Introduction

In 2 Timothy 3:1–4:5, Paul warns Timothy about the difficult times of the last days, where selfishness and false teaching will thrive. Paul contrasts the corruption of false doctrine with the power and profitability of God’s Word, which equips His people for every good work. Paul exhorts Timothy to remain steadfast in sound teaching, to preach the Word boldly, and to confront darkness with truth and grace, even in the face of opposition.

Key Points

• Main Point: Sound doctrine sets us apart for honourable use.
• Purpose: Be set apart in sound doctrine, and gently correct those who promote false doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:1

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

Paul warns that the last days—our time before Christ’s return—will be marked by difficulty, with increasing disasters and persecutions (Mt 24:3–14). Recognizing this, we must stay spiritually alert and look to Christ, living in the light and not in fear (1 Th 5:5–6).

2 Timothy 3:2–5a

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

Paul describes a world consumed by selfishness, greed, pride, and rebellion, where people love pleasure more than God and appear religious but deny His power. As selfishness grows, so does conflict and rejection of God’s truth. The Holy Spirit convicts us and turns our hearts away from this corruption toward God’s love and holiness.

2 Timothy 3:2; 4

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…

Loving self, money, and pleasure more than God is the essence of false doctrine—it places personal desires above obedience to God. We live in a world overflowing with these temptations, but God calls us to love Him above all else and resist both external and internal influences that lead us astray.

2 Timothy 3:5a

…having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

Many appear godly but reject the transforming power of God. True faith doesn’t just look religious; it changes lives through a right knowledge of God’s character. Being religious without knowing God leads to empty hypocrisy.

2 Timothy 3:5b–7

Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

False teachers prey on vulnerable believers, twisting their view of God’s goodness and trapping them in deception. We are just as vulnerable today if we do not ground ourselves in Scripture. We must test all teaching against God’s Word and reject anything that diminishes our joy in His goodness.

2 Timothy 3:8–9

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, false teachers oppose the truth, corrupting minds and leading others astray. But their lies will be exposed, and God’s truth will stand. Selfish doctrine will ultimately be condemned, and only sound doctrine will endure.

2 Timothy 3:10–11a

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings…

Paul urges Timothy to follow his example of faithful endurance. Instead of following self-centered teachings, Timothy must model Paul’s unwavering devotion to Christ, seen in his teaching, conduct, faith, and even his sufferings.

2 Timothy 3:11b

…my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

Paul recalls the persecutions he endured for Christ, assuring Timothy that God rescued him every time. Persecution is inevitable for those who preach Christ, but God’s faithfulness remains our ultimate security.

2 Timothy 3:12–13

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Everyone who follows Christ will face persecution, while those who reject Him will spiral deeper into deception. If we live godly lives, we will face opposition, but Christ strengthens us to endure.

2 Timothy 3:14a–15

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul exhorts Timothy to continue believing the Gospel he has known since childhood, rooted in Scripture, which leads to salvation through faith in Christ. In trials, we must cling to God’s Word, which matures us in His saving work.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…

All Scripture is God-breathed and fully sufficient for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness. The Bible is not just words—it is the living truth that shapes us into Christ’s image.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching…

God’s Word teaches us who He is and what He desires. It is our primary source of truth, given through His prophets and apostles, so we may know Him personally.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable…for reproof…

Scripture exposes false beliefs, showing where our thinking contradicts God’s truth. God doesn’t just call out sin—He gives clear evidence of why we must turn from it.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable…for correction…

God’s Word not only points out error but also provides the right path. Through Scripture, He directs our hearts and minds toward His truth.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable…for training in righteousness…

Spiritual maturity comes through training in God’s Word, shaping us to live in obedience to Christ and reflect His righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:17

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

The purpose of Scripture is to equip believers for every good work. As we are transformed by God’s Word, we become skilled and effective in fulfilling His kingdom mission.

2 Timothy 4:1–2

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Paul solemnly charges Timothy to preach God’s Word with urgency, correcting, rebuking, and encouraging with patience. Grounded in Scripture, we must boldly proclaim truth in all circumstances, confronting darkness with the light of Christ.

2 Timothy 4:3a

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching…

People will reject sound doctrine because it challenges their sin. True teaching requires endurance because it confronts our pride and demands change.

2 Timothy 4:3b

…but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…

Rather than submitting to God’s truth, people will seek teachers who tell them what they want to hear. The world twists Scripture to fit its desires, but true believers submit to God’s Word as absolute truth.

2 Timothy 4:4

…and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Rejecting God’s truth leads to deception and spiritual blindness. Those who distort Scripture ultimately trap themselves in lies, drifting further from reality.

2 Timothy 4:5

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul commands Timothy to stay sober-minded, endure suffering, and fulfill his ministry. Proclaiming Christ means facing opposition, but as ambassadors of heaven, we press on, knowing Christ strengthens us for the mission.

Conclusion

Paul contrasts the self-centeredness and false teachings of the last days with the power of God’s Word to equip His people for every good work. Timothy is called to faithfully teach sound doctrine, endure suffering, and preach the Word boldly, even in the face of resistance and hostility.

Summary

1. Paul warns Timothy of the self-centeredness and deception of the last days (3:1–9).
2. Paul emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture to equip believers for every good work (3:10–17).
3. Paul charges Timothy to preach the Word and remain steadfast in the truth, even amidst opposition (4:1–5).