Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 2 Timothy » Chapter 3 » Verse 1-17

2 Timothy 3:1-17 King James Version (KJV)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

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.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


2 Timothy 3:1-17 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 This G5124 know G1097 also, G1161 that G3754 in G1722 the last G2078 days G2250 perilous G5467 times G2540 shall come. G1764

2 For G1063 men G444 shall be G2071 lovers of their own selves, G5367 covetous, G5366 boasters, G213 proud, G5244 blasphemers, G989 disobedient G545 to parents, G1118 unthankful, G884 unholy, G462

3 Without natural affection, G794 trucebreakers, G786 false accusers, G1228 incontinent, G193 fierce, G434 despisers of those that are good, G865

4 Traitors, G4273 heady, G4312 highminded, G5187 lovers of pleasures G5369 more G3123 than G2228 lovers of God; G5377

5 Having G2192 a form G3446 of godliness, G2150 but G1161 denying G720 the power G1411 thereof: G846 from G2532 such G5128 turn away. G665

6 For G1063 of G1537 this sort G5130 are they G1526 which creep G1744 into G1519 houses, G3614 and G2532 lead captive G162 silly women G1133 laden G4987 with sins, G266 led away G71 with divers G4164 lusts, G1939

7 Ever G3842 learning, G3129 and G2532 never G3368 able G1410 to come G2064 to G1519 the knowledge G1922 of the truth. G225

8 G3739 Now G1161 as G5158 Jannes G2389 and G2532 Jambres G2387 withstood G436 Moses, G3475 so G3779 do G436 these G3778 also G2532 resist G436 the truth: G225 men G444 of corrupt G2704 minds, G3563 reprobate G96 concerning G4012 the faith. G4102

9 But G235 they shall proceed G4298 no G3756 further: G1909 G4119 for G1063 their G846 folly G454 shall be G2071 manifest G1552 unto all G3956 men, as G5613 theirs G1565 also G2532 was. G1096

10 But G1161 thou G4771 hast fully known G3877 my G3450 doctrine, G1319 manner of life, G72 purpose, G4286 faith, G4102 longsuffering, G3115 charity, G26 patience, G5281

11 Persecutions, G1375 afflictions, G3804 which G3634 came G1096 unto me G3427 at G1722 Antioch, G490 at G1722 Iconium, G2430 at G1722 Lystra; G3082 what G3634 persecutions G1375 I endured: G5297 but G2532 out of G1537 them all G3956 the Lord G2962 delivered G4506 me. G3165

12 Yea, G1161 and G2532 all G3956 that will G2309 live G2198 godly G2153 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 shall suffer persecution. G1377

13 But G1161 evil G4190 men G444 and G2532 seducers G1114 shall wax G4298 worse and worse, G1909 G5501 deceiving, G4105 and G2532 being deceived. G4105

14 But G1161 continue G3306 thou G4771 in G1722 the things which G3739 thou hast learned G3129 and G2532 hast been assured of, G4104 knowing G1492 of G3844 whom G5101 thou hast learned G3129 them;

15 And G2532 that G3754 from G575 a child G1025 thou hast known G1492 the holy G2413 scriptures, G1121 which G3588 are able G1410 to make G4679 thee G4571 wise G4679 unto G1519 salvation G4991 through G1223 faith G4102 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424

16 All G3956 scripture G1124 is given by inspiration of God, G2315 and G2532 is profitable G5624 for G4314 doctrine, G1319 for G4314 reproof, G1650 for G4314 correction, G1882 for G4314 instruction G3809 in G1722 righteousness: G1343

17 That G2443 the man G444 of God G2316 may be G5600 perfect, G739 throughly furnished G1822 unto G4314 all G3956 good G18 works. G2041


2 Timothy 3:1-17 American Standard (ASV)

1 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,

4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away.

6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,

7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.

10 But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,

11 persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

15 And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 Every scripture inspired of God `is' also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.


2 Timothy 3:1-17 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And this know thou, that in the last days there shall come perilous times,

2 for men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, evil-speakers, to parents disobedient, unthankful, unkind,

3 without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, not lovers of those who are good,

4 traitors, heady, lofty, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God,

5 having a form of piety, and its power having denied; and from these be turning away,

6 for of these there are those coming into the houses and leading captive the silly women, laden with sins, led away with desires manifold,

7 always learning, and never to a knowledge of truth able to come,

8 and, even as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, so also these do stand against the truth, men corrupted in mind, disapproved concerning the faith;

9 but they shall not advance any further, for their folly shall be manifest to all, as theirs also did become.

10 And thou -- thou hast followed after my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, endurance,

11 the persecutions, the afflictions, that befel me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of all the Lord did deliver me,

12 and all also who will to live piously in Christ Jesus shall be persecuted,

13 and evil men and impostors shall advance to the worse, leading astray and being led astray.

14 And thou -- be remaining in the things which thou didst learn and wast entrusted with, having known from whom thou didst learn,

15 and because from a babe the Holy Writings thou hast known, which are able to make thee wise -- to salvation, through faith that `is' in Christ Jesus;

16 every Writing `is' God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for setting aright, for instruction that `is' in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be fitted -- for every good work having been completed.


2 Timothy 3:1-17 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 But this know, that in [the] last days difficult times shall be there;

2 for men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, evil speakers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, profane,

3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, of unsubdued passions, savage, having no love for what is good,

4 traitors, headlong, of vain pretensions, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

5 having a form of piety but denying the power of it: and from these turn away.

6 For of these are they who are getting into houses, and leading captive silly women, laden with sins, led by various lusts,

7 always learning, and never able to come to [the] knowledge of [the] truth.

8 Now in the same manner in which Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, thus these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, found worthless as regards the faith.

9 But they shall not advance farther; for their folly shall be completely manifest to all, as that of those also became.

10 But *thou* hast been thoroughly acquainted with my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, endurance,

11 persecutions, sufferings: what [sufferings] happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra; what persecutions I endured; and the Lord delivered me out of all.

12 And all indeed who desire to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

13 But wicked men and juggling impostors shall advance in evil, leading and being led astray.

14 But *thou*, abide in those things which thou hast learned, and [of which] thou hast been fully persuaded, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];

15 and that from a child thou hast known the sacred letters, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which [is] in Christ Jesus.

16 Every scripture [is] divinely inspired, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;

17 that the man of God may be complete, fully fitted to every good work.


2 Timothy 3:1-17 World English Bible (WEB)

1 But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come.

2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,

4 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also.

6 For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

7 always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.

10 But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

11 persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.

15 From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

16 Every writing inspired by God{literally, God-breathed} is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.


2 Timothy 3:1-17 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 But be certain of this, that in the last days times of trouble will come.

2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, uplifted in pride, given to bitter words, going against the authority of their fathers, never giving praise, having no religion,

3 Without natural love, bitter haters, saying evil of others, violent and uncontrolled, hating all good,

4 False to their friends, acting without thought, lifted up in mind, loving pleasure more than God;

5 Having a form of religion, but turning their backs on the power of it: go not with these.

6 For these are they who go secretly into houses, making prisoners of foolish women, weighted down with sin, turned from the way by their evil desires,

7 Ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of what is true.

8 And as James and Jambres went against Moses, so do these go against what is true: men of evil minds, who, tested by faith, are seen to be false.

9 But they will go no farther: for their foolish behaviour will be clear to all men, as theirs was in the end.

10 But you took as your example my teaching, behaviour, purpose, and faith; my long waiting, my love, my quiet undergoing of trouble;

11 My punishments and pain; the things which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; the cruel attacks made on me: and the Lord made me free from them all.

12 Yes, and all whose purpose is to be living in the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, will be cruelly attacked.

13 Evil and false men will become worse and worse, using deceit and themselves overcome by deceit.

14 But see that you keep to the teaching you have been given and the things of which you are certain, conscious of who has been your teacher;

15 And that from the time when you were a child, you have had knowledge of the holy Writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.

16 Every holy Writing which comes from God is of profit for teaching, for training, for guiding, for education in righteousness:

17 So that the man of God may be complete, trained and made ready for every good work.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Timothy 3

Commentary on 2 Timothy 3 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 3

  • I. The apostle forewarns Timothy what the last days would be, with the reasons thereof (v. 1-9).
  • II. Prescribes various remedies against them (v. 10-17), particularly his own example ("But thou hast fully known my doctrine,' etc.) and the knowledge of the holy scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation, and will be the best antidote against the corruptions of the times we live in.

In this chapter Paul tells Timothy how bad others would be, and therefore how good he should be; and this use we should make of the badness of others, thereby to engage us to hold our own integrity so much the firmer.

2Ti 3:1-9

Timothy must not think it strange if there were in the church bad men; for the net of the gospel was to enclose both good fish and bad, Mt. 13:47, 48. Jesus Christ had foretold (Mt. 24) that there would come seducers, and therefore we must not be offended at it, nor think the worse of religion or the church for it. Even in gold ore there will be dross, and a great deal of chaff among the wheat when it lies on the floor.

  • I. Timothy must know that in the last days (v. 1), in gospel times, there would come perilous times. Though gospel times were times of reformation in many respects, let him know that even in gospel times there would be perilous times; not so much on account of persecution from without as on account of corruptions within. These would be difficult times, wherein it would be difficult for a man to keep a good conscience. He does not say, "Perilous times shall come, for both Jews and Gentiles shall be combined to root out Christianity;' but "perilous times shall come, for such as have the form of godliness (v. 5) shall be corrupt and wicked, and do a great deal of damage to the church.' Two traitors within the garrison may do more hurt to it than two thousand besiegers without. Perilous times shall come, for men shall be wicked. Note,
    • 1. Sin makes the times perilous. When there is a general corruption of manners, and of the tempers of men, this makes the times dangerous to live in; for it is hard to keep our integrity in the midst of general corruption.
    • 2. The coming of perilous times is an evidence of the truth of scripture-predictions; if the event in this respect did not answer to the prophecy, we might be tempted to question the divinity of the Bible.
    • 3. We are all concerned to know this, to believe and consider it, that we may not be surprised when we see the times perilous: This know also.
  • II. Paul tells Timothy what would be the occasion of making these times perilous, or what shall be the marks and signs whereby these times may be known, v. 2, etc.
    • 1. Self-love will make the times perilous. Who is there who does not love himself? But this is meant of an irregular sinful self-love. Men love their carnal selves better than their spiritual selves. Men love to gratify their own lusts, and make provision for them, more than to please God and do their duty. Instead of Christian charity, which takes care for the good of others, they will mind themselves only, and prefer their own gratification before the church's edification.
    • 2. Covetousness. Observe, Self-love brings in a long train of sins and mischiefs. When men are lovers of themselves, no good can be expected from them, as all good may be expected from those who love God with all their hearts. When covetousness generally prevails, when every man is for what he can get and for keeping what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another, and obliges every man to stand on his guard against his neighbour.
    • 3. Pride and vain-glory. The times are perilous when men, being proud of themselves, are boasters and blasphemers, boasters before men whom they despise and look upon with scorn, and blasphemers of God and of his name. When men do not fear God they will not regard man, and so vice versâ.
    • 4. When children are disobedient to their parents, and break through the obligations which they lie under to them both in duty and gratitude, and frequently in interest, having their dependence upon them and their expectation from them, they make the times perilous; for what wickedness will those stick at who will be abusive to their own parents and rebel against them?
    • 5. Unthankfulness and unholiness make the times perilous, and these two commonly go together. What is the reason that men are unholy and without the fear of God, but that they are unthankful for the mercies of God? Ingratitude and impiety go together; for call a man ungrateful, and you can call him by no worse name. Unthankful, and impure, defiled with fleshly lusts, which is an instance of great ingratitude to that God who has provided so well for the support of the body; we abuse his gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts.
    • 6. The times are perilous when men will not be held by the bonds either of nature or common honesty, when they are without natural affection, and truce-breakers, v. 3. There is a natural affection due to all. Wherever there is the human nature, there should be humanity towards those of the same nature, but especially between relations. Times are perilous when children are disobedient to their parents (v. 2) and when parents are without natural affection to their children, v. 3. See what a corruption of nature sin is, how it deprives men even of that which nature has implanted in them for the support of their own kind; for the natural affection of parents to their children is that which contributes very much to the keeping up of mankind upon the earth. And those who will not be bound by natural affection, no marvel that they will not be bound by the most solemn leagues and covenants. They are truce-breakers, that make no conscience of the engagements they have laid themselves under.
    • 7. The times are perilous when men are false accusers one of another, diaboloi-devils one to another, having no regard to the good name of others, or to the religious obligations of an oath, but thinking themselves at liberty to say and do what they please, Ps. 12:4.
    • 8. When men have no government of themselves and their own appetites: not of their own appetites, for they are incontinent; not of their own passions, for they are fierce; when they have no rule over their own spirits, and therefore are like a city that is broken down, and has no walls; they are soon fired, upon the least provocation.
    • 9. When that which is good and ought to be honoured is generally despised and looked upon with contempt. It is the pride of persecutors that they look with contempt upon good people, though they are more excellent than their neighbours.
    • 10. When men are generally treacherous, wilful, and haughty, the times are perilous (v. 4)-when men are traitors, heady, high-minded. Our Saviour has foretold that the brother shall betray the brother to death and the father the child (Mt. 10:21), and those are the worst sort of traitors: those who delivered up their Bibles to persecutors were called traditores, for they betrayed the trust committed to them. When men are petulant and puffed up, behaving scornfully to all about them, and when this temper generally prevails, then the times are perilous.
    • 11. When men are generally lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. When there are more epicures than true Christians, then the times are bad indeed. God is to be loved above all. That is a carnal mind, and is full of enmity against him, which prefers any thing before him, especially such a sordid thing as carnal pleasure is.
    • 12. When, notwithstanding all this, they have the form of godliness (v. 5), are called by the Christian name, baptized into the Christian faith, and make a show of religion; but, how plausible soever their form of godliness is, they deny the power of it. When they take upon them the form which should and would bring along with it the power thereof, they will put asunder what God hath joined together: they will assume the form of godliness, to take away their reproach; but they will not submit to the power of it, to take away their sin. Observe here,
      • (1.) Men may be very bad and wicked under a profession of religion; they may be lovers of themselves, etc., yet have a form of godliness.
      • (2.) A form of godliness is a very different thing from the power of it; men may have the one and be wholly destitute of the other; yea, they deny it, at least practically in their lives.
      • (3.) From such good Christians must withdraw themselves.
  • III. Here Paul warns Timothy to take heed of certain seducers, not only that he might not be drawn away by them himself, but that he might arm those who were under his charge against their seduction.
    • 1. He shows how industrious they were to make proselytes (v. 6): they applied themselves to particular persons, visited them in their houses, not daring to appear openly; for those that do evil hate the light, Jn. 3:20. They were not forced into houses, as good Christians often were by persecution; but they of choice crept into houses, to insinuate themselves into the affections and good opinion of people, and so to draw them over to their party. And see what sort of people those were that they gained, and made proselytes of; they were such as were weak, silly women; and such as were wicked, laden with sins, and led away with divers lusts. A foolish head and a filthy heart make persons, especially women, an easy prey to seducers.
    • 2. He shows how far they were from coming to the knowledge of the truth, though they pretended to be ever learning, v. 7. In one sense we must all be ever learning, that is, growing in knowledge, following on to know the Lord, pressing forward; but these were sceptics, giddy and unstable, who were forward to imbibe every new notion, under pretence of advancement in knowledge, but never came to a right understanding of the truth as it is in Jesus.
    • 3. He foretels the certain stop that should be put to their progress (v. 8, 9), comparing them to the Egyptian magicians who withstood Moses, and who are here named, Jannes and Jambres; though the names are not to be met with in the story of the Old Testament, yet they are found in some old Jewish writers. When Moses came with a divine command to fetch Israel out of Egypt, these magicians opposed him. Thus those heretics resisted the truth and like them were men of corrupt minds, men who had their understandings perverted, biassed and prejudiced against the truth, and reprobate concerning the faith, or very far from being true Christians; but they shall proceed no further, or not much further, as some read it. Observe,
      • (1.) Seducers seek for corners, and love obscurity; for they are afraid to appear in public, and therefore creep into houses. Further, They attack those who are the least able to defend themselves, silly and wicked women.
      • (2.) Seducers in all ages are much alike. Their characters are the same-namely, Men of corrupt minds, etc.; their conduct is much the same-they resist the truth, as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses; and they will be alike in their disappointment.
      • (3.) Those who resist the truth are guilty of folly, yea, of egregious folly; for magna est veritas, et praevalebit-Great is the truth, and shall prevail.
      • (4.) Though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, God has it in a chain. Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further and no longer than God will permit him: Their folly shall be manifest, it shall appear that they are imposters, and every man shall abandon them.

2Ti 3:10-17

Here the apostle, to confirm Timothy in that way wherein he walked,

  • I. Sets before him his own example, which Timothy had been an eye-witness of, having long attended Paul (v. 10): Thou hast fully known my doctrine. The more fully we know the doctrine of Christ and the apostles, the more closely we shall cleave to it; the reason why many sit loose to it is because they do not fully know it. Christ's apostles had no enemies but those who did not know them, or not know them fully; those who knew them best loved and honoured them the most. Now what is it that Timothy had so fully known in Paul?
    • 1. The doctrine that he preached. Paul kept back nothing from his hearers, but declared to them the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), so that if it were not their own fault they might fully know it. Timothy had a great advantage in being trained up under such a tutor, and being apprised of the doctrine he preached.
    • 2. He had fully known his conversation: Thou hast fully know my doctrine, and manner of life; his manner of life was of a piece with his doctrine, and did not contradict it. He did not pull down by his living what he built up by his preaching. Those ministers are likely to do good, and leave lasting fruits of their labours, whose manner of life agrees with their doctrine; as, on the contrary, those cannot expect to profit the people at all that preach well and live ill.
    • 3. Timothy fully knew what was the great thing that Paul had in view, both in his preaching and in his conversation: "Thou hast known my purpose, what I drive at, how far it is from any worldly, carnal, secular design, and how sincerely I aim at the glory of God and the good of the souls of men.'
    • 4. Timothy fully knew Paul's good character, which he might gather from his doctrine, manner of life, and purpose; for he gave proofs of his faith (that is, of his integrity and fidelity, or his faith in Christ, his faith concerning another world, by which Paul lived), his long-suffering towards the churches to which he preached and over which he presided, his charity towards all men, and his patience. These were graces that Paul was eminent for, and Timothy knew it.
    • 5. He knew that he had suffered ill for doing well (v. 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.'
    • 6. He knew what care God had taken of him: Notwithstanding out of them all the Lord delivered me; as he never failed his cause, so his God never failed him. Thou hast fully known my afflictions. 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 (v. 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. They must expect to be despised, and that their religion will stand in the way of their preferment; those who will live godly must expect it, especially those who will live godly in Christ Jesus, that is, according to the strict rules of the Christian religion, those who will wear the livery and bear the name of the crucified Redeemer. 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. Observe,
      • (1.) The apostle's life was very exemplary for three things: for his doctrine, which was according to the will of God; for his life, which was agreeable to his doctrine; and for his persecutions and sufferings.
      • (2.) 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. Here he mentions his persecutions and afflictions at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, besides what he suffered elsewhere.
      • (3.) The apostle mentions the Lord's delivering him out of them all, for Timothy's and our encouragement under sufferings.
      • (4.) We have the practice and treatment of true Christians: they live godly in Jesus Christ-this is their practice; and they shall suffer persecution-this is the usage they must expect in this world.
  • II. 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, etc., v. 13. Observe, As good men, by the grace of God, grow better and better, so bad men, through the subtlety of Satan and the power of their own corruptions, grow worse and worse. The way of sin is down-hill; for such proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Those who deceive others do but deceive themselves; those who draw others into error run themselves into more and more mistakes, and they will find it so at last, to their cost.
  • III. He directs him to keep close to a good education, and particularly to what he had learned out of the holy scriptures (v. 14, 15): Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned. Note, It is not enough to learn that which is good, but we must continue in it, and persevere in it unto the end. Then are we Christ's disciples indeed, Jn. 8:31. We should not be any more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, Eph. 4:14. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, Heb. 13:9. And for this reason we should continue in the things we have learned from the holy scriptures; not that we ought to continue in any errors and mistakes which we may have been led into, in the time of our childhood and youth (for these, upon an impartial enquiry and full conviction, we should forsake); but this makes nothing against our continuing in those things which the holy scriptures plainly assert, and which he that runs may read. If Timothy would adhere to the truth as he had been taught it, this would arm him against the snares and insinuations of seducers. Observe, Timothy must continue in the things which he had learned and had been assured of.
    • 1. It is a great happiness to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed (Lu. 1:4); not only to know what the truths are, but to know that they are of undoubted certainty. What we have learned we must labour to be more and more assured of, that, being grounded in the truth, we may be guarded against error, for certainty in religion is of great importance and advantage: Knowing,
      • (1.) "That thou hast had good teachers. Consider of whom thou hast learned them; not of evil men and seducers, but good men, who had themselves experienced the power of the truths they taught thee, and been ready to suffer for them, and thereby would give the fullest evidence of their belief of these truths.'
      • (2.) "Knowing especially the firm foundation upon which thou hast built, namely, that of the scripture (v. 15): That from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.'
    • 2. Those who would acquaint themselves with the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the holy scriptures, for these are the summary of divine revelation.
    • 3. It is a great happiness to know the holy scriptures from our childhood; and children should betimes get the knowledge of the scriptures. The age of children is the learning age; and those who would get true learning must get it out of the scriptures.
    • 4. The scriptures we are to know are the holy scriptures; they come from the holy God, were delivered by holy men, contain holy precepts, treat of holy things, and were designed to make us holy and to lead us in the way of holiness to happiness; being called the holy scriptures, they are by this distinguished from profane writings of all sorts, and from those that only treat morality, and common justice and honesty, but do not meddle with holiness. If we would know the holy scriptures, we must read and search them daily, as the noble Bereans did, Acts 17:11. They must not lie by us neglected, and seldom or never looked into. Now here observe,
      • (1.) What is the excellency of the scripture. It is given by inspiration of God (v. 16), and therefore is his word. It is a divine revelation, which we may depend upon as infallibly true. The same Spirit that breathed reason into us breathes revelation among us: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men spoke as they were moved or carried forth by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pt. 1:21. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but what they received of the Lord that they delivered unto us. That the scripture was given by inspiration of God appears from the majesty of its style,-from the truth, purity, and sublimity, of the doctrines contained in it,-from the harmony of its several parts,-from its power and efficacy on the minds of multitudes that converse with it,-from the accomplishment of many prophecies relating to things beyond all human foresight,-and from the uncontrollable miracles that were wrought in proof of its divine original: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will, Heb. 2:4.
      • (2.) What use it will be of to us.
        • [1.] It is able to make us wise to salvation; that is, it is a sure guide in our way to eternal life. Note, Those are wise indeed who are wise to salvation. The scriptures are able to make us truly wise, wise for our souls and another world. "To make thee wise to salvation through faith.' Observe, The scriptures will make us wise to salvation, if they be mixed with faith, and not otherwise, Heb. 4:2. For, if we do not believe their truth and goodness, they will do us no good.
        • [2.] It is profitable to us for all the purposes of the Christian life, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. It answers all the ends of divine revelation. It instructs us in that which is true, reproves us for that which is amiss, directs us in that which is good. It is of use to all, for we all need to be instructed, corrected, and reproved: it is of special use to ministers, who are to give instruction, correction, and reproof; and whence can they fetch it better than from the scripture?
        • [3.] That the man of God may be perfect, v. 17. The Christian, the minister, is the man of God. That which finishes a man of God in this world is the scripture. By it we are thoroughly furnished for every good work. There is that in the scripture which suits every case. Whatever duty we have to do, whatever service is required from us, we may find enough in the scriptures to furnish us for it.
      • (3.) On the whole we here see,
        • [1.] That the scripture has various uses, and answers divers ends and purposes: It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction of all errors in judgment and practice, and for instruction in righteousness.
        • [2.] 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, etc.
        • [3.] If we consult the scripture, which was given by inspiration of God, and follow its directions, we shall be made men of God, perfect, and thoroughly furnished to every good work.
        • [4.] There is no occasion for the writings of the philosopher, nor for rabbinical fables, nor popish legends, nor unwritten traditions, to make us perfect men of God, since the scripture answers all these ends and purposes. O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us.