he has been presenting the description of the false teachers in the future tense, he has all along been speaking of the actual situation of the Christian community to which Timothy belongs. These false teachers are for real, and it will do well for Timothy not to associate with them in any way.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .