2 Timothy 3:8-9 8Now just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these people oppose the truth, people corrupted in the mind, unqualified in regard to the faith. 9But they will not make much progress; for their ignorance will be obvious to all, just as the ignorance of these men was also.
Paul next brings up an example from Jewish history. Jannes and Jambres are not mentioned in the Old Testament but in Jewish tradition as the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses and turned their staffs into snakes in Exodus 7:12-8:19. Their names were floating around Jewish writings and teachings in the first century. The problem with these two magicians is that they opposed the truth that Moses brought. They represent false teaching and the danger that comes with it.
The false teachers in Ephesus fit the same pattern as Jannes and Jambres by having a corrupted or depraved mind. This corruption came through being deceived by wrong doctrine, leading to moral decay. Because of their depraved thinking and rejecting the truth of the gospel, they were not qualified to be teachers of the faith, referring to Christian doctrine. This verse is a sad commentary on what can happen to people who do not keep their focus on the gospel but rather get caught up in their own ideas and opinions, even if these sound fancy and attractive.
Verse 9 optimistically claims that the ignorance teachers will be found out. Those who know the truth can see a lie. The best defense against heresy is to study the gospel deeply and precisely. The sad thing is when naive Christians are duped into following nice sounding preachers who have shallow or distorted theology. Too many Christians spend quality time in studying the Bible and theology. They accept whatever they are told from the pulpit or other settings. False teachers are all around, sometimes dressed in the clothing of a shepherd, pastor.
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