The Epistles · Chapter 3 of 4

2 Timothy 3

Paul warns that the last days will bring perilous times, when people love self and pleasure while keeping a hollow form of godliness. Against this decay Timothy is to continue in what he has learned, remembering that the holy Scriptures, known from childhood, can make him wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, for all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.

What happens in 2 Timothy 3

Paul tells Timothy that in the last days perilous times will come. He gives a long, searching list of what people will become: lovers of self, covetous, boastful, proud, disobedient to parents, without natural affection, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Most striking, they will have a form of godliness while denying its power, and Timothy is to turn away from such. These deceivers creep into homes and lead the vulnerable astray, ever learning yet never reaching the truth, resisting it as Jannes and Jambres once resisted Moses.

But their folly will be exposed. Paul contrasts this with his own life of doctrine, patience, and persecution, out of which the Lord delivered him. All who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Timothy must continue in what he learned, remembering the holy Scriptures he has known from childhood, which make him wise unto salvation, for all Scripture is inspired and equips the man of God.

2 Timothy 3 in context

Near the close of his life, Paul prepares Timothy for a ministry that will grow harder, not easier. False teachers are exploiting households, and cultural pressure is mounting against the faith.

Against this, Paul points to two anchors he knows Timothy already has: the example of a faithful mentor, and the God-breathed Scriptures Timothy learned as a child from a believing family.

Main themes of 2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3 (KJV)

1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Verses to carry from 2 Timothy 3

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”2 Timothy 3:12

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”2 Timothy 3:15

“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

Reflection

It is easy to keep the shape of faith while quietly losing its power. Ask honestly whether your devotion still runs on God's transforming life or only on habit. Paul's remedy is the same one that formed Timothy as a child: return to the God-breathed Scriptures that make us wise unto salvation.

A prayer from 2 Timothy 3