2 Timothy chapter 3
Paul tells Timothy that in the Last Days, Christian believers will be persecuted. Timothy is to follow Paul’s example and teaching. And the Scriptures.
DANGER AHEAD
VERSE 1. But know this: that in the last days, grievous times will come.
in the last days. Biblical authors use the phrase “in the latter days.” In some cases it means “the present day.” But in other cases, it means “the future” or “The End of Days.” Read more »
VERSE 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
VERSE 3. without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good,
VERSE 4. traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
VERSE 5. holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
VERSE 6. For some of these are people who creep into houses and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
creep into houses and take captive gullible women. Even in our day, there are church workers who do this very thing.
They worm their way into the lives of lonely old widows. They win their esteem, and gradually sway her into giving them her money.
VERSE 7. always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
VERSE 8. Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith are rejected.
VERSE 9. But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.
ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED AND USEFUL
VERSE 10. But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
VERSE 11. persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all.
VERSE 12. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
all … will suffer persecution. This is a powerful statement.
Do you want to live for Christ Jesus? If so, people will make trouble for you.
VERSE 13. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
VERSE 14. But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.
But you remain. One of the main objectives in the Christian faith is simply to not give up the Christian faith.
VERSE 15. From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
you have known the holy Scriptures. Timothy knew the Bible. Do you?
make you wise for salvation. The Bible is powerful. It gives us what we need for eternal salvation. It is not just to set on the coffee table.
through faith. Salvation is by faith.
which is in Christ Jesus. Our salvation is because of Jesus Christ, not ourselves.
VERSE 16. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Second Letter to Timothy and from the entire Bible.
Every Scripture. Between Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox, there are debates about which books that are actually a part of the Bible.
God-breathed. The Greek word is θεόπνευστος (“theopneustos”). It means inspired by God, given by inspiration of God, God-breathed.
profitable. The Greek word is ὠφέλιμος (“ōphelimos”). It means profitable, beneficial, useful. Do you find the Bible beneficial to your faith-life?
teaching. The Greek word is διδασκαλίαν (“didaskalian”). It means instruction, teaching. Can you use the Bible to teach others?
reproof. The Greek word is ἐλεγμόν (“elegmon”). It means proof, persuasion, reproof. Sometimes it is translated as “rebuking.” Can you use the Bible to persuade people?
correction. The Greek word is ἐπανόρθωσιν (“epanorthōsin”). It means correction, reformation, setting right again. Can you use the Bible to set things right?
instruction. The Greek word is παιδείαν (“paideian”). It means discipline, training. Can you use the Bible to train others?
righteousness. The Greek word is δικαιοσύνῃ (“dikaiosynē”). It means justice, justness, righteousness.
The Scripture texts have a human author. But that human author was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Read more »
VERSE 17. that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Second Letter to Timothy and from the entire Bible.
that each person who belongs to God. From our broken state as fallen people, the Bible has what we need to make us complete.
thoroughly equipped. The Bible is meant to equip us thoroughly.
for every good work. The Bible equips us even for the doing of good works.
2 TIMOTHY
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.