“All Scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training in right living” (2 Timothy 3:16 CJB).

The New Testament book of 2 Peter provides us with some additional insight into the “God-breathed” nature of the Bible. In the passage quoted below, the apostle Peter helps us understand how the process of Biblical inspiration took place…

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV).

In the original language of this passage, Peter used a seafaring word that meant “to move or be conveyed” to describe this process. ₍₁₎ We can illustrate this idea with the image of a sailboat on a lake. Just as a sailboat is moved by the wind that fills its sails, the Biblical writers were also carried along by the Holy Spirit so they went exactly where the Spirit wanted them to go in their Biblical works.

Nevertheless, it’s also important to remember something else: just as there is human activity aboard a sailing vessel, these human authors were also active in communicating the words of the Scriptures as God’s Spirit carried them along. This brings us to the following definition of Biblical inspiration…

“With these two acts of God—breathing out His Word and carrying the writers along by the Spirit—we can come to a definition of inspiration: The Holy Spirit moved men to write. He allowed them to use their own styles, cultures, gifts, and character. He allowed them to use the results of their own study and research, write of their own experiences, and express what was in their minds.

At the same time, the Holy Spirit did not allow error to influence their writings. He overruled in the expression of thought and in the choice of words. Thus, they recorded accurately all God wanted them to say and exactly how He wanted them to say it in their own character, styles, and languages.” ₍₂₎

This explains why the Bible claims to be authoritative (Exodus 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 2:13), eternal (Psalm 119:89, Matthew 24:35), and true (Psalm 119:142, John 17:17). Despite these things, it often remains difficult to grasp how the Bible can simultaneously reflect the Word of God and the words of human beings as well. One Pastoral commentator offers a useful answer to that question and we’ll examine that explanation next.

(1) See G5342 phero Thayer’s Greek Lexicon https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5342/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) Brian H. Edwards Why Should We Believe in the Inerrancy of Scripture? Answers in Genesis https://answersingenesis.org/is-the-bible-true/why-should-we-believe-in-the-inerrancy-of-scripture/ Retrieved 21 August 2021

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“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 NET).

We often use the word “inspired” to describe an artist, musician, or author who creates an emotional or thought-provoking work. However, the Biblical concept of inspiration goes far beyond anything created solely by a mere human being.

The word translated “inspired” is taken from the word theopneustos (literally, ” God- breathed”) in the original language of 2 Timothy 3:16. Much like the human act of respiration, the idea behind this passage is that God “breathed-out” His Word through the pen of each Biblical author. This concept also extends to God’s absolute oversight, guidance, and direction over each Biblical writer.

One author provides us with a useful definition of this word when used in a Biblical context…

“Inspiration, therefore, can be defined as the inward working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of men whom God chose to write the books of the Bible. This guaranteed that the final result would be exactly what God intended. Thus, the Bible is the written Word of God to humanity, and, when originally written, was without error. It is the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.” ₍₁₎

Another Biblical scholar offers further clarity on this passage…

“God-breathed does not mean that God somehow took over their bodies or pushed them out of the chair and took up their pens…. Rather, inspiration means that God breathed his own words through their personalities and pens. He gave them the insight and understanding, so that the finished literary product had two authors, one human and one divine.” ₍₂₎

It is this unique two-part authorship that makes the Bible different from any other book. God is completely responsible for the content of the Scriptures while the Biblical authors wrote what they received from Him. Yet, as the quotation above implies, Biblical inspiration does not mean that these mortal authors acted as human word processors, copy machines, or stenographers.

Instead, God elected to use each Biblical writer’s personality, cultural background, vocabulary, and writing style to communicate the Scriptures in a precise and errorless manner. For example, the Scriptures display the humanity of each human author through such things as human research (Luke 1:1-4), human emotion (Nehemiah 13:25), and even human memories that were fragmentary and incomplete (1 Corinthians 1:15-16).

The Scriptures provide us with an excellent word-picture to describe this process, and we’ll examine that illustration in greater detail next.

(1) Stewart, Don “In What Sense Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God?” Retrieved 16 August, 2021 https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/bible-authoritative-word/question2-is-the-bible-the-inspired-word-of-god.cfm
(2) Sproul, R. C. (1994). Before the face of God: Book 4: A daily guide for living from Ephesians, Hebrews, and James (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; Ligonier Ministries.

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“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

One of the best-known and most important portions of the New Testament is found here in 2 Timothy 3:16. In fact, this portion of Scripture is so important that we will take the time to consider its implications over the course of several studies.

You see, 2 Timothy 3:16 alerts us to something that makes the Biblical Scriptures unique and different from any other book ever written. The difference is that God inspired the Bible. Before we look into the definition of “inspiration,” we should first note its extent: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” This tells us that God’s inspiration of the Biblical Scriptures…

1. Comprises all that is written – 2 Timothy 3:16.
2. Encompasses every individual word – Matthew 22:43 , 1 Corinthians 2:13.
3. Extends to verb tenses – Matthew 22:32, Galatians 3:16.
4. It even includes the smallest parts of individual words – Matthew 5:17-18. ₍₁₎

Two commentators provide us with some additional insight into the concept of “all Scripture” from this passage…

“All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16–17), and that means there is nothing insignificant in the Bible. Every word was carefully chosen by the Apostles and prophets, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so we must put in the hard work required to understand each word in context. In so doing, we show the proper respect for our Creator, and we are equipped to rightly understand and apply the text of Scripture to our lives.” ₍₂₎

“When Paul speaks of all Scripture, he is definitely referring to the complete OT, but also to those portions of the NT that were then in existence. In 1Ti_5:18, he quotes the Gospel of Luke (Luk_10:7) as Scripture. And Peter speaks of Paul’s Epistles as Scriptures (2Pe_3:16). Today we are justified in applying the verse to the entire Bible.” ₍₃₎

With these things in mind, we can say that God is personally responsible for every single word of the Biblical Scriptures. This explains why the Old Testament book of Proverbs tells us, “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6, emphasis added). But how did God’s Word take the form of the Biblical Scriptures we have today? We will begin our look at the answer to that complex question beginning next.

(1) See Geisler, N. L. 1999. Baker encyclopedia of Christian apologetics. Baker reference library. Baker Books: Grand Rapids, Mich
(2) “Who Is Israel” Tabletalk magazine, August, 2014 pg. 50
(3) William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, pg. 2123

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“and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

As was the custom in the home of a Jewish parent, a child in the Biblical era began to receive instruction in the Old Testament Scriptures around the age of five. This represented the type of instruction that enabled Timothy to become “…wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” This approach was also in keeping with the Biblical wisdom given to us in the Old Testament book of Proverbs: “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

While it is certainly true that many come to Christ following a misspent youth, a child who learns God’s Word from an early age has an opportunity to avoid many of the mistakes that often accompany an ungodly life. Therefore, those who seek to be God-honoring parents can draw inspiration from this portion of Scripture and teach the Scriptures to the children who have been entrusted to their care.

This reference to “…the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (GNT) is reminiscent of a conversation that Jesus once had with two of His disciples…

“And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets” (Luke 24:27 GNT).

Jesus also referenced His presence within the Scriptures in speaking with a group of His opponents…

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39 NLT).

The New Testament book of Hebrews adds some additional insight regarding this passage…

“That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God… ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures'” (Hebrews 10:5, 7 NLT).

Thus, as one commentary observes, “Salvation is through faith which is in Christ Jesus. We should mark this well. It is not through good works, baptism, church membership, confirmation, obeying the Ten Commandments, keeping the Golden Rule, or in any other way that involves human effort or merit. Salvation is through faith in the Son of God.” ₍₁₎

(1) William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, pg. 2123

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“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14).

Throughout his Biblical letters to Timothy, Paul the Apostle has repeatedly emphasized the primary importance of God’s Word. For instance…

“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed” (1 Timothy 4:6).

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

In light of the numerous examples of spiritual deception that abound within our world today, we can help avoid such dangers as we prayerfully take heed to the Scriptures quoted above. However, 2 Timothy 3:14 should also prompt us to ask an important question: where did Timothy gain access to the things he had “…learned and been assured of”?

The following commentator gives us some potential answers that offer a pattern we can follow today…

“Paul didn’t specify exactly whom he had in mind when he mentioned those who taught Timothy. Was he referring to Timothy’s family, especially his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, who nurtured Timothy in the faith (2 Tim. 1:5)? Was he referring to himself as Timothy’s mentor? Or was Paul directing Timothy’s attention to the ultimate source of the things he had learned, namely God? We cannot be sure.

But what is clear is what Timothy had learned—the Scriptures. He had been taught the Hebrew Scriptures, our Old Testament, from an early age, and it is clear that Paul wanted Timothy to continue to be a diligent student of the Word of God.” ₍₁₎

(1) Sproul, R. C. (2008). Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow, © 2008 by R.C. Sproul Reformation Trust Publishing, a division of Ligonier Ministries

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“But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).

The passage quoted above is barely more than a dozen words but offers a great deal of insight for those who are willing to prayerfully reflect upon it.

We should first note the two types of individuals mentioned here: “…evil men and impostors.” The first refers to those who are actively engaged in wicked behavior. The second represents others who appear to be moral, ethical, or virtuous but are really something different. This unfortunate reality should come as no surprise, for as we were reminded earlier in 1 Timothy 5:24, “Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.”

We’re next told that those who comprise these groups “…will grow worse and worse.” In other words, those who are evil will become more aggressive in their attitudes and behaviors while those who are imposters will grow more convincing in their appearance. The first group is visible and obvious, while the second group is largely hidden and anonymous. Nevertheless, both groups are equally destructive, each in their own way.

Finally, the individuals within these groups will deceive others while being deceived as well. Thus, they become living examples of the wisdom contained within the Biblical book of Proverbs: “If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead” (Proverbs 26:27 NLT).

So those who fit these categories are both agents and objects of deception. This is important because deception usually involves some form of lying- and it has been said that if a lie is told often enough, many will begin to accept it as truth. This seems to be an accurate portrayal of those who are described for us here in 2 Timothy 3:13. Over time, they will begin to believe their own lies, thus being deceived by the deception they sought to spread among others.

We can largely avoid a similar fate by remembering that “truth” can be defined as “that which corresponds to reality.” Whenever we are called upon to evaluate a teaching or idea, we can ask, “Does this accurately reflect Biblical truth?” Some additional questions to ask might also include the following…

• Does this teaching focus upon a small portion of God’s Word and neglect others?
• Does this idea contradict what the Bible says about God?
• Does this teaching or idea glorify the teacher or Christ?

Asking these questions now can help us avoid deception later.

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“Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand]” (2 Timothy 3:12 AMPC).

Jesus once made an important statement that relates to the verse quoted above. That statement is found in the New Testament gospel of John…

“…this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:19-21).

This passage draws our attention to several key points, First, we should recognize that Christians inhabit a world that is populated by many who choose to live as if God did not exist. Because of this, a God-honoring man or woman is always under pressure to adopt a similar attitude. Since it is always easier to “go with the flow” of a world that isn’t interested in God, a person who seeks to follow Christ is bound to meet with resistance to that decision.

For instance, a person who represents the One who is “…the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) and “…the light of the world” (John 8:12) is not likely to be welcomed by those who prefer to remain in darkness. When such persecutions occur, it may be helpful to remember the following passage from Matthew 5:3-12…

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

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“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

A small child begins his or her academic life by learning the basics of subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics. But as the child grows older and progresses through each grade level, the lessons do not grow easier. Instead, they grow more challenging as the child builds upon the things that he or she has already learned. Such is (or should be) the case with our life in Christ as well.

Whenever we encounter trouble, abuse, or persecution for a decision to follow Christ, it may be easy to assume that we have done some something wrong. To be fair, some Christians are mistreated in this way because they fail to follow the directives given to us in 1 Peter 3:15-17. Then there are those who invite persecution by engaging others with the wrong motives. Finally, some who claim to be Christians may not have a relationship with Christ at all.

Nevertheless, 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that anyone who is serious about living the kind of life that honors Christ will encounter trouble. That trouble may take the form of direct persecution (as in those nations that are openly hostile to Christianity) or various forms of indirect opposition. As one commentator notes, “Given the right conditions, such oppositions would be just as deadly as the great Roman persecutions.” ₍₁₎ Another source adds…

“Often new believers, and even older believers, interpret difficulty as a sign that they need to change something. Timothy reminded them that persecution is a normal experience for the Christian (cf. Matt. 5:11-12; 10:16-28; 20:22-23; 24:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:12; et al.), just as Paul had previously instructed them.” ₍₂₎

With these things in mind, we should note of Jesus’ counsel to those who seek to follow Him…

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!” (Matthew 10:24-25).

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).

“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

(1) Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on 2 Timothy 3”. “Coffman Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/2-timothy-3.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.

(2) Constable, Thomas. DD. “Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2019 Edition” “Timothy’s visit 3:1-5” [3:3-5] https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/1thessalonians/1thessalonians.htm

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“You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all” (2 Timothy 3:10-11 ESV).

Here in 2 Timothy 3:10-11, Paul the Apostle referenced his experience in three different cities: Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. The events that took place in the city of Antioch are recorded for us in the New Testament book of Acts…

“And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region” (Acts 13:49-50).

The second reference to the town of Iconium involved an assault upon Paul’s life: “…a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them” (Acts 14:5). This method of execution took the form of rocks or stones that were thrown against someone until he or she died. Paul survived that attempt and subsequently fled to the third city mentioned in this trilogy.

This final incident occurred in Timothy’s hometown of Lystra and likely refers to the same event that Paul mentioned in a letter to the church at Corinth: “Once people tried to stone me to death” (2 Corinthians 11:25 GW). The record of that attempt upon Paul’s life is found in Acts 14:19…

“Some Jewish leaders from Antioch and Iconium came and turned the crowds against Paul. They hit him with stones and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead” (CEV).

So in addition to the various forms of punishment he was forced to endure, Paul also faced a riotous mob that attempted to murder him. These experiences should prompt us to consider the examples of other prominent Biblical personalities who were protected from danger as they sought to pursue God’s call upon their lives. That list includes (but is certainly not limited to)…

• Daniel (Daniel 6).
• Esther (Esther 3:8-5:3).
• Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:1-13).
• Nehemiah (Nehemiah 4).

This brings us to an important application from the following commentary…

“The Lord had not delivered from trouble, but He had delivered him out of the troubles. This is a reminder to us that we are not promised freedom from difficulties, but we are promised that the Lord will be with us and will see us through.” ₍₁₎

(1) MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments, Thomas Nelson: Nashville

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“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra–what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me” (2 Timothy 3:10-11).

It is no coincidence that the word “doctrine” appears first in the list given to us here in 2 Timothy 3:10. Of all the subjects covered in Paul the Apostle’s New Testament letters, the importance of accurate doctrine is one that appears again and again. While some may choose to focus upon other areas of spiritual interest (such as Biblical prophecy, spiritual gifts, or humanitarian concerns, to name a few), the need for accurate doctrine outweighs all of them.

Here’s why: in this context, “doctrine” corresponds to the things we believe in respect to God, humanity, Christ, the church, and other related subjects. If our doctrines are inaccurate regarding those subjects, everything that follows is likely to be inaccurate as well. Therefore, our doctrinal beliefs should hold a position of primary importance.

This is crucial for another reason. You see, everyone holds doctrinal beliefs whether or not they realize it. For instance, everyone believes something about God, even those who deny He exists. We then proceed to act upon those doctrines (whatever they may be) through our choices and decisions.

This was certainly true of Paul the Apostle, for his doctrine influenced his “way of life” (NET) as we’re told in the passage quoted above. From the opposite perspective, those who hold unbiblical doctrines are sure to act upon them as well.

One of the best ways to separate true and false doctrine involves reading a portion of the Bible each day. This will not only build our understanding of God’s Word but help us identify false teachings wherever we encounter them. Another commentator addresses this subject in a very forthright manner…

“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 DOCTRINE 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.” ₍₁₎

(1) Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on 2 Timothy 3”. “Coffman Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/2-timothy-3.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.

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“Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men” (2 Timothy 3:8-9 ESV).

The Egyptian sorcerers who opposed Moses and Aaron as they appeared before Pharaoh are traditionally identified by the names Jannes and Jambres. These men sought to invalidate Moses’ claim to represent the one true God by duplicating the miraculous signs that God had given to Moses to perform. Their actions characterized the opposition posed by the false teachers of Ephesus.

Although Jannes and Jambres were initially successful in their efforts to reproduce these signs, their failure to do so entirely presents us with an important spiritual lesson…

“When Moses cast down his rod and it turned into a serpent, Jannes and Jambres could do the same. When he turned water into blood, they could do the same. When Moses brought forth a plague of frogs, Jannes and Jambres could do the same. Yet eventually they could not match God miracle-for-miracle, and their occult powers were shown to be inferior to God’s power.

The ability to do miracles by the power of darkness and the willingness to receive them as authentic will characterize the end times (Revelation 13:13-15 and 2 Thessalonians 2:9). Some of us are amazed by any spiritual power that is real, without carefully thinking that real power may have a demonic source instead of a Godly source. And even if a psychic or new age power seems to feel right, we must not be seduced by it because demonic powers can come masquerading as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:15).” ₍₁₎

Thus, their failure was immortalized for all to see in the pages of the Scripture and represents the kind of example we should seek to avoid…

“We can hide our sin for a while, but eventually the truth will be revealed. Sooner or later, distraction, opposition, anger, or fatigue will wear us down, and our true hearts will be exposed. The trials of life will conspire against our efforts to maintain a religious front. We can’t pick when and where we will be tested by adversity. Build your character carefully because it will come out under stress. Live each day as if your actions will one day be known to everyone. It is useless, in the middle of a test, to acknowledge that you should have prepared. Now is the time to change anything you wouldn’t want revealed later” ₍₂₎

(1) Guzik, Dave, 2 Timothy 3 – Perilous Times And Precious Truth (8-9) https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-timothy-3/

(2) Life Application Study Bible [2 Timothy 3:9] Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.

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“Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was” (2 Timothy 3:8-9).

The philosopher George Santayana was famously quoted as saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” ₍₁₎ In a similar manner, the false teachers of first-century Ephesus had unwittingly duplicated a mistake that others also made centuries earlier.

You see, the Old Testament book of Exodus relates the account of Moses and his brother Aaron as they approached Pharaoh, the king of Egypt with a request. Exodus 5:1-2 details that request and Pharaoh’s response…

“…Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.'” But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go'” (Exodus 5:1-2 ESV).

God’s response to Pharaoh followed shortly thereafter…

“Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘When Pharaoh says to you, “‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,'” then you shall say to Aaron, “‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.'” So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs” (Exodus 7:8-12 ESV).

Although they are not mentioned by name in the Old Testament, Jannes and Jambres are traditionally identified as the Egyptian sorcerers who opposed Moses and Aaron as detailed within this passage. Thus, the connection between Exodus chapter seven and 2 Timothy 3:8-9 is this: just as Jannes and Jambres could not stand against the work of God through Moses and Aaron, neither could the false teachers of Ephesus stand against the truth.

One commentator provides us with a modern-day application of this centuries-old passage with a century-old observation: “Wait for the inevitable unfoldings of God’s purpose. Time will show what is true and what is false. In the meantime, examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.” ₍₂₎

(1) George Santayana, Reason in Common Sense: The Life of Reason. 1905 pg. 284

(2) Meyer, Frederick Brotherton. “Commentary on 2 Timothy 3”. “F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible’ Commentary”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/fbm/2-timothy-3.html. 1914.

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“always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7 HCSB).

The Woodstock Rock Festival, held in August 1969, is generally acknowledged as a pivotal moment in music history. Over 400,000 people attended that event and the National Register of Historic Places of the United States has given official recognition to the site where the Festival took place.

As Woodstock recedes further into past, this great cultural event from the 1960s will inevitably fade in relevance for each succeeding generation. Nevertheless, the film that documented the Woodstock Rock Festival contains a scene with one observation that endures throughout the generations.

You see, the cinematographers who documented the Woodstock Festival also recorded the activities and opinions of those who attended the event as well as the musical acts that played there. One youth who was interviewed expressed his opinion of those who had gathered together at Woodstock…

“People who are nowhere are coming here ’cause there’s people they think are somewhere. So everybody is like, really looking for, you know, some kind of answer, you know, where there isn’t one …  People don’t know, you know? They don’t know how to live, they don’t know what to do, and they think that if they can come here and they can find out, you know, what it is …  It’s just like, people are very lost.” ₍₁₎

Even though those words were spoken decades ago, the truth behind that youthful observation remains unchanged: “So everybody is like, really looking for, you know, some kind of answer… It’s just like, people are very lost.” This brings us to 2 Timothy 3:7, and it’s observation that some are “…ever learning and never able to come to a precise and experiential knowledge of the truth” (Wuest).

Those who are seeking to fill a void in life apart from Christianity may choose to follow many religious beliefs or life philosophies. Many of those ideologies allow us to entertain the illusory belief that we are growing, learning, and making progress in life. But in the end, those avenues never really get us anywhere. In fact, the Bible devotes an entire book to an examination of that subject in great detail.

The youth who was interviewed at Woodstock recognized this inconvenient truth when he said, “People who are nowhere are coming here ’cause there’s people they think are somewhere.” It is only through Christ that we can avoid the treadmill of a life that is “…always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (NET).

Image Credit: “Woodstock Music Festival/1969” by dbking. Licensed under CC BY 2.0

(1) Woodstock: The Movie Copyright 1970 Warner Bros. Inc. All rights reserved [see 1:08:47 – 1:09:20.  Rated R – nudity, graphic language, sexual content. Viewer discretion advised]

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“For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions” (2 Timothy 3:6 NET).

Contemporary Biblical critics may be quick to attribute a sexist agenda to the gullible (NIV) or silly (KJV) women referenced in this verse. However, this passage has little to do with gender. Unlike many modern societies, the educational options that were available to women of that era were often very limited. This meant that those who lacked a firm foundation in good Biblical doctrine were especially vulnerable to any message carried by a false or deceptive teacher. Of course, this was also true of anyone who lived during that period, just as it is today.

Therefore, it is important to understand the essence of this passage: false teachers target the naïve and uninformed. In the first-century city of Ephesus, that target audience included many members of the female population. Today, that group might include anyone who neglects to read the Bible regularly and has little familiarity with its teachings.

Thus, in the words of one scholar, “Paul’s point is not that all women are this way, but that some have been especially vulnerable to deception. The false teachers at Ephesus had been especially successful in deceiving women (1 Tim. 2:14; 5:13–15).” ₍₁₎ Another commentary adds, “Out of a so-called ‘openness to learn’ they evidently embraced as a fad whatever new heresy came along. Their problem was that they could not recognize the truth when they saw it.” ₍₂₎

We should also note the reference to those who are “overwhelmed with sins” in 2 Timothy 3:6. A religious belief that permits its followers to engage in sinful behaviors without guilt or repentance is false, despite what its proponents may be led to believe. Sadly, a person who adheres to such a belief may simply wish to ease his or her conscience and obtain the benefits of “religion” while foregoing the sacrifices that often accompany genuine Christianity.

This passage should thus prompt us to ask a difficult and challenging question: “Am I truly seeking God through Christ or am I seeking the benefits of ‘spirituality’?” In the words of another Biblical scholar, “DeWette (quoted by Alford), notes that a sin-laden conscience is easily tempted to seek the easiest method of relief. And that method of getting relief from a sin-laden conscience, is the embracing of a false religion, one that satisfies the religious instinct of the individual, and at the same time fails to deal with the sin question and the true way of salvation.” ₍₃₎

(1) Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 2173). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.
(2) John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary [p.756]
(3) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [note on 2 Timothy 3:6-7] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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“For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts” (2 Timothy 3:6).

This passage offers a glimpse into an effective strategy employed by those who promote heretical teachings. You see, 2 Timothy 3:6 tells us how false teachers work their way into people’s lives. In fact, the tactics described within this verse may be more effective today than they were in the days of the first century.

We can begin by noting that the heretical teachers of the New Testament era were partially successful in their efforts to smuggle false doctrine into the churches of Ephesus. Nevertheless, a healthy church would never permit an aberrant belief to gain widespread acceptance within its congregation. Paul the Apostle’s counsel to “Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:5 ESV) would also serve to limit the options available to those who sought to promote such teachings.

Therefore, these heretics opened a second tactical front. In addition to their efforts to introduce these aberrant beliefs to others within the church, they also worked to gain access to private homes that were inhabited by those who lacked the ability to discern between truth and error. Once they had convinced someone to adopt their teachings in that manner, that person subsequently became a follower and supporter. They also acquired access to that person’s circle of friends, thus increasing the potential to add more followers and new avenues of support.

It’s important to note that false teachers continue to employ this strategy today. But unlike the false teachers of the first century, modern-day heretical teachers never have to set foot within a private home. Instead, he or she can reach countless individuals through the technological advances that characterize our modern day world.

Some of the more obvious transmission paths into a private home include social media, broadcast media, and streaming media. It might also include books, magazines, and various other forms of written communication. As it was in the days of the first century, these methods permit false teachers to “creep into households” and “…mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught” (Titus 1:11 NET). The difference is that today’s false teachers now have the advantage of 21st century technology to market and package their messages in a far more effective manner.

Thus, it is easy to be taken captive by such teachings if we aren’t diligent to prayerfully read the Scriptures each day. Those who neglect to do so place their spiritual lives at risk.

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“having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:5 ESV).

Before we leave this passage, we should pause to consider some important insights from the following commentators and their efforts to advance our understanding of this passage…

“Having a form of godliness but denying its power. That is an accurate description of much of the church today. They observe rituals, and have a form of godliness, but there is no power there. Churches have often just become social centers, where you can get some entertaining messages dealing with psychological issues, and hear some inspiring music, but the power of God is lacking. You can learn all the practical steps toward having a better life, how to communicate, how to quit smoking, how to raise your children, how to invest your money, and it is often good advice; but the power of God is left out. Jesus said, ‘Without Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5).” ₍₁₎

“All that is left of the Christianity of such men is the outward form; they are dead while they live. There is no power to overcome for they are servants of sin. The form of godliness is only maintained because of its advantage to them. What a tragic picture: the walking dead! It is no wonder Paul instructs Timothy to withdraw fellowship from such persons.” ₍₂₎

“Outwardly these people seem religious. They make a profession of Christianity, but their actions speak louder than their words. By their ungodly behavior, they show that they are living a lie. There is no evidence of the power of God in their lives. While there might have been reformation, there never was regeneration… Phillips puts it: ‘They will maintain a façade of ‘religion’ but their conduct will deny its validity.’ They want to be religious and to have their sins at the same time (cf. Rev_3:14-22). Hiebert warns: ‘It is the fearful portrayal of an apostate Christendom, a new paganism masquerading under the name of Christianity.'” ₍₃₎

“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… 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.” ₍₄₎

(1) Chuck Smith, The Word For Today Bible, study note on 2 Timothy 3:5, pg. 1598

(2) Don De Welt, Paul’s Letters to Timothy and Titus, [Comment on 2 Timothy 3:5] College Press, Joplin, Missouri Copyright 1961

(3) William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, pg. 2120

(4) Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on 2 Timothy 3”. “Coffman Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/2-timothy-3.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.

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“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5 KJV).

The list of negative characteristics given to us in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 concludes with those who possess “…a form of Godliness but deny it’s power” (NIV). While these individuals maintain an external façade of spirituality, they effectively reject God by placing a love of money, a love of pleasure, and a love of self ahead of Him. Much like a vocalist who lip-synchs his or her way through a song, there is no substance behind their performance. They claim to be religious, but “…reject the power that could make them godly” (NLT).

Because of this, Paul the Apostle offered some wise counsel: “Don’t have anything to do with such people” (CEV). You see, these characteristics have always existed, even among those who lived during Paul’s lifetime. The difference is that as we draw closer to the end of this chapter of human history, greater numbers of people will exhibit these qualities.

This counsel is also similar to the advice Paul gave to the church at Corinth in the New Testament epistle of 1 Corinthians: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits'” (1 Corinthians 15:33). You see, it has often been said that a person is known by the company that he or she keeps. Since our friendships and relationships influence our attitudes and beliefs, we often take on the habits, mannerisms, and convictions of those who become our companions.

This is not a new idea, for as we’re told in the Old Testament book of Proverbs, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26). This further serves to remind us that our relationships have an effect upon us for better or worse.

While it is important to maintain good relationships with others as we seek to be ambassadors for Christ, it is also important to evaluate our relationships with those who claim to be Christians but show little interest in validating that claim through their choices and decisions. This has led one author to the following conclusion…

“The simple responsibility of Christians is to turn away not only these attitudes, but also from the people who do these things… ‘This exhortation clearly implies that Paul did not consider the state of moral depravity just pictured as wholly a matter of the future. He was keenly aware that the evils about which he was forewarning were already at work.’ _[a]” ₍₁₎

(1) [a] D Edmond Hiebert, Second Timothy- Everyman’s Bible Commentary “The Minister And The Coming Apostasy 3:1-17” quoted in Guzik, Dave, 2 Timothy 3 – Perilous Times And Precious Truth, (2-5) A description of the human condition in the last days, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-timothy-3/

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“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:2-4 HCSB).

This portion of Scripture contains some additional fast-paced descriptions of the qualities that characterize the last-days…

• Despisers of those that are good. Like many things, the meaning and application of a word largely depends upon how you define it. For instance, those who define “good” as “what’s best for me,” typically exclude what is good for others. If we link that definition with those who are “lovers of self” (a characteristic also found in the Scripture quoted above), it is easy to become someone who is a “despiser of those who are good.”
• Treacherous (ESV) or traitors. This word describes those who are willing to sell others out in order to gain a personal advantage. It is also significant to note that the word translated “traitor” here in 2 Timothy 3:4 is the same word used to describe Judas in Luke 6:16.
• Reckless, rash (NIV), or headstrong (NKJV). The Living Bible paraphrase of this passage employs the word “hotheaded” to identify this quality. A person who fits this description might be someone who acts impulsively or makes imprudent decisions without regard for the advice or counsel of others.
• Conceited or haughty (NKJV). Much like the alternative definitions for “lovers of self” mentioned earlier, we can use descriptive terms like self-centered, vain, egotistical, or narcissistic to characterize these individuals.
• Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. This can refer to the existence of a prevailing, “if it feels good, do it” attitude among those who hold little interest in fulfilling God’s objectives for humanity. One commentary expands upon this characteristic with some important observations…

“Why is it so tempting to ‘love pleasure rather than God’? Pleasure is something we can control; God cannot be controlled. Most pleasures can be obtained easily; love for God requires effort and sometimes sacrifice. Pleasure benefits us now; the benefits of loving God are often in the future. Pleasure has a narcotic effect; it takes our minds off ourselves and our problems. Love for God reminds us of our needs and our responsibilities. Pleasure cooperates with pride. It makes us feel good when we look good in the eyes of others. To love God we must lay aside our pride and our accomplishments.” ₍₁₎

(1) Life Application Study Bible [2 Timothy 3:4] Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.

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“People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God” (2 Timothy 3:2-4 GNB).

As we continue our look at the characteristic qualities associated with the last days, we now come to several rapid-fire attributes…

• Disobedient to parents (NKJV). This phrase expresses an attitude of unruliness, rebellion, and/or insubordination towards a legitimate authority figure.
• Unthankful, ungrateful (AMP), or “utterly lacking in gratitude” (Phillips). This describes those who fail to appreciate the blessings that God has extended to us. One commentator adds, “Many people receive kindnesses from others without even thinking of thanking them. And they accept everything from God without ever returning thanks to Him.” ₍₁₎
• Unholy, a reference to those who act in a manner that is opposed to God and His character.
• Unloving (HCSB), a word that indicates a lack of natural affection. This word appears in only one other place in the original language of the New Testament. That place is Romans 1:31 where it is translated “heartless” (ESV). Nevertheless, it’s important to note that those who exhibit this quality will not be entirely devoid of love. As we saw earlier, these individuals will be “lovers of themselves.”
• Unforgiving (NIV), a consequence that naturally follows a failure to recognize or appreciate how God has forgiven us in Christ.
• Slanderous. This refers to a false statement that is intended to damage the reputation of someone else. This word also forms the basis for our modern-day word “diabolical.” As another source observes, “There is a sense in which slander is the most cruel of all sins. If a man’s goods are stolen, he can set to and build up his fortunes again; but if his good name is taken away, irreparable damage has been done.” ₍₂₎
• Without self-control, brutal. We can associate these qualities with a person who is self-indulgent while holding others to a standard that he or she would never personally seek to attain. In other words, “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.” ₍₃₎

(1) J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee, “2 Timothy 3:1-9 Apostasy In The Last Days” Copyright 1981 by J. Vernon McGee
(2) Barclay, William. William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, “The Qualities Of Godlessness (2Ti_3:2-5 continued)”
(3) Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on 2 Timothy 3”. “Coffman Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/2-timothy-3.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999

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“People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God” (2 Timothy 3:2-4 GNB).

The next “last days” characteristic given to us in the passage quoted above is pride (NKJV), arrogance (AMP), or abusiveness (ESV).

Depending on the context, the word “pride” is often associated with a gratifying sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that accompanies a job well done. However, the destructive form of pride referenced here involves those who possess an inflated self-opinion and look down upon others with contempt. In the words of one Biblical scholar, “This describes someone who thinks he/she is superior and expresses it in words and deeds (cf. Luke 1:51; Rom. 1:30; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5).” ₍₁₎

The Scriptures repeatedly condemn this type of attitude. For instance, Proverbs 25:27 tells us: “Just as it is harmful to eat too much honey, so also it is bad for men to think about all the honors they deserve!” (TLB). The Bible denounces this sort of thought-process because it reflects the negative type of pride mentioned in here 2 Timothy 3:2 . In addition to what we read in Proverbs 25:27, the Biblical books of Psalms and Proverbs have more to say about this characteristic…

“Pride causes arguments, but those who listen to others are wise” (Proverbs 13:10 ERV).

“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5 NKJV).

“I will not tolerate anyone who secretly slanders his neighbors; I will not permit conceit and pride” (Psalms 101:5 TLB).

This type of pride also appears in a Biblical list of seven things the Lord hates…

“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV).

In light of these things, we should prayerfully seek to avoid this mindset.

This characteristic is followed by “blasphemers” (NKJV). While we typically associate blasphemy with an expression of contempt or disrespect for God, this passage references a form of the word blasphemy that involves speaking in an evil, reproachful, or abusive manner. ₍₂₎ We’ll consider this quality in greater detail when we examine the word “slander” that appears later in this list of negative characteristics.

(1) Dr. Bob Utley, www.freebiblecommentary.org 2 Timothy 3:2 http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL09/VOL09_13.html

(2) G989 blasphemos https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g989/kjv/tr/0-1/

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“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:2-4 ESV).

In addition to the characteristics already mentioned, 2 Timothy 3:2-4 continues with a series of additional qualities that typify the last days. The next character trait mentioned in this list involves those who are boastful (CSB) or braggarts (Mounce). This word refers to one who is “an empty pretender” ₍₁₎ and it describes the type of person who is driven by a need to embellish their accomplishments, skills, qualities, or capabilities.

The most visible form of this attribute is often exhibited in those who are clearly less than what they claim to be. However, this quality may also appear in casual conversations, workplace relationships, or other forms of social interaction as well. From an acquaintance who is driven by the need to subtly “one-up” another person’s accomplishment, to the individual who seeks to draw attention to his or her achievements, one author exposes the hidden reality behind this mindset…

“When we’ve got something to boast about, we work it into conversation, don’t we? We are so sneaky, so effectively dropping those statements that let people know that we got the raise, that we won the prize, that we were so spiritual, that we did so well. We can work anything into any conversation, no matter how much of a stretch it is.” ₍₂₎

The problem is that this quality does not originate with God. The New Testament epistle of 1 John puts it like this: “…everything in the world -the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16 NIV). This brief declaration effectively summarizes the attitude of self-praise that characterizes the last days.

Finally, we should recognize that these expressions may serve to mask a hidden sense of insecurity, one that seeks to promote ourselves at the expense of others. But for those who find their approval in Christ, the need for such boastfulness disappears. Therefore, as we’re told in the Biblical book of Romans…

“Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us. Since Christ’s blood has now given us God’s approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God’s anger” (Romans 5:8-9 GW).

(1) G213 alazon https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g213/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) Ron Daniel, Study Notes Galatians 6:6-18 http://rondaniel.com/library/48-Galatians/Galatians0606.php

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“For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:2-5).

2 Timothy 3:2-5 provides us with several distinctive attributes that characterize the cultural attitude of the last days. As mentioned previously, this time period will prove to be “grievous” (ASV), “perilous” (NKJV), “difficult” (GNB), or “violent” (GW). These words communicate an atmosphere of threat, menace, danger, and hostility towards Christ and those who follow Him.

You see, this passage describes a world that has turned against its Creator and holds no interest in emulating His character. In identifying the personality traits that will mark this period, Paul the Apostle begins by observing that people will be lovers of themselves. Today, we might use a descriptive term such as,  self-centered, conceited, egotistical, or narcissistic to describe such individuals.

This is important, for a person who seeks to reject the idea of a Creator must replace Him with something else on the priority scale of life. That “something else” might be a person, an idea, an object, or anything that someone loves, fears, or respects above all else.

For instance, a person who is searching for the most attractive substitute for God often needs to look no further than him or herself. Thus, the needs, wants, and priorities of self take precedence over the Creator’s agenda. This may lead to the type of narcissistic mindset that is described for us in the passage quoted above.

A love of money then follows that characteristic. One perceptive commentator links this character quality with a “love of self” in the following manner: “This is a natural outgrowth of self-love. We cannot pamper self without money.” ₍₁₎ These are important attributes to note, for whenever someone places a love for self and a love for money above his or her love for God, bad things are sure to follow. Thus, as we were reminded earlier in 1 Timothy 6:10-11…

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:10-11).

(1) Don De Welt, Paul’s Letters to Timothy and Titus, [Comment on 2 Timothy 3:2] College Press, Joplin, Missouri Copyright 1961

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“But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1 NET).

Here in 2 Timothy chapter three, Paul the Apostle will offer some additional detail regarding the societal degradation that will characterize the last days. One commentator offers an insightful perspective upon this portion of Scripture that warrants a lengthy excerpt…

“Many people take the phrase, ‘these last days,’ to refer to the time just before Christ’s return, but the biblical usage of that phrase indicates that it refers to the whole period of time between the first coming of our Lord and his second coming. In other words, for 2,000 years we have been living in the last days…

In the account in Acts 2, we read that, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter quoted the prophecy of Joel, in which the prophet said that “in the last days” God would pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, (Acts 2:17). That, Peter said, was beginning to be fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, almost 2,000 years ago. The first words of the book of Hebrews are: ‘In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,’ (Hebrews 1:1-2a RSV).

So it is clear, from that, that ‘the last days’ is a period which has now grown to 2,000 years’ duration. The Apostle Paul is saying that within this extended period of time there will come repetitive cycles of distress, times of stress, perilous times, when all the conditions which he describes with these chilling words will obtain.” ₍₁₎

As noted in the Scripture quoted above, this time period will be “terrible” (NIV), “difficult” (HCSB), “perilous” (KJV), or “grievous” (ASV). As another source observes, this word “…is used only one other time, in connection with the demoniacs in the country of the Gergesenes, describing them as ‘exceeding fierce’ (Matthew 8:28).” ₍₂₎

In addition to the characteristics that will follow in 2 Timothy 3:2-5, the Biblical book of Romans offers a further glimpse into the human mindset behind these perilous conditions…

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful” (Romans 1:28-31).

This sets the stage for our look into the characteristic elements of the last days beginning next.

(1) Excerpted with permission from Dangerous Times © 2021 by Ray Stedman Ministries. All rights reserved. Visit www.RayStedman.org for the complete library of Ray Stedman material. Please direct any questions to webmaster@RayStedman.org https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy/dangerous-times

(2) Institute for Creation Research, New Defender’s Study Bible Notes [2 Timothy 3:1] https://www.icr.org/bible/2Timothy/3/01/

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“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1).

One focus of attention in the previous chapter of 2 Timothy involved the importance of accurate Biblical teaching (2 Timothy 2:15). That point of emphasis involved more than just good doctrine; it also included several other essential elements, including…

• Courage (2:1).
• Potential hardship (2:3, 2:9).
• Personal reflection upon the meaning and application of God’s Word (2:7).
• Refusal to engage in quarrels or unprofitable discussions (2:16, 2:24).
• Moral purity (2:19-22)

Here now in chapter three, Paul the Apostle will illustrate why sound Biblical teaching is so important. You see, 2 Timothy chapter three will address several characteristics associated with the last days. These characteristics describe a world populated with those who have turned their backs upon their Creator and His attributes. If we take a sober assessment of this chapter, the critical importance of accurate, expository Biblical instruction should become abundantly clear.

In light of this, we should be alert to the societal elements that are described for us within this chapter. Doing so will help prepare us for whatever unfolds in God’s agenda for humanity. However, it’s also important to ensure that our interest in the last-days events of this chapter does not dominate our spiritual attention. This is especially true in dealing with media outlets and others who regularly seek to interpret daily news events through the lens of end times theology.

Virtually anyone can develop a website or post a video that seeks to associate various Biblical prophecies with contemporary news headlines or current events. Some of those efforts may be highly questionable and cause great spiritual injury among those who are young, naïve, or undiscerning.

Even a sincere, well-meaning man or woman of God may fall into the trap of viewing every negative news event, political occurrence, or astronomic sign as a potential omen that signals the end of this human era. So while it is important to remain vigilant and watchful, it is also important to view this portion of Scripture in a discerning, responsible manner.

Finally, we should recognize the difference between the “end times” and the “last days” mentioned here in 2 Timothy 3:1. Although they are often used interchangeably, the phrase “end times” generally refers to the events that will occur just prior to the close of the current chapter of human history. In contrast, the “last days” began with Jesus’ ascension and will conclude upon His return. We’ll consider that lengthy interval in greater detail next.

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“and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26 MEV).

A “snare” can be defined as “something that lures or entangles the unwary.” ₍₁₎ Just as different methods may be used to snare a bird or small animal, the same may be true of “the snare of the devil” as well.

For instance, Paul the Apostle identified one type of snare earlier in 1 Timothy 6:9: “…those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (ESV). Humanity’s spiritual enemy assuredly possesses many other types of snares as well.

This may explain why people sometimes engage in self-destructive acts. According to 2 Timothy 2:26, such individuals may have fallen into a snare of the devil and taken captive to do his will. One source captures this idea with the following observation: “…we see every day in the reprobate clear evidence of this tyrannical domination of Satan. For they would not rush with such fury and brutal violence into every kind of base and disgraceful crime if they were not driven to it by Satan’s secret power.” ₍₂₎

However, Jesus offered another perspective that we should consider in regard to this passage…

“…the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person” (Matthew 15:18-20).

Those characteristics provide a fertile environment for the devil to lay a trap or snare for the unwary. In the words of another commentator, “The only hope is that in the providence of God they ‘may recover’ themselves (the idea is, to ‘return to soberness’…), repent, and acknowledge the truth.” ₍₃₎

If we find we are exhibiting some of these negative qualities from Matthew 15:18-20, the right approach is to repent and prayerfully seek God’s help in overcoming them. The Biblical book of Philippians offers a word of encouragement for those who choose that path: “…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Finally, we should also remember another important passage from the book of Philippians:

“And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns” (Philippians 1:6 TLB).

(1) snare. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved July 19 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/snare
(2) John Calvin, The Crossway Classic Commentaries: 1, 2 Timothy and Titus, 145, quoted in Steven J. Lawson, Foundations of Grace © 2006 [pg. 448]
(3) B. W. Johnson, The People’s New Testament (Public Domain) [pg. 534]

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“…it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will” (2 Timothy 2:26 GNB).

One of the more challenging aspects of this passage involves the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. One Biblical scholar addresses this question in the context of repentance and salvation in a helpful, “Q&A” format…

2 TIMOTHY 2:25—Is repentance a gift of God or an act of man?

PROBLEM: Paul speaks here of God ‘granting them repentance, so that they may know the truth’ (cf. Acts 5:31). Yet in other places, repentance is considered a person’s own act. Jesus, for example, calls on people to ‘Repent, and believe in the Gospel’ (Mark 1:15). Paul tells us that God ‘commands all men everywhere to repent’ (Acts 17:30). But doesn’t it have to be either an act of God or else an act of the individual believer?

SOLUTION: There are two possible answers here, neither of which negates a person’s God-given responsibility to exercise free choice. First, repentance could be an actual gift of God, but like other gifts, it must be received to be enjoyed. On this view, God offers all who are willing the gift of repentance unto eternal life. Those who are not willing do not get repentance. In this way, God is impartial in His offer, but man is still responsible to accept or reject the gift of repentance necessary for salvation.

A second view simply notes the two different senses in which repentance is used in these seemingly opposed verses. One set of verses is speaking of repentance as an opportunity and the other as an act. The former is simply a disposition given by God, leaving the actual action of repenting to human beings. The former is a God-given provision, while the latter is a man-made decision. This view can be summarized as follows:

TWO DIFFERENT SENSES OF REPENTANCE

So understood, there is no contradiction in the diverse texts on repentance. Whichever interpretation is taken, one thing is certain, there is no verse saying God repents for us. Each free moral creature is responsible to repent for himself. The same can be said about whether faith is a gift of God or not.” ₍₁₎

(1) Norman L. Geisler and Thomas A. Howe, The Big Book of Bible Difficulties © 1992 [pg. 504]

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“Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-25 NIV).

For some, the word “repent” is associated with the idea of a wild-eyed individual who runs about making frantic proclamations concerning the end of the world. However, repentance is no joke, and that caricature is far different from the reality behind this important concept.

You see, the idea of repentance as it appears in the passage quoted above, refers to a change of mind that leads to a change in behavior. This involves more than just a feeling of remorse, sorrow, or regret (although it may incorporate those responses). Genuine repentance involves a decision to prayerful refrain from inappropriate behaviors and make appropriate choices that are good and acceptable before God.

We can illustrate this idea using the familiar imagery of an automobile driver who has made a wrong turn on the way to an unfamiliar destination. Once the driver realizes that he or she is headed in the wrong direction, the proper response is to stop, turn around, and get back on the right road. In a similar manner, genuine repentance involves action, much like a motor vehicle driver might stop from going the wrong way by making a U-turn.

The Biblical book of 2 Corinthians offers some further insight into this concept of repentance as an action…

“…godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

This reference to “godly sorrow” also represents an important distinction. For instance, a person may not feel sorrowful over the fact that he or she did something wrong. Instead, that person’s sorrow might arise from the fact that he or she was caught doing something wrong. In that instance, he or she is likely to feel sorry about the negative consequences associated with the act of doing something inappropriate.

This is neither godly sorrow nor is it true repentance, for such an attitude is primarily concerned with avoiding the undesired effect of an inappropriate behavior and not with the behavior itself. Instead the godly sorrow identified in 2 Corinthians 7:10 should lead us to “turn around” and head towards genuine repentance. As we’re told in the Old Testament book of Proverbs…

“Whoever hides their sins will not be successful, but whoever confesses their sins and stops doing wrong will receive mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 ERV).

Image Credit:  “The End is Near” by jwelcher is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

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“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

In commenting upon this passage, one Biblical scholar makes an observation that merits our attention: “How we treat those who oppose the gospel says something important about the gospel and about us!” ₍₁₎ One characteristic that says something important about the gospel and ourselves is humility.

Humility can be defined as, “A freedom from arrogance that grows out of the recognition that all that we have and are comes from God… Biblical humility is not a belittling of oneself, but an exalting and praising of others, especially God and Christ.” ₍₁₎ This represents a positive quality that involves courtesy, respect, and a modest self-opinion.

While the world at large often devalues humility in favor of more aggressive qualities, the Biblical book of Proverbs reminds us that “Humility and reverence for the Lord will make you both wise and honored” (Proverbs 15:33 TLB). When others question our wisdom or dishonor us for acting in humility, it helps to remember the value that the Primary Author of Proverbs 15:33 places upon this trait.

The following commentator addresses this characteristic in practical terms that we can apply in our relationships with others…

“As followers of Christ, we are to be those who uphold the truth of God’s revealed Word. That means there will be times when we must confront error as we contend earnestly for the faith. With unbelievers, this will often take the form of apologetics, boldly giving a defense for the hope that is in us. With fellow believers, this may take the form of confrontation, as we plead with a spiritual brother or sister to repent of sinful thinking or action.

Speaking the truth in love addresses the way in which we speak. We must not be obnoxious with the truth, or personally offensive in how we approach others. Rather, we are called to communicate in such a way that the manner of our speaking honors our Lord Jesus and edifies His body, the church. When we speak of love, we are not suggesting that we should ignore error or blindly tolerate ‘every wind of doctrine.’ Not at all.

Biblical love ‘does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth’ (1 Cor. 13:6). Our postmodern world wrongly equates love with tolerance of all beliefs and actions. But being tolerant of doctrinal error or unrepentant sin is not truly loving at all. Thus, we speak the truth because it is the most loving thing we can do.” ₍₂₎

(1) Dr. Bob Utley, Free Bible Commentary, [2 Timothy 2:25] Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL09/VOL09_12.html

(2) Nathan Busenitz, “Speaking the Truth in Love” Tabletalk magazine, July, 2013 [pgs. 18-19]

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“But it is necessary that a servant of the Lord not be quarrelsome but be gentle to all, skilled in teaching, patient even in the midst of evil, in meekness instructing those who oppose you, if perhaps God might grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25 Mounce).

One important quality referenced here in 2 Timothy 2:24-25 involves meekness (ESV) or gentleness (HCSB). This characteristic refers to “…a humble opinion of one’s self, a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness, modesty, lowliness of mind.” ₍₁₎ Although meekness is often equated with weakness, this word is more accurately defined as “power under control.” It also describes those who choose to defer to an authority rather than insist upon doing things their way.

This usually involves a willingness to listen and consider another person’s point of view. It might also prompt us to search for areas of common interest that help promote mutual understanding (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-22). Since this characteristic does away with the harshness and abrasiveness that reflects many types of human interaction, it may serve to diffuse a potentially confrontational situation.

So a person who exhibits meekness is someone who is distinguished by the positive qualities of graciousness, courtesy, and restraint rather than the negative qualities of egotism, arrogance, and/or disrespect. Jesus makes the following promise to those who are marked by this characteristic: “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

In fact, Jesus serves as the personification of this quality for He, “…being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-9 NIV).

Therefore, it is no coincidence that the Scriptures associate this characteristic with a God-honoring life: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). The book of Galatians also offers an important reminder concerning this passage…

“Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted” (GW).

Finally, meekness is closely related to humility, another attribute that is often misunderstood or poorly defined. We’ll consider that characteristic next.

(1) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [note on Colossians 3:12-13] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25 ESV).

This portion of Scripture builds upon a topic discussed earlier in our look at 2 Timothy 2:14: “Remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of God not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn’t do any good but only destroys those who are listening” (GW).

Author and speaker Greg Koukl offers several insights related to these passages that we can use in engaging those who hold opposing views. These insights can help neutralize potential quarrels and other types of non-productive discussions as we interact with others…

“What Is an Argument? There’s a difference between an argument and a fight. Christians are not to be acrimonious, nasty, or harsh, fighting for the fight’s sake. Paul warns against such quarreling and abuse (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

An argument is not a fight or a quarrel, but a reasoned and principled disputation about matters of fact. Arguments are important, therefore, because they help us discover the facts and find the truth. If you think about it, much of the New Testament consists of arguments in written form–Paul, Peter, and the others arguing for a critical point of truth.

Think of an argument like a simple house, a roof supported by walls. The roof is the conclusion and the walls are the supporting ideas. By testing the walls we can see if they are strong enough to keep the roof from tumbling down. If the walls are solid, the conclusion rests securely on its supporting foundation. If the walls collapse, the roof goes flat and the argument is defeated.

Some arguments are not really arguments at all. Many people try to build their roof right on the ground. Instead of erecting solid walls–the supporting ideas that hold the conclusion up–they simply assert their view and pound the podium.

An argument is different from an assertion, though. An assertion simply states a point. An argument gives supporting reasons why the point should be taken seriously. The reasons, then, become the topic of mutual discussion or analysis. Opinions by themselves are not proof. A mere point of view is not worthy of belief. Belief requires reasons. Roofs are useless when they’re on the ground; they don’t cover anything. In the same way an assertion without evidence doesn’t do any work.” ₍₁₎

(1) Gregory Koukl, Ambassador Insights: Representing The King, Copyright 2012 by Gregory Koukl [pg. 30]

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“And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25 NET).

There are no shortages of those who seem eager to engage others with an opposing point of view. For instance, anyone who has ever taken part in a general discussion on an open social media platform has undoubtedly witnessed many examples of those who oppose one another on a variety of subjects. This seems especially true regarding spiritual topics.

To be fair, we can say that such opposition may be justified in certain instances. For example, if our spiritual beliefs are largely based upon our feelings or opinions, we should not be surprised if others choose to take issue with them. Fortunately, there are many apologetic resources that serve to validate the truth of Christianity and enable us to fulfill the message of 1 Peter 3:15-16…

“Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way. Do what is right; then if men speak against you, calling you evil names, they will become ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good” (TLB).

2 Timothy 2:24-25 offers some additional guidance on this subject. As we consider this passage, it is important to recognize that the primary goal for an ambassador of Christ is not to prevail in a debate as he or she engages with others. Instead, the goal is to help those individuals establish a relationship (or grow in their relationship) with Christ.

Even if we possess exceptional communication skills, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God ultimately provide others with the wisdom necessary to accept God’s offer of salvation through Jesus (see 2 Timothy 3:15 and John 16:7-8). With these things in mind, one source candidly explains the implications of this passage…

“Anyone attempting to answer the questions of unbelievers will surely be wronged and be tempted to lose patience, but our ultimate goal is that they might come to a knowledge of the truth that Jesus has died for their sins. With so important a task at hand, we must not neglect obedience to this command.” ₍₁₎

In fact, this portion of Scripture is so applicable to modern-day culture that it will occupy the focus of our attention over the next few studies.

(1) Geisler, N. L., & Brooks, R. M. 1990. When Skeptics Ask – A Handbook on Christian Evidences Victor Books: Wheaton, Ill.

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“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2 Timothy 2:23).

As we continue our catalog of God-honoring qualities from 2 Timothy chapter two, we now arrive at another important characteristic: God’s people should avoid argumentative discussions that only serve to generate conflict with others. If this cautionary message sounds familiar, it may be due to the fact that this has been a recurring theme throughout the Biblical letters of 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. For instance…

• “…command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith” (1 Timothy 1:3-4 NIV).
• “…Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith” (1 Timothy 6:20-21).
• “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers” (2 Timothy 2:14).

As another commentator from an earlier generation once observed, “See how often the apostle cautions against disputes in religion; which surely shows that religion consists more in believing and practising what God requires, than in subtle disputes.” ₍₁₎

Fortunately, we can often identify a “foolish and ignorant dispute” if we stop to consider what each party seeks to accomplish in their interaction with one another. If one or both parties seems more interested in “winning the argument” than in pursuing the truth and/or mutual understanding, they are likely engaged in the kind of “stupid and senseless” (CEV) dispute mentioned here.

A closer look at the word translated “foolish” or “stupid” in this passage offers another incentive to avoid this kind of interaction…

“The word that is translated ‘stupid’ here is the word moros, from which we get our word, moron. Paul is talking about moronic controversies, foolish, trivial matters which, even when they are settled after long and loud debate, do nothing for you; they do not advance the Christian cause in the least degree. Such trivial matters may be interesting in some limited way, but they should never be allowed to become controversies and have people divide over them.” ₍₂₎

Since no reasonable person should ever wish to be classified as a moron, it is in our best interest to follow this Biblical injunction and steer clear of such argumentative interactions.

See related study here

(1) Henry, Matthew. “Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 2”. “Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mhn/2-timothy-2.html. 1706.

(2) Excerpted with permission from Guidelines for Controversies © 1982 by Ray Stedman Ministries. All rights reserved. Visit www.RayStedman.org for the complete library of Ray Stedman material. Please direct any questions to webmaster@RayStedman.org https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy/guidelines-for-controversies

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“But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22 RV).

In additional to physical lusts, we can identify several other areas that may reveal the presence of lustful tendencies within our lives. For instance, God identified some of those potential vulnerabilities through Paul the Apostle’s New Testament letters. Some of those areas might include…

Money: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:10-11).

Various Forms OF Idolatry: An “idol” represents anything that takes precedence over God within our lives. Unfortunately, it is not unusual to encounter those whose lives are dedicated to the pursuit of something over Someone. In light of this, 1 Corinthians 10:14 tells us, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

Pride: “not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6).

Contentiousness, Jealousy, Selfish Ambition, And Other Similar Characteristics: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

One commentary summarizes these potential areas of concern with the following observation…

“Youthful lusts may refer not only to physical appetites but also to the lust for money, fame, and pleasure. They may also include self-will, impatience, pride, and levity. As we have mentioned, Timothy was probably about thirty-five years of age at this time. Therefore, youthful lusts do not necessarily mean such lusts as would be particularly characteristic of a teenager but would include all the unholy desires that would present themselves to a young servant of the Lord and seek to divert him from the path of purity and righteousness.” ₍₁₎

Since bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33) we would do well to seek the company of like-minded others who pursue “…goodness, faith, love and peace in company with all those who approach God in sincerity” (Phillips).

(1) Believer’s Bible Commentary William Macdonald, Edited by Arthur Farstad, Thomas Nelson Publishers [pg.2187]

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“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

The next distinguishing characteristic from 2 Timothy chapter two involves purity of thought and action. In considering this directive to “Flee youthful lusts…” (ASV), it is probably natural to think of this counsel in terms of sexual lust. However, this concept involves more than just an inappropriate physical or emotional response.

This reference to “lust” involves “a longing, especially for something that is forbidden.” ₍₁₎ In a general sense, “lust” can be identified with a person who seeks to use others to fulfill their appetites and desires. It may also involve an intense desire to possess (or control) someone or something that belongs to someone else.

It is important to note that lust differs from love in an important respect. You see, love involves giving and consideration of others’ needs (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). On the other hand, lust often involves things like exploitation and selfishness (see Colossians 3:5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5). Since God is love (1 John 4:8), lust is incompatible with His character.

In addition to what we read here in 2 Timothy 2:22, the Biblical book of 1 Peter speaks disparagingly of lust as well…

“You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols” (NLT).

Finally, we should remember that a lustful person is rarely satisfied with what he or she already has. Much like a small amount of rust that grows to consume a large piece of metal, lust also tends to grow if left unchecked. This brings us to an old adage that offers a simple but effective means of fleeing lust: “If you feed it, it grows; if you starve it, it dies.”

In other words, we should prayerfully refrain from feeding those areas of vulnerability to lust that already exist within our lives. If we fail to do so, those vulnerabilities are certain to grow and become more difficult to overcome. To borrow another analogy, we can view lust as a spark or flame that holds the potential to ignite a large fire. Just as a blazing fire is diminished when it is deprived of fuel or oxygen, the potential for lust often becomes easier to manage if we are diligent to avoid feeding it.

(1) G1939 epithumia Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1939/kjv/tr/0-1/

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“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:20-21 ESV).

In reflecting upon this passage, several commentators offer some valuable insights that are worthy of our attention. These authors discuss the role of human preference in determining our status as honorable or dishonorable vessels before God…

“… (Those) which are most often in the Master’s hands are not necessarily the gold vessels, but the clean ones, of whatever material. Cleanliness counts more with God than cleverness. Do not be anxious about your service; be ready for the Master to use you.” ₍₁₎

“…In our homes pots and pans have no choice as to what they are going to be used for — that is entirely up to the householder — but in Scripture it is very clear that, when this is applied to human beings, a choice is involved. We see that in Verse 21: “If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use.” We have no choice of whether we are going to be used of God or not; the choice we have is what God is going to use us for. That is up to us; it is put in our hands.” ₍₂₎

“Notice the condition of one choosing to cleanse himself and then the statement of God’s action. Sanctification is both a divine act and a human act. This pattern characterizes the covenant relationship in all of God’s dealings with humans. He always takes the initiative and sets the agenda, but mankind must respond appropriately and continue to respond.” ₍₃₎

“…it is the duty of a Christian to keep himself free from polluting influences. And if he does, his reward is not special honour and special privilege but special service… No Christian should ever think of fitting himself for honour but always as fitting himself for service.” ₍₄₎

In light of these things, we should be diligent to ask for God’s help in identifying and discarding any negative quality that might limit His desire to use us in His service. The following verse describes one such quality- and we’ll consider that quality at greater length beginning next.

(1) Meyer, Frederick Brotherton. “Commentary on 2 Timothy 2”. “F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible’ Commentary”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/fbm/2-timothy-2.html. 1914.

(2) Excerpted with permission from Fit to be Used © 1982 by Ray Stedman Ministries. All rights reserved. Visit www.RayStedman.org for the complete library of Ray Stedman material. Please direct any questions to webmaster@RayStedman.org https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy/fit-to-be-used

(3) Dr. Bob Utley. Free Bible Commentary, [2 Timothy 2:20] Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL09/VOL09_12.html

(4) Barclay, William. William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, Vessels Of Honor And Of Dishonor (2Ti_2:20-21)

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