2 Timothy 3:5 (Form of Godliness, Turn Away From Such Ones)

Greek: ἔχοντες μόρφωσιν εὐσεβείας τὴν δὲ δύναμιν αὐτῆς ἠρνημένοι· καὶ τούτους ἀποτρέπου.

Donald Guthrie (The Pastoral Epistles, Tyndale NTC): "In verse 5 the apostle examines more exactly the religious situation. Religion is not entirely denied, but it amounts to no more than an empty shell. There is an outward form (morphōsis) of godliness, but no power. Indeed, it is not simply a matter of an organized religion which has ceased to function, but a religion which is not intended to function. Its adherents are denying its power, which suggests a positive rejection of its effectiveness. They have no conception of the gospel as a regenerating force. It is clear that moral decadents can hardly be expected to pay more than the most superficial lip-service to piety, and then only to maintain a cloak of respectability."

But to whom do the words τούτους ἀποτρέπου apply? Guthrie seems to limit their application to the people mentioned in 3:5; however, he indicates that καὶ could be ascensive, thus being understood as "even, also." He then says the warning to eschew such ones could apply to those persons referenced in 2 Tim. 2:23, but Guthrie doesn't seem to offer much explanation beyond that point.

From William Mounce:

μόρφωσις, “appearance, form” (BAGD 528), describes the mere shell, and the context shows that the shell has no correspondence to reality (contra W. Pöhlmann, EDNT 2: 444; cf. J. Behm, TDNT 4: 742– 59). Their appearance of godliness (teaching the law, asceticism, etc.) is shown to be false because at the same time they love themselves, money, and pleasure rather than God.

Pastoral Epistles, Volume 46 (Word Biblical Commentary) (Kindle Locations 21714-21717). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Mounce offers these remarks concerning the latter part of 2 Tim. 3:5:

τούτους, “these people,” connects back with τοῦτο, “this,” in v 1 (cf. τούτων, “of these,” in v 6) and summarizes Paul’s teaching about the kinds of people in vv 2– 4: “Know this [τοῦτο γίνωσκε]  .  .  . and avoid them [τούτους ἀποτρέπου].” ἀποτρέπεσθαι, “to avoid” (BAGD 101), occurs only here in the NT, but it restates a common theme heard throughout the PE (cf., e.g., 1 Tim 6: 20; 2 Tim 2: 16, 23).

Pastoral Epistles, Volume 46 (Word Biblical Commentary) (Kindle Locations 21731-21734). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.