2 Timothy 3:2

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, MEN - generally [ hoi (G3588) anthroopoi (G444)]; the majority in the professing church. Compare Romans 1:29, etc., where much the same sins are attributed to pagan: it shall be a relapse into virtual pagan-dom, with its beastlike propensities; whence its symbol is "a beast" (Revelation 13:1; Revelation 13:11, etc.;...

2_For men will be _It is proper to remark, first, in what he makes the hardship of those “dangerous” or “troublesome” times to consist; not in war, nor in famine, nor in diseases, nor in any calamities or inconveniences to which the body is incident, but in the wicked and depraved actions of men. And, indeed, nothing is so distressingly painful to godly men, and to those who truly fear God, as to behold such corruptions of morals; for, as there is nothing which they value more highly than the glory of God, so they cannot but suffer grievous anguish when it is attacked or despised. Secondly, it ought to be remarked, who are the persons of whom he speaks. They whom he briefly describes are not external enemies, who openly assail the name of Christ, but domestics, who wish to be reckoned among the members of the Church; for God wishes to try his Church to such an extent as to carry within h...

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...

Verse 2 Timothy 3:2. _FOR MEN SHALL BE_] The description in this and the following verses the Papists apply to the Protestants; the Protestants in their turn apply it to the Papists; _Schoettgen_ to the _Jews_; and others to _heretics_ in general. There have been both teachers and people in every age of the Church, and in every age of the world, to whom these words may be most legitimately applied. Both Catholics and Protestants have been lovers of their own selves, c. but it is probable that the apostle had some particular age in view, in which there should appear some very essential corruption of Christianity. _LOVERS OF THEIR OWN SELVES_] φιλαυτοι. _Selfish_, studious of their own interest, and regardless of the welfare of all mankind. _COVETOUS_] φιλαργυροι. _Lovers of money_, because of the i

FOR MEN SHALL BE LOVERS OF THEIR OWN SELVES - It shall be one of the characteristics of those times that men shall be eminently selfish - evidently under the garb of religion; 2 Timothy 3:5. The word here used - φίλαυτος philautos - does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means a lover of oneself, “selfish.” Such a love of self as to lead us to secure our salvation, is proper. But this interferes with the rights and happiness of no other persons. The selfishness which is condemned, is that regard to our own interests which interferes with the rights and comforts of others; which makes self the central and leading object of living; and which tramples on all that would interfere with that. As such, it is a base, and hateful, and narrow passion; but it has been so common in the world that no one can

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

FOR MEN SHALL BE LOVERS OF THEIR OWN SELVES,.... Not in a good sense, as men may be, and as such are who love their neighbours as themselves, and do that to others they would have done to themselves; and who take all prudent and lawful care to preserve the life and health of their bodies, and seek in a right way the salvation of their immortal souls: but in a bad sense, as such may be said to be, who only love themselves; their love to God, and Christ, and to the saints, being only in pretence, not in reality; and who do all they do in a religious way, from a principle of self-love, and to selfish and mercenary ends; either to gain glory and applause from men, or to merit something for themselves at the hands of God, without any view to the glory of God, the honour and interest of Christ, and the good of others; and ascribe all they have and do to themselves, to their industry, diligence...

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

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

2 Timothy 3:1 to 2 Timothy 4:8. CHARGE TO TIMOTHY CONCERNING FUTURE ERROR. (_a_) 2 TIMOTHY 3:1. FUTURE ERROR AND ITS PRESENT GERMS. Timothy must consider future as well as present dangers. As the Second Advent (never believed by the apostles to be far distant) approaches, the Church will be threatened by men of outrageous life. These also Timothy must avoid. The germs of the evil, indeed, are already present (6), and the statement of its developed results (2 Timothy 3:2) will help him to detect its first beginning. For to this type belong such teachers as privately mislead sinful women who, with fickle curiosity, mer