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).