2 Timothy 3

This is the third of the four chapters of 2 Timothy. In chapter 2, Paul told Timothy to avoid foolish disputes and to correct opponents with gentleness. Chapter 3 goes on to describe what people will be like in the last days and what Timothy must hold fast to in response.

Outline

• Verses 1–5 Paul says that perilous times will come in the last days and lists vices such as love of self, love of money, pride, and disobedience to parents. He tells Timothy to turn away from those who have a form of godliness but deny its power.
• Verses 6–9 Among these are some who creep into households and lead women astray. Just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, these people resist the truth, but in the end their folly will be made plain.
• Verses 10–13 Paul says that Timothy has observed his teaching and conduct, as well as the persecutions he suffered at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, and that the Lord delivered him. He adds that all who desire to live godly lives will suffer persecution.
• Verses 14–17 Paul urges Timothy to continue in the things he has learned and been assured of. The Scriptures he has known from childhood are able to make him wise unto salvation, and all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

Key Verses

• 2 Timothy 3:5 "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" — often cited as a warning against faith reduced to mere outward form.
• 2 Timothy 3:12 "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" — cited in discussions of the relationship between faith and suffering.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" — the verse most widely cited regarding the authority of Scripture.

People and Places

• Paul: the author of the letter.
• Timothy: Paul's coworker and the recipient of the letter. Verses 14–15 are commonly read together with 1:5, which points to the instruction in faith he received from Lois and Eunice.
• Jannes and Jambres: the men who withstood Moses. Their names do not appear in the Old Testament; they are known as the names that Jewish tradition gave to Pharaoh's magicians in Exodus 7.
• Moses
• Antioch (Pisidian Antioch), Iconium, and Lystra: cities in southern Asia Minor where Paul was persecuted during his first missionary journey (Acts 13–14).

Points for Reflection

• The phrase "given by inspiration of God" in verse 16 translates a Greek term meaning "God-breathed." Reformed and evangelical churches, including Presbyterians, read this verse as a basis for the inspiration of Scripture and for biblical inerrancy. Proponents of liberal theology hold that the verse speaks only of the usefulness of Scripture and does not assert its inerrancy.
• Dispensationalism reads the "last days" of verse 1 as a specific period immediately preceding the Second Coming. Other interpretations take the phrase to refer to the entire period from Christ's first coming to his return.
• In critical scholarship, Paul's authorship of the Pastoral Epistles is debated. Conservative denominations accept Pauline authorship.

In the Korean Church

Verse 16 is frequently cited in Bible Sunday sermons and in Bible study materials. Verses 1–5 are often used in sermons on the last days and on faith becoming a mere formality, and verse 15 in sermons emphasizing the religious instruction of children.