II Timothy 3 Commentary: Enduring in Truth During Perilous Times
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
II Timothy 3 is a crucial chapter in Paul's second letter to Timothy, offering both stark warnings and profound encouragement. It serves as a guide for navigating the challenges of the "last days" – a period that extends from Christ's resurrection to His return – and remaining steadfast in faith. This chapter highlights the importance of discerning truth from falsehood and relying on the power of God's Word. This is the high point of Paul's letter, leading to his final instructions to Timothy found in chapter 4.
Recognizing the Signs of the Times (II Timothy 3:1-9)
Paul begins by painting a sobering picture of the "difficult times" (II Timothy 3:1) that will characterize the last days. It's important to understand that "last days" here doesn't necessarily refer to a distant future, but rather to the entire era of the church, the time between Christ's first and second comings. These times will be marked by a rise in ungodliness and a departure from sound doctrine.
Paul provides a detailed list of the sinful attitudes and behaviors that will prevail (II Timothy 3:2-5). People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. These are not simply isolated flaws but indicators of a deeper spiritual malaise. They represent a heart turned away from God and towards selfish desires.
The apostle's warning to Timothy, and to us, is clear: "Avoid such people" (II Timothy 3:5). This doesn't mean isolating ourselves entirely from the world, but rather being discerning about the influences we allow into our lives. We must be cautious of those who present a facade of piety but lack genuine transformation.
Paul further illustrates the danger of false teachers who "worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" (II Timothy 3:6-7). These individuals exploit vulnerabilities and offer empty promises, leading people further away from God.
He draws a parallel between these false teachers and Jannes and Jambres, the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses (II Timothy 3:8; Exodus 7:11-12). Just as the magicians' deception was ultimately exposed, so too will the folly of these false teachers be made evident (II Timothy 3:9). God will overrule the work of those who oppose Him.
Standing Firm in Truth (II Timothy 3:10-17)
In contrast to the corrupt individuals described earlier, Paul presents himself as a model of godly living. He reminds Timothy of his "teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (II Timothy 3:10-11). Timothy had witnessed Paul's unwavering commitment to Christ, even in the face of adversity.
Paul's life serves as a powerful example for Timothy, demonstrating that true service to God is others-centered, not self-centered. Despite facing numerous trials, Paul remained devoted to God and to the people he served. He could testify to the sustaining grace of God.
He makes a profound statement: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (II Timothy 3:12). While the form of persecution may vary, those who genuinely follow Christ will inevitably face opposition from the world.
Paul encourages Timothy to "continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it" (II Timothy 3:14). Timothy's faith was nurtured from a young age by his mother and grandmother (II Timothy 1:5), who instilled in him a love for the Scriptures.
He emphasizes the crucial role of Scripture in spiritual growth: "and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15). The Scriptures are not merely historical documents; they are living words that have the power to transform lives.
Paul concludes with a powerful affirmation of the inspiration and authority of Scripture: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17). The Greek word translated "inspired" literally means "God-breathed," highlighting the divine origin of the Scriptures. Because God has spoken through His Word, it holds ultimate authority.
Scripture is profitable for:
- Teaching: Instructing us in the truths we need to know.
- Rebuking: Reproving us for what we've done wrong.
- Correcting: Showing us what is right.
- Training in righteousness: Guiding us to approach life as God intended it to be lived.
The purpose of Scripture is to equip us for every good work, enabling us to live lives that are pleasing to God and impactful for His kingdom. To faithfully accomplish the difficult task ahead of him, all Timothy needed was the inerrant Word of God. Everything that you need in order to be what God wants you to be is already in Scripture.
II Timothy 3 offers a timeless message for believers in every generation. By recognizing the signs of the times, standing firm in truth, and relying on the power of God's Word, we can navigate the challenges of the last days and live lives that honor Christ.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
II Timothy 3 is a crucial chapter in Paul's second letter to Timothy, offering both stark warnings and profound encouragement. It serves as a guide for navigating the challenges of the "last days" – a period that extends from Christ's resurrection to His return – and remaining steadfast in faith. This chapter highlights the importance of discerning truth from falsehood and relying on the power of God's Word. This is the high point of Paul's letter, leading to his final instructions to Timothy found in chapter 4.
Recognizing the Signs of the Times (II Timothy 3:1-9)
Paul begins by painting a sobering picture of the "difficult times" (II Timothy 3:1) that will characterize the last days. It's important to understand that "last days" here doesn't necessarily refer to a distant future, but rather to the entire era of the church, the time between Christ's first and second comings. These times will be marked by a rise in ungodliness and a departure from sound doctrine.
Paul provides a detailed list of the sinful attitudes and behaviors that will prevail (II Timothy 3:2-5). People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. These are not simply isolated flaws but indicators of a deeper spiritual malaise. They represent a heart turned away from God and towards selfish desires.
The apostle's warning to Timothy, and to us, is clear: "Avoid such people" (II Timothy 3:5). This doesn't mean isolating ourselves entirely from the world, but rather being discerning about the influences we allow into our lives. We must be cautious of those who present a facade of piety but lack genuine transformation.
Paul further illustrates the danger of false teachers who "worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" (II Timothy 3:6-7). These individuals exploit vulnerabilities and offer empty promises, leading people further away from God.
He draws a parallel between these false teachers and Jannes and Jambres, the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses (II Timothy 3:8; Exodus 7:11-12). Just as the magicians' deception was ultimately exposed, so too will the folly of these false teachers be made evident (II Timothy 3:9). God will overrule the work of those who oppose Him.
Standing Firm in Truth (II Timothy 3:10-17)
In contrast to the corrupt individuals described earlier, Paul presents himself as a model of godly living. He reminds Timothy of his "teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (II Timothy 3:10-11). Timothy had witnessed Paul's unwavering commitment to Christ, even in the face of adversity.
Paul's life serves as a powerful example for Timothy, demonstrating that true service to God is others-centered, not self-centered. Despite facing numerous trials, Paul remained devoted to God and to the people he served. He could testify to the sustaining grace of God.
He makes a profound statement: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (II Timothy 3:12). While the form of persecution may vary, those who genuinely follow Christ will inevitably face opposition from the world.
Paul encourages Timothy to "continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it" (II Timothy 3:14). Timothy's faith was nurtured from a young age by his mother and grandmother (II Timothy 1:5), who instilled in him a love for the Scriptures.
He emphasizes the crucial role of Scripture in spiritual growth: "and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15). The Scriptures are not merely historical documents; they are living words that have the power to transform lives.
Paul concludes with a powerful affirmation of the inspiration and authority of Scripture: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17). The Greek word translated "inspired" literally means "God-breathed," highlighting the divine origin of the Scriptures. Because God has spoken through His Word, it holds ultimate authority.
Scripture is profitable for:
- Teaching: Instructing us in the truths we need to know.
- Rebuking: Reproving us for what we've done wrong.
- Correcting: Showing us what is right.
- Training in righteousness: Guiding us to approach life as God intended it to be lived.
The purpose of Scripture is to equip us for every good work, enabling us to live lives that are pleasing to God and impactful for His kingdom. To faithfully accomplish the difficult task ahead of him, all Timothy needed was the inerrant Word of God. Everything that you need in order to be what God wants you to be is already in Scripture.
II Timothy 3 offers a timeless message for believers in every generation. By recognizing the signs of the times, standing firm in truth, and relying on the power of God's Word, we can navigate the challenges of the last days and live lives that honor Christ.