2 Timothy 3

The apostle foretells what manner of men and seducers shall arise in the last times and exhorts timothy to void such6 teacheth in what manner and how they shall seduce men especially women 8 that they shall be like unto Jannes and Jambres in resisting the truth 10 further exhorts him that he would follow example in enduring his persecution which all godly men are to expect 14 and steadfastly to continue in the pure doctrine which he had learned from him 15 withal showing the perfection divinity and manifold usefulness of the holy scripture which he had learned even from childhood on which this doctrine is grounded .

1. And know this [namely so that thou maist arm thyself against it and warn others] that in the last days [so the times of the new testament are called from the spreading abroad of the gospel unto the end of the world see 1 Corinthians 10:11 1Timothy 4.1 or in the following times Acts 2:17] shall come or be at hand grievous times [that is troublesome full of sadness and danger of godly]

2. For men [that is greater part of greatest company of men shall be lovers of themselves [or self-lovers that is loving themselves too much esteeming too much of themselves and in all things seeking their profit] covetous ,self-conceited [that is braggers boasters of their gifts and virtues]proud railers disobedient to parents unthankful unholy.

3. Without natural love [namely which God hath naturally planted in the hearts towards their children and of children towards their parents which we see also by nature planted in the brute beasts see Isaiah 49:15 Roman 1.31]irreconcilable[that is with whom no covenant of friendship can be made or covenant breakers Romans 1.31backbitters ,intemperate [namely in meat drink or carnal pleasure]cruel or wild not tame or sociable with whom it is difficult to converse ] without love to the good [or unto good that is to virtue .]

4. Traitors rash [that is who sifter themselves to be driven hastily by their affections this way] puffed up more lovers of pleasure then lovers of God :

5. Having a form of godliness [Gr Morphosin which word indeed signifies also a representation or pattern Romans 2:20 but is here taken for an outward form or show]but who have denied the power of the same [that is they look not after the actual exercise thereof] be also averse from these that is hold no communion with those persons but avoid them ]

6. For of these are they who slip in [that is slickly and impudently insinuate themselves into the same]into houses or households and take captive [that is with fair speeches draw their hearts unto and lead them whither they will as men do those that are taken to war] silly women [that is such are sickle minded and unsteadfast]who are laden or overcharged that is who are heavy laden with the pack of their sins as with a burden heaped up] with sins and are driven [namely as a man drives unreasonable beasts before him]by manifold lusts[namely foolish an vain many divers whereof are found in such women]

7. Such are always learning [that is who out of curiosity and unsettledness of mind would always learn something that is new and for this end seek teachers who may satisfy this curiosity]and are never able [namely for as much as such teachers neither know the foundation themselves nor teach it unto others] to come to knowledge of the truth [namely of the true and right foundation of Christ an religion in which the right knowledge of sin and the comfort of conscience against must be sought]

8. Now like as Jannes and Jambres others call him Mambres these are the names of the Egyptian Sorcerers who fought to make the miracles of Moses ineffectual Exodus 7 whose names are not exprest in the holy scripture Exodus 7:11 but are here related by the apostle either out of some Jewish writers or by some old tradition from hand to hand from whence we may conclude that there are any unwritten traditions concerning any articles of doctrines seeing this concerns history only see of the same euseb de praep evang lib 9 chapter 3 relates these names out of Pythagorean philosopher Numenius as pliny also lib cap1 makes relations Jannes whence it appears that these names were then known not only among the Jews but also amongst the Gentiles ]withstood Moses even so these also withstanding the truth ]namely the doctrine of the gospel and those that teach and maintain the truth ]being man corrupt of understanding of minds being blinded by their wicked affection ]reprobate concerning the faith [that is are not to be accounted any sincere teachers of the doctrine of faith or believers see 1Corinthians 2.6.

9. but they shall proceed no more namely in esteem with men to seduce them seduce them thereby although they shall increase in wickedness 13] for their madness [that is their foolish and false doctrine or their hypocrisy and show of holiness]shall be manifest unto all even as theirs also was namely the Egyptians sorcerer before mentioned .]

10. But thou hast followed after [or endeavored after following me constantly learned and imitated or understood as well from me as from other for Timothy was there not yet with Paul when he suffered his persecution at Antioch Acts 16:2 see of this word Luke 1:3 and 1 Timothy 4:6]my doctrine manner of doing or carriage namely as well in ordering my life as in administering my office ]purpose [that is my scope and aim which I have always propounded to myself in my ministry]faith or faithfulness confidence steadfastness in the faith ]long suffering [namely both towards gainsayers to win or convince them and towards the brethren in hearing with their infirmities]love [namely showed both towards enemies and friends]patience [namely in bearing of injury slanders reproaches and all manner of persecution .]

11. My persecutions [namely which I have suffered or which were brought upon me my suffering such as happening at Antioch [namely lying not in Syria but in Pisidia about Iconium and Lystra see the history hereof Acts 13:14] in Iconium and in Lystria what manner of persecution I suffered [namely yet many more the like see 2 Corinthians 11 verse 23 c] and the Lord delivered me out of all

12. And even all will live godly in Christ Jesus [that is who will constantly profess live according to and spread abroad the Christian doctrine or religion]they shall be persecuted [namely by wicked man and therefore they must prepare themselves for it and arm themselves against it with patience and constancy .

13. But wicked man [such as the Tyrants and persecutors]and deceivers [Gr judglers who do as it were bewitch man with false doctrine Galatians 3:1]shall proceed unto worse [that is more and more turn away from the pure doctrine and still more and more seek to seduce men and to hate trouble and persecute the godly]seducing [that is using all crafts and diligence to seduce men from right way of salvation]and being seduced [or erring themselves being in the wrong way]

14. But continue thou in that which hast learned and whereof assurance is given thee [namely that it is true doctrine or that it is committed to thee]knowing from whom thou hast learned it [namely from me who am the apostle called by the Lord Christ himself Galatians 1:1 and was taken into the third heaven 2 Corinthians 12:2 c see chapter 2 verse2]

15. And that from a child [namely by thy grandmother and mother wert exercised in the scripture se chapter 1.5]thou hast known the holy scriptures [namely wherewith my doctrine perfectly agrees and out of which the same is taken and whereby is confirmed see Acts 26:22] which are able to make the wise unto salvation [or instruct that unable teach thee all the wisdom which is needful of a man to know to come to salvation]by faith which is in Christ Jesus .

16. All scripture [that is the whole scripture as this word is taken 1Corinthians 13.2 whereby are principally understood the writings of the old testament are a further explication and which therefore are also comprehended under it as many as were then written as Paul writes this epistle before his death chapter 4.6 which must also in like manner be understood of the rest which then were not yet written see 2Peter 3.16 revelations 1.1 and chapter 22.16] is of divine inspiration [Gr inspired by God by inspiration of the holy ghost who is a spirit of truth and led the writers of these writings into all truth that they could not ere see John 16:13 2Peter1.20,21] and this is profitable for doctrine namely of the articles of Christians religion confutation or repose convictions [namely of errors and false doctrines]for amendment [namely of life and conversation] for instruction which is in righteousness [that is teachesth perfectly what is just and unjust honest and dishonest and how man must live soberly and righteously and godly in the world Titus 2:12.]

17. That the man of God[see of this word 1Timothy 6.12]may be perfect [that is perfectly learn and understand from thence all the parts of his office]perfectly furnished [that is well provided of all things] unto every good work.