2 Timothy 3
CHAPTER 3
A prophecy about the last days
But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, argumentative, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 5 Holding a form of reverence towards God, but having denied the power of it. From such people- turn away. 6 For of these are they that creep into houses and take captive weak minded women laden with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 ever learning and never able to came to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be made evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.
Paul’s encouragement to Timothy
10 But you, follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, 11 persecutions, sufferings. Think of what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors shall grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you, grow in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 15 And that from a child you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 Every scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be complete, completely empowered to every good work.
Commentary
3:1-5 This is an exact description of society as it is in our “last days” before the return of Christ to earth.
3:10 Paul’s life and character are set up for us in the Bible as our pattern- not just something to be historically studied, plotting where he went on a map, viewing him as a mere historical figure.
3:12 Persecution therefore shouldn’t surprise us. It may not involve physical suffering, but in some sense, the unbelieving world will persecute us.
3:15 This is the importance of the Bible- if we believe God’s word, we find there the wisdom which leads to salvation. Attention to the Bible is therefore vital for every true Christian, and we ought to be reading the Bible daily.
3:16 Inspired- God breathed His word into the Bible writers, so that what they wrote wasn’t merely the word of men, but was God speaking through them. This is what makes the Bible unique amongst books; God’s word is all we need to prepare us to every good work (v. 17). We need no other books or revelations, as the Bible is enough to completely equip us (v. 17).
