PAUL’S LETTERS TO TIMOTHY
Inerrant guide in difficult times
2 Timothy chapter 3
Introduction
In this chapter we have a description of the times that were still future when the apostle wrote. He is writing about "the last days" (v. 1) - that is, the days before the Second Coming of the Lord, but days in which Timothy would still be alive and working, for Paul warns with respect to his conduct in these circumstances (vv. 5:14). God wants His people always to live in the hope of the return of Christ (John 14:3, Acts 1:11).
This chapter 3 is divided into two parts: the first (vv. 1-9) describes the evils that exist during this prolonged period of Christianity, the second (vv. 10-16) shows the right Guide for the believer surrounded by these evils.
The difficult times – verses 1 to 9
In this description of the "last days”, we have in vv. 2-5 no less than twenty characteristics of men of that period, a very similar list to the list given in Romans 1:29-31. There we see the depths of sin to which men went down when they refused the knowledge of God; here we see the depths to which the world will have fallen after hearing (and declining), the message of the Gospel, while maintaining "a form of godliness" (v. 5) in the various sects of "Christianity" and other religions.
All the characteristics given in this section are common today; the true believer must "turn away" from such people and not have them as companions and friends (v. 5).
Some examples are mentioned here (vs. 6-9) of these "hard times" of a paganized Christianity:
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“Those who subtly enter the homes” to deceive "gullible women” of little discretion, easily attracted to new religious ideas, or driven by immoral desires. See the 2 John 9-11.
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Jannes and Jambres were among the main spiritists who resisted Moses, by misleadingly mimicking the signs that he did by the power of God (Exodus 7:22). The deceivers at the time of Paul were of the same type: Simon Magus, Elymas and the sons of Sceva (Acts 8:9-20, 13:6-11, 19:13-16). In our day, we have the same kind of deception but there will be limits to their efforts against the Gospel (v. 9).
The inerrant Guide – verses 10 to 17
We can divide this section into two parts: the encouraging example of Paul and the saving power of the Scriptures.
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The example of Paul (vs. 10-13). Here is a leader of value, of a truly “godly” character; Timothy knew him intimately, would know that the seven features mentioned in verse 10 actually were those of the apostle, and were not faked. He had suffered many, many persecutions until his wrongful imprisonment, and Timothy saw the courage and unconquerable perseverance of his beloved leader. His doctrine, and his way of life were quite different from the teachings and the "form of godliness" of the people described in the first part of the chapter. The true "godly" and loyal followers of the Lord Jesus will undoubtedly be persecuted as seen today in some nations but "of all the Lord will deliver them" (verses 11-12). But the false teachers and the "evil men" will continue for the time, deceiving and being deceived until the end set for them: "And get out and whoremongers, and sorcerers ... and everyone who loves the lie" (Revelation 22:15 ).
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The second "Guide" to the "man of God" is the Holy Scripture the Bible ( vs. 14-17 ). Paul and the other apostles have already passed into the presence of their Lord and Saviour, but we have in the Bible his teachings, inspired and written under the direction of the Holy Spirit along with the teachings of the ancient prophets and writers of the Old Testament, equally inspired by the same Spirit.
Both the Old and New Testaments are equally the "Scripture inspired by God" from Genesis to Revelation, in order to guide, instruct and improve everyone who wants to be "a man of God" in all his character and service.
The Bible has no errors in science, nor history, nor of doctrine and can make anyone "wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." It was the perfect "Guide" to Timothy - and still is for the believer who wants to recognize and avoid the terrible evils of these "last days", which are our current days.
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
1. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy chapter 3