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2 Timothy Chapter Three

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

How God’s Workers Deal with the Heretical Teachers

I. Knowing the features of the heretical teachers in the last days (v.1-9)

  A. harming others to benefit oneself (v.4a).

  B. being lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (v.4b).

  C. having the form of godliness but denying its power (v.5)

  D. making captives of gullible women (v.6-7).

  E. of corrupt minds disapproved concerning the faith (v.8-9).

II. The key to deal with the heretical teachers (v.10-17)

  A. Continuing in the teachings and example of Paul (v.10-14).

  B. Trusting and following the revelation and function of the Bible (v.15-17).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

2Tim. 3:1 “But know this that in the last days perilous times will come:

   YLT: “And this know thou that in the last days there shall come perilous times ”

   Meaning of Words: “last days”: final latter end farthest; “perilous”: difficult dangerous grievous fierce.

   Literal Meaning: the word “But” in the beginning of this verse refers to the miserable condition in opposition to the hope stated at the end of the previous chapter------“if God perhaps will grant them repentance” (See 2:25).

“Know this” the following words bring in a new realm of discussion------the crises in the last days and the way to deal with them. “Knowing” implies that you should take it as your own responsibility.

“That in the last days perilous times will come” “the last days” means that: in the broad sense it refers to the time from the coming of Christ to His second coming (See Heb. 1:2) and in the narrow sense it refers to the period of the great tribulation before the Lord’s second coming. Here it should refer to the broad interpretation. At that time the apostles had not received the clear revelation from God concerning the time of the Lord’s second coming (See Matt. 24:36). And therefore they always encouraged themselves and others that they were in the last days (See 1Cor. 10:11; James. 5:3; 1Pet. 1:20; 2Pet. 3:3; Jude. 18).

  “Perilous times” indicates that it is full of rebellions against God in this period. “Perilous” implies that if we are not careful we may suffer perils.

Please note that the conditions of corruption described in v.2 to v.5 do not specially refer to the evil states in the society of non-Christians. It indicates that in the declining Christianity------“a great house” (See 2:20) all kinds of unrighteous and lowly things and declining conditions controlled by lusts will be manifested. “A form of godliness” in v.5 proves that this passage is spoken concerning those who call themselves Christians apparently.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is possible for Christians to fall and even corrupt and fall into the perilous conditions.

2) Many Christians and even preachers hold a wrong idea that they should not know the dark and abnormal states in the church and therefore they reject the kind warnings. However it is the “ostrichism” and it is diametrically opposed to “knowing this” said by Paul.

3) Some men claim that we only need the positive messages and do not need the negative knowledge. These people have not noted a fact at all that there are many negative and passive records in the Bible for warning us who are in the last days (1Cor. 10:11).

4) Now it is the “last days” and therefore on one hand we should take advantage of a few days to preach the gospel to save the lost souls and on the other we should watch ourselves to meet the second coming of the Lord. 

5) The whole old creation trends toward corruption more and more and even toward the complete destruction. And therefore since the dawn of history all ideas and efforts that men want to set up the “harmonious” world in this old heaven and old earth are in vain! All our hope is that Christ will bring in “a new heaven and a new earth” when He comes for the second time and in which “dwells righteousness” (2Pet. 3:10-13).

 

2Tim. 3:2 “For men will be lovers of themselves lovers of money boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankful unholy

   YLT: “for men shall be lovers of themselves lover of money boasters proud evil-speakers to parents disobedient unthankful unkind ”

   Meaning of Words: “boaster”: arrogant pompous exalting oneself; “blasphemers”: slander libeler speaking words harmful to others.

   Literal Meaning: For men will be lovers of themselves lovers of money” “lovers of themselves” in the original means specially loving themselves i.e. only keeping themselves in their minds. “Lovers of money” refers to seeking to fulfill one’s enjoyment because money could provide what they want.

“Boasters proud blasphemers” “boasters” emphasizes that one’s outer behavior shows his arrogance; “proud” stresses on one’s inner intention------being full of himself; “blasphemers” and profaneness are the same word in the original. However profaneness is especially towards God and blasphemy is towards men i.e. slandering others. Haughty ones despise others and it is shown in their words and it is blasphemy.

“Disobedient to parents unthankful unholy” “Disobedient to parents” indicates that one is not restrained and even is disobedient to his own parents. “Unthankful” refers to not remembering anyone’s loving-kindness with gratitude. “Unholy” implies incest in the original. Here it not only refers to having the dirty and evil thoughts in the negative aspect but also includes not pursuing holiness in the positive aspect (See 2:19-22).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Loving themselves and loving money are the source of all evil. They not only bring in many sins but also exclude God from their life.

2) As long as one regards “I and mine” as the principle of his walking nothing would restrain the string of terrible sins.

3) Satan utilizes things besides God to occupy men and in which the most serious one is self and the second one is money.

4) When one merely has money in his heart and does not have any place for others he would do anything evil. It’s no wonder that it is written in the Bible that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1Tim. 6:10).

5) What one “loves” determines the direction of his life. If what he loves is himself and money he must run towards the wrong direction in his whole life.

6) Those who are self-centered only consider themselves and money in their hearts. They exalt themselves and belittle others at the same time and they even do not restrain themselves towards their family members of their personal concern.

7) Our “selves” is the source of all evil and therefore the Lord condemns that we must “deny ourselves” and take up our crosses and then we shall be worthy to follow Him (Matt. 16:24). All those who treasure themselves indeed put themselves in the unworthy position.

8) Men’s selves are the embodiment of Satan. The Lord once said to Peter that get away behind me Satan because Peter minded himself (Matt. 16:23).

9) The lovers of themselves like exalting themselves by devastating others and they not merely slander others and even not recognize their own closest relatives.

 

2Tim. 3:3 “unloving unforgiving slanderers without self-control brutal despisers of good

   YLT: “without natural affection implacable false accusers incontinent fierce not lovers of those who are good ”

   Meaning of Words: “unforgiving”: unwilling to become reconciled; “slanderers”: false accuser accusation traducer; “despisers”: haters.

   Literal Meaning: unloving unforgiving slanderers” “unloving” refers to lack of love of family and being indifferent to men. “Unforgiving” in the original refers to being unwilling to repent or obey the regulations and it could also refer to being self-willed and not considering the feelings of others. “Slanderers” refers to speaking like the devil (the original meaning of the devil is the slanderous talk).

“Without self-control brutal despisers of good” “Without self-control” refers to being unconventional and uninhibited and lacking the power of self-control. “Brutal” indicates that one walks like a beast i.e. being violent and cruel. “Despisers of good” refers to hating good. God Himself is good (See Matt. 19:17) and therefore despisers of good means despisers of things of God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The selfish ones only love themselves. If they firmly believe that someone is harmful to them they will attack him recklessly.

2) All those who cannot control their behavior are always unable to control their sentiments. Once their sentiments break out they may do everything evil.

 

2Tim. 3:4 “traitors headstrong haughty lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

   YLT: “traitors heady lofty lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God ”

   Meaning of Words: “traitors”: betrayer faithless; “headstrong”: willful rash dash headlong; “haughty”: envelope with smoke proud; “lovers of pleasure”: loving pleasure pleasing oneself.

   Literal Meaning: traitors headstrong haughty” “traitors” indicates that one goes all length for his benefits and even betrays his closest relatives. “Headstrong” indicates that one does as he pleases and never considers others. “Haughty” indicates that one is blinded and cannot see his real situation.

“Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” “lovers of pleasure” refers to loving the enjoyment of the flesh yearning for the comfort of souls and fully living in one’s feelings. “Rather than lovers of God” indicates that one does not give the sovereignty to God or merely loves God or concentrates on God or regards God as his content and joy.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) All haters of good (See v.3) must not be restrained by anyone or anything and they follow their inclinations and do whatever they like.

2) Pleasure is the thing of the world and God and good (See v.3) are things of another world. One cannot be a lover of pleasure and a lover of God and good at the same time. Either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other (See Matt. 6:24).

3) When men choose to be self-centered God is no longer the source of his joy in his life and naturally he will turn to pursuing the enjoyments of the flesh.

 

2Tim. 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

   YLT: “having a form of piety and its power having denied; and from these be turning away ”

   Meaning of Words: “form”: appearance image.

   Literal Meaning: having a form of godliness” indicates though one dresses him up with a form of godliness it is trumpery.

“But denying its power” “its power” refers to the power of influence of the godly life.

And from such people turn away!” the tone of “turn away from” is very strong in the original showing that the influence that they mix the spurious with the genuine is very great and therefore we have to turn away from them.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When one loses his love towards God (See v.4) the inevitable result is that he only attaches importance to his appearance before men and never takes notice of God’s opinion towards him.

2) Since ancient times religious believers who like putting on a show in appearance are found everywhere (See Matt. 23:25-28; Rom. 2:28) and such men exist in the church unavoidably.

3) The most terrible ones are those who seem to love the Lord very much apparently but are ministers of Satan who mislead the Saints and destroy the faith of Saints. And there is nothing worse than this.

4) It is of no value that one merely has the form of godliness but denies its power. However if one has the power of godliness he must have the form of godliness. Because godliness originates from the life of God and the nature of God’s life is godliness. If such life is manifested upon us it must be godliness.

5) God’s principle of working is always from the inner parts to the outer parts. If men only pay attention to the form of godliness which is not of the godly life such behavior is equal to guise and it denies the power of godliness. However if we have the hearts of godliness and are afraid of our own activities and oppose reject and condemn all ungodly thoughts words actions and attitudes so that we have to control our behavior outwardly. This form of godliness is true.

 

2Tim. 3:6 “For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins led away by various lusts

   YLT: “for of these there are those coming into the houses and leading captive the silly women laden with sins led away with desires manifold ”

   Meaning of Words: “creep into”: slip into crawl into slowly; “make captives of”: lead captive capture; “gullible women”: weak women frivolous women little women.

   Literal Meaning: For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women” “this sort” refers to the hypocritical heretical teachers (See v.5). And their features are: 1) their attitude is not frank or righteous----they creep into houses; 2) their objects are not common believers----they specially look for the weak who are easy to be deceived; 3) their means are low----they give them little grace to capture their hearts so that they will be driven by them willingly.

“Gullible women” here women are the representatives of weak vessels (See 1Pet. 3:7) and it could refer to all brothers and sisters who are weak in Spirit and lack the ability of discernment.

  “Loaded down with sins led away by various lusts” “loaded down with sins” refers to sins upon sins and being pressed by mountains of repeated sins; “various lusts” refers to all kinds of lusts in the flesh; “led away” implies being unable to resist.

  The first sentence in this verse points out the ugliness and deceit of the heretical teachers and last sentence points out the corruption and weakness of those who are deceived. Their being deceived is a trouble of their own making.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The heretical teachers are good at using the weakness of human nature and make men fall into the trap unconsciously and be manipulated by them willingly.

2) Originally the truth shall release men and set men free (John. 8:32). However the false-named knowledge will manage men and make them be controlled and lose the freedom.

3) This verse clearly tells us that “sins” and “lusts” are the great hindrance to know the spiritual things. And therefore we should ask the Lord to deliver us from the outer sins and inner lusts completely so that we could discern good and evil and make the spiritual progress.

4) Believers who are deceived in the truth themselves should also bear the sin before God because they themselves yield to the lusts of the flesh to let the heretical teachers take advantage.

 

2Tim. 3:7 “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

   YLT: “always learning and never to a knowledge of truth able to come ”

   Meaning of Words: “never”: not even ever.

   Literal Meaning: always learning” shows that they intend to pursue and they are not those who do not have the heart to the Lord.

“And never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” “never” implies that it is in vain no matter how many efforts they have made.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If we want to know the truth we should make efforts to learn without a doubt. However efforts are not the most important but the secondary condition.

2) If one’s intention and motive are wrong his efforts at the truth will be in vain.

3) Though by this time the Hebrew believers ought to be teachers they need someone to teach them again the first principles of the oracles of God because their senses have not been exercised rightly (Heb. 5:12-14).

4) The wrong teachings harm men greatly. Apparently some new knowledge is increased to those who have them but actually it is not helpful but harmful to the knowledge of the truth.

 

2Tim. 3:8 “Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds disapproved concerning the faith;

   YLT: “and even as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses so also these do stand against the truth men corrupted in mind disapproved concerning the faith;”

   Meaning of Words: Jannes”: dale seductive; “Jambres”: magician rebellious; “disapproved”: rejected disapproval not approved.

   Literal Meaning: Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses” these two men have not been recorded in the Old Testament. According to the legends of the Jews one is that that they were two magicians before pharaoh who once changed the rods into serpents changed water into blood and brought up the frogs upon the land (Exod. 7:11-12 21-22; 8:7) and another is that they sneaked into the people of Israel with false intent and seduced them into committing the sin of worshiping the golden calf and resisting Moses and the truth (See Exod. 32).

“So do these also resist the truth” “these” refers to the heretical teachers.

“Men of corrupt minds disapproved concerning the faith” “of corrupt minds” indicates that men’s minds are corrupt and they lose the ability to discern the truth. “Disapproved” originally indicates that its ingredients are found unqualified and it is determined as the thing of low quality in the process of smelting metals.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The trick of the devil is corrupting men’s “minds” first and making them be urged by it unconsciously. And therefore if we want to gain men we must recapture the thought of men first (See 2Cor. 10:5).

2) When Christians seek after the knowledge of the truth we must have the right minds and ideas otherwise we still cannot get the knack no matter how we pursue.

 

2Tim. 3:9 “but they will progress no further for their folly will be manifest to all as theirs also was.

   YLT: “but they shall not advance any further for their folly shall be manifest to all as theirs also did become.”

   Literal Meaning: but they will progress no further” “they” refers to the heretical teachers; “further” refers to forward.

“For their folly will be manifest to all” “folly” shows that the heretical teachers seem to be wise but actually are fool (See 1Cor. 1:18-20). “Manifest” refers to showing one’s slip and being seen through by all.

“As theirs also was” “theirs” refers to Jannes and Jambres (See v.8).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Fire cannot be wrapped up in paper.” All false things shall give themselves away sooner or later.

2) In spiritual things we should not play with the wisdom of men but fully rely on the Holy Spirit and His great power (1Cor. 2:4).

 

2Tim. 3:10 “But you have carefully followed my doctrine manner of life purpose faith longsuffering love perseverance

   YLT: “And thou -- thou hast followed after my teaching manner of life purpose faith long-suffering love endurance ”

   Meaning of Words: “follow”: follow near; “manner of life”: training character which is brought up; “longsuffering”: longanimity; “perseverance”: enduring patience perseverance cheerful endurance.

   Literal Meaning: But you have carefully followed my doctrine” “But you” is used two times in this chapter and it is the first time (See v.14) which specially makes a comparison between true teachers and false teachers. The word “follow” is always used to describe disciples’ attitude of learning towards teachers. “Doctrine” refers to the teachings made according to the truth.

“Manner of life purpose faith longsuffering love perseverance” “manner of life” refers to one’s daily words and behavior that he deals with men and things i.e. one’s mode of living. “Purpose” refers to the aim and direction that one pursues and acts. “Faith” refers to the reliance to God. “Longsuffering” refers to forbearing men’s folly frowardness and ingratitude and still having the strength to persist unto the end according to the original intention. “Love” refers to the tender affection for men. “Perseverance” refers to the internal force which bears everything and still keeps steadfast.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Preachers should teach men by the truth instead of any worldly philosophy and keep back nothing that is profitable unto men and conforms to the truth (Acts. 20:20 27).

2) Preachers should not only teach others but also obey their teachings (1Tim. 4:16). Preachers who do not square their words with their conduct won’t be respected by men.

 

2Tim. 3:11 “persecutions afflictions which happened to me at Antioch at Iconium at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.

   YLT: “the persecutions the afflictions that befel me in Antioch in Iconium in Lystra; what persecutions I endured and out of all the Lord did deliver me ”

   Meaning of Words: “afflictions”: oppression.

   Literal Meaning: persecutions afflictions which happened to me at Antioch at Iconium at Lystra” “Antioch at Iconium at Lystra” were three small cities within the borders of the province of Galata and Timothy was born at Lystra (Acts. 16:1-2). “Persecutions afflictions which happened to me” refers to the cases that Paul experienced during his first journey of preaching (Acts. 13:50; 14:5-6 19). These things all happened before Timothy believed in the Lord and here Paul specially mentioned them probably because: 1) they had great influence upon Paul to set his mind to suffer for the Lord; 2) Timothy had heard of these things in the early part of his believing in the Lord and they were very impressive.

“What persecutions I endured” “what” refers to the seriousness of the degree.

And out of them all the Lord delivered me” “deliver” refers to being delivered from circumstances instead of the salvation of soul.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Without the Lord’s permission or before the time all persecutions or afflictions cannot harm the Lord’s servants at all. 

2) God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able (1Cor. 10:13).

 

2Tim. 3:12 “Yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

   YLT: “and all also who will to live piously in Christ Jesus shall be persecuted ”

   Literal Meaning: Yes” indicates that “I” is not the only person (See v.11).

“And all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus” “live godly” indicates that one walks with the heart of fearing God; one does not walk according to the flesh or is swayed by personal considerations or follows the trend or compromises with sins or is afraid of offending men and he pleases God wholeheartedly.

“Will suffer persecution” “suffer persecution” because: 1) Satan sets something into action behind men; 2) the impious men (See v.13) cannot bear others’ behavior of godliness.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God (Acts. 14:22).

2) Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of God’s kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 5:10). All those how suffer with the Lord shall also be glorified with Him together (Rom. 8:17).

 

2Tim. 3:13 “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.

   YLT: “and evil men and impostors shall advance to the worse leading astray and being led astray.”

   Meaning of Words: “impostor”: a wizard a deceiver.

   Literal Meaning: But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse” “grow worse and worse” has two meanings: 1) the nature become worse and worse; 2) the ending gets worse and worse.

“Deceiving and being deceived” shows that these men harm others on one hand and on the other they themselves are harmed.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The impious ones must go from bad to worse and strictly speaking those who reject God’s guidance do not have future at all.

2) Those who deceive others preen themselves but actually they themselves are ignorant of being deceived by others. It indeed shows their folly.

 

2Tim. 3:14 “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of knowing from whom you have learned them

   YLT: “And thou -- be remaining in the things which thou didst learn and wast entrusted with having known from whom thou didst learn ”

   Meaning of Words: “continue”: remain insist stay dwell.

   Literal Meaning: But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of” “But you” here this word is used for the second time in this chapter (See v.10) showing that men of God should be totally different from evil men and impostors (See v.13; 1Tim. 6:11).

“Knowing from whom you have learned them” “whom” is a pronoun and in some English versions it is plural and in others it is singular. The singular word could refer to the Lord Jesus or Paul and the plural word could refer to Paul and other spiritual seniors e.g. Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (See 1:5).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The true learning is not with the attitude of “estimate” but with the attitude of “being instructed”.

2) All knowledge that one had learned should be divided into two sorts: the credible things and the incredible things. We should accept and be faithful to the credible things and not only devoutly believe in them but also continue in them well.

 

2Tim. 3:15 “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

   YLT: “and because from a babe the Holy Writings thou hast known which are able to make thee wise -- to salvation through faith that [is] in Christ Jesus;”

   Meaning of Words: “know’: behold perceive; “the Holy Scriptures”: the holy classics the holy writings.

   Literal Meaning: and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures” it implies that from childhood Timothy was taught to believe and understand the Bible by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.

“Which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” the first function of the Bible is to give us wise for salvation. It reveals us God’s salvation in Christ and the way of men’s being saved by faith so that we could know the way to receive grace and understand the way of salvation.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers should pay attention to teaching our next generation and making them know the Holy Scriptures from their childhood. It has profound and lasting influence upon their whole life.

2) Surrey Gao said that “reading the Bible alone cannot make one receive the salvation effectively and only when one completely relies on the faith in Christ shall he enter in” (it is translated from the Chinese version).

 

2Tim. 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness

   YLT: “every Writing [is] God-breathed and profitable for teaching for conviction for setting aright for instruction that [is] in righteousness ”

   Meaning of Words: “all”: every; “inspiration”: breath exhalation the inspiration of the Spirit; “reproof”: conviction exhortation condemnation; “correction”: returning to normal.

   Literal Meaning: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” is “every Writing is God-breathed” in the original. It means that the Bible is not of men’s thoughts but that God breathes out His meaning and words to those who wrote the Bible through His Spirit and the Bible is breathed out through them. And therefore the Bible has God’s constituents and flavors.

“And is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness” “doctrine” refers to teaching men from the positive aspect to make men know God and His will; “reproof” refers to blaming men from the negative aspect to make men know right and wrong; “correction” refers to making men who run off the lines return to the right way; “instruction in righteousness” refers to learning righteousness from the easy to the difficult and following the prescribed order; “all is profitable” refers to being effective.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Bible is the supreme principle of Christians’ faith and conduct.

2) The greatest joy or blessing for us as Christians is to get in touch with God Himself daily to taste Himself through the words which are breathed out by Him.

3) The Bible is the mark of men’s true path. All those who want to know whether any “word” is right should search the Scriptures well (Acts. 17:11).

 

2Tim. 3:17 “that the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work.

   YLT: “that the man of God may be fitted -- for every good work having been completed.”

   Meaning of Words: “complete”: competent be able to refine perfect ordered harmonious; “equip”: equip fully furnish.

   Literal Meaning: that the man of God may be complete” “complete” refers to the perfect in the Spirit and the abundant life.

“Thoroughly equipped for every good work” it indicates that the word of God (the Bible) is the essential equipment for believers to walk and it enables us to have target and power to pursue and do every good work.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Only the man of God could be equipped for every good work. Those who have not been of God cannot do good works according to the Bible.

2) All those who are unwilling to make efforts to equip themselves with the Bible are unworthy to work for the Lord.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

What God’s Servants should Know

I. Knowing the evil of human nature in the last days (v.1-9)

  A. concerning the days in the last days (v.1).

  B. concerning the ugly performance of the last days (v.2-9).

1. men’s personal life (v.2a).

2. the attachment to the family and the social senses (v.2b-4).

3. the attitude toward God------the hypocrisy of the faith (v.5-9).

II. Knowing that they themselves have the precious spiritual inheritance (v.10-17)

  A. inheriting from their teachers completely (v.10-14).

1. knowing the objects of the succession of teaching from a master to his disciples and their examples (v.10-12).

2. following the steps of good teachers (v.13-14).

  B. inheriting the riches of the Bible (v.15-17).

1. uncovering the gifts which are exceptionally given to them (v.15).

2. gaining the priceless treasury (v.16-17).

 

The Features of Perilous Times in the Last Days

I. In the aspect of coveting the world (v.2a):

  A. lovers of themselves

  B. lovers of money

II. In the aspect of being self-righteous (v.2b):

A. boasters

  B. proud

  C. blasphemers

III. In the aspect of the family (v.2b-3a):

  A. disobedient to parents

  B. unthankful

  C. unholy

  D. unloving

IV. In the aspect of characters (v.3b-4):

  A. unforgiving

  B. slanderers

  C. without self-control

  D. brutal

  E. despisers of good

  F. traitors

  G. headstrong

  H. haughty

  I. lovers of pleasure

  J. not lovers of God

V. In the aspect of the life of the faith (v.5-6):

  A. having a form of godliness

  B. denying the power of godliness

  C. making captives of gullible women

 

The Three Phenomena in the Last Days

I. The human nature which is supercilious (v.2-4).

II. The faith that is powerless (v.5).

III. The teachers who resist the truth (v.6-9).

 

The “lovers” and “despisers” in the Last Days

I. Lovers of themselves (v.2).

II. Lovers of money (v.2).

III. Despisers of good (v.3).

IV. Lovers of pleasure (v.4).

V. Not lovers of God (v.4).

 

The Four Kinds of Deterioration in Relation: v.2-5

I. The deterioration in the relation with oneself: lovers of themselves boasters proud unholy without self-control brutal and haughty.

II. The deterioration in the relation with things: lovers of money despisers of good headstrong and lovers of pleasure.

III. The deterioration in the relation with men: blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankful unloving unforgiving slanderers and traitors.

IV. The deterioration in the relation with God: not lovers of God and having a form of godliness but denying its power.

 

How to Resist the Perilous Days in the Last Days

I. The negative ways:

  A. turning away------“and from such people turn away!” (v.5).

  B. enduring------“endured……persecutions afflictions” (v.11).

II. The positive ways------by the word of God:

  A. “having learned…been assured of” (v.14a).

  B. “continuing in” (v.14b).

  C. paying attention to “from whom you have learned” (v.14c).

  D. “having known the Holy Scriptures” (v.15).

  E. knowing the source and functions of the Bible (v.16-17).

 

Study in Three Aspects

I. The equipment for service: doctrine manner of life and purpose (v.10a).

II. The pursuit of life: faith longsuffering love and perseverance (v.10b).

III. The reaction to circumstances: enduring persecutions and afflictions (v.11).

 

The Relation between the Bible and Believers

I. The Bible is the source of believers’ faith (v.14).

II. The Bible makes believers wisdom for salvation (v.15).

III. The Bible is God’s inspiration specially for believers (v.16a).

IV. The Bible is profitable to believers in many aspects (v.16b).

V. The Bible could equip believers for every good work (v.17).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren