2 Timothy 3-4
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Chapter 3
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days – Terrible times means “hard to bear, dangerous, troublesome.”
2 People will be lovers of themselves – philautoi, “self-centered, narcissistic”
2-5 (1) lovers of themselves (philautoi, “self-centered, narcissistic”); (2) lovers of money (philargyroi; cf. 1 Tim. 6:9-10); (3) boastful—the outward manifestation of the fact that inwardly they are (4) proud (“arrogant”); (5) abusive toward others, which translates blasphēmoi (“blasphemers”). Several of the words which follow begin in the Greek with the prefix a-, meaning “without” (as in moral-amoral, theist-atheist), signifying absence of the designated virtue. Thus people will be (6) disobedient (apeitheis) to their parents; (7) ungrateful (acharistoi); (8) unholy (anosioi); (9) without love (astorgoi, trans. “heartless” in Rom. 1:31, the only other place it is used in the NT); (10) unforgiving (aspondoi). Diaboloi, a word usually translated “devil” (cf. 1 Tim. 3:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:26), is used here with the root meaning (11) slanderous; (12) without self-control (akrateis); (13) brutal (anēmeroi, lit., “untamed,” the opposite of civilized); (14) not lovers of the good (aphilagathoi; cf. Titus 1:8; Pss. 15:4; 19:8). The next two characteristics begin in the Greek with the prefix pro-, indicating an aggressive inclination toward vice: (15) treacherous (prodotai, “disposed toward betrayal”); (16) rash (propeteis, “disposed toward recklessness”). The final three characteristics are (17) conceited (lit., “puffed up”; cf. 1 Tim. 3:6; 6:4); (18) lovers of pleasure (philēdonoi) rather than lovers of God (philotheoi; the Gr. prefix phil- here and in characteristics 1, 2, and 14 above signifies “lovers of…”); (19) having a form (morphōsin, “outward shape,” used only here and in Rom. 2:20) of godliness but denying its power (cf. Titus 1:16). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament Copyright 1983, SP Publications, Inc. by John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women – “worm” literally means “to sink into.”
8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses – Cf. (Exodus 7:8-13; 19-23; 8:5-7; 16-19). Rev 13:13-14.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work – Theopneustos literally means God breathed. Teaching means instructing believers in God’s truth. Rebuking means to rebuke sin (cf. 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:2), correcting those in error (cf. 2 Tim. 2:25; 4:2), and training (paideian, lit., “child-training”) in righteousness (guiding new believers in God’s ways).
Chapter 4
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge – The Greek word translated appearing epiphaneia is found only in the letters of Paul. He uses it once of Christ’s incarnation (2 Tim. 1:10) and once of His coming to destroy Antichrist at the end of the Great Tribulation (2 Thess. 2:8). In all four of the other instances, he uses it of Christ’s taking His saints to be with Himself at the Rapture (here; in 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:8; and Titus 2:13).
2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction – Cf. 2Cor 4:5.
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear – This shows us that the most popular preachers and teachers are not necessarily the most faithful ones.
4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths – Cf. The Oprah Winfrey Show, Watchtower et al.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure – Cf. Numbers 28:4-7.
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness – “crown” = victor’s crown of the Olympic Games = stephanos.
12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus – Tychicus, was a trusted companion (Acts 20:4) and messenger (he delivered the letters of Ephesians and Colossians—see Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7), had already left for Ephesus.
13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments – A cloak was a large, heavy wool garment that served as both coat and blanket in cold weather. The parchments (Greek membranas) were vellum sheets, made of specially treated animal hides.
21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers –
“Pudens and Claudia-afterwards husband and wife (according to Martial [Epigrams, 4.13; 11.54]), he a Roman knight, she a Briton, surnamed Rufina. Tacitus [On Agriculture, 14], mentions that territories in southeast Britain were given to a British king; Cogidunus, in reward for his fidelity to Rome, A.D. 52, while Claudius was emperor. In 1772 a marble was dug up at Chichester, mentioning Cogidunus with the surname Claudius, added from his patron, the emperor’s name; and Pudens in connection with Cogidunus, doubtless his father-in-law. His daughter would be Claudia, who seems to have been sent to Rome for education, as a pledge of the father’s fidelity. Here she was under the protection of Pomponia, wife of Aulus Plautius, conqueror of Britain. Pomponia was accused of foreign superstitions, A.D. 57 [Tacitus, Annals, 3.32], probably Christianity. She probably was the instrument of converting Claudia, who took the name Rufina from her, that being a cognomen of the Pomponian gens (compare Ro 16:13, Rufus, a Christian). Pudens in Martial and in the Chichester inscription, appears as a pagan; but perhaps he or his friends concealed his Christianity through fear. Tradition represents Timothy, a son of Pudens, as taking part in converting the Britons.” JAMIESON-FAUSSETT-BROWN
COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BIBLE By Robert Jamieson, A. R. Faussett, David Brown
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