Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
2 TIMOTHY 3
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 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, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
A Final Charge to Timothy
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Application Notes
3:1-17 Paul's descriptive list of behaviours to be expected in the last days soberingly describes the behaviour of many Christians today. Check your life against Paul's list. Don't give in to society's pressures. Don't settle for comfort without commitment. Stand up against evil by living as God would have his people live. Confess any behaviours mentioned here that you have been guilty of. Be wary of people who exhibit these qualities, but also remain hopeful and encouraged by Paul's words. He reminds us that God has given us the wisdom of the Scriptures and His Holy Spirit to guide us. equip us, and enable us to serve God.
3:1 Paul's reference to the "last days" reveals his sense of urgency. The last days began after Jesus' resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost. This period will continue until Christ's second coming. This means that we are living in the last days. Therefore, we should make the most of the time that God has given us (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5).
3:2-3 The conflict we experience in particularly divisive political climates can epitomise what we see in these verses. Some spout hateful language and cruel opinions. despising whatever they oppose. Don't enter into this kind of dialogue. Guard your heart. mind, and words. Remember that you represent Christ in your responses, even when you hold strong convictions.
3:4 Why is it so tempting to love pleasure rather than God? Pleasure is something we can control; God cannot be controlled. Most pleasures can be obtained easily; love for God requires effort and sometimes sacrifice. Pleasure benefits us now; the benefits of loving God are often in the future. Pleasure has a narcotic effect, taking our minds off ourselves and our problems; love for God reminds us of our needs and our responsibilities. Pleasure conspires with pride. making us feel good when we look good in the eyes of others; loving God means we must lay aside our pride and accomplishments. Have you chosen to love pleasure or to love God? How do you know?
Pleasure isn't wrong when it is sought in connection with God and the proper use of his marvellous gifts; it is only dangerous when we seek it apart from him.
3:5 The "form" or appearance of godliness includes being a "good person," exhibiting moral behaviours in agreement with our culture, showing tolerance and acceptance of sin in others, and professing to be spiritual. Some people who seem religious might even go to church. know Christian doctrine, use Christian cliches. and follow a community's Christian traditions. Such practices can make people look like Christians, but if they do not profess Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the only way to Goel, they are not following him. Paul warns us not to be deceived by people who only appear to be Christians. Distinguishing them from true Christians may be difficult at first but for some, their daily behaviour will give them away, and over time, it will be clear that they have placed their hope not in God but in their ability to try and be their own god. The characteristics described in 3:2-4 are unmistakable.
3:6-7 Because of their cultural background, women in the Ephesian church had received no formal religious training. They were enjoying their new freedom to study Christian truths, but their eagerness to learn was making them targets for false teachers. Paul warned Timothy to watch out for men who would take advantage of these women. New believers need to grow in their knowledge of the Word because ignorance can make them vulnerable to deception. Encourage new believers to make a daily habit of reading the Bible to avoid being led astray.
3:7 Paul obviously does not oppose study and education; rather, he warns nmothy about what can happen when people never really understand the core truths of their faith. To those who don't understand the central truths of the Christian faith, any new and interesting idea can catch their attention and lead them astray. Some people are perpetually curious but never really understand the foundational truths found in Scripture or graduate to putting what they believe into practice. But honest seekers and true students look for the truth and judge all new ideas against that measuring stick. Remember this as you study God's Word. Seek to find God's truth and will for your life. Then use that to guide how you view the new ideas or practices you are exposed to.
3:8-9 According to tradition, Jannes and Jambres were two of the magicians who had counterfeited Moses' miracles before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:11-12). Paul explained that just as Moses had exposed and defeated them (Exodus 8:18-19). God would overthrow the false teachers who were plaguing the Ephesian church.
3:9 We can hide our sin for a while, but eventually the truth will be revealed. Sooner or later. distraction. opposition, anger, or fatigue will wear us down, and our true hearts will be exposed. The trials of life will conspire against our efforts to maintain a religious front. We can't choose when and where we will be tested by adversity. Build your character carefully because it will come out under stress. Live each day as if your actions will one day be known to everyone. It is useless in the middle of a test. to acknowledge that you should have prepared. Now is the time to change anything you wouldn't want revealed later.
3:11 In Lystra, Timothy's hometown, Paul had been stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19)--and this was only one incident among many. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. Paul summarises his lifetime of suffering for the sake of the gospel. He mentions his suffering here to contrast his experience with that of the pleasure-seeking false teachers.
3:12 In this charge, Paul tells Nomothy that people who obey God and live for Christ will be persecuted. Don't be surprised when people misunderstand, criticise. and even try to hurt you because of what you believe and how you live. Don't give up! Continue to live as you know God wants. Make pleasing God your highest priority.
3:13 Don't expect false teachers and evil people to reform and change on their own. Left alone, they will go from bad to worse. If you have the opportunity, correct them so as to bring them back to faith in Christ. Fight for the truth, especially to protect younger Christians.
3:14 Besieged by false teachers and the inevitable pressures of a growing ministry, Timothy could easily have abandoned his faith or modified his doctrine. Once again, Paul counsels Timothy to look to his past and to hold to the basic teachings about Jesus that are eternally true. Like Timothy, we are surrounded by false teachings. But we must not allow society to distort or crowd out God's eternal truth. Spend time every day reflecting on the foundation of your Christian faith found in God's Word, which contains the great truths that build up your life.
3:15 Timothy was one ot the first second-generation Christians: He became a Christian not because an evangelist preached a powerful sermon but because his mother and grandmother had taught him the holy Scriptures when he was a small child (1:5). A parent or grandparent's primary mission field starts with the children in their family. At home and in church, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to teach children about Jesus. Jesus wanted little children to come to him (Matthew 19:13-15). Like Timothy's mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, share your faith with your children or grandchildren. It you don't have children of your own, support the mentoring and discipling of children in your congregation.
3:15 For Timothy, the Holy Scriptures were the books of the Old Testament. The Old Testament consistently, amazingly, and prophetically points to Jesus Christ, and faith in Christ completes the whole message of the Bible.
3:16-17 The whole Bible. God's inspired Word, should be our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. Because Scripture is all God breathed and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives. The Bible safeguards us against false teaching and guides us in how we should live. It remains our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved. God wants to show you truth and equip you to live for him. How much time do you spend in God's Word? Develop the discipline of reading the Bible regularly to discover God's truth and to become confident in your life and faith. Follow a plan for reading the whole Bible, not just the familiar passages.
3:16 Some people believe the Bible is a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God. The Bible, however, is given by God; the words are God's words. Through the Holy Spirit. God revealed his person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down his message for his people through a process called inspiration (2 Peter 1:20-21). The writers wrote from their personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used their own minds, talents, languages and styles, they wrote exactly what God wanted them to write. We can completely trust Scripture because God was in control of its writing. The words of the Bible are entirely authoritative for your faith and life. Read it. and use its teachings to transform you and guide your conduct (Hebrews 4:12).
3:17 In our zeal for the truth of Scripture, we must never forget its purpose-that we may know God, have life through Jesus Christ, and be equipped to do his will. We should not study God's Word simply to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win arguments. We should read and study the Bible so that we will know Christ and how to do his work in the world. Our knowledge of God's Word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to do what God wants.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)