2 Timothy Chapter 2 · Verse 26
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνανήψωσιν
that they may recover themselves
G366
ἀνανήψωσιν
that they may recover themselves
Strong's:
G366
Word #:
2 of 14
to become sober again, i.e., (figuratively) regain (one's) senses
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 14
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παγίδος
the snare
G3803
παγίδος
the snare
Strong's:
G3803
Word #:
7 of 14
a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively, a trick or statagem (temptation)
ἐζωγρημένοι
who are taken captive
G2221
ἐζωγρημένοι
who are taken captive
Strong's:
G2221
Word #:
8 of 14
to take alive (make a prisoner of war), i.e., (figuratively) to capture or ensnare
ὑπ'
by
G5259
ὑπ'
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
9 of 14
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
at
G1519
εἰς
at
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
11 of 14
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Timothy 3:7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.Psalms 124:7Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.Isaiah 8:15And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.Ephesians 5:14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Historical Context
Ancient warfare involved taking captives who became slaves, serving captors' purposes. First-century readers understood slavery's horror—loss of freedom, subjection to another's will, compulsory service. Paul applies this literally to spiritual realm: Satan holds unbelievers captive, using them for his purposes. This wasn't metaphor but reality. The invisible war between God and Satan plays out through human agents. False teachers like Hymenaeus weren't merely mistaken but tools of satanic deception. This theology motivated both urgency in evangelism and dependence on prayer—only God liberates Satan's captives.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you recognize that unbelievers and false teachers are ultimately captives of Satan, and does this change how you view and engage them?
- How does understanding spiritual warfare affect your approach to evangelism, apologetics, and confronting error?
- Are you depending on human wisdom and persuasive arguments, or on God's power through prayer and proclamation of truth to liberate Satan's captives?
Analysis & Commentary
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. Paul concludes by identifying the true enemy behind human opposition. The hope is "that they may recover themselves" (kai anānēpsōsin, καὶ ἀνανήψωσιν). The verb ananēphō (ἀνανήφω) means come to one's senses, become sober again—like waking from drunkenness or recovering from madness. Sin produces spiritual insanity; repentance is recovering sanity.
They need recovery "out of the snare of the devil" (ek tēs tou diabolou pagidos, ἐκ τῆς τοῦ διαβόλου παγίδος). Pagis (παγίς) means trap, snare—used for catching animals. Satan lays traps to capture souls. "The devil" (diabolos, διάβολος) means slanderer, accuser—the arch-enemy of God and humans. Unbelievers aren't merely intellectually mistaken but spiritually ensnared by demonic deception. This demands spiritual warfare, not merely rational debate (Ephesians 6:12).
The tragic reality: "who are taken captive by him at his will" (ezōgrēmenoi hyp' autou eis to ekeinou thelēma, ἐζωγρημένοι ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἐκείνου θέλημα). The verb zōgreō (ζωγρέω) means catch alive, take prisoner—used of capturing soldiers or animals. Satan holds unbelievers captive, doing his will. They think they're free but are slaves (John 8:34, 2 Peter 2:19). Only God's intervention through gospel truth can liberate captives. This explains both the urgency of evangelism and dependence on God—human persuasion alone cannot free Satan's prisoners.