2 Timothy 3

Paul now looks down through the years and with the eyes of the prophet tells us what to expect. This chapter is his prophetic appeal to Timothy, his charge in the light of the future of the church.

I. An Explanation of the Future (3:1-9)

"The last days" is a period of time that actually began with the life and ministry of Christ on earth (Heb. 1:1-2). However, the NT indicates that "the last days" refers particularly to the state of the church before the coming of Christ. These shall be "perilous" times, that is, "difficult, hard to deal with." This is the same word used in Matt. 8:28 to describe the Gadarene demoniac. Because people will believe the "doctrines of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1ff), this world will become a "demonic graveyard" just as in Gadara. We are in those days now!

Self-love will be the hallmark of the last days. This self-love will lead to a grasping attitude and a boastful spirit. "Boasters" really means "swaggerers." True affection will almost disappear; unnatural affection will prevail. "Incontinent" means "intemperate"; "fierce" means "savage," and savage conduct is certainly evident today. "Heady" means "reckless"; and we surely live in a reckless age, whether you look at the speed of travel, the waste of money, or the carelessness of human lives.

Verses 5-8 indicate that there will be plenty of religion in the last days, but it will be a mere imitation, a form of godliness without the life-changing power of God. The departing from the faith that Paul predicted in 2 Thes. 2 is upon us today, yet there is still plenty of religion! The Bible continues to be a national bestseller, yet the crime rate increases and problems multiply. True Christians are in the minority. These false teachers of Paul's day preyed especially upon women who were loaded with sins and led astray by their lusts, women who were "ever learning" but who never really came to an understanding of the truth.

Paul compared the apostate teachers to the Egyptian magicians Jannes and Jambres, who opposed Moses by imitating what he did (Ex. 7:11ff). Satan is an imitator, and his imitation gospel and church will spread in the last days. But just as Moses overcame these imitators by the power of God coming in great judgment, so Christ will ultimately overcome these latter-day deceivers. "From such turn away!" warns Paul (v. 5). Timothy was not to get involved with Christ-denying deceivers, even if it meant being branded as a "crank."

II. An Example from the Past (3:10-13)

If Jannes and Jambres were ministers of Satan's work, then Paul is our best example of a worker for the Lord. He hid nothing. See Acts 20:17ff. Paul names the cities in the area near Timothy's home, because Timothy would be familiar with them. Timothy knew Paul's doctrine (teaching); his manner of life (conduct); the purpose that motivated his life (see Acts 20:24; 2 Tim. 4:7); the faith that sustained him in trial; the long-suffering, love, and endurance that he showed, even when persecuted; and the wonderful way God took care of him through it all. Paul had been a divine object lesson to young Timothy, and we ought to be examples to others.

Persecution is not something that Christians should deliberately encourage, but if they live godly lives, persecution will come automatically (see 1 Peter 4:12-19). "Yes, and all who desire to live godly" (nkjv) is the best translation of v. 12. When our will is dedicated to God, then Satan will attack us. You can be sure that during these last days, it will be more and more difficult to live for Christ. As never before, we need Christians who will, like Paul, live for Christ completely.

III. An Exhortation for the Present (3:14-17)

Since these satanic seducers are going to continue, what should the Christian do? Continue to be faithful to the Word of God. The only answer to Satan's lies is God's truth. If every local church would get back to the Word of God, and if every pastor and Sunday School teacher would teach the Word of God, Satan's disciples would be defeated.

Timothy's relationship to the Bible is outlined in these verses. It began when he was a child and learned the OT Scriptures from his mother and grandmother. They did not merely teach him the facts of the Bible; they gave him assurance and spiritual understanding. Timothy knew for himself the truth of the Word; he did not depend on others to defend the Word for him. This Word imparted faith to him (Rom. 10:17), and this faith in Christ brought salvation.

Verses 16-17 are a great testimony to the divine origin and character of the Bible. Some say, "The Bible only contains the word of God," or "The Bible is inspired the way Shakespeare is inspired." But Paul would not agree with these statements. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The word "inspired" means "God-breathed—filled with the breath of God." The Spirit of God enabled men of God to write the Word of God (see 2 Peter 1:20-21), for the Spirit of God is the "breath" of God (John 3:1-8; Ezek. 37:1-14). While men like Shakespeare may have had literary inspiration of a high quality, they did not write the very words of God. "All Scripture" means that every word of God is inspired.

What is the purpose of the Bible? Of course, salvation is the first purpose (v. 15), but Christian living is also included. The Word is profitable for teaching (doctrine), conviction (reproof), setting right (correction), and discipline (instruction). It enables the child of God to become a man or woman of God, matured in the things of the Lord. "Perfect" (v. 17) does not mean sinless; it means "mature." And "thoroughly furnished" means "fully equipped" (vv. 16-17). So, the Bible transforms the child of v. 15 into a mature person in Christ; it equips the saints to be servants. It is fine for Christians to take study courses and learn methods of ministry, but the best way for them to equip themselves to serve God is to study and practice the Word of God. Study books tell us how, but the Bible gives us the motivation and power to live what we learn.

It is interesting to compare the uses of the Bible with the order of the epistles: doctrine—Romans; reproof—1 and 2 Corinthians; correction—Galatians; instruction in righteousness—Ephesians and Colossians.

The great need among churches and Christians today is to return to the Bible. If the churches do not get back to God's Word, the satanic deceivers will take over and millions of lost sinners will go to hell because they were led astray by religious lies.