2 Timothy3
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
4traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
5holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.
6For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,
7ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.
10But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
11persecutions, sufferings; what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: and out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15and 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.
16Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness:
17that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Timothy 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle foretells the rise of dangerous enemies to the gospel. (1–9). Proposes his own example to Timothy. (10–13). And exhorts him to continue in the doctrine he had learned from the Holy Scriptures. (14–17).
vv1-9
Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. Times are perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise that which is good and to be honoured. God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is very different from the power; from such as are found to be hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw. Such persons have been found within the outward church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have been artful men, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful. All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus. Like the Egyptian magicians, these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and found to be quite without faith. Yet though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit.
vv10-13
The more fully we know the doctrine of Christ, as taught by the apostles, the more closely we shall cleave to it. When we know the afflictions of believers only in part, they tempt us to decline the cause for which they suffer. A form of godliness, a profession of Christian faith without a godly life, often is allowed to pass, while open profession of the truth as it is in Jesus, and resolute attention to the duties of godliness, stir up the scorn and enmity of the world. As good men, by the grace of God, grow better, so bad men, through the craft of Satan, and the power of their own corruptions, grow worse. The way of sin is down-hill; such go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Those who deceive others, deceive themselves, as they will find at last, to their cost. The history of the outward church, awfully shows that the apostle spake this as he was moved by the Holy Ghost.
vv14-17
Those who would learn the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the Holy Scriptures, for they are the Divine revelation. The age of children is the age to learn; and those who would get true learning, must get it out of the Scriptures. They must not lie by us neglected, seldom or never looked into. The Bible is a sure guide to eternal life. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but delivered what they received of God, 2Pe 1:21. It is profitable for all purposes of the Christian life. It is of use to all, for all need to be taught, corrected, and reproved. There is something in the Scriptures suitable for every case. Oh that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them! then shall we find benefit, and at last gain the happiness therein promised by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the main subject of both Testaments. We best oppose error by promoting a solid knowledge of the word of truth; and the greatest kindness we can do to children, is to make them early to know the Bible.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
γινώσκω (ginṓskō): to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τοῦτο (toûto): that thing
ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ἔσχατος (éschatos): farthest, final (of place or time)
ἡμέρα (hēméra): day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)
ἐνίστημι (enístēmi): to place on hand, i.e. (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant
καιρός (kairós): an occasion, i.e. set or proper time
χαλεπός (chalepós): difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious
Cross References
2 Timothy 3Explicit historical names Jannes and Jambres are traditional names for Pharaoh's resisting Egyptian magicians.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels the rare Greek term for 'implacable/trucebreakers' and similar catalog of sins.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical account of Paul's specific persecutions at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Directly explains 'inspiration of God' as the Holy Spirit moving holy men to write Scripture.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Closely matches prediction of apostasy in the 'latter times' with perilous, deceptive conditions.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Textual parallel to 'laden with sins' (Hebrew/Greek echo) applied here to silly women.
Supported by JFB
Egyptian magicians' folly became manifest when they could no longer withstand or mimic God's plagues.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Confirms 'last days' will bring mockers walking after their own ungodly lusts.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the hypocritical profession of knowing God while denying Him in practical works.
Supported by John Calvin
Scribes/Pharisees criticized by Christ for devouring widows' houses under pretence of long prayers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Matches 'reprobate concerning the faith' with the 'reprobate mind' of those rejecting God.
Supported by JFB
Timothy's early training in faith from childhood under his mother and grandmother.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul's repeated instruction to turn away from/shun profane babblings that lead to ungodliness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Asserts we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Supported by John Calvin
Old Testament testimony on how keeping God's commandments makes one wiser than all teachers.
Supported by Matthew Henry