Rightly Handling the Message and Gentle Correction
2 Timothy 2:14-26
2Tim.2.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ταυτα: PRON,nom,pl,n
- υπομιμνησκε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- διαμαρτυρομενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μη: PART
- λογομαχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- επ᾽ουδεν: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,neut
- χρησιμον: ADJ,nom,sg,neut
- επι: PREP
- καταστροφη: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ακουοντων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Titus 3:9 (verbal): Same admonition to avoid 'contentious talk' (μη λογομαχεῖν); both warn that such disputes are unprofitable.
- 2 Timothy 2:23 (verbal): Closely related instruction in the same letter to 'flee foolish and ignorant disputes'—repeats the prohibition against useless arguing.
- 2 Timothy 2:16 (thematic): Also warns against 'profane and empty babblings' that lead to ungodliness—same concern about unfruitful speech.
- Romans 14:1-4 (thematic): Paul counsels acceptance rather than disputation over debatable matters, emphasizing avoidance of divisive arguments about nonessentials.
- Proverbs 26:4-5 (thematic): Wisdom tradition advising how and when to answer fools—parallels the prudential refusal to engage in pointless quarrels.
Alternative generated candidates
- Remind them of these things; charge them before the Lord not to quarrel about words, for it is of no profit and only ruins the hearers.
- Remind them of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to quarrel over words, for it is useless and leads to ruin for those who listen.
2Tim.2.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- σπουδασον: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- σεαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- δοκιμον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- παραστησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εργατην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ανεπαισχυντον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ορθοτομουντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αληθειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (verbal): Both passages urge personal diligence and vigilance ('give yourself to these things' / 'σπουδασον σεαυτον') and connect personal care with faithful teaching and approval before God.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (thematic): Emphasizes the authority and purpose of Scripture—equipping the 'man of God'—which underlies the call to rightly handle ('ὀρθοτομουντα') the word of truth.
- Acts 20:27 (thematic): Paul's commitment to proclaiming the whole counsel of God parallels the charge to handle and present the truth correctly rather than withholding or mispresenting God's word.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (thematic): The imagery of a faithful steward required to be found trustworthy echoes the exhortation to present oneself to God as an approved, unashamed worker.
- 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (structural): Neighboring verses develop the same pastoral ideal: the servant/worker must teach rightly and correct opponents gently—practical outworkings of being an approved, unashamed minister who rightly handles the truth.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no cause for shame, rightly handling the word of truth.
- Strive to present yourself to God as one approved—a workman who has no cause for shame, rightly handling the word of truth.
2Tim.2.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- δε: CONJ
- βεβηλους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- κενοφωνιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- περιιστασο·επι: VERB,pres,mp,imp,3,pl
- πλειον: ADV,comp
- γαρ: PART
- προκοψουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- ασεβειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 6:20 (verbal): Paul exhorts Timothy to 'guard what has been entrusted' and 'avoid what is falsely called knowledge' and 'empty talk'—a close verbal parallel to avoiding 'profane and vain babblings.'
- Titus 3:9 (thematic): Paul instructs to avoid 'foolish questions, genealogies, strife, and disputes' as unprofitable—themically similar warnings against pointless talk that leads away from godliness.
- 2 Peter 2:18 (verbal): False teachers are said to 'speak great swelling words of vanity,' echoing the language of 'vain babblings' and linking rhetoric with moral corruption (cf. 2 Pet 2:2 on many following their sensuality).
- Jude 16 (thematic): Describes people who 'speak abusively' and 'mouth great swelling words'—a portrait of speech that destabilizes truth and fosters unrighteousness, paralleling the danger Timothy is to avoid.
- Ephesians 5:6 (verbal): Paul warns 'Let no one deceive you with empty words,' connecting vacuous speech with spiritual danger—similar vocabulary and concern as in 2 Tim 2:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- But avoid godless chatter, for it will lead people further into ungodliness,
- But avoid godless and empty chatter, for it will only advance ungodliness.
2Tim.2.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ως: ADV
- γαγγραινα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- νομην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εξει·ων: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Υμεναιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Φιλητος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Timothy 2:16 (structural): Immediate context warning: 'shun profane babblings' that lead to ungodliness—sets up the contrast with destructive teaching likened to gangrene.
- 2 Timothy 2:18 (structural): Direct continuation identifying the doctrinal error (denying the resurrection) tied to Hymenaeus and Philetus—explicit link to the harmful 'word.'
- 1 Timothy 1:20 (verbal): Names Hymenaeus (here paired with Alexander) and reports Paul’s disciplinary action—personal cross-reference to the same false teacher.
- 2 Corinthians 2:17 (verbal): Paul contrasts faithful proclamation with those who 'corrupt the word of God'—similar language about harmful handling of the message.
- 2 Peter 2:1-3 (thematic): Speaks of false teachers who introduce destructive heresies and lead many into ruin—thematic parallel to teaching described as gangrene.
Alternative generated candidates
- and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
- Their talk spreads like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2Tim.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- περι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αληθειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ηστοχησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- λεγοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,masc
- αναστασιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ηδη: ADV
- γεγονεναι: VERB,perf,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- ανατρεπουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τινων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 1:19-20 (verbal): Same individuals (Hymenaeus and Alexander/Hymenaeus and Philetus in 2 Tim) and concern about leaders who have erred and been handed over for corrective discipline—directly related person-level parallel.
- 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (thematic): Direct treatment of false or confused views about the resurrection; Paul argues that denying or misconceiving the resurrection undermines Christian faith, echoing 'overthrow the faith of some.'
- Acts 17:32 (structural): Report of people's negative reaction to teaching about the resurrection ('some mocked'), paralleling the disruptive effect on belief described in 2 Tim 2:18.
- 2 Peter 2:1-3 (allusion): Warning against false teachers who bring in destructive doctrines and lead many astray—similar picture of teachers 'swerving from the truth' and causing others to stumble.
- Jude 1:4 (thematic): Condemns infiltrators who pervert the faith and deny core truth about Christ; parallels the motif of false teaching that overturns believers' faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- who have swerved from the truth, asserting that the resurrection has already occurred, and they upset the faith of some.
- who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they are overturning the faith of some.
2Tim.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μεντοι: PART
- στερεος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- θεμελιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εστηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σφραγιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ταυτην·Εγνω: DEM,acc,sg,f+VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- οντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και·Αποστητω: CONJ+VERB,aor,act,imp,3,sg
- απο: PREP
- αδικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ονομαζων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:11 (structural): Conveys the same foundational imagery: there is one true foundation laid (Christ/God) on which the community stands, echoing 'the firm foundation of God stands.'
- John 10:14-15, 27-28 (thematic): Jesus' claim 'I know my sheep' and 'my sheep hear my voice' parallels 'The Lord knows those who are his,' emphasizing God's intimate knowledge and preservation of his people.
- Isaiah 52:11 (allusion): Isaiah's call to 'depart' and to be separate from what is unclean/defiled provides the prophetic background for the injunction 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity,' stressing holiness and separation.
- 1 Peter 1:15-16 (thematic): Peter's summons to holiness ('be holy in all your conduct...') parallels the ethical demand here that those who call on the Lord must turn away from sin—linking divine identity with moral conduct.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from wickedness."
- Yet the firm foundation of God stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord turn away from unrighteousness.'
2Tim.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εν: PREP
- μεγαλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- οικια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μονον: ADV
- σκευη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- χρυσα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- αργυρα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ξυλινα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- οστρακινα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- μεν: PART
- εις: PREP
- τιμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- ατιμιαν·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (thematic): Uses contrasting building materials (gold/silver/precious vs wood/hay/straw) to distinguish durable, honorable work from worthless work—parallel to honorable vs dishonorable vessels.
- 2 Corinthians 4:7 (verbal): Speaks of a 'treasure in jars of clay,' employing the clay-vessel image to highlight the contrast between valuable content and fragile/ordinary containers.
- Jeremiah 18:1-6 (allusion): Potter-and-clay imagery where God fashions and refashions vessels provides the Old Testament background for talk of vessels made for different ends.
- Romans 9:21 (verbal): Rhetorical question about the potter's authority over the clay echoes the notion that God (or circumstance) determines vessels' purposes, including honor or dishonor.
- 2 Timothy 2:21 (structural): Immediate context: exposition and application of the house/vessel imagery—cleansing oneself to become a 'vessel for honor' directly completes the thought of 2:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for honorable use, some for common use.
- Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
2Tim.2.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εαν: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- εκκαθαρη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- απο: PREP
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- σκευος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- τιμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ηγιασμενον: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,acc,sg,n
- ευχρηστον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δεσποτη: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ητοιμασμενον: PTCP,perf,pass,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Timothy 2:20 (structural): Immediate context: contrasts vessels of honor and dishonor in a house, setting up the conditional cleansing and result in v.21.
- Romans 6:13 (verbal): Uses the image of yielding oneself as 'instruments' (organa) for righteousness—parallel idea of becoming a useful vessel for the Master.
- Titus 2:14 (thematic): Speaks of Christ purifying a people for himself to be zealous for good works, echoing sanctification and readiness for good deeds.
- Ephesians 2:10 (thematic): Affirms believers were created/appointed for good works, paralleling the idea of being prepared for every good work.
- Romans 12:1 (thematic): Calls for presenting bodies as a living sacrifice and spiritual service—relates to personal cleansing, holiness, and usefulness to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, sanctified, useful to the Master and prepared for every good work.
2Tim.2.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- δε: CONJ
- νεωτερικας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- επιθυμιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- φευγε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- διωκε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- δικαιοσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αγαπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ειρηνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- επικαλουμενων: VERB,pres,mid/pp,ptcp,gen,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- καθαρας: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 6:11 (verbal): Nearly identical exhortation language: 'Flee these things' and 'pursue' virtues (righteousness, godliness/faith, love, etc.), matching the command to flee youthful desires and to pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace.
- Titus 2:11-14 (thematic): Calls believers to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives and to be zealous for good works—echoing the call to turn from sinful desire and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
- Romans 14:17 (verbal): Defines the kingdom of God in terms of 'righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,' paralleling 2 Tim 2:22's emphasis on righteousness and peace as fruits to be pursued.
- 1 Peter 3:11 (verbal): Commands turning away from evil, doing good, and seeking and pursuing peace—closely paralleling the imperative to flee evil desires and to pursue peace and righteous conduct.
- Hebrews 12:14 (thematic): Urges believers to 'pursue peace with all' and 'holiness,' reflecting 2 Tim 2:22's twin focus on pursuing peace and moral/ spiritual purity (righteousness) as prerequisites for fellowship with the Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
- So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2Tim.2.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- δε: CONJ
- μωρας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- απαιδευτους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ζητησεις: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- παραιτου: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
- ειδως: PART,perf,act,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- γεννωσι: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- μαχας·: NOUN,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- Titus 3:9 (verbal): Same admonition to avoid 'foolish controversies' and disputes; closely parallels language and intent to refuse unprofitable arguments that produce strife.
- 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (structural): Immediate context: explains how a Lord's servant should respond—not quarrelsome but gentle and able to correct—developing the practical consequence of refusing foolish disputes.
- 1 Timothy 6:3-5 (thematic): Warns against those who promote fruitless controversies and quarrels about words, describing teachers who stir up strife—same pastoral concern to reject divisive arguments.
- Proverbs 26:21 (thematic): Metaphorical depiction of quarrelsome people as kindling strife; parallels the observation that foolish and ignorant disputes generate conflict.
Alternative generated candidates
- Have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.
- Have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant controversies, knowing that they breed quarrels.
2Tim.2.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δουλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μαχεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- αλλα: CONJ
- ηπιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- προς: PREP
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- διδακτικον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ανεξικακον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Titus 3:2 (verbal): Commands believers to be peaceable, gentle, and showing humility to all—closely parallels the injunction that the Lord’s servant not quarrel but be gentle toward all.
- Ephesians 4:2 (thematic): Calls for humility, gentleness, and patience (longsuffering), echoing the pastoral virtues urged in 2 Timothy 2:24.
- 1 Peter 3:15 (thematic): Urges readiness to give a defense with gentleness and respect—parallels the combination of being 'apt to teach' and gentle toward all.
- James 1:19 (thematic): Advises believers to be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, which resonates with the exhortation against strife and for patience.
- Proverbs 15:1 (verbal): ‘A soft answer turns away wrath’ — a proverbial basis for the New Testament command not to quarrel but to respond gently.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patient;
- The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patient;
2Tim.2.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- πραυτητι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- παιδευοντα: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αντιδιατιθεμενους: VERB,pres,mp,ptc,acc,pl,m
- μηποτε: PART
- δωη: VERB,aor,act,opt,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μετανοιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- επιγνωσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αληθειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Timothy 2:24 (structural): Immediate context: instructs that the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind, able to teach and patient—sets up the call to gentle instruction in v.25.
- Galatians 6:1 (verbal): Commands restoring a fellow believer caught in sin 'in a spirit of gentleness,' closely paralleling the tone and method of correction in 2 Tim 2:25.
- 1 Peter 3:15 (thematic): Urges believers to give a defense 'with gentleness and reverence,' reflecting the admonition to instruct opponents meekly and respectfully.
- Acts 11:18 (verbal): Declares that 'God has granted repentance that leads to life' for the Gentiles—parallels 2 Tim 2:25's language about God granting repentance leading to knowledge of the truth.
- Romans 2:4 (allusion): Speaks of God's kindness leading to repentance, echoing the idea that God (through gentle correction) effects repentance and understanding of truth.
Alternative generated candidates
- correcting opponents with gentleness—perhaps God will grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
- correcting opponents with gentleness—perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
2Tim.2.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ανανηψωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- διαβολου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παγιδος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εζωγρημενοι: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- υπ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εκεινου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- θελημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 26:18 (thematic): Paul's commission: turning people 'from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God' closely parallels 2 Tim 2:26's idea of escape from the devil's snare and being restored to sanity.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 (verbal): Speaks of 'the god of this world' blinding unbelievers' minds so they cannot see the gospel—a depiction of spiritual captivity analogous to being 'taken captive by him to do his will.'
- Colossians 1:13 (verbal): Describes God 'delivering us from the power of darkness and transferring us into the kingdom of his Son,' echoing the deliverance from the devil's dominion envisaged in 2 Tim 2:26.
- John 8:34-36 (thematic): Jesus' teaching that those who sin are 'slaves' and that the Son sets them free parallels the motif of bondage to an evil power and subsequent liberation found in 2 Tim 2:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
- and that they may come to their senses, escape the snare of the devil, by whom they have been taken captive to do his will.
Remind them of these things and solemnly charge them before God not to quarrel about words, for it does no good but only ruins the hearers.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid profane and idle chatter, for it will spread to more and more ungodliness.
Their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they are upsetting the faith of some.
Nevertheless, God's sure foundation stands, bearing this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, sanctified, useful to the Master, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patient;
with gentleness correcting those who oppose, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
and they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been captured by him to do his will.