2 Timothy 3:7

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. EVER LEARNING - some novelty to suit their own fancies, from mere curiosity and instability, to the disparagement of old truths (Acts 17:21). THE KNOWLEDGE, [ epignoosin (G1922)] - 'the perfect knowledge,' the safeguard against unwarranted novelties. Gnosticism played especially on the credulity of the female sex (Irenaeus, 1: 13. 3; Epiphanius, 'Hoer.' 26: 11): so Jesuitism....

7_Always learning, while yet they never can come to the knowledge of the truth _That fluctuation between various desires, of which he now speaks, is when, having nothing solid in themselves, they are tossed about in all directions. They “learn,” he says, as people do who are under the influence of curiosity, and with a restless mind, but in such a manner as never to arrive at any certainty or truth. It is ill-conducted study, and widely different from knowledge. And yet such persons think themselves prodigiously wise; but what they know is nothing, so long as they do not hold the truth, which is the foundation of all knowledge....

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 7. _EVER LEARNING_] From their false teachers, _and never_ _able to come to the knowledge of the truth_, because that teaching never leads to the _truth_; for, although there was a _form of_ _godliness_, which gave them a sort of _authority_ to teach, yet, as they denied the _power of godliness_, they never could bring their votaries to the knowledge of the saving power of Christianity. There are many professors of Christianity still who answer the above description. They hear, repeatedly hear, it may be, good sermons; but, as they seldom meditate on what they hear, they derive little profit from the ordinances of God. They have no more grace _now_ than they had _several years ago_, though hearing all the while, and perhaps not wickedly departing from the Lord. They do not meditate, they do not think, they do not reduce what they hear to practice; therefore, even under the preach...

EVER LEARNING - That is, these “silly women;” for so the Greek demands. The idea is, that they seeM to be disciples. They put themselves wholly under the care of these professedly religious teachers, but they never acquire the true knowledge of the way of salvation. AND NEVER ABLE TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH - They may learn many things, but the true nature of religion they do not learn. There are many such persons in the world, who, whatever attention they may pay to religion, never understand its nature. Many obtain much speculative acquaintance with the “doctrines” of Christianity, but never become savingly acquainted with the system; many study the constitution and government of the church, but remain strangers to practical piety; many become familiar with the various philosophical theories of religion, but never become truly acquainted with what religion is; and many embra...

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

EVER LEARNING,.... Some new notion and practice or another: and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; partly because of the teachers, which they heap up to themselves, who are unapt to teach, are blind and ignorant guides, and know not the truth, but are enemies to it, and resist it; and partly because of themselves, the sins they are laden, and the lusts they are led away with, which hinder them from coming to the knowledge of the truth....

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