New Testament
2 Timothy 3
Overview
Paul warns that "in the last days there will come times of difficulty," and unfolds a chilling nineteen-item catalog of human corruption—lovers of self and money, proud, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, without self-control, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—people "having the appearance of godliness but denying its power." He tells Timothy to avoid such people, exposing predatory false teachers who creep into households and capture vulnerable women laden with sins, ever learning yet never arriving at truth, and likens them to Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses; but their folly will be plain to all. Against this dark backdrop Paul holds up his own example, which Timothy has closely followed: his teaching, conduct, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, and the persecutions he endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, from which the Lord rescued him. He states the principle bluntly: "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," while evil people and impostors go from bad to worse. The chapter ends with the great anchor: Timothy must continue in what he learned, knowing from whom he learned it and that from childhood he has known the sacred writings, for "all Scripture is breathed out by God" and equips the man of God for every good work.
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.