2 Timothy 3

CHAPTER 3

Godlessness in the Last Days (3:1-9)

1 In the New Testament, the expression last days usually means the period just before the second coming of Christ. But here Paul writes as if these “last days” had already begun. In fact, the description of these “last days” that Paul gives here could easily apply to every generation of men from Paul’s time right down to the present. Therefore, in this verse, the expression last days means the period of time between Christ’s first coming and His second coming. This is the second meaning of “last days” found in the New Testament (see Hebrews 1:2).

2-5 Paul here gives some examples of different evil works. These evil works were already widespread in Paul’s time. In fact, most of them have been found among men since the beginning of the world (see Genesis 6:5; Romans 1:29-31). Paul warned the Galatians that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:19-21). And Paul had written earlier to Timothy that Christians must turn away from wickedness (2 Timothy 2:19).

Here also Paul says that Christians should have nothing to do with evildoers (verse 5). However, in 2 Timothy 2:25, Paul has written that the church leader must gently instruct those who oppose him and the truth. Both things are true. First, the leader must try to bring to repentance those who have fallen into sin and error. But if they refuse to repent, then the leader should have nothing to do with them.

In verses 2-5, Paul is writing not only about evildoers outside the church but inside as well. In fact, he is particularly thinking of so-called Christians who refuse to repent and who continue living in sin; it is these false Christians that we must have nothing to do with (see 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 and comment). Christ’s most dangerous enemies are those within the church! Two enemies within the church can do more harm then two thousand enemies outside the church.

In verse 5, Paul writes that these evildoers have a form of godliness. They appear righteous. But because of the evil in their hearts, the Holy Spirit will not dwell in them. For this reason they have no true spiritual power. They do not have the power to be holy or to obey God’s will. Only when the Holy Spirit dwells in us do we receive spiritual power. If we grieve the Holy Spirit by continuing in sin without repenting, He will leave us (see Proverbs 1:24-28; Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30 and comment).

Evildoers may sometimes preach with great effectiveness and perform great miracles. They may even do these things in Christ’s name. They call themselves Christians; they are members of the church (Titus 1:16). But in the end Christ will reject them (see Matthew7:22-23; 13:24-30,4750 and comments). The Lord knows those who are his (2 Timothy 2:19).

Therefore, such evildoers not only display a false power, but they also deny the true power of the Holy Spirit. When one looks from the outside they appear godly, but inside they have no spiritual power; they are spiritually dead.

6-7 Nevertheless, these false Christians deceive many people. They especially deceive women (1 Timothy 2:14), in particular those women whose faith is weak and who have not learned the truth of Scripture. Such women are loaded down with sins (verse 6)—that is, they are burdened with guilt and with an unclean conscience. These women are swayed by all kinds of evil desires and also by all kinds of new teaching. They are always learning, but they cannot recognize the truth.

In Paul’s day, women were easily misled by false teachers, because they did not receive the same opportunity that men received to learn the truth of Scripture. In New Testament times, women were considered ignorant and weak in understanding. But in those countries where women are given an equal chance to learn, they are not so easily deceived. And we must remember also that there are many men who are just as easily deceived as the women Paul mentions here!

8 According to the opinion of some ancient historians, Jannes and Jambres were magicians of Pharaoh who tried to oppose MOSES (Exodus 7:10-12).

Evildoers and false Christians are men of depraved minds—that is, they neither know the truth nor seek it (Romans 1:21; Ephesians 4:17-18). God will totally reject such men.

9 For some time these evildoers and false Christians can deceive other people, but in the end their evil work and evil character will become clear to everyone.

Final Instructions (3:10-17)

10-11 Timothy knows what Paul’s life and behavior have been like. Paul offers his own example for Timothy to follow. Paul does not boast in himself; all of his good qualities and good works are the result of God’s grace alone (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Paul mentions his teaching first of all. All the other things in Paul’s life arise out of his teaching. Paul follows in his own life the same teaching he gives to others. Timothy knows that Paul has lived as he has taught. May all teachers do the same.

Paul reminds Timothy of what happened to him in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra (Acts 13:49-52; 14:1-20). Timothy had been in Lystra at that time (Acts 16:1). Surely Timothy had heard Paul speak and had seen him stoned by the crowd (Acts 14:19). Paul endured many persecutions (2 Timothy 2:12); but, he says to Timothy in verse 11, the Lord rescued me from all of them (Psalm 34:17).

12 Here Paul reminds Timothy of a very important thing: Every true follower of Christ sooner or later will be persecuted. Many years earlier, Timothy may have heard Paul say at Lystra: “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). From Christ’s time until the present, all true Christians have faced trials and suffering of some kind. Jesus said to His disciples: “All men will hate you because of me” (Matthew 10:22). “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20).

13 When once a man starts on an evil path, his life becomes more and more evil (see Romans 1:21,28; Ephesians 4:17-19 and comments).

14-15 But, Paul says to Timothy, continue in what you have learned. It is not enough only to learn; we must continue in what we have learned. Timothy can trust that what he has learned is true, because he can trust his teachers—such as Paul, his mother, and his grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). Again, Timothy can have confidence in what they have taught, because it agrees with what is written in Scripture. Timothy can be sure that if a teaching agrees with Scripture, it will be a true teaching.

Paul writes that the holy Scriptures³ … are able to make you wise for SALVATION (verse 16). That is, the Scriptures teach us how salvation can be obtained. How can salvation be obtained? It can be obtained through faith in Christ Jesus. And the Scriptures Paul is talking about here is the Old Testament. If the Old Testament can show us the way of salvation, how much more will the New Testament show us the way!

16  This is one of the most important verses in the entire Bible. All Scripture—that is, every verse of the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament—has been written by the inspiration and guidance of God (see 2 Peter 1:20-21 and comment). There is no other book like the Bible in all the world. Other books may contain things that are true, that are wise, that are helpful; but there is only one book that contains the words of God Himself, and that is the Bible. Only the Bible has been written by the direct inspiration of God; it is Godbreathed. We can fully trust every word in the Bible. It is truly God’s own word (see General Article: How We Got Our Bible).

Because the Bible is God’s word, it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. The

Bible shows us the true way of righteousness and, in addition, helps us to walk in it.

17  Through the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training that comes from studying the Bible, the man of God will become equipped for every good work. Here, the expression man of God especially means a church leader or teacher like Timothy. But this verse is also equally true for all Christians everywhere, both men and women.