2 TIMOTHY 4:17-22 - DELLIVERANCE, PRESERVATION, AND GRACE

2 TIMOTHY 4:17-22

DELLIVERANCE, PRESERVATION,

AND GRACE

2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Susie: Although Paul’s companions did not stand by him during his hearing, the Lord never left him. Paul credits the Lord that he was not immediately executed and has been able to continue writing letters which we now know as New Testament scripture.

Susan: Wait a second. Who were the Gentiles that would hear? Oh yes, the Roman soldiers who were guarding Paul day and night, even chained to him. A captive audience! LOL

Susie: Over and over Paul had been rescued from the “mouth of the lion” meaning perilous, life-threatening dangers. Even though he has told Timothy that he knows his time on earth is growing short, Paul is still actively preaching and teaching the word of God.

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Susie: Paul is on “death row,” the plan is to behead him. However, he knows the truth that until the Lord is ready to call him to his heavenly home, no evil can stand between him and his God-given purpose. I believe Susan can personally identify with the truth that God is able to preserve His servants to fulfill their calling.

Susan: I have been preserved through sixteen lithotripsies, scoliosis surgery, hip dislocation, knee dislocation, removal of my left kidney, and the loss of both of my legs above the knee due to life-threatening necrotic ulcers. I have been on ventilator twice, once with my family pleading for me not to be given a tracheotomy because my voice belonged to the Lord! God called me to be His megaphone and is preserving me to fulfill His purposes. The doctors gave me a life expectancy of 24 years when I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and I have entered my golden decade. God is able to deliver His children!

Susie: We join in the chorus of praise along with the Apostle Paul, giving all glory to God for His power to sustain His people.

2 Timothy 4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

Susie: Prisca (a.k.a. Priscilla) and Aquila were Paul’s close friends when he ministered in Corinth, and they served the Lord in Ephesus as well (Acts 18). They were tent makers by trade as was the Apostle Paul. Together, this husband and wife discipled a preacher named Apollos. All indications are that Priscilla was a skilled teacher of the Gospel in her own right. Eventually they returned to Rome (Romans 16:3) from whence they had fled to Corinth in the past. Apparently, they were again living in Ephesus as Paul asked Timothy to greet them.

Susan: Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16) was a faithful friend of Paul’s residing in Ephesus who often came to minister to Paul’s various needs while he was imprisoned. He may have even risked his life to take care of his precious friend, Paul.

2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Susan: Erastus was a prominent official in the large city of Corinth. He was the city treasurer. Erastus and Timothy had previously been sent on a mission to Macedonia by Paul.

Susie: Trophimus was an official delegate from the church at Ephesus who accompanied Paul when he took an offering to Rome. Apparently, the two of them had been traveling together at some point when Trophimus became ill and had to remain in Miletus which was about 30 miles south of Ephesus.

2 Timothy 4:21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Susie: Earlier Paul had given Timothy the task of bringing him his cloak (poncho) and some scrolls and parchments. He needed those items before the winter’s cold and short days in order to have more hours to read those writings and be comfortable while doing so. Paul may have had Timothy bring him some blank scrolls or parchments for dictation.

Susan: I had never noticed Charlie Brown’s friend Linus in the Bible before (LOL)! Seriously, little is known about these people except that Eubulus, Linus, and Pudens were all Latin names and could have been believers from the church in Rome. Paul’s friend Claudia is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible, but there are traditions associated with her. If you are interested in them, you can find them here:

https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Claudia

2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Susan: Paul, the Apostle, sees the congregation as being as important as their pastor. We know this by his use of the plural you in this closing. It was important to him to include everyone, leaving no one out. Each member of the church had his or her own vital role to fulfill.

Susie: He prayed God’s continued grace and felt presence in their lives. That grace, God working in and through them, would enable them to continue spreading the Gospel throughout their city and beyond.

QUESTIONS

1.        What did Paul mean by being delivered out of the mouth of the lion?

2.        What Gentiles could hear Paul’s message even while he was in prison?

3.        Paul knew he was soon to be executed. How, then, could he say God was going to preserve him?

4.        Who were Prisca and Aquilla?

5.        Why did Paul need timothy to visit before winter?

2 TIMOTHY 4:9-16 - BRING MY PONCHO & PARCHMENTS PRONTO

2 TIMOTHY 4:9-16

BRING MY PONCHO & PARCHMENTS

PRONTO

2 Timothy 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

Susie: Paul longed to see his son in the faith, Timothy, one more time before his execution. There is urgency in his request because he knows the time of his death is approaching.

2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Susie: Demas had at one time been a faithful coworker of Paul, but had gotten caught up in worldliness and possibly fear of persecution and had fled the scene.

Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Philemon 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

Susan: Demas’s gluttony for the world and its instant gratification overshadowed his hunger for the Gospel and the word of God.

Susie: Crescens was most likely a faithful coworker whom Paul had sent to minister to the Galatians, a people Paul had visited on three missionary journeys. Titus was the other young man Paul referred to as a “son in the faith” and had been sent to minister in Dalmatia.

Susan: Is that where Dalmatian dogs originated?

Susie: Interesting rabbit trail, there, Susan. Googled it. Researchers are not in total agreement as to its origin, but most are in agreement that the breed has not significantly changed from ancient times. Now back to our regularly scheduled Bible Study Ping-Pong.

2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Susan: Luke was the writer of the books of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. He was the Apostle Paul’s faithful friend, confidant, and personal physician.

Susie: Mark, also referred to as John Mark, was a cousin to Barnabas, the encourager who came alongside Paul to introduce him to church leaders who were skeptical of his conversion at first. Mark chickened out and abandoned Paul and Barnabas when they took him along on a missionary endeavor. Because of that, Paul did not want him to travel with him again. However, Barnabas took Mark under his wing and nurtured his budding faith while Paul chose another missionary companion. Many years later, Mark had now proved himself and Paul valued his companionship as a fellow minister and maybe even as a caregiver alongside Luke. Mark wrote the book we know as the Gospel of Mark.

2 Timothy 4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

Susan: Tychicus had, in the past, delivered letters to Ephesus (Ephesians. 6:21) and Colosse (Colossians 4:7). He was Paul’s faithful runner as well as a co-minister. He may have been the one to deliver this letter to Timothy and was most likely tasked with the mission of filling in for Timothy while he traveled to Rome to encourage Paul.

Susie: Paul trusted Tychicus with the job of “pulpit supply.”

2 Timothy 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

Susan: The name Carpus means “fruit.”  He is not mentioned in any of Paul’s writings but was obviously a trustworthy friend if Paul had left his cloak with him for safekeeping. The cloak was the ancient version of a poncho, basically a blanket with a hole in the center for the head. Paul would need it as winter was approaching in Rome. He asked that Timothy retrieve his books which would have been scrolls and his parchments. Parchment was made from animal skin and would have been more durable than the papyrus scrolls. These probably contained copies of the Old Testament, Paul’s own writings, and perhaps even blank parchment to write on.

Susie: Even though Paul knew his execution was imminent, he continued to study the word of God, teach those who entered his presence, and proclaim the gospel through his writings.

2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Susie: Often, metal workers fashion idols for pagan worship. Alexander may have been one of them. He was possibly from Ephesus where Timothy ministers. Therefore, Timothy would need to be wary of him. He may have been teaching a false doctrine or opposing the entire gospel message outright. He had not responded to Paul’s admonitions and was apparently trying to draw others away from the truth.

Susan: Notice that Paul left vengeance squarely in the hands of the Lord rather than seeking to avenge himself.

2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Notes from The MacArthur Study Bible:

first defense. The Gr. word for “defense” gives us the Eng. words “apology” and “apologetics.” It referred to a verbal defense used in a court of law. In the Roman legal system, an accused person received two hearings: the prima actio, much like a contemporary arraignment, established the charge and determined if there was a need for a trial. The secunda actio then established the accused’s guilt or innocence. The defense Paul referred to was the prima actio.

Susie: Paul’s companions abandoned him when he had to appear before the judge at his arraignment hearing. He was left alone without the moral support of his friends. However, like our Lord Jesus (Luke 23:34) and Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 7:60), Paul prayed the Lord would forgive them and not count their cowardice against them.

QUESTIONS

1.        Who remained by Paul’s side when all others left?

2.        Who did Paul ask Timothy to bring with him when he came to visit?

3.        What position would Tychicus most likely fill?

4.        What items did Paul ask Timothy to pick up in Troas?

5.        Who waged “much evil” against Paul?

            6.  What did Paul pray on behalf of those  who had left him high and dry at his first hearing?

2 Timothy 4:1-8 - TIMOTHY, TAKE THE BATON

2 Timothy 4:1-8

TIMOTHY, TAKE THE BATON

2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Susie: Paul issued a strong command to Timothy to continue in his calling before God in the person of Jesus Christ. He reminds Timothy that when Jesus returns to reign, He will act as judge for the living and the dead. There will be a judgement of believers, not in the sense of condemning, but in order to determine rewards because believers are judged “righteous” by the blood of Christ as soon as they trust in Him. He will judge non-believers who have condemned themselves already by not surrendering to Jesus, choosing rather to continue in sin.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Susan: In other words, when we trust in, rely on, surrender to Jesus’s finished work on the cross and receive His free gift of salvation, at that moment we are judged righteous and redeemed. At that point, we are adopted into the familyship of God eternal, an irrevocable commitment.

Susie: Paul’s urgent command to his protégé was to preach, to proclaim the word, not just when it was easy or convenient, but when it was difficult and dangerous. He was to share the gospel not only when it seemed appropriate but even when some might think it inappropriate. He was to be prepared to tell others about Jesus 24/7/365 (Susan says 365¼). We are to be prepared at all times as well.

Susan: Reproving and rebuking are pointing out a person’s sin, shortcomings, and inconsistencies—the areas in which a person misses the mark. Exhorting is to encourage the person in righteous living, right behavior. We are to do that patiently by teaching sound biblical doctrine and maintaining our own integrity as a positive witness. You cannot preach and teach the word of God if you are not a living billboard of godliness. We are only able to be that poster child of righteous living by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit within us.

Susie: The fact that Paul said to do all this “with longsuffering” tells me that the task is not always easy, in fact many times it is extremely difficult. However, we are to persevere and to patiently guide a person to the truth. We are not responsible for the person’s response, only to lovingly present the gospel. We trust the Holy Spirit to draw those who will believe.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Susie: Let’s take a look at verse 3 in three other translations—Amplified, The Message, and The Voice:

AMP    For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold,

MSG    You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.

VOICE because a time will come when some will no longer tolerate sound teaching. Instead, they will live by their own desires; they’ll scratch their itching ears by surrounding themselves with teachers who approve of their lifestyles and tell them what they want to hear.

Susie: We are definitely living in a time like that described above. People flock to teachers that take scripture out of context or ignore certain passages all together in order to make their own lifestyle seem acceptable.

Susan: These teachers take a grain of truth and define it by what people want to believe. We must always consider the context when studying and teaching the word of God. I, personally, don’t enjoy vegetables but have found a way to eat them in smoothies because they are good for me. The “vegetables” of God’s word, the need for repentance, the identification of certain behaviors as “abominations”, etc. are not tasty either; but they are a necessary part of a well-balanced scriptural diet.

Susie: Many people are looking for fairy tales instead of truth. Many people are preaching/teaching fables instead of the Bible. It is crucial for Christians to read and study God’s word on their own. In that way, we can discern sound teaching from ear tickling. Those of us who teach/preach have a responsibility to be sure we are handling the scripture accurately.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Susan: I like the way the Complete Jewish Bible renders verse 5 the best:

2 Timothy 4:5 (CJB)   But you, remain steady in every situation, endure suffering, do the work that a proclaimer of the Good News should, and do everything your service to God requires.

Susie: Timothy, along with all who are called to preach, needed to be rock-steady no matter what was happening around him. Paul encouraged him to face persecution and hardship “without flinching” according to the Amplified version.

Susan: Timothy was to face all trials tenaciously and fearlessly as an overcomer, knowing that God was with him.

Susie: We have that same promise of the presence of God through His Holy Spirit with us every day, everywhere, no matter what the circumstances are.

Susie: Timothy’s calling was that of a pastor/teacher; but he was to do the work of an evangelist, a proclaimer of the Gospel, as all believers are to be sharing the Good News faithfully. Paul exhorted Timothy to continue doing everything God expected of him as His servant.

Susan: The job of the officers of the church is not to do all the work themselves but to prepare the entire congregation to serve the Lord. We are all ministers of the Gospel of grace.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (CJB) Furthermore, he gave some people as emissaries, some as prophets, some as proclaimers of the Good News, and some as shepherds and teachers.  Their task is to equip God’s people for the work of service that builds the body of the Messiah

2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Susie: Other translations make it clear that Paul is referring to the drink offering:

2  Timothy 4:6 (NKJV)      For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Notes from The MacArthur Study Bible:

a drink offering. In the OT sacrificial system, this was the final offering that followed the burnt and grain offerings prescribed for the people of Israel (Num. 15:1–16). Paul saw his coming death as his final offering to God in a life that had already been full of sacrifices to Him

Susan: From the moment of his conversion to Christianity, Paul’s life became a living sacrifice, daily dying to himself and surrendering to the will of the Lord. He laid his own will on the altar and picked up the will of God. He took up his cross and followed Jesus.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Susie: Paul suffered many things in the name of Jesus in order to continue proclaiming the Good News:

2 Corinthians 11:24-28 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Susie: Now Paul knew he was coming to the end of his journey and would soon face the executioner’s axe.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Susan: For Paul, the Christian life was a marathon, not a dash or a sprint. It is something that required a steady pace and precision. Or it might be viewed as a relay in which he was now passing the baton to Timothy.

Susie: When Paul hit a wall—persecution, doubters, false teachers—he pressed on to overcome the wall and move the gospel message forward.

Susan: Paul had fulfilled the Apostle’s obstacle course that Jesus had set for him. He defended the Gospel message with fearless abandonment with his eye on the prize of the glory to come and the heavenly home the Lord prepared for him.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Susie: Even as the executioner sharpened the axe, Paul continued to serve the Lord. He knew his race was nearly over. What may have seemed like a defeat to those who would remove his head was actually a victory for a soldier of the Lord who served faithfully because it would re-united him with his Savior.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Susie: The winner of the competition in the ancient Olympic games was awarded a circlet, a crown, of leaves. Paul knows he will be reward a crown of righteousness, not his own righteousness but that of Christ. When we trust in Jesus, yielding control of our lives to His Lordship, His righteousness is imputed to us. God sees us as righteous even though we still sin because we are covered with the righteousness of His Son. When we as believers die or when He returns, we will receive a crown of righteous as we are finally made completely like Jesus, righteous and holy, without sin.

QUESTIONS

1.        Who will ultimately judge every person who has ever lived?

2.        When was Timothy to preach the word?

3.        Define reprove, rebuke, and exhort.

4.        In what manner was Timothy to correct others?

5.        How do people scratch their itching ears?

6.        What was Timothy to endure?

7.        What did Paul mean by his “departure?”

8.        Who will receive the crown of righteousness?

2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17 - EXCELLENT, ENCOURAGING NEWS

2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17

EXCELLENT, ENCOURAGING NEWS

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Susan: Pursue holy living according to the sacred Scripture. Timothy had not only studied and learned Scripture but was confident in its authenticity as the word of God.

Susie: Timothy had been taught personally by Paul the apostle and had many opportunities to validate that Paul lived what he believed. He would have learned from Paul’s co-laborers as well and observed their righteousness first-hand. However, his instruction in Scripture began much earlier than his becoming acquainted with Paul.

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Susan: From the time Timothy was a babe in arms, his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, taught him the truth of the Old Testament Scripture. Since he was an infant, I would conjecture that they may have sung the Psalms to him as lullabies.

Susie: It is never too early to begin sharing God’s love and message with your children. Recite scripture to them, sing hymns and choruses as you rock them. Help them associate God’s word with lovingkindness. Prepare their hearts to be ripe for the sowing of the seed of the Gospel.

Susan: Timothy would have seen and witnessed the truth of God, not just in the words he was taught but in the behavior and lifestyle of his grandmother and his mother. Lois and Eunice were devout Jews who had mined out the truth of the gospel message like treasured jewels from the Old Testament. When they heard salvation through Jesus Christ preached, they joyfully recognized it as the fulfillment of the truth they had learned in Scripture and trusted Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Susie: Likewise, Timothy’s understanding of the Old Testament primed him to realize his sinfulness and need of a Savior. Then, when he heard the Gospel message, he received it, believed it, and surrendered to Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Susie: The literal translation would be that scripture is “God-breathed.” God breathed life into Adam after making him from mud, and He breathed His message into the human authors of the Bible. It was not their own worthiness or ability that inspired them but God’s choice to use them as His pen.

Susan: God implanted the truth, the reality of the scriptures into the biblical writers. Each human writer expressed God’s message through their own personalities, vocabularies, and experiences.

Susie: The Bible, both old and new testament, is God’s instruction for life and godliness. It points us to our need for a Savior, shows us how to know Him, and teaches us how to live as a member of His kingdom.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Susan: The word of God is evidence that highlights sin in one’s life. It can be used to rebuke someone who has strayed from the path of righteousness.

Susie: After reproving or rebuking someone, we should then use the word of God for correction. Correction is helping the person get back on track with the Lord, showing them how to turn from the sin that has been pointed out and turn toward the godliness that Jesus demands. This word for “correction” is used only here in the new testament. It was used elsewhere in Greek literature to mean lifting a fallen object or person up. We are not to be concerned with punishment but to point out a person’s fallen state with reformation and restoration in mind.

Susan: We need to use the word of God to share and show that those who have fallen can, in the power of Jesus, get up again and overcome sin rather than be overcome by sin.

Susie: Scripture gives detailed instruction in the right way to live as well as pointing out error. Instruction has the connotation of training a child; and believers, children of God, need to be trained in righteousness, right living with God and people. Instruction involves discipleship, teaching Christians, especially those who are newer to faith than yourself, the disciplines found in the word of God.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Susan: Scripture teaches us how God created us to live. The word of God is not an a la carte menu. Every course, every nutrient found there, is necessary for successful Christian living.

Susie: Too often, we want to eat the appetizers and desserts of God’s word and shy away from studying the meat and veggies. However, 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches us that ALL scripture is profitable.

2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Susan: The scripture is the essential equipment, the toolbelt, the Christian uses to fulfill his or her divine destiny.

Susie: It is the orientation document, procedure manual, and complete guide for the servant of the Most-High God. All those who believe are in the employment of the King of kings. Therefore, all of us should study and apply the Bible diligently.

QUESTIONS

1.        Describe Timothy’s spiritual heritage.

2.        If you were blessed with a strong heritage of faith, write about it.

3.        How are you providing a heritage of faith for your children and/or spiritual children?

4.        Write 2 Timothy 3:16 in your one words. Look it up in several translations. Memorize this verse in the translation that helps you understand it the best.

          5.  This passage emphasizes the       
               importance and effectiveness of      
               scripture. Do you feel you spend 
               enough time studying and eternalizing 
               God’s word? Do you have systematic 
               plan for reading the Bible?

2 TIMOTHY 3:6-13 - NOW, WORSE NEWS

2 TIMOTHY 3:6-13

NOW, WORSE NEWS

2 Timothy 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Susie: Since the early church most often met in homes, the false teachers would seek out a vulnerable woman (possibly a widow) and hold meetings in her home.

Susan: They slithered in like snakes to spread their poisonous venom of false teaching.

Susie: They made sexual advances toward some of these women as another means of leading them astray.

2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Susie: These people attended many meetings with these false teachers but never found the saving knowledge of the gospel message because it was not taught there.

Susan: These teachers presented themselves as prophets when, in fact, they were posers.

2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Susie: You may be asking, “Who are Jannes and Jambres? I don’t recall those names in the book of Exodus.” John MacArthur can help us out with that:

Note from The MacArthur Study Bible:

Jannes and Jambres. Although their names are not mentioned in the OT, they were likely two of the Egyptian magicians that opposed Moses (Ex. 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18, 19; 9:11). According to Jewish tradition, they pretended to become Jewish proselytes, instigated the worship of the golden calf, and were killed with the rest of the idolaters (Ex. 32). Paul’s choice of them as examples may indicate the false teachers at Ephesus were practicing deceiving signs and wonders.

Susie: False teachers, now as well as in Timothy’s time, deny the truth of the gospel by trying to add or subtract from it. They added things such as specific works being necessary for salvation or the idea of a “higher knowledge” than scripture alone (Gnosticism). They subtracted the power to save which is found in Jesus alone. Judaizers insisted that converts adhere to the law as prescribed by the Pharisees (who, by the way, had added their own interpretation to it) and others taught that freedom in Christ was complete license to do as one pleased.

Susan: Jesus Himself addressed this issue:

Matthew 5:17-18  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

2 Timothy 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

Susan: Just as Jannes and Jambres were exposed as false, so these false teachers will be unmasked so all may see who they really are—deceptive imposters who are held captive by the spell of Satan’s treacherous web.

Susie: God will give His chosen children discernment to see these false teachers and those who follow them as foolish.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Susie: Timothy had learned the gospel and how the Old Testament scriptures validated its message directly from Paul. He knew firsthand that Paul’s life backed up what he preached. He lived what he believed and proclaimed. He remained intent on following the calling that Jesus placed on him to declare the good news to both Jews and Gentiles.

Susan: The persecutions that Paul endured could not persuade him to change his message or water it down. He stayed true to his impassioned proclamation of Jesus’s love to the lost no matter the cost. He preached repentance and the grace of God in sending Jesus to pay the ransom for theirs sins with His own blood.

Susie: Timothy had grown up in the region Paul referenced concerning his persecutions and would have known better than most all that Paul had suffered.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Susie: Note that it does not say “may” suffer, but “shall” suffer. There are varying degrees, but to some extent every believer goes through some level of persecution. This can range from teasing or taunting to the extremes of being disowned by family or even suffering martyrdom.

John 15:18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Susie: False teachers will increase as will the crowds who follow them as the time of Jesus’s return nears.

Susan: Some of these false teachers are so deluded under Satan’s spell, they honestly think they are helping people. However, they are leading them directly to damnation and hell.

Susie: If anyone teaches a path to eternal life with the Lord other than the gospel message that Jesus, the Son of God, lived as the God-Man, performed many signs as proof of His deity, died on the cross as the sacrifice for sins, was raised on the third day and is now seated in the heavenlies interceding for believers with the Father, RUN AWAY. If anyone teaches a salvation based on human effort or works, FLEE IMMEDIATELY!

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

QUESTIONS

1.        What group of people did false teachers target with their charming deceptiveness?

2.        In what ways do false teachers deny the truth of the Gospel?

3.        Why could Timothy be certain of the truth as taught by the Apostle Paul?

4.        Read 2 Timothy 3:12 again. Do you believe this applies to believers today? How does this make you feel?

5.        Do you believe the prophesy of verse 13 is coming true even now? Why or why not?