3. Introduction; 2 Timothy 1 Commentary; Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Parakolouthein ( G3877) is indeed the word for the disciple, for it includes the unwavering loyalty of the true comrade, the full understanding of the true scholar and the complete obedience of the dedicated servant. Here we find the perilous times fairly brought before us. They should remember that, in this respect, they are treated as the Master was, and are in the goodly company of the prophets, apostles, and martyrs; for they were all persecuted. Or are you going to develop a doctrine that is diametrically opposed to what Jesus said? Paul cites three instances when he had to suffer for Christ. Wow, watch out now because Jesus bought it. It is not enough to be satisfied when a church is humming like a dynamo and every night in the week has its own crowded organization. He is the man who is guilty of the "sin of the high heart." And for a person to take advantage of a child is unthinkable. Such is the meaning of purging himself. But shun profane and vain babblings.". "The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but, when. Nowadays we have to restate these old pictures in modern terms. They're profitable for doctrine. 2 Timothy 3:1 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org James encourages us by explaining that those who persevere under trial, on the journey to maturity, will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him, and He exhorts us to consider it all joy, when we encounter various trials.There is an urgency in this final letter thatPaul wrote before his death, to remind us that ALL who live godly lives in Christ will certainly suffer persecution. How big is your God? It is the ability to accept the folly, the perversity, the blindness, the ingratitude of men and still to remain gracious, and still to toil on. We have already seen how secluded the life of the respectable Greek woman was, how she was brought up under the strictest supervision, how she was not allowed "to see anything, to hear anything, or to ask any questions," how she never appeared, even on a shopping expedition, alone on the streets, how she was never allowed even to appear at a public meeting. What am I to believe about God? Observe, (1.) It may well be a proof of Timothy's courage and consecration that he had seen very clearly what could happen to an apostle and had yet not hesitated to cast in his lot with Paul. The early Church lived in an age when the time was waxing late; they expected the Second Coming at any moment. "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life" (he must be unencumbered, and undivided in his object); "that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (4) let those who have never been persecuted in any way, inquire whether it is not an evidence that they have no religion. i. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB) Verse Thoughts We live in a fallen world, and there are many challenges that face the believer who has not only trusted Christ for salvation, but is also ready and willing to deny self, take up his cross, follow Christ's example, and say without compromise - Thy will, not mine, be done. ", The Bible tells about God giving people over to reprobate minds, men who resist God and the truth of God. 442.]. When our Lord was pleased to take upon himself the form of a servant, and to go about preaching the kingdom of God; he took all opportunities in public, and more especially in private, to caution his disciples against . It may be that, since we are only human, we cannot live entirely without differences with our fellow-men, but to perpetuate these differences is one of the worst--and also one of the commonest--of all sins. of These twin qualities of the braggart and the arrogant man inevitably result in love of insult (blasphemia, G988) . The strange characteristic of ingratitude is that it is the most hurting of all sins because it is the blindest. He had fought the good fight of faith. Oh, yeah, I like that one. Confirmed that Noah was a real person and it was a real event. There was no longer the freshness of a new thing; and where the heart was not kept up in communion with the Lord, the value of divine things was less felt, if it did not quite fade away. What use it will be of to us. Afterwards he also speaks of his own work and of that which he was suffering. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men." The braggart is a swaggering creature, who tries to bluster his way into power and eminence. It should be considered as one of the proper qualifications for membership in the church, to be willing to bear persecution, and to resolve not to shrink from any duty in order to avoid it. (1.) (186) Et tous ceux aussi qui veulent vivre en la crainte de Dieu. And all those also who wish to live in the fear of God., (187) Que rien ne luy est advenu que tous fideles ne doyvent aussi attendre. That nothing has happened to him which all believers must not also look for.. With his or her commitment to follow Christ faithfully the Christian sets the course of his or her life directly opposite to the course of the world system. "I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers, with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears." YEA, AND - an additional consideration. That desire for more. Look at the lack, lackness. The true leader gives training in living. C. Description of His Present Resource 2 Timothy 3:13-17. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975. This world is in rebellion against God. It is the ability not to lose patience when people are foolish, not to grow irritable when they seem unteachable. 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. When the Lord was entering on His ministry He says, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?" (187) And he says this, partly that believers may prepare themselves for submitting to this condition, and partly that good men may not view him with suspicion on account of the persecutions which he endures from wicked persons; as it frequently happens that the distresses to which men are subjected lead to unfavorable opinions concerning them; for he whom men regard with aversion is immediately declared by the common people to be hated by God. "Beloved, consider it not strange concerning the fiery trials which are to try you, as though some strange thing has happened to you" ( 1 Peter 4:12 ). This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come ( 2 Timothy 3:1 ). 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. You're a stranger. Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:1-14 - Working Preacher Godly = adv. The adjective used is philautos, which means self-loving. The oldest Greek laws disfranchised the man who struck his parents; to strike a father was in Roman law as bad as murder; in the Jewish law honour for father and mother comes high in the list of the Ten Commandments. In contrast, the sins of "evil people and impostors" can be expected to get worse and worse. The wickedness of evil people, particularly charlatans, will increase as time passes. That persecution which will properly furnish any evidence that we are the friends of Christ, must be only that which is for righteousness sake Matthew 5:10, and must be brought upon us in an honest effort to obey the commands of God. 2 Timothy 3:12 NIV - In fact, everyone who wants to live a - Bible Gateway Without natural affection ( 2 Timothy 3:3 ). There are persons who think that the approach of death is intended to blot out everything here. What is a man well taught in the truth for, if not to communicate his knowledge to others that are faithful, but not equally instructed in the word of God? But we must exclude that which is contrary to His name; and the very same desire to prove one's love, one's faith, one's appreciation of Christ, will make one anxious not to be dragged into that which is not for His glory. Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands: Many men and women, who would never dream of stealing, think nothing--even find pleasure--in passing on a story which ruins someone else's good name, without even trying to find out whether or not it is true. He was to communicate the things he had learnt of Paul, that they might be able to teach others also. The alazon ( G213) was a mountebank who wandered the country with medicines and spells and methods of exorcism which, he claimed, were panaceas for all diseases. 2 Timothy 3:2 Commentaries: For men will be lovers of self, lovers of 3:8-9 In the same way as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men whose minds are corrupt, and whose faith is counterfeit. In these terrible days men would be braggarts and arrogant. Persecution is Every Christian's Lot - 2 Timothy 3:12 Activity of service was no longer before him. shall suffer persecutionand will not decline it (Ga 5:11). Friday evenings, you know, everybody out looking for their weekend companion, incontinent, no sexual restraints. It would not be accordant with the mind of God. 4. Here he mentions his persecutions and afflictions at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, besides what he suffered elsewhere. It answers not a little to the kind of thing ,;et forth here. Whose will is to live, or who are bent on living. Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. He must maintain this confidence, knowing that the Scriptures are divinely given and that they are Gods means of instructing people in right belief and right living. Have you ever seen an age when people were more conscious of their own selves? The world is full of these braggarts to this day; the clever know-all's who deceive people into thinking that they are wise, the politicians who claim that their parties have a program which will bring in the Utopia and that they alone are born to be leaders of men, the people who crowd the advertisement columns with claims to give beauty, knowledge or health by their system, the people in the Church who have a kind of ostentatious goodness. 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. 2 Timothy 3:12, CSB: In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, 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. Their own word would eat as a canker, and do harm to others as well as to themselves, "who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some." It is well to maintain the largest heart for everything that is really of Christ. Promotions are withheld, invitations are denied, and a snickering unpopularity are the daily portion of many precious souls working in a hostile, atheistic environment. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977. (4) Let those who have never been persecuted in any way, inquire whether it is not an evidence that they have no religion. Their falsity would be demonstrated and they would receive their appropriate reward. And they shall be dispersed among the Gentiles. In the former epistle, Timothy was told how to behave in the house of God, as yet in order; but now we are told how to behave in such a state of things as the present disorder. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL It is to be remembered that a man may lose his soul far more easily in prosperity than in adversity; and he is on the way to losing his soul when he assesses the value of life by the number of things which he possesses. 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. These were the names given to the court magicians of Pharaoh who opposed Moses and Aaron, when Moses was leading the children of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt. Turning to the SECOND EPISTLE, we find that, although there is the same grand truth of the Saviour God maintained, the state of things had become sensibly worse, and the hour for the apostle's departure from the world was drawing near. 2 Timothy 3:12, NASB: Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. If you can read and buy the first verse of the Bible, you should have no problem with the rest of the Bible. At first these magicians were able to match the wonders which Moses and Aaron did, but in the end they were defeated and discredited. Paul was a prisoner again and awaited death. The Christian emancipation of women inevitably brought its problems. And in the end they shall perish together with them." This time he was a Christian minister, and it was to the reading of the books that he attributed his change. O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! And the word perfect of course is always that of completeness. He speaks of "all God-inspired scripture." 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known At Ephesus some of the greatest roads in the world met. Second, there are the qualities of the apostle. Now these seem to many very difficult indeed to combine. 2 Timothy 3 - Sermon Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org Because the true child of God brings the worldly person under conviction. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." It is a duty in the present state of confusion to use scriptural means; and here we have our warrant, as in the epistles we find more. It is beyond argument that the Scriptures can convict a man of his error and convince him of the power of Christ. And I filed many scriptures in that file. Anosios does not so much mean that men will break the written laws; it means that they will offend against the unwritten laws which are part and parcel of the essence of life. That the man of God may be perfect,2 Timothy 3:17; 2 Timothy 3:17. Good. It is undoubtedly true at all times, and will ever be, that they who are devoted Christians - who live as the Saviour did - and who carry out his principles always, will experience some form of persecution. In Brazil Signor Antonio of Minas bought a New Testament which he took home to burn. 2 Timothy 3:12 - Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch It is able to make us wise to salvation; that is, it is a sure guide in our way to eternal life. 2 Timothy 3:12 MEANING - kingjamesbibleonline.org In the last days there would come times which would menace the very existence of the Christian Church and of goodness itself, a kind of last tremendous assault of evil before its final defeat. In 2 Timothy 3:9, he says that that apostasy would not always continue; but would be at some time arrested, and so arrested as to show to all men the . Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 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. The Greek word (prodotes, G4273) means nothing less than a traitor. It's instructing us in righteousness. This was always the becoming tone; but now it is imperiously necessary, as well as wise and good. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 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 ). If we consult the scripture, which was given by inspiration of God, and follow its directions, we shall be made men of God, perfect, and thoroughly furnished to every good work. There are those who shrink from helping on others in order to the work and doctrine of the Lord. These things may be expected in the best times, and under the most favorable circumstances; and it is known that a large part of the history of the world, in its relation to the church, is nothing more than a history of persecution. "Trucebreakers". (v) Paul makes a final point. It is of use to all, for we all need to be instructed, corrected, and reproved: it is of special use to ministers, who are to give instruction, correction, and reproof; and whence can they fetch it better than from the scripture? There is a type of person who is eager to discuss every new theory, who is always to be found deeply involved in the latest fashionable religious movement, but who is quite unwilling to accept the day-to-day discipline--even drudgery--of living the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:12 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous," the psalmist writes (Psalm 34:19).Peter supplies a partial answer to this in I Peter 4:12: "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, as does Paul's statement in II Timothy 3:12: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer . It should be considered as one of the proper qualifications for membership in the church, to be willing to bear persecution, and to resolve not to shrink from any duty in order to avoid it. Xenophon tells us how Cyrus, the Persian king, defined the alazon ( G213) : "The name alazon ( G213) seems to apply to those who pretend that they are richer than they are or braver than they are, and to those who promise to do what they cannot do, and that, too, when it is evident that they do this only for the sake of getting something or making some gain" (Xenophon: Cyropoedia, 2, 2, 12). A man can reach a stage when, so far from controlling it, he can become a slave to some habit or desire. It was the common lot of all who endeavored to serve their Redeemer faithfully; and Timothy himself, therefore, must not hope to escape from it. Don't start messing with it. Things were so bad that Tacitus could say: "He who had no foe was betrayed by his friend." 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. It's twelve thousand miles a second, but that's pretty fast, too. "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.". He might even seem to be humble; but in his secret heart there is contempt for everyone else. But [Paul said] they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as [Jannes and Jambres] also were ( 2 Timothy 3:9 ). He is sure that in the long run it is better to suffer with God and the right than to prosper with men and the wrong. So from his earliest childhood Timothy had known the sacred writings. 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. The insult which comes from anger is bad but it is forgivable, for it is launched in the heat of the moment; but the cold insult which comes from arrogant pride is an ugly and an unforgivable thing. And then Jesus will come and establish God's righteous kingdom, but by then, those that will remain will be saying, Oh, God help us. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? . Jesus said, "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of man" ( Luke 17:26 ). Timothy was from Lystra. The essence of persecution consists in subjecting a person to injury or disadvantage on account of his opinions. It is something more than meeting his opinions by argument, which is always right and proper; it is inflicting some injury on him; depriving him of some privilege, or right; subjecting him to some disadvantage, or placing him in less favorable circumstances, on account of his sentiments. Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. He must study the Scriptures to make himself useful to God and to his fellow-men. ", Persecution = The essence of persecution consists in subjecting a person to injury or disadvantage on account of his [beliefs].. It is profitable to us for all the purposes of the Christian life, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace." Thayer, Joseph H. Thayers Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. 5. The ancient world set duty to parents very high. Noah, the earth was really flooded? [3.] It instructs us in that which is true, reproves us for that which is amiss, directs us in that which is good. 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. Paul goes on to other qualities of an apostle. It is the attitude which bears with everything men can do and refuses to be either angry or embittered, and which will never seek anything but their highest good. 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. He must take care of the manner in which he strives. Men will be ungovernable in their desires (akrates, G193) . It seems to me, I confess, that if there were simplicity of faith, the Lord would give one eyes to see some at least that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 3 - But understand this, that in the last days there will And when you lose authority you have anarchy. By it we are thoroughly furnished for every good work. There is teaching. So don't expect the world to speak well of you or to applaud you for your living a godly life and taking a righteous stand. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. There is only one test for falsity--"You will know them by their fruits." Oh, Jesus, you mean you believe that story? Christ's apostles had no enemies but those who did not know them, or not know them fully; those who knew them best loved and honoured them the most. At "that day" will be the display of whatever has been endured, as well as done, for the Lord's sake. The apostle had a particular reference, doubtless, to his own times; but he has put his remark into the most general form, as applicable to all periods. On his mother's side Timothy was a Jew, although his father had been a Greek ( Acts 16:1); and it is clear that it was his mother who had brought him up. 2 Timothy 3:12. Job, tell me, have you been beyond the gates of death, do you know what it's about? II. There is slander enough in many a church to make the recording angel weep as he records it. In other words, the word of God is that which thoroughly prepares me for any work that God might have for me to do. Do you have a hard time accepting that man can build a great fish that can swallow men and keep them under water for several days and deposit them later at a port?Hey, hey, wait a minute then. It is used in Matthew 8:28 to describe the two Gergesene demoniacs who met Jesus among the tombs. What am I to believe about angels or the future? That's proper and you should have that desire. He lit the fire, and then he asked if he might read a little from each book before he dropped it in the flames. Though his life was a life of great usefulness, yet it was a life of great sufferings; and none, I believe, came nearer to their great Master for eminent services and great sufferings than Paul: he suffered almost in every place; the Holy Ghost witnessed that bonds and afflictions did abide him, Acts 20:23. THE EXPERIENCES OF AN APOSTLE ( 2 Timothy 3:10-13 continued). They cannot understand an inspired apostle talking about a cloak in the midst of a divinely given pastoral charge. "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. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. He did not pull down by his living what he built up by his preaching. It should be considered as one of the proper qualifications for membership in the church, to be willing to bear persecution, and to resolve not to shrink from any duty in order to avoid it. Description of His Past Curriculum 2 Timothy 3:10-12. (See notes Matthew 5:10, 11, 12) The apostle well knew that the God who had brought these glorious truths to man, the God that had manifested His grace, had given a witness of their reality in the man from whom he had learned them; and this was meant to have an enduring effect on the conscience and heart of Timothy. Again he said, "Lo, I have come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God" ( Hebrews 10:7 ). It is a divine revelation, which we may depend upon as infallibly true. Is it knowledge, or is it life, that we are trying to transmit? 2 Timothy 3:12 - Bible Hub Those who deceive others do but deceive themselves; those who draw others into error run themselves into more and more mistakes, and they will find it so at last, to their cost. They should remember that, in this respect, they are treated as the Master was, and are in the goodly company of the prophets, apostles, and martyrs; for they were all persecuted. It is well to be exclusive of sin, but of nothing else. Quite a promise, isn't it? Boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy ( 2 Timothy 3:2 ). Men would become lovers of money (philarguros, G5366) . This sort of atmosphere will mark the last days . I believe God intended that you should enjoy life.There is nothing wrong with having pleasure. I can base my beliefs upon what God has said because it is indeed God's word.I have great difficulty with these people who develop doctrines that are contrary to what Jesus said, as though they understand more than Jesus about what's happening in the future. Given the right conditions, such oppositions would be just as deadly as the great Roman persecutions. Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Second Timothy chapter three? "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.