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2 Timothy 3

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Perilous Times in the Last Days 1–9

1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ​
2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ​
6
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ​
7
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. ​
9
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Paul’s Example of Faithful Endurance 10–13

10
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, ​
11
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. ​
12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. ​
13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

The Authority and Power of Scripture 14–17

14
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; ​
15
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. ​
16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ​
17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Bible text: King James Version (1769 Blayney text) · 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.