2 Timothy 3:13

πονηροὶ δὲ : The antithesis seems to be between the apparent discomfiture of those who wish to live in Christ (their persecution being after all almost a means conditional to their attaining their desire), and the paradoxical success of evil men; they advance indeed; but only in degradation; proficient in peius (Vulg.). See notes on 2 Timothy 3:9 and 2 Timothy 2:16.

γόητες, impostors (R.V.), seductores, exactly expresses the term. γοητεία occurs 2Ma 12:24, where it means trickery.

πλανώμενοι : cf. Titus 3:3. Those who deceive others impair, in so doing, their sense of the distinction between truth and falsehood, and thus weaken their power of resistance to self-deceit, and to imposition by others.

προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον : See on 2 Timothy 3:9.