2nd timothy chapter 3......be steadfast
Living for God in difficult times
Paul now expands on the subject he first introduced in 1st Timothy 4v1, concerning departure from the faith. Satanic influence will produce an alternative belief system, the main features being deception and ungodly practice. The chapter can be readily divided into three main thoughts:
Verses 1-9 False godliness
Verses 10-13 True godliness
Verses 14-17 Scriptures... the path to godliness
False godliness verses 1-9
Godliness is the main topic of these epistles, that which produces likeness to God and is in sharp contrast to the world that knows not God. “Salvation” in these letters is viewed as that which produces the features of God in a human life, and not just an escape from eternal death. In an epistle which contains the last words of the apostle, the focus is very much on what will happen after he has gone. The Spirit of God has revealed to him the character of the times in the last days of the church age. He says “perilous times shall come;” further down in verse 13 he expands it by saying “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.” This is a warning to Timothy and to all of us, that, contrary to the teaching of evolution, humanity will not progress, but will wax worse with the passage of time. He enumerates nineteen characteristics of evil that will be manifest in the last times, the detail of which demonstrates just how much God knows the human heart, and how much He knows what will happen in the future. These vice lists are sprinkled throughout the New Testament to spell out the extent of ungodliness in human behaviour, when we were created to reflect the glory of God being made in the image of God. The existence of each one of these godless acts/attitudes requires our individual study.
1) Philautoi Lovers of self, self-centred, narcissistic.
2) Philargyroi Lovers of money, literally of things that are large.....A.V. covetous.
3) Alazones Full of self importance.....A.V boasters.
4) Hyperephanoi Proud or arrogant.
5) Blasphemoi Revilers of others, addressing people in abusive language.....A.V. blasphemers
6) Apetheis Disobedient to parents (unresponsive to parental discipline).
7) Acharistoi Ungrateful or unthankful.
8) Anosioi Impure or unholy.
9) Astorgoi Heartless, callous, hateful.
10) Astorgos Without natural affection, hard hearted toward near kindred.
11) Aspondoi Unforgiving, irreconcilable.....A.V. trucebreakers
12) Diabolos False accusers, slanderers.
13) Akrateis Lacking in self-control and self-restraint.....A.V. incontinent
14) Anemeroi Brutal, beastly, uncivilised.....A.V. fierce.
15) Aphilagathoi Antagonistic towards those that do good.
16) Prodotai Treacherous, disposed towards betrayal, untrustworthy....A.V. traitors.
17) Propeteis Headstrong, or reckless....A.V. heady.
18) Tetyphomemoi Conceited or puffed up....A.V. highminded.
19) Philedonoi Lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.
This list reveals the godless potential within human beings. It proclaims the interest of self at the expense of the worship of God for which we were created. It places man at the centre of the universe and not God. The ending of Greek words by the letters “oi” signifies an augmentation of the feature so stated. For example, “petros” means a small rock, a pebble, but “petroi” signifies a boulder: so if men were lovers of self in Paul’s day, in the last days this feature will get greater and greater and so on. Thirteen out of nineteen end in this way and signify that human behaviour of a godless sort will get worse. Godlessness becomes magnified with time. This is a stark warning to us living in the end of the church days.
The time honoured method of hiding from the exposure of what we are is to cover our spiritual nakedness with fig leaves as Adam did. Jesus spoke of the Pharisees and their “cloak for their sin” (John 15v22). So right to the very last people will use good works/religion/philanthropy as a “form of godliness”, an outward appearance, but devoid of any reality. Real godliness is a life-changing power, it is not an act, it is not a cover, these false pretensions do not mask the hard reality of what we are. Alternative godliness may look like the real thing, but it is fake. The devil is the arch-imitator and he will deceive, and he has his emissaries who teach others falsely. Their method is deception, and they always prey on the most vulnerable, which is what verse 6 is all about. They “creep into houses”, “lead captive silly (weak )women”, “led away with divers lusts”, “ever learning but never able to come to the truth”; essentially pointing their prey to a kind of godliness that allows them to sin. There are, and have always been false teachers mingling religion with sinful practice, and even as far back as Moses, those two impostors who withstood him in his powerful work for God. False teachers will go on to the end, getting worse and worse, becoming bolder as people are conditioned to accepting lesser standards. Their character will become evident as Jannes and Jambres did; “...they resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate (rejected, worthless) concerning the faith....” They will all be exposed, worthless as they are, in the things of God.
True godliness verses 10-13
The contrast could not be greater.......”But thou....he called him a man of God in 1st Timothy 6, and he will do so again in verse 17 of this chapter, and he will now expound the meaning of true godliness. He will do this by reference to the example of his own life, which Timothy knew all about, and, indeed, had followed. He lists nine features of godliness as illustrated in himself .
My doctrine The list is headed by doctrine, the teaching of the Holy Spirit in the sacred writings which he will discuss later. The doctrine is the spiritual blueprint for godly living. Every epistle gives precedence to doctrine, it is priority in the New Testament. Doctrine determines practice and only that practice in line with the doctrine produces godliness. The word “didaskalia” occurs twenty one times in the New testament and fifteen times alone in these pastoral epistles! Taken along with five other derivatives, the word is used no less than two hundred and ten times and is a major part of New Testament teaching. The force of the word is the whole programme of teaching, in Paul’s words in Acts 20 “the whole counsel of God.” It was a commandment contained in the great commission (Matthew 28v20); it was the practice of the early church upon which we should base our programmes (Acts 2v42); it was enshrined as the first priority in the ministry of the church (1st Corinthians 12v28).
My manner of life The Greek word is “agoge” and refers to behaviour, how one organises their life, the lifestyle.
My purpose The Greek word is “prosthesis” and refers to public decorum, can mean a pronounced intention. The same word is actually used in Acts 11v23 “purpose of heart;” the idea would be found in Daniel 1v8 where it says “Daniel purposed in his hear that he would not defile himself.” Paul was a man of conviction he did not live an aimless life and suggests we all follow his example.
My faith This is his personal daily trust in the Lord for guidance and wisdom. We are all saved by faith but Paul had learned to “live by the faith of the Son of God.” That is he brought every matter of his life before Him. This involves obedience to His word and may require risk taking.
My longsuffering The word is “makrothama” which means long-mindedness and forbearance, that is not expecting people instantly to see your point of view.
My love The Greek word is “agape” the word used for divine love, love which sacrifices, love which always seeks the best for others.
My patience The Greek word is “huponome” which means cheerful endurance, the ability to continue in the face of trials.
My persecutions The Greek word is “dioumos” which refers to criticisms, challenges, contradictions, threats etc. The root of the word is “pursuit” where one is being stalked with a view to gainsaying.
My afflictions The Greek word is “pathema” which refers to the resultant suffering and hardship caused by the persecutions.
This happened to Paul at Antioch and Iconium and Lystra (where he first met Timothy and where he experienced stoning). His statement that the Lord delivered him out of them all must have been a great comfort to Timothy and should be to all of us. Paul has just given a definition of godliness and he says that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This world will not get better, but it will increase in hatred towards the people of God. Next he will outline the means by which the godly can preserve themselves in such a world.
The path to godliness verses14-17
Anything worthwhile in life requires application and dedication, and so too in the life of godliness. In the first epistle chapter 4v7 he challenges Timothy to “exercise thyself unto godliness” We all know about the commitment and practice for bodily exercise, so for the soul, it will take a lot of hard work, a lot of practice, a lot of tweaking until we get it right. Paul now refers to what we might call “the manual for practical godliness”, the sacred writings, the scriptures of truth. He brings this before us in no uncertain terms that understanding of, and adherence to, the scriptures is the pathway to godliness. Indeed in these verses he portrays that this is a whole of life instruction manual since he proceeds from childhood to manhood in spiritual terms.....”...as a child thou hast known the holy scriptures......that the man of God may be complete...”. He outlines four cardinal features of the scriptures:
Scriptures are indispensable We must be clear on the terms; scriptures are the sacred writings preserved through centuries for the instruction of mankind. They are mentioned over 50 times and include the entire old testament and new testament writings. Proof of that can be found by a careful reading of these occurrences, but in short Luke 24 vv27-44 describes the o/t and 2nd Peter3v16-17 the n/t. The scriptures referred to here are the o/t, being the only ones in existence at the time of writing. Scriptures hold the wisdom whereby mankind can be saved, which no other writing can do. Knowledge of their content is not enough to save, only heart acceptance and obedience to them will save, as Paul said elsewhere, “...faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Also we have to understand salvation in the fullest sense of it’s meaning, that is affecting the past, present and future of the believer, and involving the salvation of the whole being, spirit, soul, and body. No other writings, however wise they seem to be, can do this.
Scriptures are inspired Literally God-breathed, there can be nothing clearer than this, scriptures are the very breath of God, when we open them all of heaven is open to us. According to Genesis 2v7, human beings are “God-breathed”, that is every new-born has the very life of God. Scriptures are “God-breathed”, thus there is an immediate affinity. The French version, called the Rheims version, translates this as follows “All scripture is warmed with the breath of God”......this is the living word of the living God we have in our hand!
All scripture, not just some, whether narrative, or poetry, or prophecy, or doctrine. It has been described as “verbal plenary inspiration”, that is every word, every thought, every idea, every principle is God inspired. Jesus spoke of the “jot” (iota, the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “yodh”, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet) and “tittle” (the tiny decorative mark on the yodh for the purpose of emphasis.) Written by over 40 authors, spanning over 1500 years in three different languages, human agencies, in the inspiration of God, produced an inerrant record we know as the bible. In reality it is the handwriting of “the God who cannot lie”, and was ratified by Jesus Christ who said “the scripture cannot be broken”. When we say “inspiration”, it is not merely that of natural human genius, although that played a part; it is not just that it is an inspirational book which broadens the mind; it is that; in it’s entirety, from beginning to end, these are the very words of God Himself! It is, as Paul defined it “the word of truth”. Only the original manuscripts are inspired, and we need to study deeper than just the many translations which are readily to hand. We have sought to do this in these writings.
Scriptures are instructive They are “profitable......”, the seat of all learning in matters of the spirit, the source of all wisdom for life. They are a spiritual “Aladdin’s cave”, a treasure house of instruction. We all like profit, here is priceless profit for the soul. Profitable for doctrine (teaching) the principles of scripture are in every part, in every narrative, in every metaphor, over the course of the 66 books, 1189 chapters, and almost 800,000 words! profitable; profitable for reproof, that is for conviction, for evidence-based truth (it is the same word as Hebrews 11v1 “the evidence of things not seen”.) Reading the bible we need be in no doubt about anything; profitable for correction, that is for re-alignment, for straightening up, for rectification, good advice when we go astray; profitable for training in righteousness, that is tutelage, education by discipline, chastening. Righteousness is moral rectitude in the sight of God, and the scriptures are a powerful aid to that end.
Scriptures are instrumental They are a life-changing force to bring a man to maturity in the things of God....”that the man of God may be perfect”; God uses scripture to bring a person to full maturity by developing their gifts for use in His service. The words “thoroughly furnished” suggest to equip completely, to enable the person to do the work God has for them. This of course requires co-operation on the part of the individual, and the message here is that only the holy scriptures can do this. Scripture is thus seen to be the power to change and develop character for the work to hand. God will have His workers to be of character as Himself and only His word can produce this.
Living for God in difficult times
Paul now expands on the subject he first introduced in 1st Timothy 4v1, concerning departure from the faith. Satanic influence will produce an alternative belief system, the main features being deception and ungodly practice. The chapter can be readily divided into three main thoughts:
Verses 1-9 False godliness
Verses 10-13 True godliness
Verses 14-17 Scriptures... the path to godliness
False godliness verses 1-9
Godliness is the main topic of these epistles, that which produces likeness to God and is in sharp contrast to the world that knows not God. “Salvation” in these letters is viewed as that which produces the features of God in a human life, and not just an escape from eternal death. In an epistle which contains the last words of the apostle, the focus is very much on what will happen after he has gone. The Spirit of God has revealed to him the character of the times in the last days of the church age. He says “perilous times shall come;” further down in verse 13 he expands it by saying “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.” This is a warning to Timothy and to all of us, that, contrary to the teaching of evolution, humanity will not progress, but will wax worse with the passage of time. He enumerates nineteen characteristics of evil that will be manifest in the last times, the detail of which demonstrates just how much God knows the human heart, and how much He knows what will happen in the future. These vice lists are sprinkled throughout the New Testament to spell out the extent of ungodliness in human behaviour, when we were created to reflect the glory of God being made in the image of God. The existence of each one of these godless acts/attitudes requires our individual study.
1) Philautoi Lovers of self, self-centred, narcissistic.
2) Philargyroi Lovers of money, literally of things that are large.....A.V. covetous.
3) Alazones Full of self importance.....A.V boasters.
4) Hyperephanoi Proud or arrogant.
5) Blasphemoi Revilers of others, addressing people in abusive language.....A.V. blasphemers
6) Apetheis Disobedient to parents (unresponsive to parental discipline).
7) Acharistoi Ungrateful or unthankful.
8) Anosioi Impure or unholy.
9) Astorgoi Heartless, callous, hateful.
10) Astorgos Without natural affection, hard hearted toward near kindred.
11) Aspondoi Unforgiving, irreconcilable.....A.V. trucebreakers
12) Diabolos False accusers, slanderers.
13) Akrateis Lacking in self-control and self-restraint.....A.V. incontinent
14) Anemeroi Brutal, beastly, uncivilised.....A.V. fierce.
15) Aphilagathoi Antagonistic towards those that do good.
16) Prodotai Treacherous, disposed towards betrayal, untrustworthy....A.V. traitors.
17) Propeteis Headstrong, or reckless....A.V. heady.
18) Tetyphomemoi Conceited or puffed up....A.V. highminded.
19) Philedonoi Lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.
This list reveals the godless potential within human beings. It proclaims the interest of self at the expense of the worship of God for which we were created. It places man at the centre of the universe and not God. The ending of Greek words by the letters “oi” signifies an augmentation of the feature so stated. For example, “petros” means a small rock, a pebble, but “petroi” signifies a boulder: so if men were lovers of self in Paul’s day, in the last days this feature will get greater and greater and so on. Thirteen out of nineteen end in this way and signify that human behaviour of a godless sort will get worse. Godlessness becomes magnified with time. This is a stark warning to us living in the end of the church days.
The time honoured method of hiding from the exposure of what we are is to cover our spiritual nakedness with fig leaves as Adam did. Jesus spoke of the Pharisees and their “cloak for their sin” (John 15v22). So right to the very last people will use good works/religion/philanthropy as a “form of godliness”, an outward appearance, but devoid of any reality. Real godliness is a life-changing power, it is not an act, it is not a cover, these false pretensions do not mask the hard reality of what we are. Alternative godliness may look like the real thing, but it is fake. The devil is the arch-imitator and he will deceive, and he has his emissaries who teach others falsely. Their method is deception, and they always prey on the most vulnerable, which is what verse 6 is all about. They “creep into houses”, “lead captive silly (weak )women”, “led away with divers lusts”, “ever learning but never able to come to the truth”; essentially pointing their prey to a kind of godliness that allows them to sin. There are, and have always been false teachers mingling religion with sinful practice, and even as far back as Moses, those two impostors who withstood him in his powerful work for God. False teachers will go on to the end, getting worse and worse, becoming bolder as people are conditioned to accepting lesser standards. Their character will become evident as Jannes and Jambres did; “...they resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate (rejected, worthless) concerning the faith....” They will all be exposed, worthless as they are, in the things of God.
True godliness verses 10-13
The contrast could not be greater.......”But thou....he called him a man of God in 1st Timothy 6, and he will do so again in verse 17 of this chapter, and he will now expound the meaning of true godliness. He will do this by reference to the example of his own life, which Timothy knew all about, and, indeed, had followed. He lists nine features of godliness as illustrated in himself .
My doctrine The list is headed by doctrine, the teaching of the Holy Spirit in the sacred writings which he will discuss later. The doctrine is the spiritual blueprint for godly living. Every epistle gives precedence to doctrine, it is priority in the New Testament. Doctrine determines practice and only that practice in line with the doctrine produces godliness. The word “didaskalia” occurs twenty one times in the New testament and fifteen times alone in these pastoral epistles! Taken along with five other derivatives, the word is used no less than two hundred and ten times and is a major part of New Testament teaching. The force of the word is the whole programme of teaching, in Paul’s words in Acts 20 “the whole counsel of God.” It was a commandment contained in the great commission (Matthew 28v20); it was the practice of the early church upon which we should base our programmes (Acts 2v42); it was enshrined as the first priority in the ministry of the church (1st Corinthians 12v28).
My manner of life The Greek word is “agoge” and refers to behaviour, how one organises their life, the lifestyle.
My purpose The Greek word is “prosthesis” and refers to public decorum, can mean a pronounced intention. The same word is actually used in Acts 11v23 “purpose of heart;” the idea would be found in Daniel 1v8 where it says “Daniel purposed in his hear that he would not defile himself.” Paul was a man of conviction he did not live an aimless life and suggests we all follow his example.
My faith This is his personal daily trust in the Lord for guidance and wisdom. We are all saved by faith but Paul had learned to “live by the faith of the Son of God.” That is he brought every matter of his life before Him. This involves obedience to His word and may require risk taking.
My longsuffering The word is “makrothama” which means long-mindedness and forbearance, that is not expecting people instantly to see your point of view.
My love The Greek word is “agape” the word used for divine love, love which sacrifices, love which always seeks the best for others.
My patience The Greek word is “huponome” which means cheerful endurance, the ability to continue in the face of trials.
My persecutions The Greek word is “dioumos” which refers to criticisms, challenges, contradictions, threats etc. The root of the word is “pursuit” where one is being stalked with a view to gainsaying.
My afflictions The Greek word is “pathema” which refers to the resultant suffering and hardship caused by the persecutions.
This happened to Paul at Antioch and Iconium and Lystra (where he first met Timothy and where he experienced stoning). His statement that the Lord delivered him out of them all must have been a great comfort to Timothy and should be to all of us. Paul has just given a definition of godliness and he says that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This world will not get better, but it will increase in hatred towards the people of God. Next he will outline the means by which the godly can preserve themselves in such a world.
The path to godliness verses14-17
Anything worthwhile in life requires application and dedication, and so too in the life of godliness. In the first epistle chapter 4v7 he challenges Timothy to “exercise thyself unto godliness” We all know about the commitment and practice for bodily exercise, so for the soul, it will take a lot of hard work, a lot of practice, a lot of tweaking until we get it right. Paul now refers to what we might call “the manual for practical godliness”, the sacred writings, the scriptures of truth. He brings this before us in no uncertain terms that understanding of, and adherence to, the scriptures is the pathway to godliness. Indeed in these verses he portrays that this is a whole of life instruction manual since he proceeds from childhood to manhood in spiritual terms.....”...as a child thou hast known the holy scriptures......that the man of God may be complete...”. He outlines four cardinal features of the scriptures:
Scriptures are indispensable We must be clear on the terms; scriptures are the sacred writings preserved through centuries for the instruction of mankind. They are mentioned over 50 times and include the entire old testament and new testament writings. Proof of that can be found by a careful reading of these occurrences, but in short Luke 24 vv27-44 describes the o/t and 2nd Peter3v16-17 the n/t. The scriptures referred to here are the o/t, being the only ones in existence at the time of writing. Scriptures hold the wisdom whereby mankind can be saved, which no other writing can do. Knowledge of their content is not enough to save, only heart acceptance and obedience to them will save, as Paul said elsewhere, “...faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Also we have to understand salvation in the fullest sense of it’s meaning, that is affecting the past, present and future of the believer, and involving the salvation of the whole being, spirit, soul, and body. No other writings, however wise they seem to be, can do this.
Scriptures are inspired Literally God-breathed, there can be nothing clearer than this, scriptures are the very breath of God, when we open them all of heaven is open to us. According to Genesis 2v7, human beings are “God-breathed”, that is every new-born has the very life of God. Scriptures are “God-breathed”, thus there is an immediate affinity. The French version, called the Rheims version, translates this as follows “All scripture is warmed with the breath of God”......this is the living word of the living God we have in our hand!
All scripture, not just some, whether narrative, or poetry, or prophecy, or doctrine. It has been described as “verbal plenary inspiration”, that is every word, every thought, every idea, every principle is God inspired. Jesus spoke of the “jot” (iota, the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “yodh”, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet) and “tittle” (the tiny decorative mark on the yodh for the purpose of emphasis.) Written by over 40 authors, spanning over 1500 years in three different languages, human agencies, in the inspiration of God, produced an inerrant record we know as the bible. In reality it is the handwriting of “the God who cannot lie”, and was ratified by Jesus Christ who said “the scripture cannot be broken”. When we say “inspiration”, it is not merely that of natural human genius, although that played a part; it is not just that it is an inspirational book which broadens the mind; it is that; in it’s entirety, from beginning to end, these are the very words of God Himself! It is, as Paul defined it “the word of truth”. Only the original manuscripts are inspired, and we need to study deeper than just the many translations which are readily to hand. We have sought to do this in these writings.
Scriptures are instructive They are “profitable......”, the seat of all learning in matters of the spirit, the source of all wisdom for life. They are a spiritual “Aladdin’s cave”, a treasure house of instruction. We all like profit, here is priceless profit for the soul. Profitable for doctrine (teaching) the principles of scripture are in every part, in every narrative, in every metaphor, over the course of the 66 books, 1189 chapters, and almost 800,000 words! profitable; profitable for reproof, that is for conviction, for evidence-based truth (it is the same word as Hebrews 11v1 “the evidence of things not seen”.) Reading the bible we need be in no doubt about anything; profitable for correction, that is for re-alignment, for straightening up, for rectification, good advice when we go astray; profitable for training in righteousness, that is tutelage, education by discipline, chastening. Righteousness is moral rectitude in the sight of God, and the scriptures are a powerful aid to that end.
Scriptures are instrumental They are a life-changing force to bring a man to maturity in the things of God....”that the man of God may be perfect”; God uses scripture to bring a person to full maturity by developing their gifts for use in His service. The words “thoroughly furnished” suggest to equip completely, to enable the person to do the work God has for them. This of course requires co-operation on the part of the individual, and the message here is that only the holy scriptures can do this. Scripture is thus seen to be the power to change and develop character for the work to hand. God will have His workers to be of character as Himself and only His word can produce this.
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