2 Timothy 3:1

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. The indications of the future increase as we approach the close. After the Gospel doctrines have been put in the clearest light in the letters, the shadows deepen on the history. The last inspired words of Sts. Paul, Peter, John, and Jude form the prelude to the Apocalypse. The gospels (Acts 1:1) set forth what "Jesus began both to do and teach" on earth; the Acts and letters, what He went on to do and teach from heaven; the Apocalypse is the closing testimony of Jesus, ending with His return from heaven to earth. ALSO - Greek, 'but:' in contrast to present evils (2 Timothy 2:25). LAST DAYS - preceding Christ's second coming ...

1_But know this _By this prediction he intended still more to sharpen his diligence; for, when matters go on to our wish, we become more careless; but necessity urges us keenly. Paul, therefore informs him, that the Church will be subject to terrible diseases, which will require in the pastors uncommon fidelity, diligence, watchfulness, prudence, and unwearied constancy; as if he enjoined Timothy to prepare for arduous and deeply anxious contests which awaited him. And hence we learn, that, so far from giving way, or being terrified, on account of any difficulties whatsoever, we ought, on the contrary. to arouse our hearts for resistance. _In the last days _Under “the last days,” he includes the universal condition of the Christian Church. Nor does he compare his own age with ours, but, on the contrary, informs Timothy what will be the future condition of the kingdom of Christ; for many...

1-9 Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. Times are perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise that which is good and to be honoured. God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any...

CHAPTER III. _Dangerous times in the latter days, from the apostasy and_ _wickedness of men, of whom an affecting description is given_, 1-7. _It shall happen to them as to Jannes and Jambres, who withstood_ _Moses_, 8, 9. _The apostle speaks of his persecutions and sufferings, and shows_ _that all those who will live a godly life must suffer_ _persecution_, 10-12, _because evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse_, 13. _Timothy is exhorted to continue in the truths he had received,_...

THIS KNOW ALSO - The “object” of this reference to the perilous times which were to occur, was evidently to show the necessity of using every precaution to preserve the purity of the church, from the fact that such sad scenes were to open upon it. The apostle had dwelt upon this subject in his First Epistle to Timothy 2 Timothy 4, but its importance leads him to advert to it again. IN THE LAST DAYS - Under the gospel dispensation; some time in that period during which the affairs of the world will be closed up; see the 1 Timothy 4:1 note, and Hebrews 1:2 note. PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME - Times of danger, of persecuti

EXPOSITION 2 TIMOTHY 3:1 _But know this _for _this know also_,_ _A.V.; _grievous _for _perilous_,_ _A.V. GRIEVOUS TIMES (καιροὶ χαλεποί)._ _"Grievous" is not a very good rendering. "Perilous," though in some contexts it is a right rendering, is a little too restricted here. "Difficult," "trying," "uneasy," or the like, is nearer the sense. They are times when a Christian hardly knows which way to turn or what to do. He has to live under a constant sense of hindrance and difficulty of one sort or another. 2 TIMOTHY 3:2 _Self _for _their own selves_,_ _A.V.;_ lovers of money _for _covetous_,_ _A.V.;_ boastful _for boasters

THIS KNOW ALSO,.... That not only men of bad principles and practices are in the churches now, as before described in the preceding chapter, but that in succeeding ages there would be worse men, if possible, and the times would be still worse; this the apostle had, and delivered by a spirit of prophecy, and informed Timothy, and others of it, that he and they might be prepared for such events, and fortified against them: THAT IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME; "or hard" and difficult times to live in; not by reason of the outward calamities, as badness of trade, scarcity of provisions, the ravages of the sword, c. but by reason of the wickedness of men, and that not of the profane world, but of professors of religion for they are the persons afterwards described, who will make the times they live in difficult to others, to live soberly, righteously, and godly; the days will be...

2 Timothy 3:1. _This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sin, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth._ This is the photograph of the present age, and I do not doubt that Paul spoke of it when thus the spirit of prophecy was upon him. This is the very motto of the present age, «Ever learning, and never able to come to the

KNOW Apostasy, Summary: Apostasy, "falling away," is the act of professed Christians who deliberately reject revealed truth (1) as to the deity of Jesus Christ, and (2) redemption through His atoning and redeeming sacrifice (1 John 4:1); (Philippians 3:18); (2 Peter 2:1). Apostasy differs from error concerning truth, which may be the result of ignorance (Acts 19:1) or heresy, which may be due to the sphere of Satan (2 Timothy 2:25); ...

III. THE LAST DAYS AND THEIR PERILS CHAPTER 3 __ 1. The characteristics of the last days (2 Timothy 3:1) 2. What the last days mean for the true believer (2 Timothy 3:8) 3. The need of the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:14) 2 Timothy 3:1 Little comment is needed on these words. They are a prophecy. The apostle by the Spirit of God reveals what shall come in the last days. It is a description of the moral qualities in the vast number of professing Christians of the last days, “who have the form of godliness,” that is, go “to church,” profess a creed of some sect, and are outwardly relig