The Bullet Point Bible

2 Timothy 3

The Moral Decay of the Last Days

1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come.2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.5 They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

  • Paul warns Timothy about the characteristics of the "last days," a period extending from Christ's first coming until his return.
  • The term "difficult times" (Greek: *chalepoi kairoi*) signifies stressful, dangerous, or grievous periods.
  • The list of vices focuses heavily on disordered loves: love of self, money, and pleasure over love for God and others.
  • These characteristics describe not just pagan society, but people within the visible church ("holding to an outward form of godliness").
  • "Denying its power" refers to rejecting the transformative power of the gospel that should accompany genuine faith.
  • The vices listed reflect a breakdown of relationships: with God (blasphemers, unholy), family (disobedient to parents), society (unloving, treacherous), and self (without self-control).
  • This description serves as a warning sign for Timothy to identify dangerous influences.
  • The command "Avoid these people!" is a practical instruction for church discipline and personal separation from corrupting influences.
  • This passage highlights the ongoing spiritual battle and the reality of apostasy within the church community.
  • The description echoes similar lists of vices found elsewhere in Paul's writings (e.g., Romans 1:29-31).
Additional Content

6 For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.7 Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people-who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith -also oppose the truth.9 But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance,11 as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all.12 Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.13 But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.14 You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

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