There will come times of difficulty (“violent” demoniacs in Mt 8:28)
When are the “last days”?
● OT echo; see Joel, Isaiah
● Notice Paul and Timothy were already experiencing these times:
− Avoid such people
− Among them are...
Conclusion: Paul wrote this so that Timothy would know that he was living in the midst of the prophetic future and that the implications of his response were of vital importance.
Lovers of self φίλαυτοι
Lovers of money/silver [1 Tim 6:10] φιλάργυροι
Proud/Boasters -ἀλαζόνες
Arrogant ὑπερήφανοι
Abusive/Slanderers βλάσφημοι
Disobedient to their parents [Dt 21:18] -ἀπειθεῖς
Ungrateful -ἀχάριστοι
Unholy - ἀνόσιοι
Heartless/Unloving [στοργή – is a familial affectionate love] -ἄστοργοι
Unappeasable/Unforgiving -ἄσπονδοι
Slanderous [1 Tim 3:11; Tit 2:3 – see 2 Tim 2:26!!] διάβολοι
Without self-control -ἀκρατεῖς
Brutal/Untamed [Animals] -ἀνήμεροι
Not loving good [opposite of Tit 1:8] -ἀφιλάγαθοι
Treacherous [Judas/Apostates/traitors in Macc revolt] προδόται
Reckless προπετεῖς
Swollen with conceit [false teachers -1 Tim 3:6; 6:4] τετυφωμένοι
Lovers of pleasure φιλήδονοι
Rather than lovers of God φιλόθεοι
Capture a metaphor with overtones of captives taken in war.
● Synonym in 2:26 – “captured by the devil to do his will.”
● Those captured are seen as victims of the spiritual battle taking place—the most vulnerable being victims is an unfortunate but common theme of warfare throughout history.
● 2 Cor 10:5 – “take every thought captive to obey Christ”
Weak women is literally “little women” which is meant as a pejorative contrast to those who were not giving in to these opponents. The form indicates that he is not referring to all women but to a select group. They are victims of these who are already burdened by false desires and a need to be rescued by the truth. However instead of being helped these teachers bring them further harm.
● Burdened/overwhelmed with sins
● Led astray by various passions/desires
● Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. They are held captive by deceit.
Jannes and Jambres
● Magicians who opposed Moses/truth (Ex 7:11-22; 8:7-19; 9:11 – not named in OT but in Jewish tradition).
− Etymology of names may be “To oppose” and “To rebel”
− In some traditions they are Jewish. In one tradition they follow Israel into the wilderness and cause the golden calf incident.
● Stock typological figures for those who oppose God’s truth/messenger.
Result: Those “held captive” will be set free by truth (2 Tim 2:24-26).
But you
● 2 Tim 3:10
You, however, have followed my teaching...
● 2 Tim 3:14
But as for you, continue in what you have learned...
● 2 Tim 4:5
As for you...fulfill your ministry.
You have followed... [Note: This virtue list contrasts the vice list in 3:1-9]
● My teaching
● My conduct
● My aim in life
● My faith
● My patience
● My love
● My steadfastness
● My persecutions and sufferings in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (Echoes of Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey). Timothy was from Lystra [Acts 16]
Continue in what you have learned...
All Scripture is God-breathed
● God is the source. His words give life and new life. This does not specify the method by which this happened, but the emphasis is on the source by which it happened.
● Contrast this to the demonic message of opponents in Ephesus (1 Tim 4:1).
● Benjamin Merkle makes a case for this translation rather than, “All God-breathed Scripture is useful...” (Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek, pg. 48).
Profitable/Useful [cf. 1 Tim 4:8; Tit 3:8]
-Orthodoxy
A For teaching
B For reproof (negative)
-Orthopraxy
B’ For correction (negative)
A’ For training in righteousness
