2Ti 3:1-5 | Clarke | STEP | Dangerous times in the latter days, from the apostasy and wickedness of men, of whom an affecting description is given, . It shall happen to them as to Jannes and Jambres, who withstood Moses, , . The apostle speaks of his persecutions and sufferings, and shows that all those who will live a godly life must suffer persecution, , because evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, . Timothy is exhorted to continue in the truths he had received, having known the Scriptures from a child, , . All Scripture is given by Divine inspiration, , . Verse 1 In the last days - This often means the days of the Messiah, and is sometimes extended in its signification to the destruction of Jerusalem, as this was properly the last days of the Jewish state. But the phrase may mean any future time, whether near or distant.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

Introduction

Dangerous times in the latter days, from the apostasy and wickedness of men, of whom an affecting description is given, 2Tim 3:1-7. It shall happen to them as to Jannes and Jambres, who withstood Moses, 2Tim 3:8, 2Tim 3:9. The apostle speaks of his persecutions and sufferings, and shows that all those who will live a godly life must suffer persecution, 2Tim 3:10-12, because evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, 2Tim 3:13. Timothy is exhorted to continue in the truths he had received, having known the Scriptures from a child, 2Tim 3:14, 2Tim 3:15. All Scripture is given by Divine inspiration, 2Tim 3:16, 2Tim 3:17.

Verse 1

In the last days - This often means the days of the Messiah, and is sometimes extended in its signification to the destruction of Jerusalem, as this was properly the last days of the Jewish state. But the phrase may mean any future time, whether near or distant. Verse 2

For men shall be - The description in this and the following verses the Papists apply to the Protestants; the Protestants in their turn apply it to the Papists; Schoettgen to the Jews; and others to heretics in general. There have been both teachers and people in every age of the Church, and in every age of the world, to whom these words may be most legitimately applied. Both Catholics and Protestants have been lovers of their own selves, etc.; but it is probable that the apostle had some particular age in view, in which there should appear some very essential corruption of Christianity.

Lovers of their own selves - Φιλαυτοι· Selfish, studious of their own interest, and regardless of the welfare of all mankind.

Covetous - Φιλαργυροι· Lovers of money, because of the influence which riches can procure.

Boasters - Αλαζονες· Vain glorious: self-assuming; valuing themselves beyond all others.

Proud - Ὑπερηφανοι· Airy, light, trifling persons; those who love to make a show - who are all outside; from ὑπερ, above, and φαινω, to show.

Blasphemers - Βλασφημοι· Those who speak impiously of God and sacred things, and injuriously of men.

Disobedient to parents - Γονευσιν απειθεις· Headstrong children, whom their parents cannot persuade.

Unthankful - Αχαριστοι· Persons without grace, or gracefulness; who think they have a right to the services of all men, yet feel no obligation, and consequently no gratitude.

Unholy - Ανοσιοι· Without piety; having no heart reverence for God. Verse 3

Without natural affection - Αστοργοι· Without that affection which parents bear to their young, and which the young bear to their parents. An affection which is common to every class of animals; consequently, men without it are worse than brutes.

Truce-breakers - Ασπονδοι· From α, negative, and σπονδη, a libation, because in making treaties libations both of blood and wine were poured out. The word means those who are bound by no promise, held by no engagement, obliged by no oath; persons who readily promise any thing, because they never intend to perform.

False accusers - Διαβολοι· Devils; but properly enough rendered false accusers, for this is a principal work of the devil. Slanderers; striving ever to ruin the characters of others.

Incontinent - Ακρατεις· From α, negative, and κρατος, power. Those who, having sinned away their power of self-government, want strength to govern their appetites; especially those who are slaves to uncleanness.

Fierce - Ανημεροι· From α, negative, and ἡμερος, mild or gentle. Wild, impetuous, whatever is contrary to pliability and gentleness.

Despisers of those that are good - Αφιλαγαθοι· Not lovers of good men. Here is a remarkable advantage of the Greek over the English tongue, one word of the former expressing five or six of the latter. Those who do not love the good must be radically bad themselves. Verse 4

Traitors - Προδοται· From προ, before, and διδωμι, to deliver up. Those who deliver up to an enemy the person who has put his life in their hands; such as the Scots of 1648, who delivered up into the hands of his enemies their unfortunate countryman and king, Charles the First; a stain which no lapse of ages can wipe out.

Heady - Προπετεις· From προ, forwards, and πιπτω, to fall; headstrong, precipitate, rash, inconsiderate.

High-minded - Τετυφωμενοι· From τυφος, smoke; the frivolously aspiring; those who are full of themselves, and empty of all good.

Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God - This is nervously and beautifully expressed in the Greek, φιληδονοι μαλλον η φιλοθεοι lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; i.e. pleasure, sensual gratification, is their god; and this they love and serve; God they do not. Verse 5

Having a form of godliness - The original word μορφωσις signifies a draught, sketch, or summary, and will apply well to those who have all their religion in their creed, confession of faith, catechism, bodies of divinity, etc., while destitute of the life of God in their souls; and are not only destitute of this life, but deny that such life or power is here to be experienced or known. They have religion in their creed, but none in their hearts. And perhaps to their summary they add a decent round of religious observances. From such turn away - not only do not imitate them, but have no kind of fellowship with them; they are a dangerous people, and but seldom suspected, because their outside is fair.