All that live according to the will of God revealed in his word; and to the glory of God, as the end of all their actions; and which the grace of God in the Gospel, and in their own hearts, teaches them; and who have the principles of a godly life from Christ, and derive the fresh supplies of grace and life from him, to maintain it; in whom their ii. The volume of the book, the Old Testament, it's all about Jesus Christ. Now, there's nothing wrong with enjoying life. The great thing is to do the will of God, let others say what they please; and so the apostle Paul exhorts Timothy. It is profitable to us for all the purposes of the Christian life, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. [2.] Others must do that kind of work in future. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, and led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth ( 2 Timothy 3:5-7 ). The insult which comes from anger is bad but it is forgivable, for it is launched in the heat of the moment; but the cold insult which comes from arrogant pride is an ugly and an unforgivable thing. "I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers, with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears." (2.) (3) if we are persecuted, we should carefully inquire, before we avail ourselves of this consolation, whether we are persecuted because we "live godly in Christ Jesus," or for some other reason. The reason is obvious. He is the man who is guilty of the "sin of the high heart." The more the person who lives godly and righteous in Christ stands out. Persecution and hardships will come, but of two things Paul is sure. Some of you are separated not by your own desire or wish, but because someone was a trucebreaker. But let him not infer, therefore, that he is to be enrolled among the martyrs, and that he is certainly a real Christian. Look at, of course, all of these other things that have come along as the result of it. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Et tous ceux aussi qui veulent vivre en la crainte de Dieu, Que rien ne luy est advenu que tous fideles ne doyvent aussi attendre. As I read the things that are happening in our modern-cultured Orange County, as I read the reports from the social department on the child abuse, I just shake my head in disbelief because a person could not possibly do these things unless they were without natural affection. "Perilous times shall come." Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord" (there must, I suppose, have been some ground for the exhortation), "nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." He tells such women that by his spells and incantations he can enable them to prophesy. First and foremost he has an aim in life. McLean, Virginia: MacDonald Publishing Company, n.d. Wuest, Kenneth S. Wuests Word Studies From the Greek New Testament. e Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.. Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You. The word we have translated to be a disciple includes so much that is beyond translation in any single English word. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; So the Greek word that is used here to describe these that are going around, leading captive the silly women, is the same Greek word that was used to describe quackery, and that's probably they're quacks, Paul is saying. but they deny the power thereof: [Paul said to Timothy] from such turn away. Avoid such people. If, in any manner, or in any way, he is subjected to disadvantage on account of his religious opinions, and deprived of any immunities and rights to which he would be otherwise entitled, this is persecution. Sets before him his own example, which Timothy had been an eye-witness of, having long attended Paul (2 Timothy 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:10): Thou hast fully known my doctrine. A whole collection of stories gathered round their names. You know the persecutions that I experienced, but the Lord delivered me out of them all. The word is huperephanos ( G5244) . A. M. Chirgwin has story after story of how the Scriptures came by chance into the hands of men and changed their lives. It is the Greek parakolouthein ( G3877) and literally means to follow alongside; but it is used with a magnificent width of meaning. Things were so bad that Tacitus could say: "He who had no foe was betrayed by his friend." To many a man and woman has a little bit of dress done no small injury, just because they think it is too little for the Spirit of God to direct them in. James encourages us by explaining that those who persevere under trial, on the journey to maturity, will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him, and He exhorts us to consider it all joy, when we encounter various trials.There is an urgency in this final letter thatPaul wrote before his death, to remind us that ALL who live godly lives in Christ will certainly suffer persecution. And there came that place where, hey, Moses performed a miracle of God and they backed away. In the light of this warning from the Saviour, no Christian should be surprised at persecution. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. There is that in the scripture which suits every case. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 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. A. M. Chirgwin in The Bible in World Evangelism tells the story of a ward sister in a children's hospital in England. (1.) Paul refers to his own experiences to illustrate the truth that the person who whole-heartedly follows God must expect persecution. "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace." There was the road from the south which centred the trade of the Maeander valley in Ephesus. [2.] In the last days This often means the days of the Messiah, and is sometimes extended in its signification to the destruction of Jerusalem, as this was properly the last days of the Jewish state. He had fully known his conversation: Thou hast fully know my doctrine, and manner of life; his manner of life was of a piece with his doctrine, and did not contradict it. In other words, you may go along for a while, but ultimately it's going to catch up with you. The difference between the braggart and the man who is arrogant is this. He lets Timothy know that while he laid this on others, he must look carefully to his own ways. No matter what the reasons or excuses for joining with them, "turn away.". Again and again Scripture has opened for men and women the way to God. i. Paul completes the story of the things in which Timothy has shared, and must share, with him, by speaking of the experiences of an apostle; and he prefaces that list of experiences by setting down the quality of endurance. Thus he comforts Timothy at the same time that he admonishes him. "Put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers. Thus the apostle comes to the close of his ministry, and touches upon the line of St. John. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The Greek word is that men will become anosios ( G462) . Note, It is not enough to learn that which is good, but we must continue in it, and persevere in it unto the end. Paul regarded these as man-made things; but the great books for a man's soul were the God-inspired ones which tradition and the experience of men had sanctified. Why cannot a man be as simple now as in apostolic times? Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution - Paul takes occasion from the reference to his own persecutions, to say that his case was not unique. Men will be inflated with conceit (tetuphomenos, G5187) . Now they're right out where little kids can go in and pick them up and leaf through them. 3. Deliberately he lit it. Even if we look at Him so, He was raised from the dead. Timothy needed to realize, as all Christians do, especially those to whom "prosperity theology" appeals, that when a person determines to live a godly life he or she will suffer persecution. Though his life was a life of great usefulness, yet it was a life of great sufferings; and none, I believe, came nearer to their great Master for eminent services and great sufferings than Paul: he suffered almost in every place; the Holy Ghost witnessed that bonds and afflictions did abide him, Acts 20:23. In certain of these books Jannes and Jambres figured largely. He speaks of "all God-inspired scripture." But [Paul said] they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as [Jannes and Jambres] also were ( 2 Timothy 3:9 ). Assuredly he would rejoice to scare Timothy from the field of serving Christ, and would shrink from no means to secure it. Besides that, persecutions today are manifested much more indirectly. But the phrase may mean any future time, whether near or distant. Wow, watch out now because Jesus bought it. And for this reason we should continue in the things we have learned from the holy scriptures; not that we ought to continue in any errors and mistakes which we may have been led into, in the time of our childhood and youth (for these, upon an impartial enquiry and full conviction, we should forsake); but this makes nothing against our continuing in those things which the holy scriptures plainly assert, and which he that runs may read. for it is evident that there have been many godly persons who have never suffered banishment, or imprisonment, or flight, or any kind of persecution. In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. There is love. 3:8-9 In the same way as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men whose minds are corrupt, and whose faith is counterfeit. (3.) shall suffer persecution; it is the will of God, and the appointment of heaven; Christ has foretold it, that so it shall be; and he the head has suffered it himself, and it is necessary that his members should, that they may be conformed unto him; it is the way Christ himself went to glory, and through many tribulations his people must enter the kingdom; and this is the common lot and certain case of all the saints, in one shape or another; for though all do not suffer confiscation of goods, beating, scourging, imprisonment, or a violent death; yet all are more or less afflicted and distressed by wicked men, and are subject to their reproaches and revilings, which are a branch of persecution; and that for professing Christ, and living a godly life in him and under his influence: and since such suffer as Christians, and not as evildoers; and this is the common condition of the people of God, in this world, it should not be thought strange, but be cheerfully endured; to encourage to which is the apostle's view in this passage. In the end not a book was burned; the brigand left the colporteur and went off into the darkness with the books. Promotions are withheld, invitations are denied, and a snickering unpopularity are the daily portion of many precious souls working in a hostile, atheistic environment. Whatever duty we have to do, whatever service is required from us, we may find enough in the scriptures to furnish us for it. It's going to get worse before it gets better. But shun profane and vain babblings.". And he was probably in the company of those that were standing around, sort of crying, as they saw Paul's limp body on the ground. He was wrong on that you know. Who is talking all these words without knowledge? I don't know exactly yet what He said but when I find out I know He's going to be right. More and more the Christian is a marked person because the more corrupt the world becomes, the more the Christian stands out. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. But then another thing. How big is your God? The whole concept of redemption is wrapped up in the Old Testament. Paul's life: one of longsuffering, one of love and one of patience. 2 Timothy 3:12. It begets a contempt of men which can issue in hurting actions and in wounding words. Help me totake this verse seriously, that I will suffer persecution if I live godly in Jesus Christ. Oh God, I want you to use my life. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. In the Old Testament they are not named, but they are referred to in Exodus 7:11; Exodus 8:7; Exodus 9:11. And why read them anyhow if they're not inspired? He was driven from Antioch in Pisidia ( Acts 13:50); he had to flee from Iconium to avoid lynching ( Acts 14:5-6); in Lystra he was stoned and left for dead ( Acts 14:19). Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: they are men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith ( 2 Timothy 3:8 ). Well, Jesus has and He told us what to, what it's about in Luke, the sixteenth chapter. For after all, I'm worth it. Boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy ( 2 Timothy 3:2 ). The scriptures are able to make us truly wise, wise for our souls and another world. Sponde is the word for a truce or an agreement. It is the ability not to lose patience when people are foolish, not to grow irritable when they seem unteachable. We have the practice and treatment of true Christians: they live godly in Jesus Christ--this is their practice; and they shall suffer persecution--this is the usage they must expect in this world. It would not burn. Robertson, Archibald Thomas. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men." There are persons who think that the approach of death is intended to blot out everything here. Paul met him on his first missionary journey. It is not the question of discipline dealing With evil ways; but here we are in a state of things where we are in danger of being mixed up with vessels unto the Lord's dishonour. Anosios does not so much mean that men will break the written laws; it means that they will offend against the unwritten laws which are part and parcel of the essence of life. Description of His Past Curriculum 2 Timothy 3:10-12. This the apostle guards Timothy against, and indeed ourselves, he warns him how seduction would go on more and more, but "from such turn away." If there is no human affection, the family cannot exist. We don't have the time to devote to it this evening but I would suggest that you get a good Greek lexicon and do a word study on these particular Greek words that Paul uses to describe the attitudes and the actions of people in the last days. Paul was a prisoner again and awaited death. And suddenly, of course, their tears were changed because Paul began to breathe and move and he stood up and he said, Let's go back in and preach some more. But they do enshrine the permanent truth that some time there must come the consummation when evil meets God in head-on collision and there comes the final triumph of God. And as we pointed out, the danger always of saying some scriptures, not all scriptures, is the loss of authority. 2 Timothy 3:12, CSB: In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 6. Thus we have everything cared for here; the state of confusion is clearly depicted, as it then was beginning, and as results have proved yet more. The promise of the Messiah, the details of the Messiah, they are all there. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? Then the apostle brings out most important directions for the days that were then coming in, but now come, and more. Love of self is the basic sin, from which all others flow. It was the glory of the Jews that their children from their earliest days were trained in the law. " Rejoice ( present imperative) and be glad ( present imperative ), for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. The whole idea is that of thoroughly fitting you as an instrument that God can use. It is not "the commandment," as of authority, but "according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus." No man is saved unless he is on fire to save his fellow-men. It is used in Matthew 8:28 to describe the two Gergesene demoniacs who met Jesus among the tombs. And you will find as God's word becomes a very part of your life and you begin to be guided by the word of God, that God will begin to use you in very exciting ways. Death and resurrection, then, are thus put before this servant of God; the more remarkably, because the point here is a practical and not a doctrinal question. Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5-6,Acts 14:19; Acts 16:1-2). It was thus Paul treated the proud reasonings and speculations of man; withal briefly touching on those that had gone entirely astray Hymenaeus and Philetus. It is interesting, when Jesus in the Sermon on the mount described the Christian in the Beatitudes, after having described the traits of the Christian in the Beatitudes; you'd say, My, a man like that who is a peacemaker, who is merciful, who is hungering and thirsting after righteousness, who is meek, who is poor in spirit, surely you know the world would respect such a man. It is easy for a professed Christian to avoid persecution, if he yields every point in which religion is opposed to the world. It is no accident that the first of these qualities will be a life that is centred in self. These were graces that Paul was eminent for, and Timothy knew it. Accordingly, in much grief of heart, the apostle writes to his tried and trembling child in the faith, and seeks to strengthen him, above all things not to be discouraged, and to make up his mind to endure hard things. And that's what creates the problem all the way through. Without natural affection ( 2 Timothy 3:3 ). Get out your pen and take out the red, put the blue one. We have already seen that that teaching issued in one of two things. She had waded through book after book and laboured with philosophy after philosophy in an attempt to find satisfaction. 3:2-5 For men will live a life that is centred in self; they will be lovers of money, braggarts, arrogant, lovers of insult, disobedient to their parents, thankless, regardless even of the ultimate decencies of life, without human affection, implacable in hatred, revelling in slander, ungovernable in their passions, savage, not knowing what the love of good is, treacherous, headlong in word and action, inflated with pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. How many people who have stood before God and have pledged for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part; and yet again, the high divorce rate. The apostle's life was very exemplary for three things: for his doctrine, which was according to the will of God; for his life, which was agreeable to his doctrine; and for his persecutions and sufferings. They will follow after their own wicked devices. Instead of hiding either from Timothy, he points all out to him. 2 To Timothy, d my beloved child:. And they were able to imitate the workings of God up to a point and then they came to the place where they were backed down by Moses, but "men of corrupt minds, they are reprobate concerning the faith. They will refuse to recognize the debt they owe both to God and to men. In contrast, the sins of "evil people and impostors" can be expected to get worse and worse. What use it will be of to us. You're in an alien world. "The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day." They love pleasure more than they love God; that's the indictment. The oldest Greek laws disfranchised the man who struck his parents; to strike a father was in Roman law as bad as murder; in the Jewish law honour for father and mother comes high in the list of the Ten Commandments. VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. To take pains and to endure are requisite even in what pertains to this life. The woman protests that she has never done so and cannot do so. Because the true child of God brings the worldly person under conviction. How appropriate that "trucebreakers" is for this day. They were violent and dangerous. They had been long accustomed to the truth, and alas! We usually try to avoid it on Friday evening if we can, but sometimes our schedules are such that we just don't have time to. We must remember that they were Gnostics and that the basic principle of Gnosticism was that spirit was altogether good and matter altogether evil. It is well to maintain the largest heart for everything that is really of Christ. Then are we Christ's disciples indeed, John 8:31. How are we to walk so as to please the Lord when disorder reigns, claiming to be the only true order? That is, without any sexual restraints. So from his earliest childhood Timothy had known the sacred writings. Christian life is a life of purpose. "She then makes the effort to reward Marcus, not only by the gift of her possessions (in which way he has collected a very large fortune), but also by yielding up to him her person, desiring in every way to be united to him, that she may become altogether one with him." But it is asked, Must all men be martyrs? They will not only deceive others, but their sins and other deceivers will deceive them increasingly too. What a blessing. First, there are the duties of an apostle. That Day of the Lord was to be preceded by a time of terror, when evil would gather itself for its final assault and the world would be shaken to its moral and physical foundations. 3:14-17 But as for you, remain loyal to the things which you have learned, and in which your belief has been confirmed, for you know from whom you learned them, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that will bring you salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but what they received of the Lord that they delivered unto us. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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." Rather they are minimum requirements that otherwise suitable people must fulfil if the church is to recognize them as elders or deacons. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God.". Again he said, "Lo, I have come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God" ( Hebrews 10:7 ). Living here almost in a Sodom-Gomorrah atmosphere and environment. It denotes a savagery which has neither sensitiveness nor sympathy. The fact remains that the only place in all the world where we get a first-hand account of that person and of his teaching is in the New Testament. Second Timothy 3:12-13 "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being. The qualities he lists are not qualifications in the sense that anyone who fulfils these requirements is an elder (for such a person may not have the elder-shepherd qualities outlined above). He must study the Scriptures to make himself useful to God and to his fellow-men. What am I to believe about man? 1. When Carlyle's father was discussing the kind of minister his parish needed, he said: "What this parish needs is a man who knows Christ other than at secondhand." This is a very striking word. for instruction in righteousness ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ): And righteousness is just actually the act of being right or doing right or living right. Plutarch uses the word to describe a quack doctor. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:2, "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God." So we find that God knows how to temper the bitter with the sweet, always doing the right thing in the right place and time. Friday evenings, you know, everybody out looking for their weekend companion, incontinent, no sexual restraints. It answers all the ends of divine revelation. "They that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Do you have a hard time with that? Even an unbeliever is acting unfairly unless he tries to read it. Thou hast fully known my afflictions. Socrates skid that they were to be found in every walk of life but were worst of all in politics. Therefore it is incumbent for the Christian to look to this gravely, never to be dragged by the fear of breaking unity into accrediting what dishonours the Lord. Compare the catalogue, Ro 1:29, &c., where much the same sins are attributed to heathen men; it shall be a relapse into virtual heathendom, with all its beast-like propensities, whence the symbol of it is "a beast" (Re 13:1, 11, 12, &c.; 17:3, 8, 11). It is perfectly true--as we have so often said--that Christianity is not founded on a printed book but on a living person. But we must exclude that which is contrary to His name; and the very same desire to prove one's love, one's faith, one's appreciation of Christ, will make one anxious not to be dragged into that which is not for His glory. In it we find the duties, the qualities and the experiences of an apostle. "It denotes living in the right attitude to God and to things divine. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.' Activity of service was no longer before him. Here he mentions his persecutions and afflictions at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, besides what he suffered elsewhere.

How Old Were The Golden Girls Supposed To Be, Biwa Instrument Classification, Articles OTHER