END TIMES: Daily Reading Plan #2
2 Timothy 3:1-9, 12-15
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
In verses 1–9 Paul speaks of difficult times in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1). As used in this passage, Paul does not mean the "end times," or some period in the future. The "last days" as used here is what is commonly called "the church age," the era of Christianity in the world which continues through today. Paul particularly warns Timothy—the recipient of this letter—not to associate with the people he is describing.
After noting the characteristics of evil people, Timothy is told to avoid such people (2 Timothy 3:2–5). Those who act like this are deceived (2 Timothy 3:6–7). A comparison is then made between such evil people and Jannes and Jambres rebelling against Moses in the Old Testament (2 Timothy 3:8), concluding their sins will be clear to all just as in that case (2 Timothy 3:9). According to tradition, these two men were among the Egyptian magicians who competed against Moses during the Exodus (Exodus 7:11–12, 22; 8:7, 18).
In verses 10–17 Paul transitions first to his own life. He speaks of his godly actions (2 Timothy 3:10) and the persecutions he has faced during his ministry (2 Timothy 3:11), stating that every person who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). Evil people will continue (2 Timothy 3:13), but Timothy was to stand firm in the truth of God (2 Timothy 3:14–15). Paul concludes with a well-known passage on the inspiration of Scripture, declaring "all Scripture" as literally "God-breathed" and useful for many different means to equip God's people for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
The fact that Paul so clearly shows the opposite signs in his life, as compared to these false teachers, is evidence which supports his ministry. This is reason for Timothy to be secure in the instruction Paul has given him. Since Timothy has not only seen the life Paul has lived, but has even shared in some of his sufferings, he can be sure that what Paul says is sincere and trustworthy.
Reflection Questions
- What do these verses say about the end times and things leading up to the end times?
- What do these verses call you to take to heart regarding how you live your life?
