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2 Timothy 3

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Perilous Times in the Last Days 1–9

1
But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. ​
2
For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
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without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
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traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
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holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. ​
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For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, ​
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ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. ​
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But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.

Paul’s Example of Faithful Endurance 10–13

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But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, ​
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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. ​
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Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. ​
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But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

The Authority and Power of Scripture 14–17

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But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; ​
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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. ​
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Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: ​
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that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for 2 Timothy 3

Verse 1

the last days — Peter at Pentecost speaks of 'the last days' (Acts 2:17), and Heb 1:2 says God has 'in these last days spoken unto us by his Son', so the last days began with Christ. 'Perilous' is chalepos, hard to deal with; elsewhere it is used only of the two men 'exceeding fierce' in Matt 8:28.

Verse 5

a form of godliness — Morphosis, outward shape, occurs only here and in Rom 2:20, 'the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law'. The 'power' (dunamis) is what they deny, as in Titus 1:16: 'They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him'. 'Turn away' (apotrepo) occurs only here.

Verse 6

creep into houses — 'Creep into' (enduno, to slip in) and 'silly women' (gunaikaria, little women) each occur only here. Titus 1:11 describes the same work among 'whole houses', 'teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake'. The women are 'laden with sins' and 'led away with divers lusts'.

Verse 8

Jannes and Jambres — Exodus does not give the names; it speaks of 'the magicians of Egypt' who did 'in like manner' until Aaron's rod 'swallowed up their rods' (Exod 7:11–12). 'Withstood' and 'resist' are one verb, anthistemi, used of Elymas (Acts 13:8) and of resisting the devil (James 4:7).

Verse 10

thou hast fully known — Parakoloutheo, to follow closely alongside, is the verb of Luke's 'having had perfect understanding' (Luke 1:3) and of Timothy's having 'attained' good doctrine (1 Tim 4:6). Seven things are listed: doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.

Verse 11

at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — The persecution raised against Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14, 50), the assault to stone them at Iconium (14:5) and the stoning at Lystra (14:19). Lystra was Timothy's own country (Acts 16:1). 'Out of them all the Lord delivered me' echoes Ps 34:19.

Verse 12

live godly in Christ Jesus — 'Live godly' (zao eusebos) is also the phrase of Titus 2:12, 'we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world'. 'Persecution' (diokho, to pursue) is the Lord's own forecast: 'If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you' (John 15:20).

Verse 14

continue thou — Meno, to remain, the verb of 'If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed' (John 8:31). 'Assured of' (pistoo), made sure, occurs only here. Timothy learned 'of me among many witnesses' (2 Tim 2:2) and, from his earliest years, from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Tim 1:5).

Verse 15

from a child — Brephos, an infant: Timothy knew 'the holy scriptures' (hiera grammata, sacred writings) from babyhood, taught by a mother and grandmother of faith (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim 1:5). They 'make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus', for they 'testify of me' (John 5:39).

Verse 16

given by inspiration of God — Theopneustos, God-breathed, occurs only here. The 'scripture' (graphe) is the sacred writings of v.15; Peter says 'holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost' (2 Pet 1:21). 'Correction' (epanorthosis), a setting straight again, is found only here.