1 Paul, a an apostle of Christ Jesus b by the will of God according to c the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,. Braggart has an interesting derivation. In English we usually associate it with insult against God, but in Greek it means insult against man and God alike. Accordingly, there is a depth of feeling that one may safely say far exceeds the first epistle, although it had shown so much tenderness and care both for Timothy and the faithful of those days. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977. Boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy ( 2 Timothy 3:2 ). We must remember that the scripture of which Paul is writing is the Old Testament; as yet the New Testament had not come into being. It describes the man who is swept on by passion and impulse to such an extent that he is totally unable to think sensibly. And so Paul, you know, how I've lived; my faith, my longsuffering, my love, my patience, and the persecutions and afflictions that came to me. Now when Moses appeared before Pharaoh and he threw down his rod and it turned into a snake, you'll remember that Pharaoh's magicians threw down their rods and they also became snakes, but Moses' snake swallowed theirs. Includes questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications on 2 Timothy 1 for life transformation. He opened out the pages to make it burn more easily. The great thing is to do the will of God, let others say what they please; and so the apostle Paul exhorts Timothy. Such is the meaning of purging himself. Perverse Men 2 Timothy 3:2-4 . 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. And as we pointed out, the danger always of saying some scriptures, not all scriptures, is the loss of authority. 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? In the days between the Old and the New Testaments many Jewish books were written which expanded the Old Testament stories. 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 often a very great safeguard for the saint of God; for, after all, it makes no small difference who says this or that. One day they said to Jesus, Show us a sign. 5. Observe, The scriptures will make us wise to salvation, if they be mixed with faith, and not otherwise, Hebrews 4:2. Thus the apostle comes to the close of his ministry, and touches upon the line of St. John. 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 ). This of itself indicates that the epistle provides for a time when it is no longer simply a question of recognising persons coming out of the world. It is still possible for a teacher to gain an undue and unhealthy influence over others, especially when they are impressionable. "Put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers. His answer was: "That which will be most useful to them when they are men." Assuredly he would rejoice to scare Timothy from the field of serving Christ, and would shrink from no means to secure it. and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution ( 2 Timothy 3:12 ). There would come a kind of terrible flowering of evil, when the moral foundations seemed to be shaken. It can sometimes have the meaning of loyalty, or true religion. The more the person who lives godly and righteous in Christ stands out. He did so to help him realize that he faced no unknown situation in Ephesus and to enable him to combat it intelligently. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. ", The Bible tells about God giving people over to reprobate minds, men who resist God and the truth of God. 12And all who wish to live a godly life (186) Having mentioned his own persecutions, he likewise adds now, that nothing has happened to him which does not await all the godly. There is faith, complete belief that God's commands are binding and that his promises are true. I am reminded of the prophet of God who spoke concerning Israel, and he said, "They have sown the wind, and now they must reap the whirlwind" ( Hosea 8:7 ). This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come ( 2 Timothy 3:1 ). From childhood he has been guided by the Scriptures, and his faith in those Scriptures gives him assurance in his salvation (14-15). of Copyright Statement These files are public domain. The word we have translated to be a disciple includes so much that is beyond translation in any single English word. and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us. John 15:19; Matthew 10:22; Matthew 10:38-39, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus,. All that live according to the will of God revealed in his word; and to the glory of God, as the end of all their actions; and which the grace of God in the Gospel, and in their own hearts, teaches them; and who have the principles of a godly life from Christ, and derive the fresh supplies of grace and life from him, to maintain it; in whom their life is hid, and who live by faith upon him; all such that live, and that will live so, are desirous of living after this manner; in whom God has wrought in them both to will and to do, and are concerned when it is otherwise with them: these. THE VALUE OF SCRIPTURE ( 2 Timothy 3:14-17 ). But let not a man who will do this, suppose that he has any claim to be numbered among the martyrs, or even entitled to the Christian name. And passion shall seize him that is peaceful. Avoid such people. On the other hand, if a soul confesses the name of the Lord, he must have done with iniquity. The task of the apostle is not only to tell men the truth; it is also to help them do it. It has been pointed out that the writer of Revelation may well have been thinking of Ephesus when he wrote that haunting passage which describes the merchandise of men: "The cargo of gold, silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, all articles of ivory, all articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls" ( Revelation 18:12-13). He is sure that the ungodly man will go from bad to worse and that there is literally no future for the man who refuses to accept the way of God. Judaism had its divine institutions and hopes, but the truth is found in Christendom only: nevertheless in Christendom, who fails to discern Jewish elements and heathenish enormities? 2 Timothy 3:12, CSB: In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. And they were able to imitate the workings of God up to a point and then they came to the place where they were backed down by Moses, but "men of corrupt minds, they are reprobate concerning the faith. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution - Paul takes occasion from the reference to his own persecutions, to say that his case was not unique. Rather he must "labour before he partake of the fruits." If what be claims for scripture is true of the Old Testament, how much truer it is of the still more precious words of the New. 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. The Gnostic insinuators would teach these doctrines to impressionable women. The woman protests that she has never done so and cannot do so. At Ephesus some of the greatest roads in the world met. The latter gains a following only by turning away from the truth of God (13). "Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions." "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.". 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. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." I have many scriptures that I don't understand yet. It means to follow a person spiritually, not only to understand what he says, but also to carry out his ideas and be the kind of person he wishes us to be. It is no accident that the first of these qualities will be a life that is centred in self. His connection with the church, but "of the seed of David," the fulfiller of the promises, and object of the prophecies. Our God is much too small. The word is propetes ( G4312) , precipitate. Look at the magazines that were once really under the counter kind of stuff and sold illegally. When we know the afflictions of believers only in part, they tempt us to decline the cause for which they suffer. They will be inflated with a sense of their own importance. "The foundation of God standeth sure [or, the firm foundation of God standeth], having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. More and more the Christian is a marked person because the more corrupt the world becomes, the more the Christian stands out. The kind of guys that went around selling snake oil or cure-alls, deceiving, defrauding people. The result would often be either that the woman broke off married relationships with her husband in order to live the ascetic life, or that she gave the lower instincts full play and abandoned herself to promiscuous relationships. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Now I'm not about to say God was wrong. It would not burn. At the same time there is the carrying on his full notice of everything found here below that would be a source of comfort to one who anticipated the ruin of Christendom. Paul regarded these as man-made things; but the great books for a man's soul were the God-inspired ones which tradition and the experience of men had sanctified. And so there comes that point where they will proceed no further: "their folly becomes manifest to all men", as Jannes and Jambres also was. No matter what the reasons or excuses for joining with them, "turn away.". There are persons who think that the approach of death is intended to blot out everything here. Nor do I at all see that any Christians should be above learning, if others can teach. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975. The apostle's life was very exemplary for three things: for his doctrine, which was according to the will of God; for his life, which was agreeable to his doctrine; and for his persecutions and sufferings. Timothy fully knew Paul's good character, which he might gather from his doctrine, manner of life, and purpose; for he gave proofs of his faith (that is, of his integrity and fidelity, or his faith in Christ, his faith concerning another world, by which Paul lived), his long-suffering towards the churches to which he preached and over which he presided, his charity towards all men, and his patience. But now before his heart just as in principle before the dying Lord Himself, wonderful to say two things come together: a deeper sense of what is in God, as revealed in Christ Himself, before there was any creation at all; and on the other hand so much the deeper sense also of what could be owned in nature. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear" (it was what Timothy was manifesting), "but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Having a form of godliness ( 2 Timothy 3:5 ). Matthew 10:22-23; Luke 21:12; John 15:20; Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:4). Compare the catalogue, Ro 1:29, &c., where much the same sins are attributed to heathen men; it shall be a relapse into virtual heathendom, with all its beast-like propensities, whence the symbol of it is "a beast" (Re 13:1, 11, 12, &c.; 17:3, 8, 11). In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Death and resurrection, then, are thus put before this servant of God; the more remarkably, because the point here is a practical and not a doctrinal question. He forbad his going on in association with those that dishonour the Lord with vessels to dishonour; but he tells him to follow these things "with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Sponde is the word for a truce or an agreement. Next he comes to a more personal need. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel." Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Second Timothy chapter three? He is the man who is guilty of the "sin of the high heart." We have the practice and treatment of true Christians: they live godly in Jesus Christ--this is their practice; and they shall suffer persecution--this is the usage they must expect in this world. 3:1 You must realize this--that in the last days difficult times will set in. But God prepares the instruments through which He works and the most important preparation is through the Word of God. This present age was altogether evil; and the age to come would be the golden age of God. Don't start trying to cut out certain stories because they don't fit your scheme because you have a little hard, you have a hard time sort of believing that. What am I to believe about sin? There was to be a final show-down with the forces of evil. This again has stumbled the minds of men. (4) Let those who have never been persecuted in any way, inquire whether it is not an evidence that they have no religion. The coming of the Lord will in no way manifest the faithfulness of the servant; His appearing will. It is the whole spiritual experience, so to speak, of the apostle. In the Jewish pictures of these last terrible times we get exactly the same kind of picture as we get here. Far more harm is done from want of thought than almost anything else. This he had known most extensively, but it was closed; no longer had he before him any prospect of having to fight the battles of the church of God. I think the next major event, Revelation 4:1 . Without natural affection ( 2 Timothy 3:3 ). E. F. Brown has pointed out the danger of what he calls "intellectual curiosity without moral earnestness." It is not "the commandment," as of authority, but "according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus." 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. There was the road from the south which centred the trade of the Maeander valley in Ephesus. In the light of this warning from the Saviour, no Christian should be surprised at persecution. The man who has exhausted the normal pleasures of life and still unsated, will seek his thrill in pleasures which are abnormal. In other words, they simply remain in spiritual infancy and keep repeating the first stage of their Christian faith, over and again, without pressing on to spiritual maturity.Many are falsely taught that becoming a Christian will secure a quiet life and provide a ticket to prosperity, with numerous earthly blessings and a free pass from God, to prevent or remove any difficulties or dangers that may arise. There is that in the scripture which suits every case. 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. Marks of Perilous Times; Excellence of the Scriptures. That will = Who will live ( ) to desire, to want to, to wish. And when you lose authority you have anarchy. Xenophon in the Memorabilia tells how Socrates utterly condemned such impostors. 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.