II Timothy 3
|
II Timothy 3:1-5:
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! |
Biblical Christianity is an all or nothing proposition. But men want the form of godliness, not God. They attempt to use the church as\a hiding place from God. The modern church, however, modernist and fundamentalist, is bent on pleasing all such rather than turning away from them.
|
Costi Hinn
In Jude 4 we read a sobering description of not merely sinful teaching, but the sinful lifestyles of false teachers. Jude writes, “For certain people have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into indecent behavior and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
The word for licentiousness he uses also translates as “sensuality” and means “lack of self-constraint which involves one in conduct that violates all bounds of what is socially acceptable.”(1) False teachers don’t only go too far with their doctrine, they always go too far with their deeds. They are marked by sins of “self-love” which is precisely why Paul warns Timothy that in the last days, men will be “lovers of self” (2 Timothy 3:2).
When false teachers speak out of the sides of their mouths and try to appear orthodox, there is still one surefire way to discern their deceptive patterns. One must look at their lifestyle in the wake of their claim to orthodoxy. If they appear to repent of a certain false teaching or veer away from it, one must ask, did they also repent of their greed, sexual immorality, homosexuality, and patterns of falsehood?
It is entirely convenient for a false teacher to edit a book secretly, or to quietly distance themselves from other false teachers who are bad for business, but does the deceptive teacher openly repent of their lifestyle of sin? If not, they are much more akin to Adam and Eve trying to foolishly hide from God in the garden (Genesis 3:8), rather than the Publican who openly cried out for mercy and identified himself as a sinner (Luke 18:9-14).
-Costi Hinn; For The Gospel; The Licentiousness of False Teachers 2.23.23
The word for licentiousness he uses also translates as “sensuality” and means “lack of self-constraint which involves one in conduct that violates all bounds of what is socially acceptable.”(1) False teachers don’t only go too far with their doctrine, they always go too far with their deeds. They are marked by sins of “self-love” which is precisely why Paul warns Timothy that in the last days, men will be “lovers of self” (2 Timothy 3:2).
When false teachers speak out of the sides of their mouths and try to appear orthodox, there is still one surefire way to discern their deceptive patterns. One must look at their lifestyle in the wake of their claim to orthodoxy. If they appear to repent of a certain false teaching or veer away from it, one must ask, did they also repent of their greed, sexual immorality, homosexuality, and patterns of falsehood?
It is entirely convenient for a false teacher to edit a book secretly, or to quietly distance themselves from other false teachers who are bad for business, but does the deceptive teacher openly repent of their lifestyle of sin? If not, they are much more akin to Adam and Eve trying to foolishly hide from God in the garden (Genesis 3:8), rather than the Publican who openly cried out for mercy and identified himself as a sinner (Luke 18:9-14).
-Costi Hinn; For The Gospel; The Licentiousness of False Teachers 2.23.23
The words “lovers of pleasure” are a translation of the Greek word philodonos, which is a compound of two words, phileo and hedonos. The first word, phileo, is a well-known word that conveys the ideas of affection and love. It can denote an affection so deep that it even embraces the idea of romance and is from the same root word that means to kiss.
Frequently in the Greek language, the word phileo is compounded with other words to form new meanings, as it is with the word philodonos. The following are examples:
Frequently in the Greek language, the word phileo is compounded with other words to form new meanings, as it is with the word philodonos. The following are examples:
- Philadelphos: You may recognize this word because it is where we get the name of the great city of Philadelphia on the east coast of the United States. It is actually a New Testament word that is a compound of the words phileo and adelphos. The word phileo means to deeply, profoundly, and affectionately love, while the word adelphos is the Greek word for a brother. When compounded, they form the word philadelphos, which means brotherly love.
- Philosophia: The word philosophia is a compound of the words phileo and sophos. As noted, the word phileo means to love or to have a deep, profound affection. The word sophos is the word for wisdom. When these two words are compounded, they form the word philosophia. This is where we get the word philosophy, which describes a deep and profound love of wisdom.
- Philoxenos: The word philoxenos is a compound of the words phileo and xenos. The second part of this word is xenos, which is the ancient Greek word for a stranger or foreigner. When the words phileo and xenos are compounded, they form the word philoxenia, a word that expresses the idea of a person who has a special love for strangers or love for foreigners.
- Philostorgos: The second part of this word is storgos — the Greek word for a commitment or devotion to one’s family. When the words phileo and storgos are compounded, the new word depicts a person who has a deep affection and sense of commitment for his family.
- Philanthropia: In this word, the word phileo is compounded with the word anthropos, the word for mankind or humankind. The word anthropos is where we get the word anthropology or an anthropologist. But when the Greek word phileo is compounded with the word anthropos, it depicts a love for humanity. From this, we get the word philanthropist, which describes a wealthy person who generously gives his resources or money for the betterment of humanity.
- Philarguria: Here we see the word phileo compounded with the word arguria. The word arguria is the old word for silver or money. When arguria is compounded with phileo, the new word philarguria depicts a love of silver or an affection and love of money.
John Gill
Having a form of godliness Either a mere external show of religion, pretending great piety and holiness, being outwardly righteous before men, having the mask and visor of godliness; or else a plan of doctrine, a form of sound words, a scheme of truths, which men may have without partaking of the grace of God; and which, with respect to the doctrine of the Trinity, the church of Rome has; or else the Scriptures of truth, which the members of that church have, and profess to hold to, maintain and preserve; and which contains doctrines according to godliness, and tend to a godly life and godly edification:
but denying the power thereof; though in words they profess religion and godliness, the fear of God, and the pure worship of him, yet in works they deny all; and though they may have a set of notions in their heads, yet they feel nothing of the power of them on their hearts; and are strangers to experimental religion, and powerful godliness: or though they profess the Scriptures to be the word of God, yet they deny the use, the power, and efficacy of them; they deny the use of them to the laity, and affirm that they are not a sufficient rule of faith and practice, without their unwritten traditions; and that they are not able to make men wise, or give them a true knowledge of what is to be believed and done, without them; and that the sense of them is not to be understood by private men, but depends upon the infallible judgment of the church or pope: from such turn away; have no fellowship with them, depart from their communion, withdraw from them, and come out from among them: this passage sufficiently justifies the reformed churches in their separation from the church of Rome. --John Gill; Gills Expostion of the Whole Bible
but denying the power thereof; though in words they profess religion and godliness, the fear of God, and the pure worship of him, yet in works they deny all; and though they may have a set of notions in their heads, yet they feel nothing of the power of them on their hearts; and are strangers to experimental religion, and powerful godliness: or though they profess the Scriptures to be the word of God, yet they deny the use, the power, and efficacy of them; they deny the use of them to the laity, and affirm that they are not a sufficient rule of faith and practice, without their unwritten traditions; and that they are not able to make men wise, or give them a true knowledge of what is to be believed and done, without them; and that the sense of them is not to be understood by private men, but depends upon the infallible judgment of the church or pope: from such turn away; have no fellowship with them, depart from their communion, withdraw from them, and come out from among them: this passage sufficiently justifies the reformed churches in their separation from the church of Rome. --John Gill; Gills Expostion of the Whole Bible
|
Christianity was never ever “a form of godliness.” It has always been the “real thing” – godliness is that lifestyle which glorifies God. It is that which allows the Holy Spirit to set God’s standards in our life. Godliness sets the pattern for us – not us dictating to God what is acceptable, and what is not acceptable. If our belief system does not change our lives, and bring us into a more direct and closer walk and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then we have to seriously question its authenticity! It does not matter whether “a form of godliness” comes from a prophet or a pope, a dynamic preacher or a church system ~ if it does not line up with the clear teachings of Scripture, turn away from it. Tragically, so many of our religious systems today can only demonstrate “a form of godliness.” Yet, many of them started out in the fires of Holy Spirit revival. Over time, the standards have deteriorated, and the conviction between right and wrong has become less and less, until today we see “right is wrong” and “wrong is right,” and “God is such a God of love He won’t turn anyone away from eternal life,” etc. This “form of godliness” is a lie. It is a false doctrine of “everyone doing that which is right in their own eyes” --Rodney W Francis [The Gospel Faith Messenger: Beware Of A Form Of Godliness]
|
Peace is scarce when we are detached from the Heavenly Father. Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” No great explanation is needed for this verse as our families and communities have been torn apart by sexual abuse, lack of respect toward our police officers, and rebellion towards teachers and parents causing great discontent and a lack of peace within our society. -Chad Napier
|
| Those who hold a form of godliness but deny its power often mistreat their fellows. This conduct is described by these expressions: blasphemers, unthankful, without natural affection, slanderers, fierce, traitors and disobedient to parents. Speaking evil, using abusive or indecent language is the meaning of blasphemer. Generally it is used of speaking evil against God and holy things but it is also used to mean evil speaking about things in general. Apparently in the passage before us, the reference is to all manner of railing both against God and holy things, and man. Such treatment of God and man is foreign to the conduct of one who genuinely professes the religion of the Bible. Those who accept favors without appreciation and gratitude are unthankful. Ingratitude for kindnesses and benefits received is what is here meant. This might be reflected in our returning nothing for the favor shown, or actually returning ill. Such is another mark of one who holds a form of godliness but denies its power. Being without natural affection means to be unloving, not' being zealously and tenderly attached to those who are near and dear to us. Obviously included in this group would be one's parents, children, wife or husband, or other relatives. There should be love and affection present which grows out of the ties that bind together. The attachment here under view is that which is natural, not necessarily moral. One who denies the power of godliness in this respect does not even have the "natural" feeling which is expressed by brute animals. One who spreads false accusations for the purpose of maliciously injuring another is a sianderer. Satan or the devil is the great accuser or slanderer. The term slanderer in the passage before us is the one from which devil is translated. Job was accused by the devil to God of being a servant for a price (Job 1: 9-11) . To Eve the devil accused God of being selfish in not wanting man to be as God (Gen. 3:5). No wonder then that he is called an accuser, a false one, a slanderer (Rev. 12:9-12) . Inhuman and savage behavior is the meaning of fierce. A person characterized by this term is brutal, untamed, cruel, coarse and ruled by sensual passions without that sensibility which should be in a human being. Some men so behave. "But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant" (2 Pet. 2:12). Again, "But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason" (Jude 10). There is no restraint but the behavior is such as would characterize a brute beast under no moral restriction. So often do we observe those who are untamed and brutist in their conduct toward others. Traitors betray a trust and hence they are faithless to a trust. So often this desertion is in a moment of need too. Those who demonstrate such conduct toward their fellows may have a form of godliness but they certainly deny its power. Children who are disobedient to parents mistreat their parents. One who does not regard or does not heed his parents' instruction is disobedient to them. Though receiving countless blessings and favors from parents, many children defy and disrespect them. Such is a mark of one who may hold to a form of godliness but denies its power in his life. This behavior does not grow out of the reality of godliness and one who thus treats his parents is deceived if he thinks he is godly. |
|
The technologically-endowed Police State that has been building up around the world over the past century should be no surprise to the conscientious, Christian observer. We are told – rather, we are forewarned
The degradation of the internally developed virtues such as self-control, self-sacrifice, and empathy necessitates a whole host of external laws which force people to conform to a moral compass… or suffer the consequences. (But aren’t we always told that you couldn’t “legislate morality”, right?) The brilliant and sharp-witted G. K. Chesterton once quipped: “If men will not be governed by the Ten Commandments, they shall be governed by the ten thousand commandments.”--No Apology Allowed 
|
|
One of the descriptors is “unappeasable.” I like that word. It is also an accurate description of what we are seeing today. The definition is simple and easy to understand. According to the Oxford Dictionaries
adjective: unappeasable
not able to be pacified, placated, or satisfied.
No matter what changes are made or what is done the “unappeasable” won’t be happy.
--Midwest Christian Outreach
adjective: unappeasable
not able to be pacified, placated, or satisfied.
No matter what changes are made or what is done the “unappeasable” won’t be happy.
--Midwest Christian Outreach
| The original recipients of Paul’s letter believed they were living in the last days and in a sense they were. Now almost two thousand years later things have spiraled downwards on everything that can be measured with the exception of sin. The Holy Spirit through Paul cites nineteen (19) moral characteristics that prove the last days have come upon us. If you simply consider each one of these expressions you will quickly see that they are all on grand display in our culture. It is not difficult to watch any of the latest movies and find all 19 in one film! The list rightly begins with the love of self, never forget this factoid: “ALL SIN IS SELFISH” a person can only “sin” for themselves ultimately. When anyone loves themselves supremely then that individual will lie, steal, cheat, break covenants in order to serve the one they love. Of the nineteen cited one in particular demands a bit of parsing to get a fuller understanding. When Paul uses the phrase “without natural affection” which has great significance today more so than in any other period of time.
Without Natural Affection — The word(“natural affection”) is one of four Greek words for “love,” but it is never used at all in the New Testament. It refers to the natural love that members of the same family have for each other. It is such a common characteristic of all peoples that there was apparently no occasion to refer to it at all –except it is present, when people lose their instinctive love for their own parents and children, and thus are “without affection.” One thinks of the widespread abortionism of these last days, as well as the modern breakdown of the family in general. |
|
II Timothy 3:6-9:
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. |
Eventually, wolves begin to show their teeth. That’s why Paul says such teachers in the church are like “Jannes and Jambres,” the names Hebrew tradition gave to the Egyptian sorcerers who wielded impressive magical power in their opposition to Moses (Exodus 7:10–12). Paul calls them “corrupt,” because their wrong teaching isn’t coming from a mere and sincere misunderstanding of the Scriptures, but from an intent to use the Scriptures to advance or protect their personal image of power and importance. When true gospel doctrine, either publicly taught or personally applied, threatens or thwarts the social (and usually financial) capital they covet, they aggressively and ruthlessly “oppose the truth,” and their folly becomes plain.
Watch for a pattern of pursuing church leadership positions that seems unhealthy. Watch for a charming charismatic personality that in the past has left a disproportionate number of disillusioned and wounded people in its wake. Watch for claims to and apparent demonstrations of the kinds of spiritual power valued in the church, but which encourage a troubling dependency on and loyalty to the leader(s). Watch for a group forming around a leader, noticeably comprised of susceptible, spiritually weak members, that begins to manifest distrust in godly church leaders. Watch for a pattern of conflicts with godly leaders and resistance to submit to leaders in general. -Jon Bloom; Desiring God |
|
II Timothy 3:12: Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
|
And people loved the darkness rather than the light” (John 3:19).
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13–14). |
Be careful of celebrating people being canceled because you disagree with their racial, political, or economic views. They are coming for Christians too! The world will celebrate you if you adopt their way of thinking. The world will cancel you if you arm yourself with a Christian way of thinking. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” You cannot be godly and popular at the same time. Christians are disowned, imprisoned, and persecuted. You may never face martyrdom. But if you do God’s will, they will malign you. Do not expect the world to treat you better than it treated Jesus. John 15:20 says, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master,’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” -HB Charles Jr
What it means to be a good soldier who suffers in the midst of warfare is given further expression by Paul in 3:12, the second verse above. And once again, the suffering that is assumed by Paul here is not mere human suffering which is common to all – inclusive of believer and unbeliever. But the suffering that is in view is the suffering that comes to those who “will be persecuted.” Further, the persecution that arises is not opposition from unbelievers as such. Unbelievers may in fact oppose a person – whether a believer or fellow unbeliever – for good reasons (such as lawful cases of legal prosecution, or self-defense, etc). But what is in view here is opposition, persecution (i.e., suffering) that arises in opposition to those who “live a godly life.” In a different context Jesus speaks about those who are “persecuted for righteousness sake” (Matt 5:10; cf. 1 Peter 3:14). But, one more important idea needs to be underscored. Note that for Paul it is those who “desire” to live a godly life who will be persecuted. There is something, according to Paul, about the godly desires and affections of the believer which elicits a counter-response of opposition by unbelievers.
One contextual observation is necessary here. The persecution here may in fact be state-sponsored opposition to the righteous living of Christians. In context, Paul mentions his own persecution in v. 11, in the cities of Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (cf. Acts 13 and 14). It is interesting to note that the persecution that arose there always came by “the Jews.” In some instances, like in Iconium, “the rulers” are mentioned as complicit in the plot to stone Paul and Barnabas (14:5). Women “of high standing” and “leading men” are mentioned in Antioch (13:50). However, leaders or city officials are not mentioned at all in Lystra. But what is striking for our purposes is that while officials may or may not be involved in the persecution of Paul and Barnabas, it is the general population of the cities, specifically unbelieving Jews, who lead the opposition. In other words, it does not appear to be the state who is the primary antagonist to the Gospel and the “good soldier of Jesus Christ.” In short, the “persecution” here does not seem to come only, or even primarily, from the state. It comes from all manner of unbelievers. -James J Cassidy; The Victorious Soldier
One contextual observation is necessary here. The persecution here may in fact be state-sponsored opposition to the righteous living of Christians. In context, Paul mentions his own persecution in v. 11, in the cities of Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (cf. Acts 13 and 14). It is interesting to note that the persecution that arose there always came by “the Jews.” In some instances, like in Iconium, “the rulers” are mentioned as complicit in the plot to stone Paul and Barnabas (14:5). Women “of high standing” and “leading men” are mentioned in Antioch (13:50). However, leaders or city officials are not mentioned at all in Lystra. But what is striking for our purposes is that while officials may or may not be involved in the persecution of Paul and Barnabas, it is the general population of the cities, specifically unbelieving Jews, who lead the opposition. In other words, it does not appear to be the state who is the primary antagonist to the Gospel and the “good soldier of Jesus Christ.” In short, the “persecution” here does not seem to come only, or even primarily, from the state. It comes from all manner of unbelievers. -James J Cassidy; The Victorious Soldier
|
First, The Man to whom you credit for founding that which you call Christianity, told you that, by following Him, which supposedly is what the word Christian should mean, you would be persecuted. Trust me here, but He didn’t mean persecution by having your opinions and childish symbols questioned in the public arena, but that you would be persecuted by being in the arena with ravenous animals. Even if some of the claims that this ever happened in great scale may be doubtful, but if they are true, having your neighborhood oppose to your Christmas decoration, having a rock with the Ten Commandments removed from a Court House, having pundits mocking you on television, having the government interfere with the free practice of your religion, is far, far, far, may I say, far, better than to be martyred and genuinely persecuted, whether it be in the Roman Arena or in some town in the Middle East. There is a Brazilian saying, obviously inherited from our Portuguese ancestors that says that “hot pepper in the other fellow’s eyes, refreshes the eye of the beholder.” That means, in other words, someone else’s suffering and agony can often make us feel comfortable and blessed! Yes, Christians today should look upon genuine cases of persecution and martyrdom and quit the stupidity and the laughable use of the “P” word and enjoy their very real peace they have in America.
Second, I have said many times, I believe that those who are opposing to what is labeled Christian symbols today are unknowingly doing God’s work because it is past the time that Christians would stop cheapening the message of the Gospel attempting to tell its story with nothing but nursery rhymes as if everyone was in the toddler Sunday School class of a small church where the Sunday School teachers are as trained in what they do as the toddlers they teach. Christianity should stop developing public displays of faith so as to replace their inability to reasonably do what one of their leaders of the past said that they should do which is “be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you”. Oh, Christians today have had it easy in America; no one for ages questioned them “Christian what you believe?” The overwhelming majority of Christians cannot provide a public profession of faith that will give them some credit for thinking and believing the way they do. The opposition to high Christian education is rampant among some Christian circles, the opposition and the name calling of theologians who attempt to train Christians and to equip them with “intellectual ammo” (to parody a known Christian Web Site), is so fierce that, a few theologians of whom I know will refuse invitations to speak in Churches, which is the very place they should be! So, you are not being persecuted; you are just not being persuasive enough about your faith. Well, I know that many will disagree with me and say that Christians do not have to explain anything, that this is the role of something questionable called “apologetic” and that I am saying the things that I say because I am myself a liberal (thus labeling me and drawing slanderous conclusions abut me as well), therefore I think the way I think and write these things here. I know that persecution must come for the reason I mentioned above, namely, Jesus Christ said they would! But we are far from there yet! We are still feeling that sense of comfort as we gaze upon the visual effects available in art which depict the real result of persecution in the past. It is not because one is liberal or conservative that they will call balderdash the exaggeration of that which Christians call persecution; it is because, simply, by the “standards” of persecution, no one yet is being persecuted! Perhaps, at this point, to be fair, I should say that I am fully aware when things go against my ways and the ways of those who write mocking, or fairly warning, Christians for their persecution complex, we will raise the same banner of the “P” word, but until then, allow me to create my own “P” word, but rather than persecution, let that “P” word be a few other good “P” words: Perseverance, Persuasion, and Patience. What motivated to write this? Well, there is a movie, supposedly a Christian movie (what is a Christian movie anyway?) called “Persecuted” a name that, for the reasons expounded in this piece, I refuse to go see! From this right-wing perspective Christians should be imitators of Christ and not imitators of the methods of those who prefer to shut the opposition up by emphasizing words whose purpose is none other than to shut up open and salutary discourse |
ii timothy 3:16-17
