Impending Apostasy

Many interesting questions arise in connection with the two epistles to Timothy. The date of the first may be put (although on all such points we must speak hesitatingly) soon after Acts 22:1. (Compare 1 Tim. 1:3.) It appears to be a filling up or expansion of that to Titus—there being a greater breadth in the details, but also a new feature in the shape of a warning as to an impending apostasy. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith." It looks very much like Romanism.
There is an injunction to put "the brethren in remembrance of these things." Otherwise there might still be correction, amendment, and growth—the house of God is still recognized as "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." In the second epistle, the last Paul ever wrote, there had been a present departure as far as the Church went, for he says, "All they which are in Asia [all the recognized teachers] be turned away from me" (2 Tim. 1:15), even though the impending apostasy was more fearful in his apprehension. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come," and then follows a list of vices identical with those of Rom. 1 with the addition of "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." The house of 1 Tim. 3 is now likened to a great house, with vessels of wood and of earth. Meanwhile, the Scriptures are given their true and immense value (2 Tim. 3:15, 17), as at all times where there is a failure in living men.
In both epistles it is certain that the apostle puts a just value upon his own position as set for the defense and confirmation of the gospel, but more especially in the second, where his only hope seems to be in the steadfastness of Timothy. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.... For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." 2 Tim. 4:2, 3. He sees that everything had failed or was to fail. He relates his testimony, his treatment, and his prospects to a beloved friend.