So the Greek word that is used here to describe these that are going around, leading captive the silly women, is the same Greek word that was used to describe quackery, and that's probably they're quacks, Paul is saying. That is to say, they go through all the correct movements and maintain all the external forms of religion; but they know nothing of Christianity as a dynamic power which changes the lives of men. So the same Greek is used of the same thing, Lu 14:28, 33, "intending (Greek, 'wishing') to build a tower counteth the cost.". Nothing can sanction this. Matthew 10:22-23; Luke 21:12; John 15:20; Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:4). "The foundation of God standeth sure [or, the firm foundation of God standeth], having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. The Christian, the minister, is the man of God. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. We must remember that they were Gnostics and that the basic principle of Gnosticism was that spirit was altogether good and matter altogether evil. Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Godly = adv. "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.". After considering his own life, Paul speaks of others desiring to live godly lives as he has done, a life of piety toward God that will always be opposed by the world. But of one thing Paul was sure--the days of the deceivers were numbered. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.' In the former epistle, Timothy was told how to behave in the house of God, as yet in order; but now we are told how to behave in such a state of things as the present disorder. Regardless of the persecution, it is our duty to live in such a way that the world will know that we are Christians. True, he is telling of something which happened later than this, but the wretched story would be the same (Irenaeus: Against Heresies, 1, 13, 3). Perverse Men 2 Timothy 3:2-4 . The cause of this is the present confusion, and accordingly the apostle brings a picture of it before Timothy's mind. He said, Who is this? "Beloved, consider it not strange concerning the fiery trials which are to try you, as though some strange thing has happened to you" ( 1 Peter 4:12 ). How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. I am not at liberty of course to leave Christendom, I dare not get out of the great house at all; indeed I cannot (at any rate without becoming an apostate) leave the house of God, however bad its state may be. His mental palate loses its taste. Observe, The scriptures will make us wise to salvation, if they be mixed with faith, and not otherwise, Hebrews 4:2. In his own neighbourhood he had seen Paul suffer because of his devotion to Christ (10-12; cf. Now what is it that Timothy had so fully known in Paul? They did not keep the covenant that they made. This chapter has a vivid description of the great apostasy (2 Timothy 3:1-9), signs of which were already present, an appeal to Paul's own inspiring and inspired example (2 Timothy 3:10-15), and one of the most impressive paragraphs in all the Bible with reference to the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16,17).For more extensive discussion of the apostasy, the man of . Men will be inflated with conceit (tetuphomenos, G5187) . e Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.. Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You. Jewish thought had one basic conception. They'll say, Crucify him, rather than applaud. The apostle's life was very exemplary for three things: for his doctrine, which was according to the will of God; for his life, which was agreeable to his doctrine; and for his persecutions and sufferings. The Greek word is that men will become anosios ( G462) . Then he points out the two principal guards for the faithful, in such a perilous state. We must remember that the scripture of which Paul is writing is the Old Testament; as yet the New Testament had not come into being. Resurrection is the form and character of the lowest blessings of which Jesus is the dispenser; much more is He risen to exalt God in the highest. All that will live godly So opposite to the spirit and practice of the world is the whole of Christianity, that he who gives himself entirely up to God, making the Holy Scriptures the rule of his words and actions, will be less or more reviled and persecuted. As we know, there may be over it all a certain form of godliness, but underneath it is really wickedness. That persecution which will properly furnish any evidence that we are the friends of Christ, must be only that which is for righteousness sake Matthew 5:10, and must be brought upon us in an honest effort to obey the commands of God. . It's instructing you on the right kind of life. 4. He knew that he had suffered ill for doing well (2 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:11): "Thou hast fully known the persecutions and afflictions that came unto me" (he mentions those only which happened to him while Timothy was with him, at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra); "and therefore let it be no surprise to thee if thou suffer hard things, it is no more than I have endured before." godly, Godfearingly. And passion shall seize him that is peaceful. He returned after the first missionary journey to visit the Churches he had founded, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" ( Acts 14:22). Many and many a time we would be saved from hurting ourselves and from wounding other people, if we would only stop to think. I. 3:1 You must realize this--that in the last days difficult times will set in. 2 Timothy 3 Commentary; 2 Timothy 4 Commentary; HENRY ALFORD 2 TIMOTHY COMMENTARY The Greek Testament. And that is, it doesn't tell us in the Scripture in Exodus that that was their names but Paul gives us their names here, Jannes and Jambres who withstood the truth. 1. The man who has exhausted the normal pleasures of life and still unsated, will seek his thrill in pleasures which are abnormal. If there is no human affection, the family cannot exist. And this, I apprehend, is the reason. It is true that these things happened before the young Timothy had definitely entered on the Christian way, but they all happened in the district of which he was a native; and he may well have been an eyewitness of them. Thayer, Joseph H. Thayers Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. It should be considered as one of the proper qualifications for membership in the church, to be willing to bear persecution, and to resolve not to shrink from any duty in order to avoid it. "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." Second Timothy 3:12-13 "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being. Observe, Timothy must continue in the things which he had learned and had been assured of. ", Persecution = The essence of persecution consists in subjecting a person to injury or disadvantage on account of his [beliefs].. Good to have pleasure but don't make it your God. Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, this new commentary series, projected to be 48 volumes, takes a Christ-centered approach to expositing each book of the Bible. There is nothing that more shows God than His ability to combine that which is eternal with care for the smallest things of this life. What I believe, I believe because God has said it. VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Take what is called physical Christianity a stupid, gross, and heathenish phrase, but just enough to show where people are drifting to. The study of the Scriptures must never be selfish, never simply for the good of a man's own soul. The nature of its doctrine was no way likely to command success: (1) it condemns all other religions, some established for ages; (2) it enjoins precepts ungrateful to flesh and blood, the mortifying of the flesh, the love of enemies, and the bearing of the cross; (3) it enforces these seemingly unreasonable precepts by promises seemingly incredible; not good things such as afford complacency to our senses, but such as cannot be obtained till after this life, and presuppose what then seemed impossible, the resurrection; (4) it predicts to its followers what would seem sure to keep most of the world from embracing it, persecutions. This is a very striking word. Certain of the temporary persecution, he is equally certain of the ultimate glory. A book with a record such as it has cannot be disregarded. and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us. Jesus said, "You do search the scriptures: because in them you think you have life; but actually, they are testifying of me" ( John 5:39 ). Paul concludes this section with an appeal to Timothy to remain loyal to all the teaching he had received. They claimed that their children learned the law even from their swaddling clothes and drank it in with their mother's milk. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. The braggart is a swaggering creature, who tries to bluster his way into power and eminence. Men will be ungovernable in their desires (akrates, G193) . The true leader gives training in living. He must study the Scriptures to make himself useful to God and to his fellow-men. If what be claims for scripture is true of the Old Testament, how much truer it is of the still more precious words of the New. As teachers we should sometimes ask ourselves: what am I trying to do with these people whom I teach? So he's referring to the Old Testament Scriptures, those which Timothy knew from the child and he called them the "holy scriptures," which they are, "and they are able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus." Now this is not given to us in the Scriptures but there are other, what are known as apocryphal books, in which these two fellows are named. We've just experienced a tremendous demonstration of that in the Los Angeles basin in the last couple of weeks. As I read the things that are happening in our modern-cultured Orange County, as I read the reports from the social department on the child abuse, I just shake my head in disbelief because a person could not possibly do these things unless they were without natural affection. Deliberately he lit it. We must remember that this was written just at the beginning of the years of persecution, when it was becoming a crime to be a Christian. Because the true child of God brings the worldly person under conviction. And leaving guilelessness, will draw near to malice; And forsaking the commandments of the Lord. ' according to godliness, 1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:1; and in all godliness, 1 Timothy 2:2. A great many certainly flatter themselves that they are thus favoured; but the cases are uncommon where it is more than pretence. Then the word went on to widen its meaning until it meant any braggart. 3:8-9 In the same way as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men whose minds are corrupt, and whose faith is counterfeit. Promotions are withheld, invitations are denied, and a snickering unpopularity are the daily portion of many precious souls working in a hostile, atheistic environment. Assuredly he would rejoice to scare Timothy from the field of serving Christ, and would shrink from no means to secure it. In the last days there would come times which would menace the very existence of the Christian Church and of goodness itself, a kind of last tremendous assault of evil before its final defeat. A man can reach a stage when, so far from controlling it, he can become a slave to some habit or desire. He was driven from Antioch in Pisidia ( Acts 13:50); he had to flee from Iconium to avoid lynching ( Acts 14:5-6); in Lystra he was stoned and left for dead ( Acts 14:19). That which finishes a man of God in this world is the scripture. Noah escaped? It opened at the Sermon on the Mount. Men will be disobedient to their parents. I have many scriptures that I don't understand yet. He is sure that God will rescue the man who puts his faith in him. He is sure that the ungodly man will go from bad to worse and that there is literally no future for the man who refuses to accept the way of God. What use it will be of to us. It is interesting that the Scriptures in many places speak of the last days and in every case where the Scriptures speak of the last days, you find that it is an apt description of the day and the age in which we live. It is the sign of a supremely decadent civilization when youth loses all respect for age and fails to recognize the unpayable debt and the basic duty it owes to those who gave it life. But let him not infer, therefore, that he is to be enrolled among the martyrs, and that he is certainly a real Christian. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord" (there must, I suppose, have been some ground for the exhortation), "nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." Finally, we have his assertion of the blessed Lord's care, and his confidence in Him that He would preserve him from all evil to His heavenly kingdom; closing this solemn and touching epistle (it would seem the last words he wrote) with salutations to various saints. He must maintain this confidence, knowing that the Scriptures are divinely given and that they are Gods means of instructing people in right belief and right living. Again he said, "Lo, I have come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God" ( Hebrews 10:7 ). 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Others must do that kind of work in future. Plutarch uses the word to describe a quack doctor. And so Paul, you know, how I've lived; my faith, my longsuffering, my love, my patience, and the persecutions and afflictions that came to me. But now before his heart just as in principle before the dying Lord Himself, wonderful to say two things come together: a deeper sense of what is in God, as revealed in Christ Himself, before there was any creation at all; and on the other hand so much the deeper sense also of what could be owned in nature. Oh I know it costs more but . Living here almost in a Sodom-Gomorrah atmosphere and environment. And he was probably in the company of those that were standing around, sort of crying, as they saw Paul's limp body on the ground. Lear's words remain true: "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is. "Trucebreakers". They choose to lay, again and again, the early foundations of their Christian faith i.e. (1.) Here we find the perilous times fairly brought before us. I'm just saying, Hey, I am stupid and I lack an understanding. The Gnostic insinuators would teach these doctrines to impressionable women. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God.". Men would become lovers of money (philarguros, G5366) . Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1930. Thus we have everything cared for here; the state of confusion is clearly depicted, as it then was beginning, and as results have proved yet more. In the end not a book was burned; the brigand left the colporteur and went off into the darkness with the books. Again, it is startling. He is the man whom God resists, for it is repeatedly said in scripture, that God receives the humble but resists the man who is proud, huperephanos ( G5244) ( James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:24). In 2 Timothy 3:13 he meant that evil becomes more intensive as time goes on. There is peril when men assess prosperity by material things. I mean, people will have had it with the unrighteousness of the world. The Holy Spirit would make it to be most practical and precious. live godly in Christ(Ga 2:20; Php 1:21). The sister was persuaded to read a copy of St. John. Why does the world hate Christians? "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:12 - Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch It is Paul's charge that such people are "willing to learn from anyone, and yet never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." (3.) A man may embrace some absurd opinion, and call it religion; he may adopt some mode of dress irresistibly ludicrous, from the mere love of singularity, and may call it conscience; or he may be boorish in his manners, and uncivil in his deportment, outraging all the laws of social life, and may call this deadness to the world; and for these, and similar things, he may be contemned, ridiculed, and despised. And when you lose authority you have anarchy. Timothy was from Lystra. I reply, it is not always in one way that Satan persecutes the servants of Christ. It is an immense blessing that we have the truth not only in a book, but in a practical shape, the truth that comes out of the heart and from the lips of living men of God. We should not be any more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive,Ephesians 4:14. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for any attack that the evil enemy of my soul can throw at me, and that nothing can ever separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. Timothy, again, winced under trials, too sensitive to slights, disappointments, and the manifold griefs that came upon him. It is as if he said to them: "You have been well warned." They should remember that, in this respect, they are treated as the Master was, and are in the goodly company of the prophets, apostles, and martyrs; for they were all persecuted. Given the right conditions, such oppositions would be just as deadly as the great Roman persecutions. We must not be afraid of a manifest duty because it has been abused. There is no godliness (Greek, "piously") or piety out of Christ. Persecution and hardships will come, but of two things Paul is sure. But the apostle at the same time owns, and loves to own, that which another might perhaps despise. They must not lie by us neglected, seldom or never looked into. Thus he looks not to the coming of the Lord to receive him to Himself, but to the "appearing of the Lord," which is the usual side of the truth taken in these epistles. He directs him to keep close to a good education, and particularly to what he had learned out of the holy scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:15): Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned. When we know the afflictions of good people but in part, they are a temptation to us to decline that cause which they suffer for; when we know only the hardships they undergo for Christ, we may be ready to say, "We will renounce that cause that is likely to cost us so dear in the owning of it;" but when we fully know the afflictions, not only how they suffer, but how they are supported and comforted under their sufferings, then, instead of being discouraged, we shall be animated by them, especially considering that we are told before that we must count upon such things (2 Timothy 3:12; 2 Timothy 3:12): All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution: not always alike; at that time those who professed the faith of Christ were more exposed to persecution than at other times; but at all times, more or less, those who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. It is to be supposed that the younger labourer cowered somewhat, unwilling to incur the odious charge, so easily made but hard to refute, of setting himself up and taking the place of some great one. For it is not dogma pure and simple, it is not mere instruction; and we may thank God for it. And they were able to imitate the workings of God up to a point and then they came to the place where they were backed down by Moses, but "men of corrupt minds, they are reprobate concerning the faith. We can still see this kind of man in fairs and market-places shouting the virtues of a patent medicine which will act like magic. Turning to the SECOND EPISTLE, we find that, although there is the same grand truth of the Saviour God maintained, the state of things had become sensibly worse, and the hour for the apostle's departure from the world was drawing near.
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