2 Timothy Chapter 3
1 But know this: that in the last days, grievous times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
6 For some of these are people who creep into houses and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith are rejected.
9 But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.
10 But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
11 persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But you remain in the things which you have learnt and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learnt them.
15 From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
17 that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Footnotes
- Verse 16 (Every Scripture is God-breathed and)
- or, Every writing inspired by God is
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2 Timothy Chapter 3 Guide
Clearly seeing trouble coming from the teaching of those who were "holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof," the apostle referred to his own manner of life and service as affording an example of what Timothy's experience must necessarily be. He referred to his "teaching," his "conduct," his "purpose," and his "faith," his "longsuffering," his "love," and his "patience." The results of such life and service had been persecution and suffering. Out of all these things he had been delivered, for while the difficulties of the pathway had been great, the strength and faithfulness of the Lord had been greater.
Finally, in this connection the apostle turned to Timothy's responsibility concerning the truth. The first word marking that responsibility is the word, "abide." The apostolic teaching at this point reveals Paul's estimate of the qualities which constitute the values of the, Scriptures. "Teaching” refers to the authoritative quality which constitutes the foundation on which the building is to go forward. "Reproof" is testing. "Correction" refers to bringing back into the true line. "Instruction" refers to training by discipline, toward consummation. The Scriptures, therefore, provide the foundation on which to build, a method for testing the building in course of erection, a force equal to correcting mistakes, and the supply for carrying out the enterprise to perfection.
The purpose throughout is to make complete the man of God, but this perfection of the instrument is not the ultimate goal. That is reached in the work which the complete man of God is to perform. The sequence is suggestive, and if we study it from the effect to the cause we see what was evidently in the mind of the apostle. The matter of supreme importance was the work committed to Timothy. In order to do this he must himself be complete. In order to reach this completeness his character must result from the power of the Holy Scriptures. In order to obtain this he must abide therein.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Timothy Chapter 3 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The apostle foretells the rise of dangerous enemies to the gospel. -- (1-9)
- Proposes his own example to Timothy. -- (10-13)
- And exhorts him to continue in the doctrine he had learned from the Holy Scriptures. -- (14-17)
Verses 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.
Verses 10-13
The more fully we know the doctrine of Christ, as taught by the apostles, the more closely we shall cleave to it. When we know the afflictions of believers only in part, they tempt us to decline the cause for which they suffer. A form of godliness, a profession of Christian faith without a godly life, often is allowed to pass, while open profession of the truth as it is in Jesus, and resolute attention to the duties of godliness, stir up the scorn and enmity of the world. As good men, by the grace of God, grow better, so bad men, through the craft of Satan, and the power of their own corruptions, grow worse. The way of sin is down-hill; such go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Those who deceive others, deceive themselves, as they will find at last, to their cost. The history of the outward church, awfully shows that the apostle spake this as he was moved by the Holy Ghost.
Verses 14-17
Those who would learn the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the Holy Scriptures, for they are the Divine revelation. The age of children is the age to learn; and those who would get true learning, must get it out of the Scriptures. They must not lie by us neglected, seldom or never looked into. The Bible is a sure guide to eternal life. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but delivered what they received of God, 2Pe 1:21. It is profitable for all purposes of the Christian life. It is of use to all, for all need to be taught, corrected, and reproved. There is something in the Scriptures suitable for every case. Oh that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them! then shall we find benefit, and at last gain the happiness therein promised by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the main subject of both Testaments. We best oppose error by promoting a solid knowledge of the word of truth; and the greatest kindness we can do to children, is to make them early to know the Bible.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.