But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.
Paul begins by stating in the most emphatic terms that the Spirit of God has informed him that such false teachers are coming and that they will cause some to depart from the faith. By carefully describing the character of these evil men and the content of their pernicious doctrine, he hopes to be able to preserve many in the truth if Timothy is faithful in the exercise of his duties (verses 2-5).