A great many certainly flatter themselves that they are thus favoured; but the cases are uncommon where it is more than pretence. of 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. Though his life was a life of great usefulness, yet it was a life of great sufferings; and none, I believe, came nearer to their great Master for eminent services and great sufferings than Paul: he suffered almost in every place; the Holy Ghost witnessed that bonds and afflictions did abide him, Acts 20:23. 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. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." "They that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." No matter what the reasons or excuses for joining with them, "turn away.". 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. Nor do I at all see that any Christians should be above learning, if others can teach. Men can be savage in rebuke and savage in pitiless action. ii. Having a form of godliness ( 2 Timothy 3:5 ). Introduction; 2 Timothy 1 Commentary; For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, and led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth ( 2 Timothy 3:5-7 ). This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. So you have to be careful when you start chipping it away at one side because the whole thing will come down on you. The Kingdom had its price. In the second chapter he turns to another theme, he instructs and exhorts Timothy as to communicating (not authority, or status, or gift, but) truth to others. He was one that needed to lean on an arm stronger than his own. The scriptures are able to make us truly wise, wise for our souls and another world. 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. The best way to overcome and to banish the false is to live in such a way that the loveliness and the graciousness of the truth is plain for all to see. That is, it is not enough that I should walk with the Lord individually, but I must clear myself of association with that which is contrary to His name. Indeed it may be well to remark here, that we never read of Timothy appointing bishops or elders. Well soon your Bible will be so messed up you wouldn't be able to read it. It may flourish for a time, but when it is exposed to the light of truth it is bound to shrivel and die. They will be inflated with a sense of their own importance. 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. SEDUCTION IN THE NAME OF RELIGION ( 2 Timothy 3:6-7 ). Xenophon in the Memorabilia tells how Socrates utterly condemned such impostors. but they deny the power thereof: [Paul said to Timothy] from such turn away. A whole collection of stories gathered round their names. She had been finding life, as she herself said, futile and meaningless. 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. A true insight would have made them recognise in Jesus the Messiah for whom they waited. Easy it seems to get sort of distracted and off course. They said, Wait a minute, this is the hand of God, we can't, we can't touch this. They were never meant to be anything else but visions; we do violence to Jewish and to early Christian thought if we take them with a crude literalness. 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. (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. 2 Timothy 3:12 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous," the psalmist writes (Psalm 34:19).Peter supplies a partial answer to this in I Peter 4:12: "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, as does Paul's statement in II Timothy 3:12: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer . THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL 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. 2 Timothy 3 - But understand this, that in the last days there will He directs him to keep close to a good education, and particularly to what he had learned out of the holy scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:15): Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned. 4. Jambres. For after all, I'm worth it. Paul cites three instances when he had to suffer for Christ. How big is your God? Here we have him recurring to that which was entirely outside nature, and before its very platform existed. 2 Timothy 3:12, NASB: Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 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. But they do enshrine the permanent truth that some time there must come the consummation when evil meets God in head-on collision and there comes the final triumph of God. So we find that God knows how to temper the bitter with the sweet, always doing the right thing in the right place and time. The doctrine that he preached. The woman protests that she has never done so and cannot do so. II. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Their minds become corrupted and they ultimately become reprobate concerning the faith. 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. He was to continue in the things which he had learned, and had been assured of, knowing of whom he had learned them a very important point. The Platonic Definitions defined the corresponding noun (alazoneia, G212) as: "The claim to good things which a man does not really possess." These things may be expected in the best times, and under the most favorable circumstances; and it is known that a large part of the history of the world, in its relation to the church, is nothing more than a history of persecution. They did not keep the covenant that they made. And as we pointed out, the danger always of saying some scriptures, not all scriptures, is the loss of authority. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come ( 2 Timothy 3:1 ). In all life there is nothing so creative of really productive effort as a clear consciousness of a purpose. 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. With this prospect he comforts Timothy no less than his own spirit; but at the same time he speaks as to joining him, with a glance at one that had forsaken him. (4) Let those who have never been persecuted in any way, inquire whether it is not an evidence that they have no religion. Paul instructed Timothy concerning what God had revealed would take place in the last days. The Gnostic heretics taught, either that, since matter is altogether evil, a rigid asceticism must be practiced and all the things of the body as far as possible eliminated, or that it does not matter what we do with the body and its desires can be indulged in to the limit because they do not matter. In contrast, the sins of "evil people and impostors" can be expected to get worse and worse. You know, I mean, talk about lovers of selves, look at the advertising. It is the attitude which bears with everything men can do and refuses to be either angry or embittered, and which will never seek anything but their highest good. And yet, it is becoming in this hedonistic society commonplace, all too commonplace, tragically commonplace. And in the end they shall perish together with them." But the apostle at the same time owns, and loves to own, that which another might perhaps despise. Timothy had been schooled in the Scriptures from his early youth by his mother and grandmother, and so as Paul began to, with the Scriptures, prove that Jesus was the Messiah, with Timothy's background, he could see the truth of it. Men will be ungovernable in their desires (akrates, G193) . (1.) Sponde is the word for a truce or an agreement. If he does not hide the sorrowful view of an old fellow-labourer's cooling in zeal, with all its dangers, the consolation is also before Timothy both of those that go on in faithful labour, and of one at least restored. He was wrong on that you know. my doctrine, and my manner of life, my purpose, my faith, my longsuffering, my love, and my patience, [you know the] persecutions, and the afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, and Iconium, and Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me ( 2 Timothy 3:10-11 ). The essence of persecution consists in subjecting a person to injury or disadvantage on account of his opinions. It is something more than meeting his opinions by argument, which is always right and proper; it is inflicting some injury on him; depriving him of some privilege, or right; subjecting him to some disadvantage, or placing him in less favorable circumstances, on account of his sentiments. I mean, people will have had it with the unrighteousness of the world. It is no accident that the first of these qualities will be a life that is centred in self. Why then yield to the enemy? The adjective used is philautos, which means self-loving. But now there were other reasons for it, namely, that Christians were neglecting godliness and order. 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." And that is, it doesn't tell us in the Scripture in Exodus that that was their names but Paul gives us their names here, Jannes and Jambres who withstood the truth. The braggart is a swaggering creature, who tries to bluster his way into power and eminence. Such is the meaning of purging himself. In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Includes questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications on 2 Timothy 1 for life transformation. "The foundation of God standeth sure [or, the firm foundation of God standeth], having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. As Timothy was about to enter upon a new phase of his ministry, without the apostle's presence or living counsel, the latter charges him with great emphasis, "before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." 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. 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." It is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16), and therefore is his word. What use it will be of to us. 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). He warns Timothy of the fatal end of seducers, as a reason why he should stick closely to the truth as it is in Jesus: But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, c., 2 Timothy 3:13; 2 Timothy 3:13. I've got a file up here that says, Wait for further information. At "that day" will be the display of whatever has been endured, as well as done, for the Lord's sake. She had never tried the Bible, for a friend had convinced her by subtle arguments that it could not be true. for instruction in righteousness ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ): And righteousness is just actually the act of being right or doing right or living right. It was the glory of the Jews that their children from their earliest days were trained in the law. Paul refers to his own experiences to illustrate the truth that the person who whole-heartedly follows God must expect persecution. 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. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:2, "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God." Oh, yeah, I like that one. His connection with the church, but "of the seed of David," the fulfiller of the promises, and object of the prophecies. 6. You have no authority.So if I tell you that some scriptures are not really inspired of God, then I become the authority, not the Bible anymore, because you can't just read the whole Bible and trust it because not all of it is inspired. They still, you know, pay their respects. First and foremost he has an aim in life. Then he points out the two principal guards for the faithful, in such a perilous state. In 2 Timothy 3:9, he says that that apostasy would not always continue; but would be at some time arrested, and so arrested as to show to all men the . live godly in Christ(Ga 2:20; Php 1:21). That is to say, they go through all the correct movements and maintain all the external forms of religion; but they know nothing of Christianity as a dynamic power which changes the lives of men. There is only one test for falsity--"You will know them by their fruits." What am I to believe about sin? His mental palate loses its taste. 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. Christianity was cradled in Judaism and very naturally thought largely in Jewish terms and pictures. It is needful to exercise judgment now. 1 Paul, a an apostle of Christ Jesus b by the will of God according to c the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,. It denotes a savagery which has neither sensitiveness nor sympathy. In the midst of all, he is told to bring the cloak that he left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments. These things may be expected in the best times, and under the most favorable circumstances; and it is known that a large part of the history of the world, in its relation to the church, is nothing more than a history of persecution. This world is in rebellion against God. As members of the Church, we should sometimes ask ourselves, what are we trying to do in it? Confrontation and conflict become inevitable (cf. The difference between the braggart and the man who is arrogant is this. In certain of these books Jannes and Jambres figured largely. He forbad his going on in association with those that dishonour the Lord with vessels to dishonour; but he tells him to follow these things "with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." . Jannes and Jambres were the names of the two magicians that withstood Moses. Some of you here are victims of broken covenants. When we know the afflictions of good people but in part, they are a temptation to us to decline that cause which they suffer for; when we know only the hardships they undergo for Christ, we may be ready to say, "We will renounce that cause that is likely to cost us so dear in the owning of it;" but when we fully know the afflictions, not only how they suffer, but how they are supported and comforted under their sufferings, then, instead of being discouraged, we shall be animated by them, especially considering that we are told before that we must count upon such things (2 Timothy 3:12; 2 Timothy 3:12): All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution: not always alike; at that time those who professed the faith of Christ were more exposed to persecution than at other times; but at all times, more or less, those who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 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. But they will not get much further, for their folly will be as clear to all as that of those ancient impostors. (2 Timothy 2:1.) It may be that, since we are only human, we cannot live entirely without differences with our fellow-men, but to perpetuate these differences is one of the worst--and also one of the commonest--of all sins. The apostle well knew that the God who had brought these glorious truths to man, the God that had manifested His grace, had given a witness of their reality in the man from whom he had learned them; and this was meant to have an enduring effect on the conscience and heart of Timothy. They thought that eternal life lay in the letter, not in Him of whom the letter testified. (8) Using the boldness God gives, don't be ashamed of the imprisoned apostle. He had fought the good fight of faith. 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. Things will get worse as people turn away from those who teach the Scriptures, and listen to those who teach their own theories. 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. The man who is mastered by his lower passions will gratify them in the most shameless way, as the streets of any great city will show when the night is late. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. The Christian life does not consist only in knowing something; it consists even more in being something. Well, Jesus has and He told us what to, what it's about in Luke, the sixteenth chapter. It's going to get worse before it gets better. If we would know the holy scriptures, we must read and search them daily, as the noble Bereans did, Acts 17:11. (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. Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:1-14 - Working Preacher They cannot understand an inspired apostle talking about a cloak in the midst of a divinely given pastoral charge. They'll say, Crucify him, rather than applaud. And man has prepared a great fish and they powered it with atomic engines. 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. But then another thing. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. 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. There is the idea of menace and of danger in this word. It begets disregard of God, thinking that it does not need him and that it knows better than he. There is training. (4) let those who have never been persecuted in any way, inquire whether it is not an evidence that they have no religion. Lear's words remain true: "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is. How is a man to walk in such a state of things as this? It is the ability to accept the folly, the perversity, the blindness, the ingratitude of men and still to remain gracious, and still to toil on. 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. Such offence can and does happen yet. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. You know the persecutions that I experienced, but the Lord delivered me out of them all. They're profitable for doctrine. Originally the alazon ( G213) was a wandering quack. 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. Right out of the gate, Second Timothy presents itself as a conservative letter, understanding "conservative" in the most literal sense of the word. In these last terrible days men will come to have no love for good things or good persons (aphilagathos, G865) . They will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. The fact remains that the only place in all the world where we get a first-hand account of that person and of his teaching is in the New Testament. But let him not infer, therefore, that he is to be enrolled among the martyrs, and that he is certainly a real Christian. Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. The thing that amazes me is that he can attract people who will support him. Don't expect the world to applaud when you speak out against evil. And indeed the world easily wears that mask of religion which depends on itself; but the piety which flourishes directly from, is very hateful, as it was to the old Jews, so to the modern Christians, who are without any token of good, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: a. First, there are the duties of an apostle. Paul contrasts the conduct of Timothy, his loyal disciple, with the conduct of the heretics who were doing their utmost to wreck the Church. 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. What am I to believe about God? But it is asked, Must all men be martyrs? It is in terms of these last days that Paul is thinking in this passage. [2.] It is the normal Greek word for difficult, but it has certain usage's which explain its meaning here. Vincent, Marvin R., D.D. Next he comes to a more personal need. Braggart has an interesting derivation. Again, it is startling. VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, this new commentary series, projected to be 48 volumes, takes a Christ-centered approach to expositing each book of the Bible. It is beautiful to trace this double working and current of the apostle that is, what is imperishable, above and beyond nature; and, along with this, the utmost value put on everything that he would own in those naturally bound up with him those of either family that feared God.