2 Timothy 3 in the early church
254 passages quote, allude to, or echo 2 Timothy 3, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17
2 Timothy 3:1
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.
2 Timothy 3:2
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:2 | Sibylline Oracles 8.181ff. · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | 2nd-3rd cent. |
| 2 Tim 3:2 | Divine Institutes 7.17.9 · Lactantius | echo, low confidence | ca. 303–311 |
| 2 Tim 3:2 | Epitome of the Divine Institutes 66.2 · Lactantius | echo, medium confidence | ca. 314–320 |
| 2 Tim 3:2 | Demonstration 14.37 · Aphrahat | allusion, medium confidence | 337-345 |
| 2 Tim 3:2–3 | Against Parmenian the Donatist 7.4 · Optatus of Milevis | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–385 |
| 2 Tim 3:2 | Sermon 96.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:2 | Literal Commentary on Genesis 11.15 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 401–415 |
| 2 Tim 3:2 | City of God 14.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
2 Timothy 3:3
unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:3–4 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.43.4 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
2 Timothy 3:4
traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:4 | PG 12:1181 (Ps 7–8 LXX) · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Fragment 41 on John 3:19 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 226-254 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | On Prayer 19.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Homily on Luke 30 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 233–250 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Homily on Isaiah 1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 235–250 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Homilies on Ezekiel 3.3 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Homilies on Ezekiel 3.5 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Homilies on Ezekiel 3.6 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Homilies on Leviticus 9.4 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Homilies on Numbers 17.1 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Commentary on Matthew 11.14 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Commentary on Romans 10.36 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Long recension, Magnesians 9 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | On Virginity 8 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–371 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 26.16.3 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374-377 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Apostolic Constitutions 6.28.7 · Anonymous | echo, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Homily 8 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 379–394 |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | Letters 1.9 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letters to Virgins 1.3.4 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Homily on Isaiah 1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 235–250 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Homilies on Leviticus 3.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | On the Singleness of Clerics 27 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letter 3.4 · Antony the Great | quotation, high confidence | before 356 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letter 4.3 · Antony the Great | allusion, high confidence | before 356 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letter 5.3 · Antony the Great | quotation, high confidence | before 356 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letter 9 · Ammonas | quotation, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Long recension, Magnesians 9 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Against Eunomius 2.22 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 364 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:35 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Book of Rules 6 · Tyconius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 47.3.1 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374-377 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letter 121.13 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Homilies on Matthew 23.3 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Sermon 8.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Sermon 71.32 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Sermon 269.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letters 1.7 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letters 40.11 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Letters 50.13 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | On the Christian Struggle 32 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 396–397 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 19.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 398–400 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Questions and Answers to the Orthodox 1–3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 5th century (disputed) |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Homilies on the First Epistle of John 2.9 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 407 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | Chapter 1 · Prosper of Aquitaine | quotation, high confidence | ca. 432-433 |
| 2 Tim 3:5 | To the Church 1.4 · Salvian of Marseilles | echo, medium confidence | ca. 435-440 |
2 Timothy 3:6
They 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,
2 Timothy 3:7
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Against Heresies 2.27.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons | echo, medium confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Against Heresies 3.24.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons | echo, medium confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Against Heresies 5.20.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons | allusion, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Homilies on Exodus 7.7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Commentary on Romans 2.13 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Homilies 3.24 · Anonymous | echo, low confidence | 4th century (reworking earlier material) |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Homilies 13.1 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Letter 22.28 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Letter 75.3 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Letter 130.17 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Letter 133.4 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Letters 16.11 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 63.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | On the Soul and Its Origin 3.8 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–420 |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | Commonitory 7 · Vincent of Lérins | quotation, high confidence | 434 |
2 Timothy 3:8
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.
2 Timothy 3:9
But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:9 | Acta Archelai (Latin) 62 · Hegemonius | allusion, medium confidence | early to mid 4th century (Greek original) |
| 2 Tim 3:9 | Three Letters to Sympronianus 3.21 · Pacian of Barcelona | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-390 |
| 2 Tim 3:9 | Letter 55.29 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| 2 Tim 3:9 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 13.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 398–400 |
| 2 Tim 3:9 | Commonitory 7 · Vincent of Lérins | quotation, high confidence | 434 |
2 Timothy 3:10
You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:10 | Cib. 5 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| 2 Tim 3:10–11 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 71 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| 2 Tim 3:10–11 | Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:10–11 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 2 Tim 3:10 | Liber Orsiesii 6 · Orsiesius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
2 Timothy 3:11
my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:11 | Commentary on John 1.16 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| 2 Tim 3:11 | Cib. 5 · Methodius of Olympus | allusion, medium confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| 2 Tim 3:11 | Oration III Against the Arians 13 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 339–346 |
| 2 Tim 3:11 | Defence of His Flight 20 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357 |
| 2 Tim 3:11–13 | Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:12–13 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Heads against Gaius, fragment III (on Rev 9:2-3) · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 200-235 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Homilies on Exodus 5.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Homilies on Exodus 11.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Homilies on Joshua 11.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Homilies on Leviticus 6.6 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Homilies on Jeremiah 1.13 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Commentary on Matthew 10.18 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Cib. 1 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Letter 3.4 · Antony the Great | quotation, high confidence | before 356 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | 1 · Anonymous | echo, medium confidence | 4th–5th century |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Letter to Marcellinus 10 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | uncertain, after 335 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Defence of His Flight 21 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Letter 18 · Basil of Caesarea | echo, medium confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 62 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Tractates on the Psalms 118.11.7 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Letter 128.2 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Exposition of Psalm 118 11.21.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Exposition of Psalm 118 11.21.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Exposition of Psalm 118 20.45.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Letter 248.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Sermon on the Eight Beatitudes 8 · Chromatius of Aquileia | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 388-407 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Sermon 46.11 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Sermon 70.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Sermon 167.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | City of God 18.51 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | On Grace and Free Will 2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | The Conferences 24.22 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| 2 Tim 3:12–13 | Preface · Eutherius of Tyana | quotation, high confidence | ca. 431-440 |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Book 2, chapter 35 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 440-450 |
2 Timothy 3:13
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:13 | Sentences of Sextus 393 · Anonymous | echo, low confidence | 2nd-early 3rd cent. |
| 2 Tim 3:13 | Heads against Gaius, fragment III (on Rev 9:2-3) · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 200-235 |
| 2 Tim 3:13 | Fragments on Luke, column 349 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| 2 Tim 3:13 | PG 12:1191 (Ps 9 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| 2 Tim 3:13 | Commentary on Romans 10.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| 2 Tim 3:13 | Sermon 256.3 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:13 | Letters 1.9 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| 2 Tim 3:13 | On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 415 |
2 Timothy 3:14
But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:14–15 | Tractates on the Psalms 118.0.1 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| 2 Tim 3:14–15 | Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:14–15 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 2 Tim 3:14 | Letter 52.7 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 2 Tim 3:14 | Homily 1 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 379–394 |
| 2 Tim 3:14 | Chapter 13 · Nicetas, bishop of Remesiana | allusion, high confidence | ca. 380–414 |
| 2 Tim 3:14 | On Christian Doctrine 4.16 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | Books 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427 |
2 Timothy 3:15
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:17
so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Exhortation to the Greeks 9.87 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Letters to Virgins 1.2.5 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | 3rd century |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Long recension, Ephesians 13 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Long recension, Mary 5 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Letter 295 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Homilies 5.9 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Homily 6 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 379–394 |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Sermon 337.4 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 12.14 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 398–400 |
| 2 Tim 3:17 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 12.18 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 398–400 |