2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3–4:22 (NLT)

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

Hours before His death, Jesus told His disciples that the time would soon come when they would be persecuted even to the place of execution. “I’m telling you these things so you won’t be offended,” He said (John 16:1). The Greek word translated “offended” is skandalizo, from which we get our word “scandalize.” In other words, not wanting His disciples to be scandalized, Jesus said, “The religious community will come after you. The political authorities will order your execution. But know this: In My Father’s house are many mansions. And I’m going to prepare a place for you. Therefore, although in this present age you will experience great difficulty, you will ultimately be blessed incredibly because you’re going to heaven” (John 14:1).

Coming to the end of his own life, the apostle Paul picks up this same theme as he warns Timothy of difficult days to come. And what he shares with Timothy has application for you and me specifically.

1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

Knowing his death was coming soon, I think Paul thought the Rapture would happen either in his lifetime or shortly thereafter. So do I. I believe the Rapture could easily happen in my lifetime.

“Well,” you say, “if Paul thought the Rapture would happen in his lifetime, and it didn’t—and if men of God throughout the ages have felt as though they were living in the last days and the Rapture would happen in their lifetimes, and it didn’t—doesn’t it seem foolish to think the Rapture will happen in your lifetime?”

No! Throughout the history of the church, the greatest men and women of the faith have all lived their lives believing that the Lord’s coming was nigh. And even though the Lord didn’t come when they thought He would, looking for His return impacted their lives in such a way that they left their mark on history and will be rewarded greatly in eternity (2 Timothy 4:8). Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Finney, Moody, Torrey all felt the Lord’s coming was close at hand. Put me in their company any day!

I’ ll live my life looking for the Lord’s coming. And if I am wrong, even by five hundred years,! I would rather go through the days I have left looking because I know the effect it has upon the life of any 0ne who believes He could come today: One is not prone to sin so readily. If you want to live a zealous, exciting, fulfilling, pure Christian life, live it looking for the Lord’s coming (1 John 3:3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

Of the students in the ten leading industrialized nations, American high-school students scored either ninth or tenth in every academic category. But in the category of self-esteem, they came in first. In other words, our culture is very good at teaching our kids to say, “I’m okay. I’m somebody. I’m proud.”

The Greek word translated “boasters” is alazon, which speaks of a claim made by a quack promising something but unable to deliver that which was promised.

The idea of blasphemy literally refers to those who use the Lord’s name in vain. People say “God” constantly—but seldom with reverence. Even by people interviewed on news programs, the Lord’s name is used in vain constantly.

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

nothing identifies us more clearly as those who have fallen into unnatural affection than the sad statistics relating to abortion. We’re horrified when we read that the Canaanites placed their babies on the incandescent arms of idols. How can this be? we wonder. And yet we burn our babies with saline solutions in the wombs of mothers—a practice even more horrific, a practice that goes against every natural instinct to protect one’s offspring.

After being confronted by a student upset with an assignment, the teacher of an anger management class lost his temper and hit the student in the face. Now, if even teachers of anger management are hitting people, without the Lord, what hope is there for the rest of our angry world?

4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

People love pleasure. But it’s a love that leads only to the “Been there, done that, now what?” mentality, as they find they have to continually do something bigger, better, farther, faster, and higher in order to get the same thrill they once did.

5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

We’re to turn away from those who are without natural affection, from those who despise things that are good, from those who love pleasure more than God, from those who talk about NewAge spirituality but who know nothing of the power of the Holy Spirit and the Resurrected Jesus.

6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.

7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

Those who propagate a form of godliness not based upon the Resurrection creep around neighborhoods looking for people who have time on their hands to whom they can say, “Let us hold a class in your house so we can share our interesting insights and esoteric experiences.”

8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

As proof to Pharaoh that God had indeed sent him, Moses threw down his rod and it became a serpent. Jannes and Jambres, magicians in Pharaoh’s court, threw down their rods—which also became snakes. When Moses caused all of the water to turn to blood, Jannes and Jambres said, “We can do that, too.” And they did. When Moses called for frogs to cover the land, Jannes and Jambres were able to counterfeit that miracle as well (Exodus 7). Here, Paul likens those who live for pleasure, ignore the Lord, and resist truth to these two magicians of the occult in Pharaoh’s court.

9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

What folly was manifest in Jannes’ and Jambres’ situation? Their counterfeiting Moses’ miracles was foolish because all they could do was make matters worse. All they could do was make more blood, more frogs, more snakes. That’s the way it always is with Satan’s counterfeits because all he ever does is make things worse. Yes, there is power in the occult. Surely demons can counterfeit miracles. And perhaps there are strange things that happen when palms or tarot cards are read. But they will only make things worse, for Satan will never make things better. Ever.

Contract breakers, pleasure seekers, false spiritualists, lovers of self—these indicators of the last days don’t discourage me for a couple of reasons…

First, bad times are made for good people. That is, when times get tough, good things start happening in our lives. What takes the wrinkles out of the shirt I wear? The heat and pressure of an iron. What turns a lump of coal into a sparkling diamond? Heat and pressure. So, too, I have noticed that the tougher the times—whether it be financially, spiritually, relationally—the more wrinkles are smoothed out, the more the brilliant light of Jesus shines, the more people grow in their walk with God.

Second, good people are made for bad times. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were three kids who refused to bow the knee to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. “Throw us into the fiery furnace,” they said. “If God chooses to deliver us, so be it. But if not, that’s okay, too” (see Daniel 3:17, 18). When were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego seen in this light? When times were dark.

The darker your campus or your office, the easier it will be for you to shine for Jesus Christ. Perhaps it was tougher in some ways in the fifties when everything was white picket fences, home-cooked meals, and Ike. Perhaps it was tougher in some ways to stand out or stand up because the contrast may not have been as great. On the other hand, in these times when things are so perverse and polluted, we can stand out without even trying!

10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.

11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

“You know me, Timothy,” said Paul. “These false teachers are charlatans. They do magic tricks. They talk in riddles. They’re impressive for a moment or two, but you know what I’ve been through on behalf of the gospel. You know what kind of man I am.”

What a statement! How I pray that we, like Paul, might be able to say to our kids and to younger men and women, “You know my lifestyle. You know my purpose. You know my faith.”

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 3

Here’s a promise you’re not likely to find in your Precious Promise box! Yet Paul gave this as the reason for what he was going through and the reason he was not surprised or discouraged by it.

13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of…

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

…knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

The word translated “whom” being plural, Paul most likely is alluding to Timothy’s mother and grandmother as those who, in addition to himself, had spiritually impacted Timothy’s life.

I’m always a little skeptical and somewhat suspicious when a person says, “I only learn from this guy,” or, “I’m only a follower of that man.” Wise is the man or woman who will learn from the many people the Lord places in their lives to reinforce and undergird their faith.

15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

“Ever since childhood, you’ve been taught the Word, Timothy. And it is the Word that will make you wise.”

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 3)

The Greek word translated “all” is an interesting one. It means all. There are critics and commentators who say this verse would be rendered, “All Scripture which is by inspiration of God is profitable for doctrine…”—the implication being that not all Scripture is inspired. If I adopt this stance, however, I have to decide what’s inspired and what isn’t. And in so doing, I become the judge of the Bible rather than allowing the Bible to judge me. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God” (see Matthew 4:4). Here in Timothy, we see that it is because all Scripture is inspired that we can be furnished unto all good works.