Review of 2Timothy 3

Review of 2Timothy 3

by Pastor Ayo Sparks

My prayer is that the profit of scripture becomes so evident in our lives reflecting Christ, Glorifying Christ. Chapter 3 of 2 Timothy presents a whole lot of verses that when pierced into would reveal an entire Bible without an extra 66books again. What I mean is that it’s not one of those chapters one reads as though one glosses over, it’s a chapter that conceals foundational truths of our Christian Life.

Are you ready to journey with me as we peep into just few verses sucking out juicy truths? Let’s go!

TOUGH TIMES FOR MINISTRY:

2 Timothy 3:1 KJV This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

I am sure you also noticed that Paul didn’t say “in the last day” but “in the last days” which suggests the plurality. There is definitely going to be a last fay, a D-Day which will culminate the totality of all the days of the world but concerning the church, we are told that before that D-Day there will be rehearsals for the D-Day which as in it features and characteristics.

The Sole feature of the last days is embedded in just one word “PERILOUS”. Before, I studied this chapter which is listed as one of the reference to Apocalypse, I had a inbuilt notion of the word PERILOUS and so I carry that definition to interpret every apocalyptic verse and of course rather than getting refreshed, reenergized and revigourated after reading the Bible, I got scared, jittery, confused and perplexed.

The same with many believers. Reading the Bible doesn’t excited them because they are scared of what will jump out at them while reading.

So, many of us have believed that the word PERILOUS times means times of persecution, killings, hardship, difficulty on having food to eat, money to spend, especially tending towards either the rapture or the end and of the world.

You’d say yes, what else does it mean after all other versions used the word difficult (NLT, NIV). Well, P’Sparks what is the other meaning?

The word PERILOUS in English means “full of danger and risk” which has so far informed our interpretation that perilous as to how with the end of the end. If it were so, then why hasn’t last days finished since all the decades.

Isaiah prophesied about the past days, Micah did, Daniel did, and did you also know that the last days probably began at Pentecost?

Acts 2:17 was the fulfillment to a prophecy made that Peter quoted… “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh…”

The day of Pentecost is going to like 2021 years ago… Yet it’s still called “Perilous times”. If that’s the case, then it won’t make an alignment with our hope. If perilous times isn’t necessarily about the end as we have thought then what it is? Let’s see what it means from the language Paul used to write- Greek

Perilous is the word “Chalepos” from idea of reducing strength from the base “chalao” which means to lower. Ok! Sounds boring! I know, but it will bless you when I arrange it together…

Now, let’s add it up… Substitute the original meaning “reduced strength” into that verse…  However, don’t forget that this letter is a personal letter of encouragement to Timothy to be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. He was given him a string for advices in which chapter 3 verse 1 began another loop on the same chain.

Paul, therefore, was not writing this letter to you on 2021, he was writing to Timothy in AD 67 addressing specific issues which could also be applied to us today. Plus, the original letter didn’t come with verses… With that in mind, let’s read…

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (GOGO Version) This know also, that in the last days there’ll be “reduced strength” because People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.

The reason why Timothy should keep away is not because they are far from him but because they are people who he would think should be ministry helpers. So, because of their activities, it will be a perilous time for Timothy in doing the work of the ministry. In order words, perilous times in the mind of Paul was a time when Timothy will feel a reduced strength hence finding it difficult in doing the work of ministry.

Like earlier mentioned, these people are not the general populace but men who are supposed to be part of the church.

Verse 5 | …they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power.

What then is the power?

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD unto salvation to ever one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Gospel is the power of God into Salvation. Salvation is the core of our “religion” and its power is not morality but the Gospel! These people will be all about Holiness unto the Lord but reject its power… Let me entrench this truth deeper… See the next verse. Don’t forget to always read the Bible in Context…

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

KJV made it complex…

As though these men flirt with the women and maybe have sexual relations with them but it is not so, it will nullify that they have an outward appearance of Christianity which is Morality…

Let’s see that verse in the Amplified…

For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate silly and weak-natured and spiritually dwarfed women, loaded down with [the burden of their] sins [and easily] swayed and led away by various evil desires and seductive impulses. [These weak women will listen to anybody who will teach them]; they are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth. 2 Timothy 3:6-7 AMPC

Did you see that the women are sin conscious. Sin consciousness is tantamount to Silliness and it is a sign that of spiritual weakness. These men capitalize on that and worm their way into their heart and serve as Mentors and Teachers yet in the end, they still won’t find the truth, hence they are held captive.

Only those who know the truth are set free from the slavery of silliness warped in sin consciousness.

2 Timothy 3:8 AMPC Now just as Jannes and Jambres were hostile to and resisted Moses, so these men also are hostile to and oppose the Truth. They have depraved and distorted minds, and are reprobate and counterfeit and to be rejected as far as the faith is concerned. [Exod. 7:11.]

I respect elders and especially our Fathers in the Faith but these men so understanding like some set of people who we known today – they are hostile to the truth, they have depraved and distorted minds… They should be rejected as far as the faith is concerned.

Paul gave Timothy an example of Jannes and Jambres who were pharaoh’s magicians. They were able to counterfeit the stick turned serpent yet they were made fools in the end. Paul said the same thing that happened to those two men will happen to men in the last days. In order words, Paul is saying that the Gospel will thrive. Hallelujah!

Then Paul went ahead in the succeeding verses to tell the young Ephesian church Pastor how he can stay strong despite all that will be happening…

I am an example, learn of me vs 10-13

The Bible has got integrity, learn of the Bible vs 14-16

I love how Paul rounded off…

2 Timothy 3:17 AMPC So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The man who would have had difficult times having stayed strong maintaining his faith based on the Gospel is complete and proficient, well fitted, garnished for the work of ministry.

Tell your neighbor… Stand firm in the Gospel! Grow in Grace! Alleluia.

Blessed?

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