2 Timothy

3.1-17

Many will use the opening verses of this chapter to assert that we are finally living in the last days before Christ returns to rapture His church at the Second Coming. Indeed, vv.1-9 is a prophetic narrative using a vice list (2-5) and application to the opponents of the church and the truth (6-9), which are quite evident in the world today. But as Paul instructs Timothy with the words "know this," (the Greek present tense imperative should be taken to mean "accept what I am about to tell you"), he is establishing the prophetic framework by reference to the times as "the last days" in a manner that had become traditional (cf. 1 Tim 4:1-2; 2 Pet 3:3). The term was widely used by New Testament writers such as Luke and Peter as the period beginning with the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. The writer of Hebrews also characterized "the last days" as when God sent His Son (Heb 1:2). So, while we may hear (read) a reference to the future and events that have not yet unfolded, Paul was writing prophetically of a time that was then (and is now) upon us. Therefore, yes, we are living in the last days before Christ returns. Nonetheless, Christ's words hold true of how long we will remain in these last days (Mt 24:36; Mk 13:32) “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." Paul's admonition closing this chapter is that much more significant in this context as a call to continue ministry with suffering (vv.10-17).

CHAPTER 3

Difficult Times Will Come

1 But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, without gentleness, without love for good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Keep away from such men as these.
6 For among them are those who enter into households and take captive weak women weighed down with sins, being led on by various desires,
7 always learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.
8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, disqualified in regard to the faith.
9 But they will not make further progress, for their folly will be obvious to all, just as theirs was also.
10 But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But you, continue in the things you learned and became convinced of, knowing from whom you learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.