2 Timothy 2:25

in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.

Those that oppose themselves ... The essential foolishness of all sin and wrong-doing is implied in these words. Doing sinful things is actually opposing one's self. In the parables, Jesus described the unprepared virgins, the man who built on the sand, and the one who proposed to pull down and build bigger barns as "foolish" ones; and the same principle shines here.

There is some doubt among scholars as to the correct rendition of the last verse, explained by Spence thus:

The words have been variously interpreted by commentators. The most satisfactory meaning represents the captive to sin waking up from his deathly slumber and escaping the toils of the evil one, for the purpose of carrying out for the future the will of God. The whole verse would be as follows:

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil - being held captive by him to do (God's) will.[33]

Despite the attraction that this rendition has for some, we shall stick to the ASV. Satan indeed takes captive (alive) the unfortunate souls who are entrapped in evil and thus become servants of the devil's will. The true reality of Satan, his purpose, his existence and his means of operation are strongly evident here. The current theology which refuses to recognize Satan is blind and ignorant of the truth, which despite its denial is even today affirmed by the basic instincts of the human race. Everywhere, there is a widespread resurgence of interest in witchcraft, spiritualism, Satanism, the occult and horoscopes, etc. All of these trends are the logical result of dispensing with God and his holy word. As Ward commented:

Bereft of God in a materialistic environment, unsatisfied souls fumble with meaning beyond it in the supernatural; "They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" (Hosea 8:7 KJV).[34]

Satan is still taking captive souls to do his will; and therefore let the church seize her opportunity to proclaim the gospel of salvation in the name of Jesus Christ.

[33] H. D. M. Spence, op. cit., p. 232.

[34] Ronald A. Ward, op. cit., p. 184.