2 Timothy 3
About 2 TimothyWritten by AI
Second Timothy is Paul's farewell. He writes from prison in Rome, chained and abandoned by many, expecting to die soon. Traditionally this was his last letter, written around AD 66 or 67 not long before his execution. As with 1 Timothy, many modern scholars think a later follower wrote it in his name, while others hold that it is Paul's own.
Timothy is still leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to strengthen him: do not be ashamed, suffer hardship with me, guard the good news, and keep preaching the word whether people want to hear it or not. He also asks Timothy to come quickly before winter.
This is the most personal of the Pastoral Letters, full of names, memories, and tender concern. Watch for Paul's sense of finishing well: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Before you read 2 Timothy 3Written by AI
Paul warns that the last days will bring difficult times, with people who love themselves and money and keep a form of godliness while denying its power. Timothy has followed Paul's teaching and seen his sufferings. He should continue in what he learned from childhood in the sacred Scriptures, which are God breathed and equip God's people for every good work.
Evil in the Last Days
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone.
All Scripture Is God-Breathed
You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.