A book with a record such as it has cannot be disregarded. Let us look at them one by one. No one can possibly mistake him. Second, there are the qualities of the apostle. 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. 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. Verse 4. For it is not dogma pure and simple, it is not mere instruction; and we may thank God for it. They had been long accustomed to the truth, and alas! Living here almost in a Sodom-Gomorrah atmosphere and environment. For, if we do not believe their truth and goodness, they will do us no good. Now they're right out where little kids can go in and pick them up and leaf through them. Lipscomb's Commentary on Selected NT Books, Verse 12. When the Lord was entering on His ministry He says, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?" B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977. 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. God said it.They are profitable. Regardless of the persecution, it is our duty to live in such a way that the world will know that we are Christians. And I will tell you what scriptures are inspired and which ones aren't. Deliberately he lit it. The scripture is a perfect rule of faith and practice, and was designed for the man of God, the minister as well as the Christian who is devoted to God, for it is profitable for doctrine, &c. The apostle's life was very exemplary for three things: for his doctrine, which was according to the will of God; for his life, which was agreeable to his doctrine; and for his persecutions and sufferings. It answers all the ends of divine revelation. If anyone proposes to introduce into his life a loyalty which surpasses all earthly loyalties, there are bound to be clashes. For that very reason it is unanswerable that, whatever a man might argue about the rest of the Bible, it is impossible for the Church ever to do without the Gospels. i. It is used by ancient writers on astrology to describe what we would call a threatening conjunction of the heavenly bodies. 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. Observe, As good men, by the grace of God, grow better and better, so bad men, through the subtlety of Satan and the power of their own corruptions, grow worse and worse. All who will show their religion in their conversation, who will not only be godly, but live godly, let them expect persecution, especially when they are resolute in it. Look what they did to Jesus, and Jesus said, "If they persecuted me, they're going to persecute you" ( John 15:20 ). Then he points out the two principal guards for the faithful, in such a perilous state. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly.--But St. Paul would not allow it to be thought for a moment that in the fact of his enduring persecution and suffering there was anything remarkable or singular; so he adds the words of this verse, which repeat in a peculiarly solemn way the great Christian truth that eternal glory was only to be reached by man through an avenue of sufferings. Only Luke is with me." Paul completes the story of the things in which Timothy has shared, and must share, with him, by speaking of the experiences of an apostle; and he prefaces that list of experiences by setting down the quality of endurance. He says: "Open thy mouth, speak whatsoever occurs to thee, and thou shalt prophesy." There is training. And so there comes that point where they will proceed no further: "their folly becomes manifest to all men", as Jannes and Jambres also was. In all life there is nothing so creative of really productive effort as a clear consciousness of a purpose. And my full doctrinal concepts are premised upon the scriptures. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1930. "Much the greatest rogue of all is the man who has gulled his city into the belief that he is fit to direct it.". Now, it is doubtless as true as it ever was, that a man who will live as the Saviour did, will, like him, be subjected to some such injury or disadvantage. I've never found that in one of those little Bible promise books, I mean, promise things yet. The Jehovah Witnesses seeking to develop their doctrine concerning hell and that it is a place of oblivion, no consciousness, no awareness. he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me." I've got a file up here that says, Wait for further information. This again has stumbled the minds of men. 2 Timothy 3:12 Context. Yet. Now, it is doubtless as true as it ever was, that a man who will live as the Saviour did, will, like him, be subjected to some such injury or disadvantage. 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. It may well be that the greatest handicap to Christianity is not the scarlet sinner but the sleek devotee of an unimpeachable orthodoxy and a dignified convention, who is horrified when it is suggested that real religion is a dynamic power which changes a man's personal life. 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. And the word of God comes and it brings a balance, it brings a correction, it brings a correct perspective.It's profitable. 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. "Perilous times shall come." for reproof, for correction ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ), And how often the word of God has brought correction to my course of life. All rights reserved. "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 Greek word is that men will become anosios ( G462) . It is the normal Greek word for difficult, but it has certain usage's which explain its meaning here. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men." 1. Paul contrasts the conduct of Timothy, his loyal disciple, with the conduct of the heretics who were doing their utmost to wreck the Church. There is instinctively, I think, within persons that love of a parent for a child or an adult for the child because we realize the helplessness of a child, the dependency that they have. Accordingly, although they are not exposed to the same assaults, and do not engage in the same battles, yet they have a warfare in common, and shall never be wholly at peace and exempt from persecutions. She doesn't have the time to prepare the meal on Friday evening and we'll go out on Friday night. (2.) Men would be headlong in words and action. 3 f I thank God g whom I serve, as did my ancestors, h with a clear conscience, as I remember you i . 3:10-13 But you have been my disciple in my teaching, my training, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, my persecutions, my sufferings, in what happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, in the persecutions which I underwent; and the Lord rescued me from them all. If a man's goods are stolen, he can set to and build up his fortunes again; but if his good name is taken away, irreparable damage has been done. THE VALUE OF SCRIPTURE ( 2 Timothy 3:14-17 ). 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. What use it will be of to us. Perilous Times 2 Timothy 3:1. Thus the apostle comes to the close of his ministry, and touches upon the line of St. John. Moreover, as soon as zeal for God is manifested by a believer, it kindles the rage of all ungodly men; and, although they have not a drawn sword, yet they vomit out their venom, either by murmuring, or by slander, or by raising a disturbance, or by other methods. 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. Many and many a time we would be saved from hurting ourselves and from wounding other people, if we would only stop to think. Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. And why read them anyhow if they're not inspired? It is the Greek parakolouthein ( G3877) and literally means to follow alongside; but it is used with a magnificent width of meaning. Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of being one with Christ, positioned in Him, and clothed in His righteousness. He was driven from Antioch in Pisidia ( Acts 13:50); he had to flee from Iconium to avoid lynching ( Acts 14:5-6); in Lystra he was stoned and left for dead ( Acts 14:19). Bishop Pearson proves the divine origination of Christianity from its success being inexplicable on the supposition of its being of human origin. Didn't you know that's just a myth? He did so to help him realize that he faced no unknown situation in Ephesus and to enable him to combat it intelligently. So the same Greek is used of the same thing, Lu 14:28, 33, "intending (Greek, 'wishing') to build a tower counteth the cost.". And the word perfect of course is always that of completeness. And the comfort is that, if prepared to cleave to the will of the Lord alone, we shall have, through His grace, fellowship with the true-hearted. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; a) Subject and Purpose of Epistle This second epistle which was written several years after the first draws a totally different picture before our eyes. Things will get worse as people turn away from those who teach the Scriptures, and listen to those who teach their own theories. God takes care of His people, and ensures them a blessed end. It was thus Paul treated the proud reasonings and speculations of man; withal briefly touching on those that had gone entirely astray Hymenaeus and Philetus. (4) Let those who have never been persecuted in any way, inquire whether it is not an evidence that they have no religion. Good to have pleasure but don't make it your God. It can sometimes have the meaning of loyalty, or true religion. His own desire after going to the Lord did not prevent this, but the reverse: "that I may be filled with joy: when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." Oh, yeah, I like that one. 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. No matter what the reasons or excuses for joining with them, "turn away.". Judaism had its divine institutions and hopes, but the truth is found in Christendom only: nevertheless in Christendom, who fails to discern Jewish elements and heathenish enormities? He would not have him to be spreading doubtful opinions; but what he had heard from the apostle himself he need not scruple to give out freely. This present age was altogether evil; and the age to come would be the golden age of God. It is not meant that the Scriptures are valuable for finding fault; what is meant is that they are valuable for convincing a man of the error of his ways and for pointing him on the right path. Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics, 7: 2) defined the alazon ( G213) as "the man who pretends to creditable qualities that he does not possess, or possesses in a lesser degree than he makes out." The ancient world set duty to parents very high. This is a very striking word. All God-inspired scripture is useful for teaching, for the conviction of error, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. 2. But let him not infer, therefore, that he is to be enrolled among the martyrs, and that he is certainly a real Christian. In the terrible times men will be so set on self that even the closest ties will be nothing to them. 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 ). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. "Men of corrupt minds. They were violent and dangerous. It was the glory of the Jews that their children from their earliest days were trained in the law. Braggart has an interesting derivation. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. I reply, it is not always in one way that Satan persecutes the servants of Christ. There is no occasion for the writings of the philosopher, nor for rabbinical fables, nor popish legends, nor unwritten traditions, to make us perfect men of God, since the scripture answers all these ends and purposes. Jewish thought had one basic conception. Their minds become corrupted and they ultimately become reprobate concerning the faith. Now what is it that Timothy had so fully known in Paul? "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all" ( Psalms 34:19 ). The woman, thrilled to the heart, does so and is deluded into thinking that she can prophesy. The final condemnation of these people is that they retain the outward form of religion but deny its power. It instructs us in that which is true, reproves us for that which is amiss, directs us in that which is good. Truth and holiness and endurance are wanted, not authority or outward order. Such is the perversity of sin. "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. God had made Jesus to be Lord and Christ, preached Peter on that day of power, when as yet much lay hid, and the great instrument of the revelation of the mystery was still shrouded in the darkness of midnight. For he does not say Jesus Christ simply in. The age of children is the age to learn; and those who would get true learning, must get it out of the Scriptures. It was not then an indifferent matter to God. How gracious of the Lord to point out the path for the saint, separate from that which grieves the Lord, yet enjoying all that He sees good for us of the privileges of Christianity! He read them and never rested until he obtained the rest of the Bible. "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy Greeting. If you can read and buy the first verse of the Bible, you should have no problem with the rest of the Bible. Rather they are minimum requirements that otherwise suitable people must fulfil if the church is to recognize them as elders or deacons. Closely allied with the braggart, but--as we shall see--even worse, is the man who is arrogant. They claimed that their children learned the law even from their swaddling clothes and drank it in with their mother's milk. 1. At first these magicians were able to match the wonders which Moses and Aaron did, but in the end they were defeated and discredited. 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]. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975. Christianity was cradled in Judaism and very naturally thought largely in Jewish terms and pictures. 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. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Avoid such people. And as we go down the list, it's like reading the afternoon newspaper. 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 adjective used is philautos, which means self-loving. There is slander enough in many a church to make the recording angel weep as he records it. They will be inflated with a sense of their own importance. And that is precisely what Christianity demands that a man should do. 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. They're profitable for doctrine. (i) He says that the Scriptures give the wisdom which will bring salvation. He is sure that God will rescue the man who puts his faith in him. 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. 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. The reason is obvious. He might even seem to be humble; but in his secret heart there is contempt for everyone else. Help us purchase electrical generators for churches. "They that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 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. But then another thing. 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. The result would often be either that the woman broke off married relationships with her husband in order to live the ascetic life, or that she gave the lower instincts full play and abandoned herself to promiscuous relationships. 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) On the other hand, it is unholy to tamper with evil. 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. If Timothy would adhere to the truth as he had been taught it, this would arm him against the snares and insinuations of seducers. The Greek moralists wrote much about this word. Whether Timothy made it to Rome before Paul's execution is not known. And you will find as God's word becomes a very part of your life and you begin to be guided by the word of God, that God will begin to use you in very exciting ways. 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. To take pains and to endure are requisite even in what pertains to this life. Originally the alazon ( G213) was a wandering quack. And that quality of conquering endurance is necessary, because persecution is an essential part of the experience of an apostle. Let me remark, that there are comparatively few indeed that receive truth without help of others directly from God. Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Second Timothy chapter three? They worship self instead of God. Observe, Timothy must continue in the things which he had learned and had been assured of. These were graces that Paul was eminent for, and Timothy knew it. (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? At Ephesus some of the greatest roads in the world met. . Description of His Past Curriculum 2 Timothy 3:10-12. On the whole we here see, [1.] And there's such a complete, total absence of love. There was a state of things coming when it would be impossible to have local charges chosen according to the full sanction which they had in apostolic days. Two men were talking of a great satirist who had been filled with moral earnestness. A word altogether unbecoming in one mouth might be most proper in another. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (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. live godly in Christ(Ga 2:20; Php 1:21). 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. "She then makes the effort to reward Marcus, not only by the gift of her possessions (in which way he has collected a very large fortune), but also by yielding up to him her person, desiring in every way to be united to him, that she may become altogether one with him." human nature began to show itself out in indifference. But, says the apostle, "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." The devil is the patron saint of all slanderers and of all slanderers he is chief. (2 Timothy 2:1.) The Holy Spirit would make it to be most practical and precious. Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 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. One only meets Satan when traveling in an opposite direction! There is just a certain natural love that would keep people from doing a lot of the things they are doing today. What is the excellency of the scripture. Compare the catalogue, Ro 1:29, &c., where much the same sins are attributed to heathen men; it shall be a relapse into virtual heathendom, with all its beast-like propensities, whence the symbol of it is "a beast" (Re 13:1, 11, 12, &c.; 17:3, 8, 11). Trench, Richard Chenevix, D.D. 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). ( 2 Timothy 3:1) Perilous times in the last days . Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel." It is to be supposed that the younger labourer cowered somewhat, unwilling to incur the odious charge, so easily made but hard to refute, of setting himself up and taking the place of some great one. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Introduction; 2 Timothy 1 Commentary; 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. Negative and positive illustrations 3:8-13. "The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day." He was ordered to light a bonfire and burn his books. 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. He knew that he had suffered ill for doing well (2 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:11): "Thou hast fully known the persecutions and afflictions that came unto me" (he mentions those only which happened to him while Timothy was with him, at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra); "and therefore let it be no surprise to thee if thou suffer hard things, it is no more than I have endured before." If Timothy wishes to live godly in Christ, he must make up his mind to encounter. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." (4) let those who have never been persecuted in any way, inquire whether it is not an evidence that they have no religion. But the condition of the believers had deteriorated. 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. 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. But of one thing Paul was sure--the days of the deceivers were numbered. This might deter a sensitive saint from his duty. Thus he comforts Timothy at the same time that he admonishes him. There can come a time in a man's life when the company of good people and the presence of good things is simply an embarrassment. Wow, watch out now because Jesus bought it. "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise." It is the whole spiritual experience, so to speak, of the apostle. Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:14-17. The technique would be the same in the days of Timothy as it was in the later days of Irenaeus. You may be able to deceive people for a while, but ultimately, it's going to catch up, even as it did with Jannes. Men will be inflated with conceit (tetuphomenos, G5187) . shall suffer persecutionand will not decline it (Ga 5:11). The peculiar task confided to the latter was care of doctrine much more than of outward order. Only in the New Testament have we any picture of Jesus, any account of his life and any record of his teaching. They cannot understand an inspired apostle talking about a cloak in the midst of a divinely given pastoral charge. Nothing can sanction this. He nourishes an all-consuming, all-pervading pride; and in his heart there is a little altar where he bows down before himself.
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