Paul’s opening remarks in Chapter Three are not too dissimilar to his words penned in Romans regarding the heathen world of his day. In Romans 1:18-32 he writes:
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32 (NIV)
Indeed, the lists are quite similar. Sin always spirals down and worsens if not dealt with does it not? In our passage for today, Paul is describing the great features of the last days and, as in Romans, he reveals the moral sewer yet again. At first blush, I was not going to revisit the cesspool deeming it less than valuable to hone in on the depravity of Satan, sin and self yet it does us good to be reminded of the things we should steer clear of. All of us have the capacity to fall. Indeed, as we review the list we can most likely see how it is far too easy for us to spiral downward. Therefore, I believe we would be remiss not to at least review the list. The “last days” Paul mentions here are not only the days immediately preceding Christ’s second coming, rather, they began at Pentecost and will continue until He returns.
After reading our verses in 2 Timothy, we may rightly ask the question, “When have men in general been other than as here depicted?” Think of Noah and his times or Sodom and Gomorrah. The difference is here Paul is describing to Timothy the conditions among the people in the professing church. It is not the openly wicked who are being depicted here as in Romans. It is those who have a form of godliness yet deny its power - think Pharisees and their hypocrisy. It depicts the powerless, the victory-less life – those easily swayed by every wind of doctrine. This is what makes this passage so intensely solemn and gives it so much weight in our present day. We should not be taken by surprise when we remember Jesus’ Words to us in Matthew:
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” Matthew 13:24-30 (NIV)
Sadly, there will be weeds among the wheat. Some of whom, under the influence of the Devil, will pose as teachers and lead other people astray as well.
Paul desired that Timothy be prepared for battles with false teachers, critics, physical hardships and other sufferings rather than being taken by surprise by them. Sinful people who live corrupt lives will create difficult times. To be sure, all these things are the realities of living in a fallen world, a world that awaits the final act of the redemptive drama: The glorious return of sweet Jesus. Until that great day we will all have tribulations. There are dangers, storms, and stressful times for all Christians, in which we must rely on God’s grace to endure.
When people are being trained to detect counterfeit money for the Government they do not study the counterfeit, rather they study the real thing - the actual money. This is true for us as Christians as well. There is no end to sin. There is no end to false religions. We can’t go as low as sin is and often dwelling on it brings us down rather than up. As I previously stated, I will try not to wax long on this section and spend the most time primarily dwelling on Remedy. We are going to go over this list by dividing them into three categories:
First: Their Lives are Totally Self-Centered (v 2-4): They have misdirected loves – lovers of self, lovers of money, unloving, without love (familial love), not lovers of what is good, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. They find their god “within” them and not without. They profess to love God but it is themselves they love. Everyone worships something or someone, and one’s life is a spillover of that supreme love. Putting this in contemporary terms, Paul notes three inordinate loves: Narcissism (love of self), Materialism (love of money), and Hedonism (love of pleasure). These excesses lead people not to love what is good. Love of self would include boastful, proud, conceited. Love of Pleasure to include unholy, without self-control, rash (reckless). Clearly, when the love of God is replaced by other loves, all sorts of vices follow. Three things that will plunge people into ruin are narcissism (“to be”), hedonism (pleasure) (“to feel”) and materialism (“to have”). Rick Warren states that virtually every television commercial is aimed at one of these three temptations. We fight them by pursuing Humility (in contrast to narcissism), Integrity (in contrast to hedonism), and Generosity (in contrast to materialism).
Ultimately, we are to be lovers of God and lovers of people. Out of the overflow of love for God, we can live lives of humility, integrity and generosity. Godliness begins with adoration for God. What is our greatest love? Or better yet Whom or whom is our greatest love? As the Psalmist stated:
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25 (NIV)
In addition to these misdirected loves self-centered people have corrupt relationships. Paul stated that they would be abusive, disobedient to parents and ungrateful. Indeed, our day is plagued with such abuse, disobedience to parents and ingratitude. Not only is it observable; it is also the subject of entertainment in certain television shows. Ironside writes:
“Disobedience to parents is one of the crowning sins of the age and indicates the soon breaking up of the whole social fabric as at present constituted. Opposition to authority is undoubtedly one of the characteristic features of the time. Children will not brook restraint, and parents have largely lost the sense of their responsibility toward the rising generation. And it may be laid down as an axiom, that children not trained in obedience to parents will not readily be obedient to God. We have been sowing the wind in this respect for years, as a nation and as families. The reaping of the whirlwind is certain to follow.”
Further, Paul notes other relational sins. They were unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, brutal, and traitors. Sin can cause people to be heartless and unforgiving. And a failure to love others leads to sinful acts such as backbiting, brutality and treachery. These two groups of misdirected loves and corrupt relationships reveal that the underlying failure in fallen humanity is disobedience to the Great Command Jesus stated. They love neither God nor people:
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
Remember ladies, behavior modification, rules or the law are not enough. They manage sin but they cannot transform the heart. Only God can do that. Second: Their Religion is a Show (v 5). Paul states that some merely have a “form of godliness” but their lives are not pleasing to God. They do not walk their talk. They have external practices, but they are morally corrupt. Their religion is all for show and they are spiritually powerless. I am reminded of Jesus’ Words:
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 (NIV)
Their religious acts were filled with empty form, empty talk and empty sacrifices. They lacked any substance. Jeremiah’s words come to light here:
21 “‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.’” Jeremiah 7:21-24 (NIV)
Not only did these religious fakes lack spiritual power they stubbornly refused to believe in the Truth of the Gospel. By failing to embrace Christ, they failed to embrace the power. Apart from the Gospel, people are just practicing dead religion. No Christ, no power. Remember Jesus reserved His most intense words for the hypocritical religious leaders of His day.
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV)
Jesus is merciful to those whose lives are a mess and who admit their need of Him, but to those who play the hypocrite, there is nothing but rebuke. First clean the inside of the cup and the outside will be clean.
Third: Their Proselytizing is Evil (v 6-9): As if their corrupt lives and empty religiousness were not enough, Paul states that certain people would also try to win converts to their wicked ways. The way they sought to add to their number was evil in itself. Worming their way into households was certainly a method not out in the open – it was secretive and sneaky like Satan himself. They sought to capture victims the verb properly meaning “to take prisoner in war”. The location for their stealth mission was households. Paul states these zealous false teachers were after idle women burdened down with sins and led by a variety of passions – ever learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Of course, Paul was not speaking of all women rather those who were immature, childish, silly, weak and burdened with sins. Because of unclean consciences, they were open to hear anything, even the messages of these false teachers who preyed on their intellectual weaknesses and gullible natures. Interestingly, Satan is always after the family unit to destroy and divide – think Eve in the garden of Eden, Sarah with Abraham. Stott states this method of preying on women is a timeless tactic of false teachers:
“Choosing a time when the menfolk were out (presumably at work), they would concentrate their attention on ‘weak women’. This expedient, comments Bishop Ellicott, was ‘as old as the fall of man’, for the serpent first deceived Eve. It was also employed by the Gnostics, and has been a regular ploy of religious commercial travelers right up to and including the Jehovah’s Witnesses of our own day.” John Stott
Additionally, those who are ever learning but not putting into practice what they have learned never truly know the Truth. Truth must enter the head and the heart and go out the hand. We live what we believe. Further, that is why Scripture states the following in Titus regarding our roles as women:
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)
There is plenty of Kingdom work to do. There is plenty of profitable things for us to be about. And we should seek doing good rather than being idle busybodies creating harm.
Next, Paul cites the example of Jannes and Jambres who are not mentioned in Scripture by name but appear in extrabiblical sources as Pharaoh’s sorcerers who opposed Moses before Pharaoh. When Aaron threw down his rod and it became a snake, they cast down their rods, which also became snakes. These sorcerers opposed Moses as the false teachers were opposing Paul and Timothy and by extension those who proclaim God’s Word today. Paul states these false teachers were men corrupt in mind – mentally warped – worthless in regard to the faith. The war Paul describes here is a war for the Truth. People have always been prone to drift to every wind of doctrine, especially that which is new. We must guard the Truth that has been given us in Holy Scripture and pass it on to others. We need an army of good soldiers who by God’s grace, preach and teach the Word with faithfulness because eternity is at stake.
Paul states at the end of this section that a false teacher’s doom is sure. No one can match the power of Almighty God. Make no mistake about it, God will preserve His Truth. In the end these teacher’s folly will be clear to all.
In stark contrast to these false teachers, Paul now switches gears in this section and gives Timothy (“You” V10) the imperative charge to continue (V14). Paul urges Timothy to continue following Jesus by doing two things: (1) Remembering how Paul fleshed out the faith in the past (V10-13) and (2) focusing on the Scriptures as his security against error (V14-17).
Every Christian leader should be able to say: “Follow me, as I follow Christ.” This is Christian leadership 101. We cannot lift men higher than ourselves. If one is not living for God, is not walking with Christ, then he cannot be a real blessing to other people. Leadership is not lordship. Leadership is about following Jesus and inviting others to come along.
Paul illustrated this as well as anyone. Paul and his companions lived such lives that they gave power to their message. Timothy knew well Paul’s teaching, his conduct and his purpose. His life was lived out in the open. Paul’s teaching explained his life and his life exemplified his teaching. Paul lived out the charge he had earlier given to Timothy to “watch your life and doctrine closely”. Paul’s purpose was to live for something far greater than pleasure, money or personal fame. And he had a relentless pursuit of excellence regarding this mission. He passionately expressed a single-mindedness in both Acts and Philippians:
24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)
17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:17-18 (NIV)
Paul’s great aim in life was to finish his ministry of testifying to the Gospel for the glory of Christ. Paul reminded Timothy of four qualities he should emulate from his life: faith, patience, love and endurance. These four virtues are at the heart of the Christian life.
Paul had a faith that was able to lay hold upon God day by day and triumph over all circumstances. Timothy had also observed Paul’s patience toward others – enduring all things for Christ’s name’s sake and the Gospel. His unselfish love and compassion for men everywhere enabled him to rise above jealousy, envy, covetousness and every unholy tendency. We are to love even our enemies, no matter how they may treat us. Paul also speaks of his endurance which is actually addressing his constancy under extreme suffering and remaining content. Remember he is the one who wrote in Philippians on contentment:
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
It takes a lot of patience to go on in the work of the Lord. So many things try and exercise one’s heart. If we focus on the fact that God promised in Romans good to come out of every circumstance, we can endure even the most distressing experiences:
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Paul’s persecutions for Christ’s sake were great. Indeed, when one reads his account in 2 Corinthians it would make anyone’s hair curl and should put our own sufferings in proper perspective:
16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! What anyone else dares to boast about--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 2 Corinthians 11:16-29 (NIV)
Timothy was all too familiar with these persecutions and afflictions, yet Paul could say quite literally that the Lord had snatched him from danger from them all – the Lord had delivered him. He next reminds Timothy of what had happened to him in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. After Pauls’ stoning in Lystra Luke writes in Acts:
21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)
Remember ladies we should not be taken by surprise by sufferings we should expect it. Race car drivers should expect some crashes, football players are not surprised by injuries, baseball players know the ball will hit them sometimes and soldiers expect to be shot at. Christians should expect some degree of persecution. This sobering reality actually helps us. We know this world is not spinning out of control. No. This is what will happen in the last days. Both Jesus and Paul tell us:
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:29-30 (NIV)
Persecution is inevitable for those who are faithful to God in a world like this, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13 (NIV)
The world is ripening for judgment. It goes on and on in rebellion against God and His Christ, and its doom cannot be delayed much longer. Our Lord has said:
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:37 (NIV)
His coming will take people unawares. The world was not converted in the days of Noah. The mass of men was given over to violence and corruption as they wished. And the Lord Jesus Christ asks the question:
8 “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 (NIV)
The nearer we get to the end the higher the rising tide of rebellion against God. False teachers like Paul mentioned will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Timothy, as we are, was to remember this reality and continue to follow Jesus.
Lastly, Paul reminds Timothy to continue on in the things he had learned and become convinced of and to remember from whom he had learned it. Paul was thinking of Timothy’s instruction in his own home as well as what he had poured into him and other fellow laborers of the Gospel. In those days the custom was for an experienced servant of Christ to take one or more young men with him and instruct them in Scripture and train them in the work of the Lord. This was Timothy’s case. He had gone forth with Paul, had heard him preach the truth of the Gospel and had learned from him that which he had gotten direct from God Himself through divine revelation. It is no wonder Paul was so eager to remind his son in the faith of all these things. When one has poured their very life into another - which was, of course, the Word of God, they are greatly desirous of it being passed on to forthcoming generations. They don’t want the ball to stop with them.
When we read these verses, we sense our need for help. We have the ultimate example set forth in Christ Jesus – He is the mystery of Godliness.
“Jesus gave us the ultimate example of Godliness in His incarnation. Jesus was the ultimate picture of humility, integrity and generosity. His religion was not a show but was a demonstration of power. His outreach was not evil but loving. He taught with authority. He walked by faith. He lived with an eternal purpose. He displayed love like no other. His patience is unparalleled. And the only truly innocent man suffered a criminal’s death where He took our judgment and gave us His righteousness. Jesus gave us the greatest example of Godliness.” David Platt
Yet we need more than an example – we need the empowerment. That is exactly what the Lord provided through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Through Jesus’ victorious resurrection, He triumphed over our greatest enemies, ascended to the Father’s right Hand, and poured out the Holy Spirit. Now as believers in Him, we are united with Him. We are enabled to live this Godly life through our glorious union with Christ and we remind ourselves of our relationship with Him through our daily communion with Christ. We have been crucified with Him, raised with Him, and seated with Him. Christ now lives in us! By the power of the risen Christ, we press on in Godliness keeping our eyes fixed on Him. Hebrews tells us:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Also, Timothy had his Bible (the OT) and he was responsible to read it. As a child he had known the Scriptures. It is a wonderful thing to know the Holy Scriptures from childhood. Many of us can thank God that we first learned to reverence and love the Bible in our own homes. How we should praise Him for Godly parents who loved this Book and who implanted in our hearts a reverence for its teachings. Timothy had had such privilege. If any of you parents do not give this privilege to your children, you are robbing them of something priceless. Just note how Scripture fully meets every need for the believer as they go through this life so that they will be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Every Christian is called to continue in the Word and everyone who preaches and teaches is called to proclaim the Word. Paul in his last days did not tell Timothy to be trendy or to get with the times or to preach what their itching ears wanted to hear to draw the crowds. Rather, Paul knew God had given us something timeless: the sacred Scriptures. Timothy must hold firmly to these Scriptures and pass them on faithfully above all else. That was a top priority – do not change the message. The Scripture Timothy had come to know was authentic, authoritative and worthy of his very life. The Bible is a Book that leads to salvation and others needed to hear its timeless message and still do.
To be sure it is “All” Scripture not just a few sweet verses which we all have such tendency to lean to. We are not to neglect the Old Testament as both Testaments are necessary. Indeed, you can use the Old Testament to lead others to Christ – just ask the disciples on the road to Emmaus who walked with Jesus after His resurrection:
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:25-27 (NIV)
The Bible narrates the ongoing flow of redemptive history that moves ultimately to the person and work of Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is unashamedly Christian. Sidney Greidanus gives us the following reminders about why we should not neglect the Old Testament:
The Old Testament is part of the Christian canon.
It shows the history of redemption leading to Christ.
It proclaims Truths not found in the New Testament.
It helps us to understand the New Testament.
It prevents misunderstanding the New Testament.
It provides a fuller understanding of Christ.
The Bible is a “Him Book”. The Old Testament anticipates Christ and the New Testament explains Christ. He is promised in the beginning, He is there in the middle, and He is held up at the end as our object of worship for all eternity. Yet, sadly, many of the Christians know the stories well but know nothing of its wonderful Christ-centered story line. Simply put, Jesus is the Hero of the Bible. Christ showed that the Scriptures were about Him. And His followers are called to proclaim Him.
The Bible also shapes our beliefs as well as our lifestyle. It relates to both doctrine and conduct, and it is totally sufficient to shape us into the image of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible addresses us in a variety of ways. It gives us doctrinal Truth. It rebukes us for ungodly behavior or false beliefs. It corrects us when we stray from Christlikeness. It trains us in righteous living. God’s Word meets our deepest needs. It transforms us from the inside out. Scripture is the chief means which God employs to bring the man of God to maturity. People need God’s Word as their very lifeblood – it is food for their starving souls. Never, never neglect it.
Remember as well, nothing is esteemed by God as a good work if it goes contrary to the Word of God. When we stand at the judgment seat of Christ, it will not be a question of what we thought about this or that, but what God said. The standard is His Word. The Bible and the Bible alone is the basis of instruction and guidance for the believer. God grant that we may be subject to that blessed Word.
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.
