3 1 He foretelleth the dangerous times that are to ensue: 9 but with the certain hope of victory, 10 he encourageth him to the combat, 14 setting out especially the trial of sound doctrine.
1 This [a]know also, that in the (A)last days shall come perilous times.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, [b]unholy,
3 Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, intemperate, fierce, no lovers at all of them which are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,
5 Having a show of godliness, but have denied the power thereof: [c]turn away therefore from such.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive simple women laden with sins, and led with divers lusts,
7 Which women are ever learning, and are never able to come to the acknowledging of the truth.
8 (B)And as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 [d]But they shall prevail no longer: for their madness shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 ¶ [e]But thou hast [f]fully known my doctrine, manner of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
11 Persecutions, and afflictions which came unto me at [g]Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, which persecutions I suffered: but from them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.
13 But the evil men and deceivers shall wax [h]worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and which are committed unto thee, knowing of whom thou hast learned them:
15 And that thou hast known the holy Scriptures of a child, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 (C)[i]For the whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teach, to convince, to correct, and to instruct in righteousness,
17 That the [j]man of God may be absolute, being made perfect unto all good works.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:1 The seventh admonition: we may not hope for any Church in this world without corruption: but there shall be rather great abundance of most wicked men, even in the very bosom of the Church, which notwithstanding shall make a show and countenance of great holiness and charity.
- 2 Timothy 3:2 Which make no account, either of right or honesty.
- 2 Timothy 3:5 We must not dally with such men as resist the truth not of simple ignorance, but of a perverse mind, (which thing appeareth by their fruits which he painteth out here lively) but we must rather turn away from them.
- 2 Timothy 3:9 He addeth a comfort: The Lord will at length pluck off all their vizards.
- 2 Timothy 3:10 That we be not deceived by such hypocrites, we must set before us the virtues of the holy servants of God, and we must not be afraid of persecution, which they suffered willingly, and which always followeth true godliness. But we must especially hold fast the doctrine of the Apostles, the sum whereof is this, that we are saved through faith in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 3:10 Thou knowest thoroughly, not only what I taught and did, but also how I was minded and disposed.
- 2 Timothy 3:11 Which is in Pisidia.
- 2 Timothy 3:13 Their wickedness shall daily increase.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 The eighth admonition, which is most precious: A Pastor must be wise by the word of God only: wherein we have perfectly delivered unto us, whatsoever pertaineth either to discern, know and establish true opinions, and to confute false, and furthermore, to correct evil manners, and to frame good.
- 2 Timothy 3:17 The Prophets and expounders of God’s will, are properly and peculiarly called, Men of God.