"Every scripture" for this is the proper force of the passage "Every scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.". The true leader gives training in living. Not so the apostle Paul. "I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. "Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.". The Christian leader will never lack his opponents. They thought that eternal life lay in the letter, not in Him of whom the letter testified. And there's such a complete, total absence of love. You've made a covenant and there are so many broken covenants. 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. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. It was the glory of the Jews that their children from their earliest days were trained in the law. McLean, Virginia: MacDonald Publishing Company, n.d. Wuest, Kenneth S. Wuests Word Studies From the Greek New Testament. 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 This was to touch the right chord in his heart. Paul met him on his first missionary journey. Still the man has become crude, blasphemous, ranting and raving, a disgrace to Jesus Christ who said, "By this sign shall men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another" ( John 13:34 ). In Greek writings these two words often went together; and they are both picturesque. There is peril when men assess prosperity by material things. Even a dog may be sorry when he has hurt his master, but there are people who, in their treatment of others, can be lost to human sympathy and feeling. 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. At the same time there is the carrying on his full notice of everything found here below that would be a source of comfort to one who anticipated the ruin of Christendom. In the Testament of Issachar, one of the books written between the Old and the New Testaments, we get a picture like this: "Know ye, therefore, my children, that in the last times. In his own neighbourhood he had seen Paul suffer because of his devotion to Christ (10-12; cf. The New Testament had not yet been canonized. To many a man and woman has a little bit of dress done no small injury, just because they think it is too little for the Spirit of God to direct them in. On account of his opinions, he may be held up to ridicule, or treated with neglect, or excluded from society to which his attainments and manners would otherwise introduce him, or shunned by those who might otherwise value his friendship. It is true that these things happened before the young Timothy had definitely entered on the Christian way, but they all happened in the district of which he was a native; and he may well have been an eyewitness of them. But the phrase may mean any future time, whether near or distant. At that time Timothy was just a very young boy, probably in his mid-teens and yet he was attracted to Paul the apostle because of the message that Paul bore. Here is the essential conclusion. The age of children is the age to learn; and those who would get true learning, must get it out of the Scriptures. The moment a man makes his own will the centre of life, divine and human relationships are destroyed, obedience to God and charity to men both become impossible. 3:2-5 For men will live a life that is centred in self; they will be lovers of money, braggarts, arrogant, lovers of insult, disobedient to their parents, thankless, regardless even of the ultimate decencies of life, without human affection, implacable in hatred, revelling in slander, ungovernable in their passions, savage, not knowing what the love of good is, treacherous, headlong in word and action, inflated with pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Paul contrasts the conduct of Timothy, his loyal disciple, with the conduct of the heretics who were doing their utmost to wreck the Church. 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 ). And the word of God comes and it brings a balance, it brings a correction, it brings a correct perspective.It's profitable. 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. II. One of my most unfavorite promises in the Bible. At this particular time in the ordinary matters of politics one of the curses of Rome was the existence of informers (delatores, compare G1213) . And as we go down the list, it's like reading the afternoon newspaper. Such is the perversity of sin. Here the apostle, to confirm Timothy in that way wherein he walked. This of itself indicates that the epistle provides for a time when it is no longer simply a question of recognising persons coming out of the world. And leaving guilelessness, will draw near to malice; And forsaking the commandments of the Lord. A man may embrace some absurd opinion, and call it religion; he may adopt some mode of dress irresistibly ludicrous, from the mere love of singularity, and may call it conscience; or he may be boorish in his manners, and uncivil in his deportment, outraging all the laws of social life, and may call this deadness to the world; and for these, and similar things, he may be contemned, ridiculed, and despised. (2.) We can still see this kind of man in fairs and market-places shouting the virtues of a patent medicine which will act like magic. And my full doctrinal concepts are premised upon the scriptures. If your God is big enough to create the heavens and the earth, no problem, but you see, we stumble on the very first verse. To take pains and to endure are requisite even in what pertains to this life. His mental palate loses its taste. But yet it is absolutely unavoidable that all of them shall have the world for their enemy in some form or other, that their faith may be tried and their steadfastness proved; for Satan, who is the continual enemy of Christ, will never suffer any one to be at peace during his whole life; and there will always be wicked men that are thorns in our sides. 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. Oh God, I want you to use my life. It is no accident that the first of these qualities will be a life that is centred in self. It is easy for a professed Christian to avoid persecution, if he yields every point in which religion is opposed to the world. Rather than a verse-by-verse approach, the authors have crafted chapters that explain and apply key passages in their assigned Bible books. We must remember that this was written just at the beginning of the years of persecution, when it was becoming a crime to be a Christian. (1) it teaches the only way to the Father is through Jesus; (2) it teaches a morality (a way of life) unpopular with the world; (3) it teaches a miraculous creation, a miraculous end; and a miraculous Savior who was resurrected; (4), Why does the world hate Christians? The disorder might be so great that we might make mistakes in our anxiety; but "The Lord knoweth them that are his." Well soon your Bible will be so messed up you wouldn't be able to read it. But it is asked, Must all men be martyrs? By it we are thoroughly furnished for every good work. The Jehovah Witnesses seeking to develop their doctrine concerning hell and that it is a place of oblivion, no consciousness, no awareness. Didn't you know that's just a myth? And for a person to take advantage of a child is unthinkable. 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. 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 ", The Lord said it's "what comes out of the mouth of a man, that defiles a man" ( Matthew 15:11 ). I refer to this just to remark that such links as these, which are connected with nature, all come before the apostle's mind, at the very moment when a spurious feeling would have judged it precisely the time to banish and forget them. 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. Many and many a time we would be saved from hurting ourselves and from wounding other people, if we would only stop to think. A man can reach a stage when, so far from controlling it, he can become a slave to some habit or desire. Then the apostle brings out most important directions for the days that were then coming in, but now come, and more. He who feeds his mind on cheap literature can in the end find nothing in the great masterpieces. The study of the Scriptures trains a man in righteousness until he is equipped for every good work. It is able to make us wise to salvation; that is, it is a sure guide in our way to eternal life. [3.] Men will be inflated with conceit (tetuphomenos, G5187) . Ephesus was the town of a prosperous, materialistic civilization; it was the kind of town where a man could so easily lose his soul. For it is not dogma pure and simple, it is not mere instruction; and we may thank God for it. But they will not get much further, for their folly will be as clear to all as that of those ancient impostors. Truth and holiness and endurance are wanted, not authority or outward order. (3) if we are persecuted, we should carefully inquire, before we avail ourselves of this consolation, whether we are persecuted because we "live godly in Christ Jesus," or for some other reason. We don't have the time to devote to it this evening but I would suggest that you get a good Greek lexicon and do a word study on these particular Greek words that Paul uses to describe the attitudes and the actions of people in the last days. They will refuse to recognize the debt they owe both to God and to men. "He read on, forgetful of time, through the hours of the night, and just as the dawn was breaking, he stood up and declared, 'I believe'.". In the terrible times men will be so set on self that even the closest ties will be nothing to them. There is just a certain natural love that would keep people from doing a lot of the things they are doing today. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, On account of his opinions, he may be held up to ridicule, or treated with neglect, or excluded from society to which his attainments and manners would otherwise introduce him, or shunned by those who might otherwise value his friendship. It is one thing to start an evil and untrue report on its malicious way; it is entirely another thing to stop it. In other words, there is within the Old Testament so much concerning Jesus Christ that through the understanding and the study of the Old Testament you should logically be led to Jesus Christ. 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. They will be inflated with a sense of their own importance. Men will be implacable in their hatreds (aspondos, G786) . But, if one confesses the name of the Lord, the word is imperative: "let him depart from iniquity." It is a great happiness to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed (Luke 1:4); not only to know what the truths are, but to know that they are of undoubted certainty. Story of Jonah has provoked a lot of problems for people, only because of their concept of God. In other words, the word of God is that which thoroughly prepares me for any work that God might have for me to do. After considering his own life, Paul speaks of others desiring to live godly lives as he has done, a life of piety toward God that will always be opposed by the world. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution - Paul takes occasion from the reference to his own persecutions, to say that his case was not unique. Those who would acquaint themselves with the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the holy scriptures, for these are the summary of divine revelation. Besides that, persecutions today are manifested much more indirectly. Confirmed that Noah was a real person and it was a real event. Yet. 5. i. "True," said the other, "but he kicked it to a goal." The world easily puts up with the mask of a religion which depends on itself, but the piety which derives its vigor directly from Christ is as odious to modern Christians as it was to the ancient Jews [Bengel]. You're in an alien world. Paul's life: one of longsuffering, one of love and one of patience. It is said that, after hearing an evangelical sermon, Lord Melbourne once remarked: "Things have come to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade the sphere of private life." What am I to believe about sin? 2 To Timothy, d my beloved child:. Plutarch uses the word to describe a quack doctor. The term "godly" (eusebos) means "piously" (Thayer 262-2-2153). The most amazing things may happen if he does, for there is a saving wisdom here that is in no other book. Accordingly, there is a depth of feeling that one may safely say far exceeds the first epistle, although it had shown so much tenderness and care both for Timothy and the faithful of those days. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: they are men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith ( 2 Timothy 3:8 ). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. In these last terrible days men will come to have no love for good things or good persons (aphilagathos, G865) . It is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16), and therefore is his word. Now what is it that Timothy had so fully known in Paul? O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! 1. The persecutions today may not be the same Paul had to withstand, but persecutions of some type will confront us from time to time. That the man of God may be perfect ( 2 Timothy 3:17 ). There is love. There is no godliness (Greek, "piously") or piety out of Christ. Paul regarded these as man-made things; but the great books for a man's soul were the God-inspired ones which tradition and the experience of men had sanctified. The Holy Spirit would make it to be most practical and precious. Death and resurrection, then, are thus put before this servant of God; the more remarkably, because the point here is a practical and not a doctrinal question. Nothing can sanction this. It's instructing you on the right kind of life. Verse 2 Timothy 3:4. "He devotes himself specially to women, and those such as are well-bred, and elegantly attired, and of great wealth." God said it.They are profitable. In other words, you may go along for a while, but ultimately it's going to catch up with you. At the same time there is not the smallest slight of the only and abiding standard. "They that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." This may be either an injury done to his feelings, his family, his reputation, his property, his liberty, his influence; it may be by depriving him of an office which he held, or preventing him from obtaining one to which he is eligible; it may be by subjecting him to fine or imprisonment, to banishment, torture, or death. live godly in Christ(Ga 2:20; Php 1:21). That Day of the Lord was to be preceded by a time of terror, when evil would gather itself for its final assault and the world would be shaken to its moral and physical foundations. For he does not say Jesus Christ simply in. If anyone proposes to introduce into his life a loyalty which surpasses all earthly loyalties, there are bound to be clashes. Word Studies in the New Testament. Noah, the earth was really flooded? It is not simply now to follow these, as urged in the first epistle (1 Timothy 6:11); but he adds a most characteristic word in the second epistle. This is a further reason why Timothy should endure hardship and not turn aside from the work God has given him (3-5). He is the man who is guilty of the "sin of the high heart." 442.]. There is nothing that more shows God than His ability to combine that which is eternal with care for the smallest things of this life. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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. The qualities he lists are not qualifications in the sense that anyone who fulfils these requirements is an elder (for such a person may not have the elder-shepherd qualities outlined above). All that will live godly So opposite to the spirit and practice of the world is the whole of Christianity, that he who gives himself entirely up to God, making the Holy Scriptures the rule of his words and actions, will be less or more reviled and persecuted. [Note: Knight, p. From childhood he has been guided by the Scriptures, and his faith in those Scriptures gives him assurance in his salvation (14-15). (1) To exhort Timothy in his ministry at Ephesus; (2) To warn Timothy of trouble both inside and outside the church; (3) To request Timothy to come to Rome to visit him in prison and bring certain personal effects to him (4:5-13; 21); and (4) To instruct all the churches in Timothy's territory. 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. 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. That the scripture has various uses, and answers divers ends and purposes: It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction of all errors in judgment and practice, and for instruction in righteousness. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace,Hebrews 13:9. 2 Timothy 3 Commentary; 2 Timothy 4 Commentary; HENRY ALFORD 2 TIMOTHY COMMENTARY The Greek Testament. Now many people have a legitimate and proper desire to be used of God. 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. In short, let us know that we are Christians on this condition, that we shall be liable to many tribulations and various contests. 2 Timothy 3:12 New International Version 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, Read full chapter 2 Timothy 3:12 in all English translations 2 Timothy 2 2 Timothy 4 New International Version (NIV) Surely if it is an urgent call to convey what we know of Christ and the truth to those that know nothing, it is a great privilege to help to contribute a greater knowledge of the truth to those that know little. They were said to be the two servants who accompanied Balaam when he was disobedient to God ( Numbers 22:22); they were said to have been part of the great mixed multitude who accompanied the children of Israel out of Egypt ( Exodus 12:38); some said that they perished at the crossing of the Red Sea; other stories said that it was Jannes and Jambres who were behind the making of the golden calf and that they perished among those who were killed for that sin ( Exodus 32:28); still other stories said that in the end they became proselytes to Judaism. There is no part of John's doctrine more strikingly characteristic than life in Christ. (2) they who are persecuted for their opinions, should consider that this may be one evidence that they have the spirit of Christ, and are his true friends. And passion shall seize him that is peaceful. The word we have translated to be a disciple includes so much that is beyond translation in any single English word. He is the man whom God resists, for it is repeatedly said in scripture, that God receives the humble but resists the man who is proud, huperephanos ( G5244) ( James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:24). 3. Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Second Timothy chapter three? "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Thus he looks not to the coming of the Lord to receive him to Himself, but to the "appearing of the Lord," which is the usual side of the truth taken in these epistles. "My God shall supply all of your needs" ( Philippians 4:19 ). We're going to drown in our own corruption. He returned after the first missionary journey to visit the Churches he had founded, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" ( Acts 14:22). Closely allied with the braggart, but--as we shall see--even worse, is the man who is arrogant. 3:1 You must realize this--that in the last days difficult times will set in. 2 Timothy 3:12, CSB: In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 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. And the word perfect of course is always that of completeness. If the Lord doesn't come soon, we're going to destroy ourselves as we just sink in the filth. godly, Godfearingly. Paul kept back nothing from his hearers, but declared to them the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), so that if it were not their own fault they might fully know it. As I read the things that are happening in our modern-cultured Orange County, as I read the reports from the social department on the child abuse, I just shake my head in disbelief because a person could not possibly do these things unless they were without natural affection. Resurrection is the form and character of the lowest blessings of which Jesus is the dispenser; much more is He risen to exalt God in the highest. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Each of the chapters are done individually. Timothy fully knew what was the great thing that Paul had in view, both in his preaching and in his conversation: "Thou hast known my purpose, what I drive at, how far it is from any worldly, carnal, secular design, and how sincerely I aim at the glory of God and the good of the souls of men." How is it that you could be deceived, Jesus? [2.] that will, &c.Greek, "all whose will is to live," &c. So far should persecution be from being a stumbling-block to Timothy, he should consider it a mark of the pious. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975. But now before his heart just as in principle before the dying Lord Himself, wonderful to say two things come together: a deeper sense of what is in God, as revealed in Christ Himself, before there was any creation at all; and on the other hand so much the deeper sense also of what could be owned in nature. It is the sign of a supremely decadent civilization when youth loses all respect for age and fails to recognize the unpayable debt and the basic duty it owes to those who gave it life. Comp. To love men is to forgive them and care for them as God forgave and cares--and it is only he who can enable us to do that. Here we come back to where we started; such men place their own wishes in the centre of life. If Timothy would adhere to the truth as he had been taught it, this would arm him against the snares and insinuations of seducers. 2. menin the professing Church. Men can be savage in rebuke and savage in pitiless action. What use it will be of to us. He said, "A wicked and an adulterous generation seeks after a sign; but no sign will be given it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" ( Matthew 12:38-40 ).

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