There was a state of things coming when it would be impossible to have local charges chosen according to the full sanction which they had in apostolic days. The crumbling away of everything here was before the apostle; and accordingly it is one of the peculiar features of this second epistle, that he brings out that which never can decay which was before there was a world to dissolve namely, that life which was in Christ Jesus before the world began. We can still see this kind of man in fairs and market-places shouting the virtues of a patent medicine which will act like magic. If they had been more faithful, and more like their Master, would they have always escaped? At the same time there is not the smallest slight of the only and abiding standard. Oh, Jesus, you mean you believe that story? Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. And that is, it doesn't tell us in the Scripture in Exodus that that was their names but Paul gives us their names here, Jannes and Jambres who withstood the truth. It is still possible for a teacher to gain an undue and unhealthy influence over others, especially when they are impressionable. That is why the church which has no Bible Class is a church in whose work an essential element is missing. Yet. (4) let those who have never been persecuted in any way, inquire whether it is not an evidence that they have no religion. 2 Timothy 3:12 - Bible Hub (1) it teaches the only way to the Father is through Jesus; (2) it teaches a morality (a way of life) unpopular with the world; (3) it teaches a miraculous creation, a miraculous end; and a miraculous Savior who was resurrected; (4), Why does the world hate Christians? [1.] Here we come back to where we started; such men place their own wishes in the centre of life. Paul's life: one of longsuffering, one of love and one of patience. What we have learned we must labour to be more and more assured of, that, being grounded in the truth, we may be guarded against error, for certainty in religion is of great importance and advantage: Knowing, (1.) 3. This was always the becoming tone; but now it is imperiously necessary, as well as wise and good. I must do so, if I own Him only in the indispensable truth of His Lordship if I own Him simply as the One that has authority over my soul. ", Now when you have difficulty in your understanding of a scripture, rather than setting that aside and saying, Well, God really didn't say that; just say, hey, I really don't understand that yet. This is evidently not the true remedy to abandon the confession of Christ: only an apostate could think of it. Therefore it is incumbent for the Christian to look to this gravely, never to be dragged by the fear of breaking unity into accrediting what dishonours the Lord. The Gnostics had their own fanciful books; the heretics all produced their own literature to support their claims. thoroughly furnished unto all good works ( 2 Timothy 3:17 ). For "all scripture is given by inspiration of God. he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me." There was no despising natural links or spiritual here, far from it. In short, let us know that we are Christians on this condition, that we shall be liable to many tribulations and various contests. Verse 1. The closing chapter (2 Timothy 4:1-22) then gives his solemn charge, and at the same time his own expression of what was before him. Everything today is, you know, for the body beautiful. We are not meant to titillate our minds with the latest intellectual crazes; we are meant to purify and strengthen ourselves in the moral battle to live the Christian life. That is to say, they go through all the correct movements and maintain all the external forms of religion; but they know nothing of Christianity as a dynamic power which changes the lives of men. This again has stumbled the minds of men. The scriptures we are to know are the holy scriptures; they come from the holy God, were delivered by holy men, contain holy precepts, treat of holy things, and were designed to make us holy and to lead us in the way of holiness to happiness; being called the holy scriptures, they are by this distinguished from profane writings of all sorts, and from those that only treat morality, and common justice and honesty, but do not meddle with holiness. For him the light of eternity already shone strongly on present things, instead of taking him completely out of them. He went home and found the fire was out. It is a great happiness to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed (Luke 1:4); not only to know what the truths are, but to know that they are of undoubted certainty. Then he points out the two principal guards for the faithful, in such a perilous state. Men would become lovers of money (philarguros, G5366) . The man who has exhausted the normal pleasures of life and still unsated, will seek his thrill in pleasures which are abnormal. 2 Timothy 3 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. It follows from this: (1) that they who make a profession of religion, should come prepared to be persecuted. It is as if he said to them: "You have been well warned." Barnes' Notes. If we consult the scripture, which was given by inspiration of God, and follow its directions, we shall be made men of God, perfect, and thoroughly furnished to every good work. First, there are the duties of an apostle. The Greek moralists wrote much about this word. It's twelve thousand miles a second, but that's pretty fast, too. God wants us each to take His power, His love, and His calm thinking and overcome fear, to be used of Him with all the gifts He gives. Is it knowledge, or is it life, that we are trying to transmit? Things are very much taking this direction of late, and at the present moment. You know, I mean, talk about lovers of selves, look at the advertising. ' according to godliness, 1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:1; and in all godliness, 1 Timothy 2:2. Confrontation and conflict become inevitable (cf. 2 Timothy 3 Commentary; 2 Timothy 4 Commentary; HENRY ALFORD 2 TIMOTHY COMMENTARY The Greek Testament. There was the great trade route from the Euphrates valley which came by way of Colosse and Laodicea and poured the wealth of the east into the lap of Ephesus. 2 Timothy 3:12 Commentaries: Indeed, all who desire to live godly in shall suffer persecution; it is the will of God, and the appointment of heaven; Christ has foretold it, that so it shall be; and he the head has suffered it himself, and it is necessary that his members should, that they may be conformed unto him; it is the way Christ himself went to glory, and through many tribulations his people must enter the kingdom; and this is the common lot and certain case of all the saints, in one shape or another; for though all do not suffer confiscation of goods, beating, scourging, imprisonment, or a violent death; yet all are more or less afflicted and distressed by wicked men, and are subject to their reproaches and revilings, which are a branch of persecution; and that for professing Christ, and living a godly life in him and under his influence: and since such suffer as Christians, and not as evildoers; and this is the common condition of the people of God, in this world, it should not be thought strange, but be cheerfully endured; to encourage to which is the apostle's view in this passage. Nowadays we have to restate these old pictures in modern terms. In his own neighbourhood he had seen Paul suffer because of his devotion to Christ (10-12; cf. In these terrible days men would be braggarts and arrogant. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL For example, "37-1-2459" means the reference is on page 37, is in column 1, and is word number 2459.). And may not their freedom from it prove that they have surrendered the principles of their religion, where they should have stood firm, though the world were arrayed against them? Pride always begets insult. If a man's goods are stolen, he can set to and build up his fortunes again; but if his good name is taken away, irreparable damage has been done. The Christian life does not consist only in knowing something; it consists even more in being something. What am I to believe about man? Just to go line upon line, precept upon precept, plodding right straight through the word of God. But God prepares the instruments through which He works and the most important preparation is through the Word of God. He is sure that God will rescue the man who puts his faith in him. It is the whole spiritual experience, so to speak, of the apostle. If Timothy wishes to live godly in Christ, he must make up his mind to encounter. There were those who would revenge themselves on an enemy by informing against him. It is true that these things happened before the young Timothy had definitely entered on the Christian way, but they all happened in the district of which he was a native; and he may well have been an eyewitness of them. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB) Verse Thoughts We live in a fallen world, and there are many challenges that face the believer who has not only trusted Christ for salvation, but is also ready and willing to deny self, take up his cross, follow Christ's example, and say without compromise - Thy will, not mine, be done. To many a man and woman has a little bit of dress done no small injury, just because they think it is too little for the Spirit of God to direct them in. The true leader gives training in living. When we know the afflictions of good people but in part, they are a temptation to us to decline that cause which they suffer for; when we know only the hardships they undergo for Christ, we may be ready to say, "We will renounce that cause that is likely to cost us so dear in the owning of it;" but when we fully know the afflictions, not only how they suffer, but how they are supported and comforted under their sufferings, then, instead of being discouraged, we shall be animated by them, especially considering that we are told before that we must count upon such things (2 Timothy 3:12; 2 Timothy 3:12): All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution: not always alike; at that time those who professed the faith of Christ were more exposed to persecution than at other times; but at all times, more or less, those who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. And there came that place where, hey, Moses performed a miracle of God and they backed away. Some of you here are victims of broken covenants. And you will find as God's word becomes a very part of your life and you begin to be guided by the word of God, that God will begin to use you in very exciting ways. The word is anemeros ( G434) and would be more fittingly applied to a wild beast than to a human being. The thing that amazes me is that he can attract people who will support him. It denotes a savagery which has neither sensitiveness nor sympathy. Questions are before him more serious than a maintenance of order. Now they're right out where little kids can go in and pick them up and leaf through them. "The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day." The early Church lived in an age when the time was waxing late; they expected the Second Coming at any moment. Traitors . Didn't you know that's just a myth? We live in a fallen world with a spiritual enemy who prowls around as a roaring lion or appears to us as an angel of light seeking to devour, destroy, or deceive us.Jesus clearly told us that in this world, those who believe in Him would suffer persecution and pain, and Paul expands that truth by adding that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12, NASB: Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Paul contrasts the conduct of Timothy, his loyal disciple, with the conduct of the heretics who were doing their utmost to wreck the Church. 2 Timothy 3:12 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. The Jews divided all time into this present age and the age to come. Why does the world hate Christians? In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN. The man who is anosios ( G462) offends against the fundamental decencies of life. She doesn't have the time to prepare the meal on Friday evening and we'll go out on Friday night. Now here observe. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. One of my most unfavorite promises in the Bible. There is training. The doctrine that he preached. The words that finally decided me were those in John 18:37: 'For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. It answers not a little to the kind of thing ,;et forth here. Why cannot a man be as simple now as in apostolic times? You're a stranger. 2 Timothy - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org In contrast, the sins of "evil people and impostors" can be expected to get worse and worse. The numbers of people who flocked to the various athletic contests, loving pleasure. (3.) "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. "To make thee wise to salvation through faith." Nothing can sanction this. "The cloke," then says he, "that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books," not only the clothing, but even that which he is to read, "especially the parchments;" what he was going to write on, probably. The way of sin is down-hill; for such proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. He was to communicate the things he had learnt of Paul, that they might be able to teach others also. It is needful to exercise judgment now. "Because ye are not of the world therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:19; Matthew 10:22,38,39). There is a type of person who is eager to discuss every new theory, who is always to be found deeply involved in the latest fashionable religious movement, but who is quite unwilling to accept the day-to-day discipline--even drudgery--of living the Christian life. The real meaning of this is that all theories, all theologies, all ethics, are to be tested against the Bible. They worship self instead of God. The world easily puts up with the mask of a religion which depends on itself, but the piety which derives its vigor directly from Christ is as odious to modern Christians as it was to the ancient Jews [Bengel]. It instructs us in that which is true, reproves us for that which is amiss, directs us in that which is good. He wants to accustom his mind to expect hardship instead of shirking it. "Knowing especially the firm foundation upon which thou hast built, namely, that of the scripture (2 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 3:15): That from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.". Timothy fully knew what was the great thing that Paul had in view, both in his preaching and in his conversation: "Thou hast known my purpose, what I drive at, how far it is from any worldly, carnal, secular design, and how sincerely I aim at the glory of God and the good of the souls of men." 2 Timothy - Discover Books of The Bible - bible-studys.org Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: they are men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith ( 2 Timothy 3:8 ). There is no occasion for the writings of the philosopher, nor for rabbinical fables, nor popish legends, nor unwritten traditions, to make us perfect men of God, since the scripture answers all these ends and purposes. That persecution which will properly furnish any evidence that we are the friends of Christ, must be only that which is for righteousness sake Matthew 5:10, and must be brought upon us in an honest effort to obey the commands of God. In other words, there is within the Old Testament so much concerning Jesus Christ that through the understanding and the study of the Old Testament you should logically be led to Jesus Christ. (2.) Includes questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications on 2 Timothy 1 for life transformation. I think the next major event, Revelation 4:1 . James encourages us by explaining that those who persevere under trial, on the journey to maturity, will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him, and He exhorts us to consider it all joy, when we encounter various trials.There is an urgency in this final letter thatPaul wrote before his death, to remind us that ALL who live godly lives in Christ will certainly suffer persecution. The first is the moral character of the source or channel whence Timothy had derived what he knew. shall suffer persecution; it is the will of God, and the appointment of heaven; Christ has foretold it, that so it shall be; and he the head has suffered it himself, and it is necessary that his members should, that they may be conformed unto him; it is the way Christ himself went to glory, and through many tribulations his people must enter the kingdom; and this is the common lot and certain case of all the saints, in one shape or another; for though all do not suffer confiscation of goods, beating, scourging, imprisonment, or a violent death; yet all are more or less afflicted and distressed by wicked men, and are subject to their reproaches and revilings, which are a branch of persecution; and that for professing Christ, and living a godly life in him and under his influence: and since such suffer as Christians, and not as evildoers; and this is the common condition of the people of God, in this world, it should not be thought strange, but be cheerfully endured; to encourage to which is the apostle's view in this passage. It is interesting that the Scriptures in many places speak of the last days and in every case where the Scriptures speak of the last days, you find that it is an apt description of the day and the age in which we live. It imagines "the faith" as something to be guarded (see 2 Timothy 1:14), lest it become corrupted or . One day they said to Jesus, Show us a sign. Why? Now this is in particular a difficulty for saints, when they have revived before the soul the blessedness of maintaining the unity of the Spirit. Promotions are withheld, invitations are denied, and a snickering unpopularity are the daily portion of many precious souls working in a hostile, atheistic environment. Certain of the temporary persecution, he is equally certain of the ultimate glory. Look at the lack, lackness. It can mean that a man is so bitter in his hatred that he will never come to terms with the man with whom he has quarrelled. Noah, the earth was really flooded? We should not be any more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive,Ephesians 4:14. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come ( 2 Timothy 3:1 ). But this is not what the Bible teaches. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." Robertson, Archibald Thomas. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, And I filed many scriptures in that file. There are those who shrink from helping on others in order to the work and doctrine of the Lord. "Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Note, Those are wise indeed who are wise to salvation. There might be a mixture of timid shrinking from pain and shame. There can come a time in a man's life when the company of good people and the presence of good things is simply an embarrassment. (8) Using the boldness God gives, don't be ashamed of the imprisoned apostle. 2 Timothy 3:12-13 Commentary | Precept Austin How is a man to walk in such a state of things as this? If they had been more faithful, and more like their Master, would they have always escaped? (2) they who are persecuted for their opinions, should consider that this may be one evidence that they have the spirit of Christ, and are his true friends. Job, tell me, have you been beyond the gates of death, do you know what it's about? He did not pull down by his living what he built up by his preaching. They're profitable. And suddenly, of course, their tears were changed because Paul began to breathe and move and he stood up and he said, Let's go back in and preach some more. No man is saved unless he is on fire to save his fellow-men. Sets before him his own example, which Timothy had been an eye-witness of, having long attended Paul (2 Timothy 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:10): Thou hast fully known my doctrine. Vincent, Marvin R., D.D.