“For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions” (2 Timothy 3:6 NET).
Contemporary Biblical critics may be quick to attribute a sexist agenda to the gullible (NIV) or silly (KJV) women referenced in this verse. However, this passage has little to do with gender. Unlike many modern societies, the educational options that were available to women of that era were often very limited. This meant that those who lacked a firm foundation in good Biblical doctrine were especially vulnerable to any message carried by a false or deceptive teacher. Of course, this was also true of anyone who lived during that period, just as it is today.
Therefore, it is important to understand the essence of this passage: false teachers target the naïve and uninformed. In the first-century city of Ephesus, that target audience included many members of the female population. Today, that group might include anyone who neglects to read the Bible regularly and has little familiarity with its teachings.
Thus, in the words of one scholar, “Paul’s point is not that all women are this way, but that some have been especially vulnerable to deception. The false teachers at Ephesus had been especially successful in deceiving women (1 Tim. 2:14; 5:13–15).” (1) Another commentary adds, “Out of a so-called ‘openness to learn’ they evidently embraced as a fad whatever new heresy came along. Their problem was that they could not recognize the truth when they saw it.” (2)
We should also note the reference to those who are “overwhelmed with sins” in 2 Timothy 3:6. A religious belief that permits its followers to engage in sinful behaviors without guilt or repentance is false, despite what its proponents may be led to believe. Sadly, a person who adheres to such a belief may simply wish to ease his or her conscience and obtain the benefits of “religion” while foregoing the sacrifices that often accompany genuine Christianity.
This passage should thus prompt us to ask a difficult and challenging question: “Am I truly seeking God through Christ or am I seeking the benefits of ‘spirituality’?” In the words of another Biblical scholar, “DeWette (quoted by Alford), notes that a sin-laden conscience is easily tempted to seek the easiest method of relief. And that method of getting relief from a sin-laden conscience, is the embracing of a false religion, one that satisfies the religious instinct of the individual, and at the same time fails to deal with the sin question and the true way of salvation.” (3)
(1) Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 2173). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.
(2) John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary [p.756]
(3) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [note on 2 Timothy 3:6-7] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.