2 Timothy 3:6

αἰχμαλωτίζοντες. So the best authorities, אACD2*GP &c.; the rec. text reads αἰχμαλωτεύοντες with D2cEKL and adds the article τά with a few cursives; the form αἰχμαλωτίζειν is Alexandrian or Macedonian and is condemned by the Atticists, as Ellicott points out, which may account for the variant as a scribe’s correction.

6. ἐνδύνοντες εἰς τὰς οἰκίας, who creep into houses. The word ἐνδύνοντες is a ἅπ. λεγ. in N.T.; but we have παρεισεδύησαν in Jude 1:4.

αἰχμαλωτίζοντες γυναικάρια, who take captive silly women; the diminutive form expressing contempt. αἰχμαλωτίζω is Pauline; cp. Romans 7:23; 2 Corinthians 10:5, and see critical note.

It has been suggested that this characteristic of the false teachers points to their affinity with the later Gnostic heretics, among whom women played an important part. But (as was noticed long ago by Jerome Ep. ad Ctesiphontem 133. 4 in a remarkable passage) this is a feature of all heretical systems and has its root deep down in human nature. Women, says Hooker, “are deemed apter to serve as instruments and helps in the cause. Apter they are, through the eagerness of their affection, that maketh them, which way soever they take, diligent in drawing their husbands, children, servants, friends and allies the same way; apter through that natural inclination unto pity, which breedeth in them a greater readiness than in men to be bountiful toward their preachers who suffer want; apter through sundry opportunities, which they especially have, to procure encouragements for their brethren; finally apter through a singular delight which they take in giving very large and particular intelligence, how all near about them stand affected as concerning the same cause” (Eccl. Pol. Preface iii. 13). And so a propounder of novel opinions often gains a hearing through having first attracted the attention of women.

σεσωρευμένα ἁμαρτίαις, laden with sins; and so they readily give an ear to any impostor who will promise them ease of conscience; they seek peace in spiritual dissipation. The verb σωρεύειν only occurs once again in N.T., in Romans 12:20 (a quotation from Proverbs 25:22).

ἐπιθυμίαις ποικίλαις, lusts of all kinds, including not only the desires of the flesh, but the wandering and undisciplined movements of the spirit. ποικίλος does not occur in St Paul outside the Pastorals (cp. Titus 3:3). The N.T. meaning of the word ‘varied,’ ‘manifold’ is unknown to classical Greek, where it signifies ‘elaborate,’ ‘complicated.’ See Hort on 1 Peter 1:6.