II Timothy Chapter 3

II Timothy Chapter 3

Distributed by:  KJV Bible Studies
Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net
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Introduction:  In chapter 2, Paul urged Timothy to pass the word of God on to those who could teach others.  He wanted them to all become good soldiers for Jesus Christ.  Paul had suffered much for preaching the gospel, and he encourages Timothy to stay in the battle, and to constantly study the Word of God.  In chapter 3, we study about the last days of the church.  There are 21 outstanding features in this prophecy of church conditions in the last days.

Paul warns Timothy of the coming apostasy. This warning remains relevant to this day. Paul concludes the chapter by establishing the foundation of faith—the inspiration of the Scriptures.
 
 
I.  Characteristics of the Last Days

2 Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
 
The Apostle Paul warns Timothy. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”  The word last is translated from (escatwv) eschatos. The word eschatology derives from the same word. Paul no doubt wrote of the apostasy that was taking place at the time he sent word to Timothy. He clearly addresses “the last days” as well. He indicates that in the last days there will be “perilous times.”
 
The word translated as perilous (calepov chalepos) among other things has the sense of ‘troubled’ or ‘dangerous.’ Theologically, we have been in the last days since Calvary.  
 
The last days mentioned in this verse are being fulfilled in this hour.  J. Vernon McGee said this about the last days. “The last days” is a technical term used in several places in the New Testament; it speaks of the last days of the church, immediately preceding the rapture of the church. The last days of the church are not the same as the last days of the nation Israel, which is mentioned repeatedly in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the last days are called the “end of the age” or “the time of the end,” which is the Great Tribulation period. That is quite different from the last days of the church, which precede the rapture of the church.
 
The apostasy that began in the church in Paul’s day will continue. Paul warned the church at Ephesus that false leaders would enter the church after his decease. He told them in Acts 20:29–30: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” They won’t give out the Word of God but will fleece the congregations. Believe me, false teachers shear the sheep pretty close!  “Perilous times shall come,” which means grievous or desperate times are coming.
 
That doesn’t look like the conversion of the world, does it? It doesn’t appear that the church is going to bring in the Millennium or is going to convert the world. The Bible doesn’t teach that it will. That is the pipe dream of a great many idealists and a great many folk who have lived with their heads ostrich-like in the sand and have never faced reality.  [1]
 
2 Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Tim 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
 
Paul sets forth a list of nineteen traits typical of apostasy in the last days. ”For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:”    
 
Let us notice some of these terms.

(1) The word translated as lovers of their own selves (filautov philautos) has the additional idea of being ‘intent on one’s interest’ or ‘selfish.’

(2) The word translated as covetous (filargurov philarguros) literally means a ‘lover of silver’ or more generically, a ‘lover of money.’  
 
(3) The word translated as blasphemers (blasfhmov blasphemos) literally means to ‘speak evil of’ or ‘slander other.’
 
(4) The Apostle’s reference to being without natural affection is translated from the word (astorgov astorgos and has the sense of ‘having no kindness or concern for another.’
 
(5) The word translated as incontinent (akrathv akrates) has the thought of being ‘undisciplined’ or ‘intemperate.’
 
(6) The word translated as heady (propethv propetes) has the thought of being ‘rash’ or ‘reckless.’
 
(7) The word translated as highminded (tufow tuphoo) has the thought which borders upon being ‘arrogant, insolent, and proud.’
 
These noted along with the rest (more apparent in their sense) describe the corrupt culture of the last days. If it were so in Timothy’s day, how much more so must it be today, not only from the perspective of eschatology, but also of the wickedness of the present culture.


[1]J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.

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