Form Without Power
T. Guthrie, D. D. 2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Across your path, and on the ground, lies stretched out in death, a mighty tree, tall and strong — fit mast to carry a cloud of canvas, and bear unbent the strains of tempests. You put your foot lightly on it; and how great your surprise when, breaking through the bark, it sinks deep into the body of the tree — a result much less owing to the pressure of your foot than to the poisonous fungi and foul, crawling insects that have attacked its core. They have left the outer rind uninjured — but hollowed out its heart. Take care your heart is not hollowed out, and nothing left you but the crust and shell of an empty profession. (T. Guthrie, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. WEB: holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.