Audio Download

“Ever Learning But Never Coming to the Knowledge of the Truth”

[Study Aired Dec 24, 2024]

Have we found ourselves guilty of constantly studying God’s Word yet failing to truly understand its spiritual meaning? The apostle Paul addresses this very condition in his second letter to Timothy: “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). Before we quickly dismiss this warning as applying only to others, let us examine ourselves in light of this scripture and its context.

Paul warns Timothy about certain characteristics that would mark the last days:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.“ (2 Timothy 3:1-7).

Could we be among those who maintain “a form of godliness” while denying its power? Do we study scripture yet miss its spiritual significance? This self-examination is critical because as Paul explains elsewhere:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).

This passage reveals why mere intellectual study without spiritual discernment leaves us ever learning but never knowing truth. We must ask ourselves: Are we approaching scripture with natural understanding or seeking spiritual discernment through Christ’s mind working in us?

Can we not see ourselves at times being ever so zealous in studying scripture, attending studies, reading religious books and commentaries, yet somehow missing the life-changing truth of God’s Word? Consider how God, through the prophet Isaiah, describes this condition:

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isaiah 29:13-14).

We must be honest with ourselves – how often do we study God’s Word yet miss its spiritual application? The Jews of Jesus’ day exemplified this problem. They diligently studied scripture but failed to recognize its fulfillment standing right before them:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39-40).

This shows us that it’s possible to be thoroughly versed in scripture yet miss its true spiritual meaning. The Pharisees and scribes knew the letter of the law but missed its spirit. Could we be falling into the same pattern? Paul explains why this happens:

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6).

The issue isn’t that study itself is wrong – God commands us to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Rather, the problem comes when we rely on our natural understanding instead of allowing God’s spirit to illuminate His Word. Consider what God says through Jeremiah:

“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

This scripture reveals that true knowledge isn’t about accumulating information but about knowing God Himself. Yet how can we know if we’re truly growing in spiritual understanding rather than just accumulating head knowledge? Jesus provides the answer:

“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:21-23).

True spiritual understanding manifests itself in changed lives. When we truly understand God’s Word spiritually, it transforms us. As Paul explains:

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30).

The question we must ask ourselves is whether our learning is producing this conformity to Christ’s image. Are we being transformed by what we learn, or are we merely collecting religious knowledge? Consider what Peter writes about this transformation:

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Let us examine more deeply the key words in Paul’s warning: “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).

The Greek word for “learning” here is “manthanō” (Strong’s G3129), which implies not just casual learning but the idea of being a disciple or student. It suggests intentional, dedicated study. Yet despite this dedicated learning, they are “never able” – from the Greek “mēdepote” (G3368), meaning “not even at any time” or “never at all” – to come to “knowledge” – “epignōsis” (G1922), which refers to precise, correct, or full knowledge.

This distinction in the Greek reveals something profound. These individuals aren’t casual seekers but dedicated students who somehow remain unable to grasp true spiritual understanding. They pursue “gnosis” (basic knowledge) but never arrive at “epignosis” (full, experiential knowledge). The word “truth” – “alētheia” (G225) – in Greek means reality or certainty, suggesting that while they study endlessly, they never grasp spiritual reality.

Consider how this connects to what Jesus said about spiritual understanding:

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Matthew 11:25-26).

The “wise and prudent” here represent those who rely on natural understanding, while “babes” represent those who humbly receive spiritual revelation. This explains why some can study endlessly yet miss truth – they rely on natural wisdom rather than spiritual revelation. As Paul explains:

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-6).

The transition from endless learning to true spiritual understanding requires divine intervention. This is made clear when we compare these words from Jeremiah:

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” (Jeremiah 13:23).

With Paul’s explanation of how spiritual understanding comes:

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

The Lord reveals through Jeremiah why some remain in this state of perpetual learning without understanding:

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.“ (Jeremiah 13:23-24).

Our natural state cannot receive spiritual truth without divine intervention, which is why Jesus explained to Nicodemus the necessity of spiritual birth:

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.“ (John 3:3-5).

Our inability to receive spiritual understanding serves God’s purpose, for as Paul reveals:

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:32-34).

The very condition of being “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” demonstrates our complete dependence on God’s mercy for true understanding. This aligns with what Jesus taught His disciples:

“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:13-15).

The inability to understand spiritual truth serves as a witness against our natural state, proving we need divine intervention to comprehend spiritual matters. Paul explains this divine work:

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

Even Christ’s disciples struggled with spiritual understanding until He opened their minds:

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:45-47).

This reveals a critical truth – spiritual understanding is a gift from God, not something we achieve through human effort. David understood this when he prayed:

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” (Psalm 119:18-20).

The Lord promises this spiritual understanding will come to those He chooses:

“And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7).

This aligns with Paul’s teaching that God must grant repentance for understanding to come:

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

When God works transformation in our hearts, it produces visible evidence through changed living. James reveals how true wisdom manifests:

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” (James 3:13-15)

This fruit can only come through abiding in Christ, as He taught:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:5-6)

How then does God cause us to move beyond endless learning to true spiritual understanding? The prophet Ezekiel reveals this process:

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

This transformative work begins with God giving us “ears to hear” spiritual truth. As Jesus repeatedly emphasized:

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.“ (Revelation 2:11).

The ability to hear and understand spiritual truth comes through Christ dwelling in us. Paul explains this mystery:

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Colossians 1:26-28).

This indwelling of Christ transforms our learning from mere head knowledge to spiritual understanding. As Paul writes to Timothy in the same letter as our study verse:

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” (2 Timothy 2:7-8)

Yet this understanding is not given to all, for the Lord purposely keeps some in blindness while they pursue religious knowledge. Isaiah reveals this divine purpose:

“Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.” (Isaiah 29:9-10)

This spiritual blindness serves God’s purpose, as Paul declares:

“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” (Romans 9:17-18).

True spiritual understanding comes only through God’s work in us:

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

The Lord makes clear that both the understanding of truth and the ability to believe come as His gift:

“Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” (Luke 8:10).

“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Knowing this truth should move us to seek wisdom as James instructs:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8).