| Geneva Study Bible {3} But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (3) He adds a comfort: the Lord will at length take off all their masks. People's New Testament 3:9 They shall proceed no further. They shall be exposed, and their folly shall be manifest unto all men, their folly revealed to prevent them from further success. As theirs also was. As Jannes and Jambres could not stand before Moses, these men shall fail before the truth. Wesley's Notes 3:9 They shall proceed no farther - In gaining proselytes. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 9. they shall proceed no further-Though for a time (2Ti 2:16) "they shall advance or proceed (English Version, 'increase') unto more ungodliness," yet there is a final limit beyond which they shall not be able to "proceed further" (Job 38:11; Re 11:7, 11). They themselves shall "wax worse and worse" (2Ti 3:13), but they shall at last be for ever prevented from seducing others. "Often malice proceeds deeper down, when it cannot extend itself" [Bengel]. their folly-literally, "dementation": wise though they think themselves. shall be manifest-Greek, "shall be brought forth from concealment into open day" [Bengel], (1Co 4:5). as theirs . was-as that of those magicians was, when not only could they no longer try to rival Moses in sending boils, but the boils fell upon themselves: so as to the lice (Ex 8:18; 9:11). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 3:1-9 Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. Times are perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise that which is good and to be honoured. God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is very different from the power; from such as are found to be hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw. Such persons have been found within the outward church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have been artful men, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful. All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus. Like the Egyptian magicians, these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and found to be quite without faith. Yet though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit. | 
