2 Timothy 3

David Lipscomb Commentary On 2nd Timothy 32 Timothy 3:1 But know this,—Notwithstanding the hope just expressed in regard to the recovery of some who follow the ways of men, many evil men will arise in the church who will never be reclaimed. that in the last days grievous times shall come.—This is the common designation in the Old Testament of the Messianic age— the time after the coming of the Christ into the world. It is thus used in the New Testament to designate the new dispensation, this being the last period of human history. The whole representation points to the immediate as well is to the remote future. Probably such “ grievous times” would more than once occur, and the last occurring before the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ may be the worst in the wide extent and terrible character of its error and sin.2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of self,—Selfishness will be a general characteristic of the period. It denotes one who as­signs to himself a larger share of wealth, honors, and bodily pleasures than to others. This trait is mentioned first because, as the root of the essence of all sin, it is the source of the other evil characteristics mentioned.lovers of money,—Filled with selfish greed for the accumula­tion of wealth; improperly desirous of gain.boastful,—These arrogate to themselves honors which do not fairly belong to them.haughty,—These are they who contemptuously look down on others beneath them either in social position or wealth or in natural gifts.railers,—Are scornful, insolent, and blame with bitterness.

They carry the war of their tongues into the camp of the enemy and give vent to their vengeance against God or man. It is sinful in either case.disobedient to parents,—No character has been more con­demned by God than those disobedient to parents.

Under the law of Moses the stubborn and rebellious son who would not obey his parents was to be stoned to death. (Deuteronomy 21:18-20.) The parents stood in the place of God to the child, and if it would not obey them they could not expect it to obey God. [Christ has set up a new standard of individual re­sponsibility which sometimes makes it necessary for children, when they have come to years of responsibility, to act contrary to the wishes of their parents in order that they may obey God. The Lord said: “ He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37.) Yet parents have not forfeited all their natural rights, and in all matters where obedience to God is not at stake children are even more bound to yield them respect, obedience, and tender affection.]unthankful,—[Children who begin life with disobedience to their parents with rare exceptions are ungrateful to all others who may show them kindness in their life journey. Ingrati­tude has always been regarded as one of the worst of crimes. It is said here that it would characterize that wicked age of which Paul speaks.] unholy,—Not consecrated to God through their want of purity; defiled with sin, irreligious. [Those who scoff at holi­ness of life and character in its deepest sense.]2 Timothy 3:3without natural affection,—Without affection for parents or children. The attachment of parents to children is one of the strongest in nature, and nothing can overcome it but the most confirmed and determined wickedness. [An affection which is common to every class of brutes, consequently men and women without it are worse than brutes.]implacable,—Those who will not be bound by any oath or held by any engagement or obligated by any promise. They readily promise anything, but never intend to perform.

Noth­ing could be more indicative of the lowest state of degradation than that in which all compacts and agreements are utterly disregarded.slanderers,—Accusations maliciously uttered with the pur­pose or effect of damaging the reputation of another. As a rule, it is a false charge (Matthew 5:11), but it may be a truth treacherously circulated with the purpose of destroying the good reputation of another.without self-control,—Persons of unbridled appetites and passions who do not control their evil propensities. [This seems to mean that in a man’ s soul there are two elements, a better and a worse, and when the better controls the worse, then he is said to be a master of himself.

The lowest bodily pleasures are a sphere in which this virtue of self-control is specially displayed; that is those bodily pleasures which the other animals share with man and which are consequently shown to be slavish and brutal— pleasure of touch and taste. It is manifest that in order to be a virtuous man at all one must at least have control over one’ s own appetites. When this virtue is illuminated by the gospel its meaning is inten­sified. Its sphere is not confined to the lowest sensual en­joyments, self-mastery with regard to such things is still included; but other things are included also. There is a spiritual frenzy, and there are spiritual self-indulgencies anal­ogous to spiritual madness and there are spiritual self-indul­gencies analogous to bodily indulgence. For these things self-mastery is needed.]fierce,—[In this resembling savages and wild beasts, the denial of godliness ending in their having no power over their angry passions.]no lovers of good,—Hostile to every good thought and work.2 Timothy 3:4traitors,—Those ready to betray any person or trust com­mitted to their keeping.

Treason has been in all ages regarded as one of the worst crimes that man can commit.headstrong,—[Stubbornly bent on pursuing one’ s own plans or accomplishing one’ s own ends; obstinate; willful, ungov­ernable.]puffed up,—[Self-conceit, like smoke without substance, puffed out into great volume, envelops and blinds them, dis­torting and magnifying their views of themselves as compared with others.]lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;—More ready to follow sensual pleasures than to follow the law of God. [They are people who would make any sacrifice to procure a fleeting pleasure and who would give nothing up in order to do honor to the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. The sorrowful catalogue which has just passed before our minds began with “ lovers of self,” that unhappy vice which excludes all love for others, closes with the lovers of pleasure which shuts out all love of God.]2 Timothy 3:5holding a form of godliness,—All who so live while claim­ing to be Christians have the “ form,” the profession of godli­ness, while they fail to live according to its laws. [Keeping up a show by formally keeping the Lord’ s appointment, but renouncing its power and influence over the heart and life; showing openly that they neither acknowledge its guidance or even wish to do so.

These claiming to be Christians, wearing the name of Christ, but by their lives denouncing his name, do the gravest injury to his cause. Another shameful catalogue of vices Paul gives (Romans 1:28-32), but in that passage he points to the sins of heathenism. Here he describes the characteristics of a class of people who went under the name of Christ.]but having denied the power thereof:—They deny its power by failing to let its spirit dwell in their hearts, and its laws rule in their lives. Anyone denies the power of godliness when he professes to honor God, but refuses to obey his command­ments.from these also turn away.—These persons who, while pre­tending to serve the Lord, lived the degraded life of the heathen were to be shunned. No friendly intercourse was pos­sible between the hypocrite and the devoted Christian. It was a declaration that they had in vain exhausted all scriptural means to save him before withdrawing; now this is the last resort.

Deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that he may be saved. If they have followed the law of God in the steps leading to it, their action has the full sanction of the divine law, and their act is the act of God himself.

A man excluded by a church acting according to the divine law is excluded by God himself and without repentance as surely damned as he will be when God says, “ I never knew you: depart from me.” The churches and individuals come to regard this act too lightly. But the letter and spirit of God’ s law should be followed in trying to save the sinner. When this is done, it is an awful sentence of God himself as to his condition.2 Timothy 3:6 For of these are they that creep into houses,—The men with these unworthy characters are described as insinuating themselves into the homes of the Christians, and their influ­ence must have been great, and the church suffered much. The power they acquired over women of this type was great, and their influence abounded everywhere in the apostolic age.and take captive silly women—These hypocritical men busied themselves in securing popularity among the women of the church. The way by which this was accomplished was by easing their guilty consciences.laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,—[As if sins were heaped upon them. Their consciences were oppressed with sins, and in this morbid state they lay open to the insidious attacks of these corrupt men who promise them ease of con­science if they will follow them.] Those who reject the truth of God and are not subject to his authority are slaves of sin and are led into the excesses and immoralities of lust.2 Timothy 3:7ever learning,—Those who reject the authority of Jesus Christ and the law of God as the standard of right have no standard, and so led by their selfish desires and lusts are always reasoning, always speculating, and always learning.and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.—Because they reject the only standard by which to determine the truth— the word of God. [As there lies in the womanly character the foundation for the highest development of the power of faith, so also for the highest revelation of the power of sin.]2 Timothy 3:8 And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses,—These names are not mentioned elsewhere by name in the Bible.

They are supposed by early Jewish writers to have been the magicians in Egypt that wrought wonders before Pharaoh when Moses performed his miracles to cause him to let the Israelites go. They used these magical arts to with­stand Moses and prevent the delivery of Israel from Egypt.so do these also withstand the truth;—So did these men who now opposed Paul and sought to destroy his influence.

Prob­ably they used some magical powers to deceive the people with the idea that they exerted miraculous powers as well as Paul and others of the inspired men. God sometimes per­mitted evil men to manifest wonder-working power from the devil which his servants wrought for him.men corrupted in mind,—They were men who had once been Christians, but had become corrupt in mind and were enemies of the truth. reprobate concerning the faith.—Their faith had become so perverted by sin that God condemned it as unworthy, leading to ruin instead of salvation. It is possible for man to believe that Jesus is the Christ and yet his faith is so mixed up with error that it will not lead to salvation. This may mean that they are so given over to sin that they lose the ability to dis­tinguish between good and evil.2 Timothy 3:9 But they shall proceed no further:—They shall proceed in their wicked course no longer. [After the apostle had pointed out the fearful ravages in the Ephesian church by the evil men, he proceeds to comfort Timothy with the assurance that, great as the mischief accomplished was, it should proceed no further. To human eyes such a state of things as here de­scribed would appear desperate. It was as though a deadly and incurable disease was eating away the life of the whole body of believers, but Timothy need not fear— the evil would be allowed to reach a certain point.

Since Paul thus wrote the same prophecy, not only at Ephesus, but in numerous other churches, has been fulfilled to the very letter. Still the same old foes under new leaders make havoc of the church.

But, as a rule, they never advance beyond a certain point, and after all the centuries the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is still full of faith and life, bright, too, in spite of all the discourage­ments and the perpetual presence of these treacherous men with promise for future triumphs.]for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.—Moses exposed the folly of Jannes and Jambres, and Paul will do the same to those perverters of the faith and bring their evil ways to an end. Adam Clarke says: “ As the Scriptures are the only rule of morals and doctrine, and shall ever be preserved, so sooner or later all false doctrines shall be tried by them; and the folly of men setting up their wisdom against the wisdom of God must become manifest to all. False doctrine cannot prevail long where the sacred Scriptures are read and studied. Error prevails only where the book of God is withheld from the people.”2 Timothy 3:10 But thou didst follow my teaching,—Timothy followed the instruction given by Paul with full sympathy and approval. The reference is to Timothy’ s conversion of which the teach­ing, life, and sufferings of Paul were the means through which it was brought about. No other man knew the history of Paul’ s life like Timothy, who had been carefully trained to assist in carrying on the Lord’ s work after Paul should be removed.

This earnest appeal to Timothy’ s recollection of the past was for two distinct purposes: (1) it was to contrast the life of Paul, with which Timothy was so well acquainted, with the lives of the false teachers who were engaged in the destructive work in the Ephesian church; and (2) his memory of Paul and his devoted and self-sacrificing service of the Lord to stir Timothy to greater zeal in faithfulness in service to the Lord regardless of the cost of suffering and persecution in contending “ earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3.)conduct,—Timothy had modeled his life after that of Paul’ s in teaching, fidelity to God, his long-suffering and bearing op­position, and his love and patience under all the suffering brought upon him.purpose,—This refers to Paul’ s steadfast purpose to devote himself without reserve to the ministry of the gospel, to which the Lord had called him.faith,—In the sense of fidelity to God; but probably to be taken in the usual sense of trust in God’ s word as an actuating principle of life taking God at his word.longsuffering,—Long-suffering toward his many bitter ad­versaries, especially toward those of his own countrymen. In spite of all that unwearied, sleepless persecution which he endured at the hands of the Jews, he loved Israel to the end with a love as intense as it was changeless.love,—It was with eager efforts that he ever sought to realize the wonderful grace of love by resisting temptations to any course of conduct that would hinder it and by using every opportunity to further it.patience,—Paul bore patiently all things that came upon him.

It is among the chief virtues and describes one who has been tested and who cannot be swerved from his course by any opposition or suffering. Jesus forewarned his disciples that they would have much to endure and had strengthened them by the promise that he who endured to the end would be saved. (Matthew 10:22.)2 Timothy 3:11persecutions, sufferings;—[Not only were his plans foiled, his hopes baffled, his friends alienated through the per­sistent enmity of his opponents, but bodily sufferings were in­flicted on him— stoning, scourging, long imprisonments were among the repeated sufferings he endured for his Master’s sake.]what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra;—He recalls the persecutions and afflictions he had endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. These were neighboring cities. Timothy was reared at Lystra and was no doubt acquainted with the facts, which are as follows: “ The Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.” (Acts 13:50.) “ And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them, they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: and there they preached the gospel.” (Acts 14:5-7.) When these persecutions occurred, Timothy may not have been a member of the church, but lived at Lystra, and knew of them, and at a subsequent visit of Paul and Silas became a com­panion of Paul and Silas. (Acts 16:11.)what persecutions I endured:—Timothy was acquainted with the facts of Paul’ s persecutions, and he mentions them to encourage him in his work and to strengthen him for the trials which would certainly come upon him in his work.and out of them all the Lord delivered me.—[He was cared for by the Lord, who said: “ All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18), to whom he belonged to order the earthly destiny of his servants. The Lord, who had more work for him to do, delivered him out of the hands of his enemies— gave him up to friends when he was left for dead by his enemies.]2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.—From this consideration of his own suf­ferings and afflictions for Christ’ s sake, he lays down this proposition. This truth is universal.

A man that is faithful to God in all things will be opposed and persecuted. The persecution takes different forms in different ages and coun­tries.

Sometimes it is ridicule, oppositions of various kinds. Even the light-minded and those in the church who lack devo­tion. and earnestness will ridicule, oppose, and persecute those who seek to live and lead others to pure, holy, godly lives. There is an antagonism between the flesh and the desires of the spirit, so they oppose.[It is the duty of the Christian so to teach and to live as to commend himself to everyone in the sight of God, as Paul says: “ But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’ s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2), and thus compel the inward respect of even wicked men for his sincerity and consistency; but a decided, earnest Christian spirit and life will always evoke some form of opposition from the ungodly.]2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse,—Men who are given over to evil themselves and who beguile and lead others into sin wax worse and worse. There is no standing still morally or religiously. If a man is not improv­ing, he is going backward. If he is going downward, he grows worse and worse every day he follows this course.deceiving and being deceived.—One who starts out in a wrong course that seeks to deceive others deceives himself worse than he does others.

As a rule, men deceive themselves as to their own course and character more than they deceive their fellow men. When one imagines he gains anything by deceiving others, he badly deceives himself.

When a man wrongs another, he commits a greater wrong against himself. [He who perverts the truth in the very act destroys his own power to see the truth and opens his soul to the influx of error.]2 Timothy 3:14 But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,—Paul had been Timothy’ s spiritual father and chief teacher in the gospel. He taught under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and always maintained the divine authority of that teaching, and reminded him to continue in this teaching, which he had learned, and of which he had been assured by the spiritual power manifested to confirm them. This course would make Timothy grow better, wiser and wiser, in contrast with the evil men who wax worse and worse.knowing of whom thou hast learned them;—This refers to Paul, from whom Timothy had heard the gospel, as he had learned the Scriptures of the Old Testament from his mother and grandmother.2 Timothy 3:15and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writ­ings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation—[These words are corrective and explanatory of the foregoing asser­tion, indicating the only means whereby the salvation in ques­tion can be attained; provided we superadd faith in Christ Jesus, who is “ the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10:4.) Thus we are drawn from the letter of the law to its spirit in the gospel. (John 5:39-40; John 5:46.) The apostle here grants that the Old Testament Scriptures were able to make him wise unto salvation, but he adds]:through faith which is in Christ Jesus.—[Wherefore, with­out the teaching of the New Testament that Christ hath wrought the redemption of the world, which redemption the Old Testament did foreshow he should work, it is not the Old Testament alone which can perform so much as Paul claims who presupposes this when he magnifies that so highly. Of the intent of the Old Testament as compared with that of the New Testament, the general end of both is one, the dif­ference between them consisting in this: the Old Testament did make wise by teaching salvation through the Messiah that should come; the New Testament, by teaching that Christ the Savior is come, and that Jesus, whom the Jews did crucify and whom God did raise again from the dead, is he.]2 Timothy 3:16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable—There have been doubts as to the proper translation of this sentence, but the translations— King James and the American Standard— make no material difference in the meaning. The two Ver­sions give the point in the difference of translation. One says: “ All scripture” (the Old Testament Scripture), referred to in verse 15, that had made Timothy wise unto salvation, “ is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable.” The other says: “ Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable.” They both declare the Scriptures of God that had gone before were profitable to the man of God— him who believed in Christ Jesus— for teaching.

The same thing is in the following: “ Now these things hap­pened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11.)for teaching,—The man of God can find teaching and exam­ple, warning and instruction in God’ s dealings with the Jewish people to help him in every temptation and trial through which he is called to pass.for reproof,—For reproving mistakes and wrongs in our­selves and others.for correction,—The Scripture is perceived as the rule of faith, convicting of error and guiding to truth.for instruction which is in righteousness:—The Scripture trains by guiding and inspiring the soul in holiness and right living. These instructions are given as in accordance with the will of God as revealed through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit.2 Timothy 3:17that the man of God may be complete, furnished com­pletely unto every good work.—The teachings of Jesus and the apostles, in connection with examples, teachings, and the warnings of the Old Testament Scriptures, are suffi­cient to make the man of God perfect— perfect him in the knowledge of God’ s will as revealed through Jesus Christ.

Man should not treat the New Testament requirements in a way he does not find authority for treating them in the Old Testament. As God punished for disobeying, rejecting, turn­ing aside, adding to or going beyond the requirements of the Old Testament, so he will punish for a similar course toward the requirements of the New Testament. As he blessed for faithful and trusting obedience to the Old Testament, so he will bless for faithful requirements of the New Testament. Verse 1 2nd Timothy Chapter Three Verse 1 This chapter has a vivid description of the great apostasy (2 Timothy 3:1-9), signs of which were already present, an appeal to Paul’s own inspiring and inspired example (2 Timothy 3:10-15), and one of the most impressive paragraphs in all the Bible with reference to the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). For more extensive discussion of the apostasy, the man of sin, and antichrist, see excursus at end of 2 Thessalonians 2. But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. See 2 Timothy 3:1. Know this … “Be keeping this in mind."[1]In the last days … It is a mistake to identify this period as restricted to times immediately prior to the Second Advent; because, as the passage itself shows, examples of the grievous times were plentiful at the time Paul wrote. Wesley said, “This means the times of the gospel dispensation."[2] As Spain pointed out, “The word here is the same as in Acts 2:17 where Peter refers to the Christian age or the age of the church on earth."[3] “The days of the Messiah are often alluded to by the Hebrew prophets as `the last days’ (Isaiah 2:2; Hosea 3:5; Micah 4:1)."[4]Grievous times … Although perhaps a better rendition than “perilous times,” as in KJV, scholars seem to be agreed that the word actually means “hard times”[5] or times of stress. [1] Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies from the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1973), p. 143. [2] John Wesley, Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1972), in loco. [3] Carl Spain, Commentary on 1,2Timothy and Titus (Austin, Texas: R.B. Sweet, 1970), p. 138. [4] H. D. M. Spence, Ellicott’s Commentary on the Holy Bible, Vol. VIII(Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970), p. 232. [5] Kenneth S. Wuest, op. cit., p. 143. Verse 2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,There are many such lists of sins in Paul’s writings; and none of them is exhaustive or complete. What is given here in the twenty earmarks of an apostate world is a general description of the type of characters meant. Lovers of self … Self-love is pride, selfishness and a total unawareness of God; and the other sins enumerated actually derive from this basic root of all wickedness. Lovers of money … The Pharisees who crucified Jesus were described by the gospel of Luke as “lovers of money”; and, in all ages, the money-lovers have never stopped crucifying the Son of God. The New Testament describes covetousness as idolatry, and so it is (Luke 16:14). Boastful, haughty, railers … What a graphic picture of the unregenerated opponent of the truth is this! The words hardly need any explanation. Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy … The breakdown of family discipline, the graceless and ungrateful behavior of spoiled and undisciplined children which inevitably follows, and the gross wickedness that inevitably derives from such conditions are characteristic of the current history of our times; but in various degrees these sins have always been present in our society. Paul’s teaching is that the intensification and proliferation of these shall indeed mark the final apostasy. Verse 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,Without natural affection … This refers to the unnatural child which does not love the parents, or to mothers who do not love their children, or to any person without the basic affections which are the glue which holds the social order together. As Lipscomb said, “The affection here is common to every class of brutes; consequently, men and women without it are worse than brutes."[6]Implacable … is the attitude of a person unwilling to make a truce or to agree to peace under any circumstance, a vicious fighter who fights for the sheer enjoyment of it. Slanderers … The Greek word here is [@diabolos], one of the names of Satan, and has the literal meaning of “false-accusers."[7]Without self-control … Some of the older translations render this “incontinent,” thus restricting the meaning to sexual laxity; but much more is meant. The persons noted here have no restraint or self-control in anything, none of their ambitions, passions, lusts, appetites or desires being under any discipline whatever. Fierce … is also rendered “savage.” No lovers of good … The natural animosity of darkness against the light, of wickedness against righteousness, of error against truth, etc., is the mark of these. “The wolves always hate the sheep.” [6] David Lipscomb, New Testament Commentaries, 2Timothy (Nashville: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1976), p. 228. [7] E. M. Zerr, Bible Commentary (Marion, Indiana: Cogdill Foundation, 1954), p. 194. Verse 4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;Traitors … Every selfish, undisciplined person exhibiting the qualities Paul was describing is at heart a traitor to all that is good and holy, every one of them a potential Judas instantly ready to betray the holiest for self-gratification. Headstrong, puffed up … How Paul piled word upon word in this graphic composite of the wicked person. Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God … Is this two qualities, or one? It makes no difference; because lovers of pleasure, unless such love is renounced, will inevitably find themselves drifting away from the Lord. Whether or not SINFUL pleasures is meant here is not stated, because the words apply to all pleasures, even those which in themselves may be said to be innocent and harmless. The love of pleasures has the potential of robbing the soul of its love of the Lord. In the parable of the sower, it will be remembered that the cares and riches and pleasures were the thorns that choked out the word. Ward noted that this expression is a well-known figure of speech, meiosis, or understatement for the sake of emphasis. “In literal fact, they always please themselves and do not love God at all!"[8]ENDNOTE: [8] Ronald A. Ward, Commentary on 1,2Timothy and Titus (Waco: Word Books, Publisher, 1974), p. 188. Verse 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.The fact of the gross sinners described here “holding a form of godliness” identifies this particular discussion of the apostasy as descriptive of the inner character of many in the apostate religion that shall characterize the last days. Outsiders are not primarily in view here, but those who hold a form of godliness. “Paul here described a class of people who went under the name of Christ."[9] Hervey quoted Alford thus, “This command shows that the apostle treats the symptoms of the last times as in some respects present."[10] This ought not to be surprising, however, for in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul also represented the “spirit of lawlessness” as already working. Neither passage may be pressed into service for the support of the noxious error that Paul expected the Second Advent in his own days. Note also the powerful implication of this passage regarding the “power” of the form of godliness, a power denied by the evil behavior of some, but nevertheless a power resident in the form of holy religion itself. “Genuine Christians must also be professing Christians."[11] The very ordinances of holy religion are power-laden; they are not mere symbols. Many today hold to such forms but in a positive unbelief of the gospel as a regenerating force. The admonition here is not to leave off the forms of the gospel, but not to deny the power of them through godless living. Gould has a very perceptive passage on this, as follows: This is not intended to suggest that true religion is formless. Indeed form and power are not natural enemies or mutually exclusive. In fact, there must be a marriage between form and power if the worship of God is to be the thing of grace and beauty that God desires.[12]From these also turn away … Lipscomb and DeWelt believed that here is apostolic authority for withdrawal, or excommunication of gross sinners. De Welt said, “Here is the reason for withdrawal of fellowship."[13] True as this assuredly is in many instances, Paul was here speaking of the general apostasy in which evil souls would themselves be in control of the visible machinery of the church; and the thought seems to be directed to the proposition that the true Christian should himself turn away from the corrupt majority. There have been many historical examples of that situation.

This is no less difficult to do than the other. When one becomes convinced that a whole communion of professing Christians has so far departed from the word of God that he must turn away from them, the social consequences can be very unpleasant. [9] David Lipscomb, op. cit., p. 229. [10] A. C. Hervey, The Pulpit Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), Vol. 21,2Timothy, p. 41. [11] Newport J. D. White, Expositor’s Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967), Vol. IV, p. 171. [12] J. Glenn Gould, Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. IX (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1969), p. 648. Verse 6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,“One of the great virtues of womanhood, namely, that of trusting another, is here turned into a weakness by Satan. Eve was deceived. Adam sinned with his eyes wide open."[14] Paul did not say that all women were capable of being so deceived, but a certain class, present in every society; and as Ward said, “They are fruit waiting to be plucked by a `nice man’ with a novelty!"[15]The notorious Manson, sentenced by the State of California for murder, was supported and maintained by a small company of women whom he had deceived; and there has hardly been a charlatan in all history whose modus operandi failed to exhibit this same device. A similar deception was perpetrated against Patricia Hearst. [13] Don DeWelt, Paul’s Letters to Timothy and Titus (Joplin, Missouri: College Press, 1961), p. 237. [14] Kenneth S. Wuest, op. cit., p. 146. [15] Ronald A. Ward, op. cit., p. 190. Verse 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.Ever learning … That is, “Ever learning new things, but never learning the word of God."[16] There is a type of person, by no means restricted to women, who is always seeking novelty, something new and different, such persons having never learned to “Ask for the old paths, where is the good way” (Jeremiah 6:16). ENDNOTE: [16] John Wesley, op. cit., in loco. Verse 8 And even Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.Jannes and Jambres … These were the evil magicians who withstood Moses during his appearances before Pharaoh; and Paul’s identification of them here is the very earliest mention of these names which has descended to us through history. That these names have appeared in later Jewish writings in slightly different form is not a reflection against Paul, but against those writings. Though their names are not in the Old Testament, the works of these impostors are recorded in Exodus 7:11 Exodus 9:11. They could indeed counterfeit some of the miracles of Moses; but in others their weak pretensions were exposed, and their folly became evident to all. For example, when Moses cast down his rod and it became a serpent, the magicians also produced serpents; but all of their serpents were swallowed up by the serpent that came from the rod of Moses.

At any time in history when the grace of God is very active, Satan always responds with his own brand of wonders. When the Holy Spirit in the Person of Christ dwelt on earth, Satan entered the arena with demon possession; the “lying miracles” of the apostate church are another example. Reprobate concerning the faith … This indicates that the evil men Paul spoke of had once been in the faith but had fallen away from it. “The faith” is understood subjectively in this place by some; but as Lenski wisely observed: The Lord has not supplied us with a touchstone that may be applied to men’s hearts; but he has supplied us with his word, thereby to test all that men offer as “the faith” or doctrine.[17]ENDNOTE: [17] R. C. H. Lenski, Interpretations of St. Paul’s Epistles … 2Timothy (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1964), p. 828. Verse 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.They shall proceed no further … has the meaning that all the devices of evil opponents shall be unable to checkmate or foil the truth. As Hervey put it, “Heresies shall not prevail against the truth."[18]Their folly shall be evident to all men … This is certain to be true eventually, even if, for some great length of time, the heretical teaching seems to prevail (Revelation 6:12-17). ENDNOTE: [18] A. C. Hervey, op. cit., p. 41. Verse 10 But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,In this and the following verse Paul listed ten aspects of his own life which he was leaving to Timothy as an example of faithful conduct. As Spain said, “They serve as a sort of check list for Timothy to use as he reflects on his close companionship with Paul through the years."[19]Much could be said about every one of these words; but perhaps the big lesson may be found in their order. As always, Paul put first. Other things are important, but the true doctrine is the most important of all. Without exception, Paul stressed the doctrine, then the pragmatic teaching derived from it. None of his major epistles departs from this order: doctrine first, then the practical admonitions. This needs to be pondered by some current preachers who boast that they do not preach doctrine; in reply to which it might be stated that if one does not preach doctrine he does not preach the gospel Paul preached. Thou didst follow … A marvelous compliment to Timothy is inherent in this. As Ward noted, the meaning is, “You, in contrast to the false teachers."[20] Through a long time, Timothy had been given every opportunity to listen and to observe Paul’s life and teachings, finding absolutely nothing in either that was inconsistent with the whole; and therefore he had wholeheartedly followed the blessed apostle’s example. [19] Carl Spain, op. cit., p. 145. [20] Ronald A. Ward, op. cit., p. 194. Verse 11 persecutions, sufferings; what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: and out of them all the Lord delivered me.At Antioch … Any forger, writing at a later date, would certainly have specified which Antioch he meant; but Paul, writing to one who was there when it all happened, had no such need, providing inadvertently a convincing mark of the genuineness of this epistle. It was of course Antioch of Pisidia, not of Syria. Of Paul’s almost innumerable hardships and persecutions, he chose here exactly those with which Timothy was familiar. Acts 13 and Acts 14 record the events mentioned here, as well as Timothy’s connection with them. Rather than recounting again all of the persecutions endured by the apostle, we should dwell upon the lesson which he advanced on the basis of them, namely, that the Lord had stood by him and delivered him out of every one of them. This, of course, was intended to arm Timothy to the utmost during the persecutions which were certain to descend upon him also. Verse 12 Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.The absence of persecution, in any active sense, from the lives of most Christians of this era is generally due to the watered-down version of their Christianity and not to any subsidence of the savage hatred of the darkness for the light. Besides that, persecutions today are manifested much more indirectly. Promotions are withheld, invitations are denied, and a snickering unpopularity are the daily portion of many precious souls working in a hostile, atheistic environment. Given the right conditions, such oppositions would be just as deadly as the great Roman persecutions. Why does the world hate Christians? “Because ye are not of the world … therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19; Matthew 10:22 Matthew 10:38-39). In the light of this warning from the Saviour, no Christian should be surprised at persecution. The doctrine of the necessity of persecution was no new thing to Paul. Luke recorded the very words spoken on the mission field long ago, “Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22); and, in the words of White, “Consistency in the life of Christ must necessarily be always opposed by the world."[21] See also under 1 Thessalonians 3:3. ENDNOTE: [21] Newport J. D. White, op. cit., p. 173. Verse 13 But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.Sin, like cancer and certain other diseases, is progressive, becoming worse and worse in each succeeding stage. As Christ is received and honored, here and there, upon the earth, rampant wickedness appears to subside and diminish; but with every relaxation of the Christian ethic, a new wave of terror follows. Verse 14 But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;“The Latin translations blunder here,"[22] making the meaning to be that tradition and Scripture (which really means tradition superimposed upon Scripture) are both basically authoritative; but as Hendriksen declared: It is clear that those who nurtured Timothy are not viewed as independent authorities apart from the word, but as secondary and intermediate sources of knowledge, and even this only because they had accepted Scripture![23]It is true of all men who have the good fortune to come from godly homes, that the teaching and example of Christian parents is a priceless advantage; but such parents always teach their children that the authority is not in themselves but in the word of the Lord. Still, there was powerful motivation for Timothy in that three generations of his family had accepted Scriptural authority, consenting to walk in the light of it; and in this probably lies the reason for Paul’s appeal here. [22] Ibid., p. 174. [23] William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary, 2Timothy (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1957), p. 296. Verse 15 and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.From a babe … This is hyperbolic, and, as White said, “Timothy could not recall a period when he had not known the sacred writings. This is the force of the hyperbole."[24]The sacred writings … In the next verse, Paul used the word “Scripture.” Why the distinction? Paul did this for the simple reason that he wishes to draw a distinction between the Old Testament (2 Timothy 3:15) and has a right to be called divinely inspired Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). The latter comprises more than the former.[25]The earnest conviction of this writer supports Hendriksen’s comment on this, and no objections to it have any weight against it. Scholars agree that this verse applies to the Old Testament, but the error comes when some of them also refer 2 Timothy 3:16 to the Old Testament, on the premise that the New Testament at the time of Paul’s writing had not been written. Nevertheless, a great deal of the New Testament had indeed already been written. In fact every book of the New Testament preceding 2Timothy, of which there are no less than fifteen, had already been in circulation for a period of time covering up to three decades! Indeed some of the New Testament was to come subsequently to the publication of 2Timothy, but as regards the central message of the New Testament, it had already been published for decades; besides that, Paul left room here for whatever writings in the future might qualify as Scripture.

Also, the notion that Paul did not consider his own writings as Scripture is also false. Time and again in his epistles, he used the ancient formula of the prophets of God, “thus saith the Lord,” or “He saith,” as in Ephesians 4:8 Ephesians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:15, etc. Therefore, 2 Timothy 3:15 refers to the Old Testament, and 2 Timothy 3:16 refers to the New Testament, in addition to and inclusive of the Old Testament, thus, to both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Zerr accepted this understanding of the passage, thus, “2 Timothy 3:16 means both the Old and New Testament as to their divine source."[26] As Ward said, “(2 Timothy 3:16) can be interpreted as covering the New Testament as well as the Old."[27]Able to make wise unto salvation … The Old Testament was able to do this, because therein were contained the prophecies which pointed out and identified the Messiah when he came into the world. Only in this sense could the Old Testament make one wise unto salvation, as Paul immediately added in the qualifying clause, “Through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Through faith which is in Christ Jesus … This clause is interesting in that it defines the arena where the faith that saves is operative, giving a concise definition of what “faith in Christ” actually means. It has no reference to the subjective trust/faith of believers, but means faithful adherence to the teachings of Christ, true fidelity, exercised by one who is in Christ. Thus, people who have not accepted the gospel by being baptized “into Christ” may indeed have faith “out of Christ” (that being where they are), but not “faith in Christ,” no matter what professions of faith may be enunciated. [24] Newport J. D. White, op. cit., p. 174. [25] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 300. [26] E. M. Zerr, op. cit., p. 197. [27] Ronald A. Ward, op. cit., p. 200. Verse 16 Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness:There are two ways of rendering this verse, as seen by a glance at the KJV, compared to this. Every Scripture that is inspired of God (ASV). All scripture is given by the inspiration of God (KJV). Many scholars such as Lenski and Lipscomb insist that there is no difference in the meaning of these renditions; but such a viewpoint has always been a mystery to this writer. The passages simply do not say the same thing. “The first of these renderings necessarily implies that there are some Scriptures which are not inspired”;[28] and, in context, it is impossible to suppose that Paul meant to imply that. All Scripture …In distinction from the “sacred writings” (2 Timothy 3:15), “all Scripture” here means everything which, through the testimony of the Holy Spirit in the church, is recognized by the church as canonical. When Paul wrote these words, the direct reference was to a body of sacred literature which even then contained more than the Old Testament.[29]Is inspired of God … The Greek words here are “God-breathed,” meaning that the canonical writings are absolutely trustworthy. The great prophecies of the New Testament have been and are being fulfilled. Every line of it has stood the test of centuries, shattered every attack of evil men, and yet stands enshrined in the hearts of millions as God’s saving word for lost men. Profitable for teaching … If the church would prosper, let it teach the word of Scripture, for there is no profit in the postulations of men. For reproof … Only the Christian morality is the true ethic governing human behavior. The pre-Christian Gentiles forsook God, and the result was the near-universal debauchery of the human race. There can be no doubt that forsaking the New Testament ethics on such things as adultery, homosexuality, drunkenness, etc., if persisted in, will have the same final result. For correction, for instruction … Such uses as these could not be attributed to human works; therefore, it is in view of the holy inspiration of the Bible that Paul was able to add this and 2 Timothy 3:17. [28] A. C. Hervey, op. cit., p. 43. [29] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 301. Verse 17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.The man of God here is not merely Timothy. “Man” is generic and means “human being.” All persons who walk in the way of God are made complete and completely furnished unto every good work by the Holy Scriptures. As Lenski said: The value of these two verses (2 Timothy 3:16-17) is beyond question. It is a proof passage for verbal inspiration and for much more besides. As a proof passage it is outstanding and yet forms only a part of the entire volume of proof and evidence for verbal inspiration. It is one of the peaks in the Rocky Mountain range that establishes “The Impregnable Rock of Holy Scripture” (Gladstone) as inspired.[30]Before leaving this incredibly important passage, we shall explore a little further the Scriptural evidence bearing upon the subject of . THE OF THE BIBLEFirst of all, and most importantly, our Lord himself believed in the inspiration of the Old Testament. Matthew 4:4 ff. Our Lord, the Redeemer and Saviour of the human race, in his confrontation with the prince of evil at the time of Jesus’ great temptation, turned aside every thrust of Satan with the words, “It is written … it is written … and again it is written.” Is it possible to believe that the Lord of Life in such a confrontation would have appealed to a book that was merely human, fallible or untrustworthy? Matthew 19:5 ff. “God (he who created man) said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, etc.” Jesus said this, thus attributing the authorship of Genesis to the Creator of the world. John 10:34-36. In this passage, Jesus referred to the Old Testament as “your law … the Scriptures … the word of God,” adding that “the Scriptures cannot be broken.” Matthew 22:29. Jesus attributed the ignorance of the Sadducees to the fact of their not “knowing the Scriptures.” Luke 24:25. Jesus denounced as “foolish” those who did not “believe all” that stands in the Scripture. Jesus frequently explained occurrences as coming to pass “that the Scriptures might be fulfilled” (Mark 14:49; John 13:18 John 17:12; Mark 12:13, etc.), indicating his utmost confidence that everything in the holy Scriptures would indeed be fulfilled. Of course, as Warfield said, Jesus made such appeals upon the basis “of his ascription of it (the Bible) to God as the author of it."[31]Secondly, the holy apostles implicitly believed in the total accuracy, infallibility and inspiration of the sacred Scriptures, further proof that Jesus was also the source of that belief; for it is inconceivable that they would have believed such a thing unless it had been taught to them by the Master. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. See discussion above. 2 Peter 1:21. “But no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” This passage says all that Paul said in the passage above. Furthermore, “prophecy” must be understood in the sense of “all scripture” and not limited to predictive elements. The source of Scripture is God; Scriptures were spoken by man indeed; but the men who spoke it spoke “from God.” The total preaching of the apostles was geared to the conviction that the gospel they delivered was prophetically unfolded in the Old Testament. The death, burial and resurrection of Christ were “according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). When Judas betrayed the Lord, it was “because it is written” (Acts 1:20). The Bereans were “more noble” because they tested even the preaching of apostles “searching the Scriptures to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Dozens of other examples could be cited, every one of which testifies to the apostolic confidence in the inspiration of the Old Testament (and of the New Testament as well). This same certainty of its inspiration pertains also to the New Testament. We have already observed Paul’s frequent use of the ancient formula “He saith,” or simply “Saith” in the Greek to introduce sections of his own writings (Romans 15:10; 1 Corinthians 6:16; 2 Corinthians 6:2;Galatians 3:16; Ephesians 4:8 Ephesians 5:14, etc.). Warfield noted that “saith,” standing without the pronoun in the writing of the apostles always meant “God saith.” “For who could be the speaker of the words of Scripture but God only?"[32] How deplorable it is, therefore, that some commentators and translators supply the pronoun “it” (meaning the Old Testament); and then when they cannot find the passage Paul “quoted,” they accuse him of garbling or misquotation! when the truth is that Paul was writing, not quoting Scripture. Paul possibly referred to Luke’s gospel in 2 Timothy 2:8; and in 1 Timothy 5:18 he certainly quoted from Luke 10:7. Likewise Peter recognized the inspiration of Paul’s writings even regarding some things “hard to be understood” (2 Peter 3:16). Our Lord made an argument for immortality and the resurrection to depend upon a single word, the verb “I AM,” and the tense of it at that. Paul also made an argument relative to the whole Christian religion on a single word, the noun “seed,” and the number of it! Those who believe in the Lord and his holy apostles have no trouble whatever with the doctrine of inspiration, despite there being many things concerning it which we shall never be able to understand. Regarding the inspiration of the New Testament, Jesus promised the apostles, “It is not ye that speak but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you” (Matthew 10:10), and also that “he (the Spirit) will bring to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26), and that “he will teach you all things” (John 14:26), and that “he will guide you unto all truth” (John 16:13), and that “he will declare unto you the things that are to come” (John 16:13). The consent of Christians in all ages has viewed these expressions as certification of New Testament inspiration, a fact attested by the apostolic writings having been bound (in the form of the New Testament) to the Old Testament which preceded it, thus forming the Bible, all of which is inspired. Unintentionally, the enemies of the New Testament are themselves a witness in favor of its inspiration, because of the inordinate amount of time and effort expended by them in their vain efforts to discredit even a single line of it. Why do they not spend similar time and energies in efforts to prove the Declaration of Independence, the Magna Carta, or the works of William Shakespeare to be forgeries, fraudulent or unreliable? Simply because they know instinctively that the New Testament is the word of God, therefore far more important, and much more challenging to their evil genius. [30] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 848. [31] Benjamin B. Warfield, ISBE, Vol. III, p. 1477.

“THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY”

Chapter Three

IN THIS CHAPTER

1. To learn about the moral decline that will occur in the last days

2. To appreciate the value of all Scripture, including the Old Testament

SUMMARY From exhortations to steadfast service in the first two chapters, Paul now proceeds to offer exhortations to sound doctrine in this chapter and into the next. He warns of perilous times to come in the last days, describing the condition of the people during these times. Such people Timothy was to turn away from, for they would be just like Jannes and Jambres who resisted Moses in the Old Testament (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

Reminding Timothy of how he had carefully followed Paul’s doctrine and manner of life up to that point, Paul warns of the persecution to befall those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus. While evil men and impostors will grow worse and deceive many (being deceived themselves), Timothy is exhorted to continue in those things he has learned. Paul has special reference to the Scriptures Timothy had known since childhood, which like all Scripture is inspired of God and has the value of making one wise for the salvation which is by faith in Christ, instructing one in such a way as to make him complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:10-17).

OUTLINE

I. TIMES TO COME (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

A. A OF THESE TIMES (2 Timothy 3:1-5 a)1. They will come in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1) 2. There will be perilous times because of the condition of men (2 Timothy 3:2-5 a) a. Lovers of themselves, lovers of money b. Boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents c. Unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving d. Slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good e. Traitors, headstrong, haughty f. Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God g. Having a form of godliness but denying its power

B. REASONS TO TURN AWAY FROM SUCH PEOPLE (2 Timothy 3:5-9)1. A warning to turn away from such people (2 Timothy 3:5 b) 2. Reasons to do so (2 Timothy 3:6-9) a. For such lead gullible people astray b. For such are always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth c. Just like Jannes and Jambres who resisted Moses…

1. These resist the truth
2. They are men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith
3. They will not progress, and their folly will become manifest to all

II. A OF PAUL’S EXAMPLE (2 Timothy 3:10-13)

A. TIMOTHY HAD PAUL’S AND LIFE (2 Timothy 3:10-11)1. His doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, love, perseverance (2 Timothy 3:11) 2. Even his persecutions and afflictions at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra (2 Timothy 3:11 a) 3. Yet the Lord delivered him out of them all (2 Timothy 3:11 b)

B. EXPECT (2 Timothy 3:12-13)1. For those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12) 2. Evil men and impostors will grow worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13)

III. TO ABIDE IN THE (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

A. IN THE THINGS HE HAD LEARNED (2 Timothy 3:14-15)1. Things he had been assured of, knowing from whom he had learned them (2 Timothy 3:14) 2. In particular that which he learned from childhood, the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15 a) 3. For they are able to make him wise for salvation through faith in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15 b)

B. THE ALL- OF THE (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

1. All scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16 a)
2. It is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 b)
3. So the man of God can be complete, thoroughly complete for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17)

REVIEW FOR THE CHAPTER

1. What are the main points of this chapter?

• Perilous times to come (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
• A reminder of Paul’s example (2 Timothy 3:10-13)
• Exhortation to abide in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

2. When will perilous times come? (2 Timothy 3:1)

• In the last days

3. During these perilous times, what three things will men love? (2 Timothy 3:2-4)

• Themselves, money, and pleasure

4. What sort of godliness will they have? (2 Timothy 3:5)

• Just a form of godliness, denying its power

5. How will such men gain followers? (2 Timothy 3:6)

• Leading gullible women away by various lusts

6. What is said about their learning? (2 Timothy 3:7)

• Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth

7. What two men will these individuals in perilous times be like? (2 Timothy 3:8)

• Jannes and Jambres, who resisted Moses

8. What had Timothy carefully followed in regards to Paul? (2 Timothy 3:10-11)

• His doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions

9. What did Paul say about those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus? (2 Timothy 3:12)

• They will suffer persecution

10. What will happen in regards to evil men and impostors? (13)

• They will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived

11. In what was Timothy to continue? (2 Timothy 3:14)

• The things he had learned and been assured of

12. What had he known from his childhood? (2 Timothy 3:15)

• The Holy Scriptures (i.e., the Old Testament)

13. What was the value of those things he had known since childhood? (2 Timothy 3:15)

• They were able to make him wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus

14. What two things are stated about all scripture? (2 Timothy 3:16)

• Given by inspiration
• Profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness

15. What are the scriptures designed to produce? (2 Timothy 3:17)

• The man of God who is complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work

Questions by E.M. Zerr For 2nd Timothy 31. What kind of times shall come? 2. Point out the prediction of selfishness. 3. And also the lovers of money. 4. Describe evil speaking. 5. State the prediction of self praise. 6. Identify the vain. 7. Which predicted disobedience violates Eph. 6: 1 ? 8. How does he designate the ungrateful? 9. Some shall be without what natural thing? 10. What is a truce-breaker? 11. Show which associates some with the devil. 12. What word violates 1 Thess. 4: 4? 13. Which one violates Titus 1:8? 14. Distinguish between traitors and truce-breakers. 15. Point out a word that violates Eph. 5: 15. 16. Which one is against 1 Tim. 6:4? 17. Is all love of pleasure condemned here? 18. Show how a lawful pleasure may become wrong? 19. How deep is their godliness? 20. What do they deny or disown ? 21. How should Timothy treat all the above? 22. In what manner will this sort operate ? 23. What kind of characters can they influence ? 24. State what they learn and yet do not learn. 25. What is it that renders them “ unable” ? 26. Who were Jannes and Jambres? 27. How did they withstand Moses? 28. What principle are they said to have resisted? 29. How do they stand as to faith? 30. Show the antecedent of each “ their” in verse 9. 31. Compare the lot of their works. 32. What had Timothy fully known about Paul ? 33. In what way could he have learned this? 34. State where Paul suffered these things. 35. What had the Lord done for him in them? 36. Was he alone in endurance of persecutions ? 37. What kind of life will bring persecutions ? 38. Are men to get better or worse? 39. How extensive will be the deception? 40. In what should Timothy continue? 41. What had strengthened his learning? 42. Prom what period had he known the scriptures ? 43. Tell what scriptures are here meant? 44. What are they able to do for him? 45. Through what means will they do this? 46. How wise may he thus become? 47. What portion of this scripture is inspired? 48. Distinguish doctrine, reproof, correction. 49. Whose man will this cause one to be? 50. How well may such a man be equipped?

2 Timothy 3:1

2 Timothy 3:1. Last days. I shall explain these words separately, then comment on the phrase as a whole. The first is from , and Thayer’s general definition is, “Extreme, last in time or in place,” and some variation in shades of meaning must be determined by the connection in which it is used. The second is form HEMERA, and Thayer uses two pages of his lexicon in defining its various meanings. I here give his three outstanding definitions (the words in italics), followed by his explanations of the definitions. “Of the natural day,” then explains. “the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with night.” “The civil day,” and explains, “the space of twenty-four hours (thus including the night).” “The last day of the present age,” and he explains this to mean, “the day in which Christ will return from heaven, raise the dead, hold the final judgment, and perfect his kingdom.” By the last three words is meant the completion of Christ’s personal reign and his delivering it up to his Father (1 Corinthians 15:24).

We should conclude from the various meanings of the separate words, that when combined into a phase, no absolute date or dates can be affirmed as the nes-essary application. The term shall come indicates that Paul is making a prediction and that he is writing of things then in the future. (How far into the future is not shown.) Since about all of the evils named in the chapter have always been committed, we must conclude that they were to become worse, and therein lies the prediction phase of the passage. (See verse 13.) Perilous is from , and Thayer defines it as follows: “Hard to do, to take, to approach; hard to bear, trouble- some, dangerous; fierce, harsh, savage.” Of course these times means certain periods then in the future when the conditions about to be named were to increase upon the world. They were not to come by any decree of God, but would be caused by the actions of men according to the items now to be listed.

2 Timothy 3:2

2 Timothy 3:2. Lovers of their own selves. They will be selfish and interested chiefly in that which gives themselves the enjoyments of life. Such characters will often insist on such gratification even when it causes discomfort to others. Covetous is from , which Thayer defines, “loving money, avaricious.” It is easy to understand how such characters would make it hard for others to get along. Boasters is from ALAZON and Thayer defines it, “an empty pretender, a boaster.” It is unbecoming for a man to manifest the spirit of a boaster, even when he has accomplished something worth while. It is more so when one boasts of some merit that he does not actually have. Proud includes much of the same spirit as the word just explained, and goes further to include an exalting of one’s self above others.

It means a person who is overbearing and shows a “holier-than-thou” attitude toward others. Blasphemers. I can do no better at explaining this word than to quote the definition of the original given by Thayer as follows: “Speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive;” and that of Robinson, “Hurtful to the good name of any one, detractive.” Disobedient to parents. The simple fact of disobedient children was nothing new when Paul wrote this epistle, as may be seen by reading Deuteronomy 21:18; Proverbs 19:18; Hebrews 12:9-11. Hence it is well to consider again the comment at verse 1, that is was the increase of the evils that was predicted. We do not know how soon after Paul’s day this predicted increase began, but we do know that disobedience and other forms of disrespect to parents are rampant today.

However, the children are not the only ones who are responsible for this condition; parents also are to blame. They will throw up their hands in a gesture of despair, and wonder what is to be done about the “problem of the young people,” as if a radical change had come into the natural relation between parents and their offspring.

Nothing of that kind has happened, for the children have always been just as they are now, except that their natural tendency toward disobedience has become worse according to the prediction. The change has come on the part of parents, in that they are too indolent to exercise the discipline they should. This situation is made worse by the modern teaching of public schools, where it is said that the youth should be left to form their own conclusions regarding their personal conduct. They have always wanted to do that, hence it is no new idea. Another thing that encourages this increased rebellion is the daily public press. Many of the “columns” in the papers advocate such notions as “proper handling” of our children.

In some instances, this “advice” comes from persons who never had any children of their own, and may even never have been married. The world would be better off if these features were ruled out of the papers.

Unthankful. Ingratitude is one of the worst characteristics manifested by humanity. Many people will grasp the favors that come within reach, and act as if such things were to be taken for granted, and that the obligations all traveled in one direction. Unholy. This is a general term, and applies to all forms of evil conduct considered in this passage. Any form of un-righteousness may truly be described as unholy.

2 Timothy 3:3

2 Timothy 3:3. Without natural affection. These words all come from the Greek word ASTORGS, and the only other place it is used is in Romans 1:31, and in each place the translation is the same, which is also according to Thayer’s lexicon. The word is derived by inflection from the Greek word STORGE which means “love of kindred,” the inflection giving it a negative meaning. The thought is that children should be inclined to obey their parents from the motive of the close kindred if from no other. But if they do not have such love, that will help to explain their disobedience to parents mentioned in the preceding verse.

Trucebreakers is from the same word as “implacable” in Romans 1:31, and Thayer defines it. “without a treaty or covenant; that cannot be persuaded to enter into a covenant.” Such people are so unwilling to be at peace with others that they will not even talk about “terms” of agreement. False accusers is from which is one of the names or Satan, and is elsewhere translated “devil.” This is an appropriate name since he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Incontinent means “without self-control, intemperate.” Fierce is from a Greek word that is defined “savage” in the lexicon of Thayer. Such a characteristic does not necessarily mean bodily attacks, but is a vicious attitude toward those who oppose their unrighteous ways. Despisers of those that are good. There is no personal pronoun in the original, but:the statement means they despise or belittle anything that is good.

Not being good themselves, they pretend to have no respect for anything that is good.

2 Timothy 3:4

2 Timothy 3:4. Traitors are those who will turn against their best friends if they oppose their evil ways, using underhanded means to overcome them. Heady means to be rash, inclined to plunge forward without “thinking twice before the leap.” Highminded is another word for “proud,” and it is used for those who are puffed up over some imaginary personal merit. Lovers of pleasures. The last word does not occur here as a separate term, hence we cannot give a specified definition of it as we can in other passages. It is also true that the simple word “pleasure” is not definite as to whether lawful or unlawful enjoyment is meant; the context in each case must determine that.

But regardless of this distinction, the sin in our passage consists in loving pleasure more than loving God. Even things that are right in themselves will become evil if they are preferred above God. (See Matthew 10:37.)

2 Timothy 3:5

2 Timothy 3:5. Having a form of godliness. They make a profession of some form of religion that is supposed to cause a man to do right. Denying the power thereof. These people claim that they have a system of religious conduct that is adapted to the right kind of life, yet they will not let that system have any effect upon their own lives. They deny the system the chance to have the said good effects upon their own conduct. Timothy not only must not join with these empty pretenders in their inconsistent course, but he must turn away from them.

2 Timothy 3:6

2 Timothy 3:6. This sort refers to the characters described in the preceding verses. Such persons might be expected to accomplish their unrighteous schemes by means of this kind. Creep into houses. According to the Greek sense of the words, they mean men who manage to get inside the houses after the manner of an insistent salesman. They make their approach to the silly women (“little women”–Thayer) who are already in a state of uncertainty on account of their many sins. Since they are already led away with their various lusts, they would be easy prey for these intruding men who will capture their attention for evil purposes.

2 Timothy 3:7

2 Timothy 3:7. Ever learning means these silly women are always curious to hear something different, hence they eagerly listen to these corrupt men. But while they are thus ever learning–are always seeking to hear something–it is not the truth they obtain.

2 Timothy 3:8

2 Timothy 3:8. Jannes and Jambres were the magicians who stood against Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7:11-12. According to Thayer, their names were given in the Jewish commentaries. Paul is making the comparison of the simple fact that both sets of evil workers resisted the principles of truth that would have been accepted of the Lord. Out of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34), and since these were men of corrupt minds, is was in line for them to act against the principles of righteousness. Reprobate (unfit or useles) concerning the faith. There was nothing in the character of these men that was of any use for the faith.

2 Timothy 3:9

2 Timothy 3:9. The first two pronouns (they and their) refer to the men being considered in this chapter, the third one (theirs) means Jannes and Jambres. The magicians finally were exposed as frauds, and likewise these evil men in Paul’s case were destined to be brought to shame.

2 Timothy 3:10

2 Timothy 3:10. Hast fully known all comes from which Thayer defines as follows: “To follow faithfully, namely, a standard or rule, to conform one’s self to.” Robinson defines it, “To follow, to conform unto.” I have consulted four translations which also render the word according to these lexicon definitions. So that Timothy not only learned the truth from his father in the Gospel, but he imitated the example of faithfulness that was shown amidst various trials. Doctrine refers to the teaching, and manner of life is the putting of that teaching into practice. (See 1 Timothy 4:16.) Purpose. Timothy had heard and seen enough from Paul to learn his sincere motive in life; that it harmonized with his conduct. It also was a practical demonstration of his faith which was according to the Gospel.

Longsuffering means a submissive spirit under persecutions, and patience denotes that submission to his lot was enduring or followed with perseverance. Charity in this passage means sincere interest in the welfare of others.

2 Timothy 3:11

2 Timothy 3:11. Persecutions and afflictions denote the same experiences referred to in the preceding verse, but are repeated in connection with the places where the apostle had the experiences. At Antioch (Acts 13:14 Acts 13:50), at Iconium (Acts 14:2), at Lystra (Acts 14:6 Acts 14:19). Paul does not mention these things out of a desire to “feel sorry for himself,” but to give force to his next declaration that out of them all the Lord delivered me, which is added for the encouragement of Timothy and others.

2 Timothy 3:12

2 Timothy 3:12. This verse is Paul’s comment on the preceding two verses, to the effect that his experience was no exception to the rule of the faithful in Christ. Persecutions are caused by people who are enemies of the Lord. They generally do not make much ado over the mere fact that a man is not a bad character in his personal life, hence to live godly means more than merely abstaining from evil practices; it includes activity against the things that are evil. A Christian must not only “have no fellowship” with the sinful conduct of others, but he must “rather reprove it” (Ephesians 5:11). When this is done it will arouse the anger of evil workers, and their usual procedure is to persecute the one who opposes them.

It is no real compliment to say of a man that “he never had an enemy,” as we frequently hear. Jesus said, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you” (Luke 6:26). This is why the apostles in Acts 5:41 could rejoice over the shame they were enduring for His name.

2 Timothy 3:13

2 Timothy 3:13. Evil men is general and could apply to all persons who are not righteous, while seducers specifies one of the evil things such men will do. The word is from GOES, a Greek term which originally meant “a wizard, juggler,” according to Robinson, and a “juggler, enchanter,” according to Thayer. Such a word is appropriate, because in verse 8 the apostle makes reference to the magicians in Egypt. Both lexicons give the word also the meaning of “impostor,” which would apply to any of the means these evil men might use to mislead the people. Deceiving and being deceived.

It is possible for a man to formulate and utter false doctrines so persistently, that he will come to believe in them himself and thus be deceived. The magicians in Egypt evidently were devoted to their witchcraft until a shameful defeat convinced them that they had been misled, for they admitted that “this [the work of Moses and Aaron is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). Paul says that all of this shall wax worse and worse, which is really the prophetic phase of this chapter.

2 Timothy 3:14

2 Timothy 3:14. This verse is an exhortation for Timothy not to be swerved from the course of truth that had influenced him all his life. The assurance of being right is based on the reliable source of his information, of which he was fully aware. His mother and grandmother had taught him the scriptures, which is the subject of the rest of this chapter. (See chapter 1:5.)

2 Timothy 3:15

2 Timothy 3:15. From a child has the same meaning as “from my forefathers” (chapter 1:3). The thought is that he had been reared in the spiritual surroundings that are mentioned here and in chapter 1:5. Holy scriptures refers to the Old Testament, for the New had not been written when Timothy was growing up. Able to make thee wise. The Old Testament was the law for salvation with the Jews, it being the one that was in force during that age.

And its use as a source of wisdom or information was still available for the evangelist, even though he had become a disciple of Christ; and that is one reason that volume was preserved unto the Christian Dispensation (Romans 15:4). However, the wisdom that was possible through the Old Testament would not alone bring salvation, now that Christ has put an end to that law “for righteousness” (Romans 10:4). Hence Paul adds what is necessary for Timothy (and all others) to do that he might be saved, namely, accept the faith (the New Testament system) which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16

2 Timothy 3:16. All scripture. Having proceeded to include the faith in Christ in the general subject of divine law, the term scripture here means both the Old and New Testaments as to their divine source. Given by inspiration of God. All of these words are from the Greek term , which Thayer defines, “inspired by God,” and which Robinson defines, “God-inspired, inbreathed of God.” When an author puts his ideas in a book, the volume is said to be inspired by the said author. That is true whether lie does the writing bodily himself, or dictates it and has some other person to do the writing.

Likewise, God dictated (by means of the Holy Spirit) to the writers of the Bible what He wished to go into the Sacred Text, and for that reason it is said to be a volume inspired of God. Profitable means it is useful or serviceable for the following purposes. Doctrine is the same as teaching, stating what is the truth about the whole system of “the faith,” and instruction, in righteousness is the information that shows how to put the above doctrine into practice. All re-proof is correction, but not all correction is reproof; the difference is mainly in .the degree of intensity. If a man is in error through weakness or lack of information, he needs correction only. But if he is wrong when he knows better or could have known better, then he deserves to be reproved. (See Jude 1:22-23.)

2 Timothy 3:17

2 Timothy 3:17. Man of God. This phrase is used of the evangelist in 1 Timothy 6:11, and I wish the reader would turn back and see the comments at that place, for they include a reference to our present passage. Man is from , and the universal meaning as given in Thayer’s lexicon is, “A human being, whether male or female.” Any human being, therefore, who has given himself to God may truly take the phrase underscored. It is expected that a servant of God will work for Him, and to do so lie needs the kind of equipment that is adapted to the work that his Master will approve. The inspired scriptures will provide such an equipment, making him perfect which is another word for “complete.” With the word of God, a Christian has the complete outfit necessary in his service for the Lord.

The rest of the verse is along the line of emphasis, specifying what Paul means by being perfect. Thoroughly furnished means completely prepared unto all good works. It is evident, then, that if a man attempts or desires to do something in his religious life for which the scriptures do not furnish the authority and instruction, lie is seeking to be active in something that is not a good work.