Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Timothy 3:13

"But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." — 2 Timothy 3:13 (ASV)

But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse. That is, it is the character of such men to do this; they may be expected to do it. This is the general law of depravity—that if men are not converted, they are always growing worse, and sinking deeper into iniquity.

Their progress will be certain, though it may be gradual, since nemo repente turpissimus. The connexion here is this: Timothy was not to expect that he would be exempt from persecution (2 Timothy 3:12) by any change for the better in the wicked men referred to.

He was to anticipate in them the working of the general law concerning bad men and seducers—namely, that they would grow worse and worse. Consequently, he was to regard it as certain that he, like others, would be liable to be persecuted.

The word rendered seducers gohv—occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, a juggler, or diviner; and then, a deceiver, or impostor. Here it refers to those who, by seductive arts, lead persons into error.

Deceiving. Making others believe that to be true and right, which is false and wrong. This was, of course, done by seductive arts.

And being deceived. Under delusion themselves. The advocates of error are often themselves as really under deception as those whom they impose upon. They are often sincere in the belief of error, and then they are under a delusion; or, if they are insincere, they are equally deluded in supposing that they can make error pass for truth before God, or can deceive the Searcher of hearts. The worst victims of delusion are those who attempt to delude others.