2 Timothy 3:10-17

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,  my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.  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 deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

In contrast to these people who Paul describes as becoming "lovers of self, lovers of money..." among other things, the focus is shifted to Timothy.  Timothy has followed Paul and all that he's about.  Timothy is doing well and Paul encourages him to "continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed".  With regards to continuing in what he has learned and believed, Paul brings to mind who he learned from.  Paul has just gone into detail about himself and the things about him that Timothy has followed, so he is probably including himself in this.  However, there is a note that says "whom" is plural and in the Greek.  So, there are probably multiple people he is referring to.  Perhaps he is also referring to his mother and grandmother who were both mentioned back in chapter 1.  In any case, he is called to remember those people.  These people are called to memory to point to the truth and trustworthiness of what he believes.  Those people taught Timothy and on the basis of their reputation, Timothy is to remember and trust in what he believes.  This makes sense when seeing the many things Paul speaks about himself, since it will remind Timothy of Paul and what Timothy has seen Paul experience.  The many experiences will show what kind of person and character Paul is and hopefully be a strong case for the trustworthiness of his teaching.  I can remember with great fondness the times shared with some of the people who taught me.  As I think about the lives of people who taught me, I am reminded of their character and it encourages me towards remaining faithful to the truths I learned from them.

The second thing brought to attention is the sacred writings.  What Timothy has learned and believed is not only based on people, but on scripture.  It is the words of God, which should certainly carry some weight to say the least.  If trust can be placed on teaching on the basis of a person's conduct and character, the words of God can certainly be trusted on the basis of God and his character.  In any case, there are a number of purposes for scripture that Paul lays out.  For one, it's "able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus".  I don't think this means that salvation is only possible through the learning of the scriptures as a child.  Instead, Paul is pointing out the truths taught through scripture to help lead one to salvation.  It's not as if "thou must knowest scripture before thou can be saved".  I'm sure that there were many who were saved who didn't know any bible at all.  Sure, one who is being preached the gospel is being taught what the scriptures say, but it's not as if they need a degree in bible before they can be saved.  In any case, scripture is also "for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness".  I think it's easy to see that scripture is for teaching.  We are taught by scripture and certainly learn things.  We are also shown sin in our lives because of scripture.  Scripture shows us what is wrong and shows us that we are sinful and that we do sin.  Sometimes it's sharp, like a sword and pierces us in ways nothing else can.  It's also useful for correcting.  I may be misguided about something and through the study of scripture I am shown the right way as opposed to the wrong way.  Sure, I may have my own ideas about a particular thing, but I know that God's word is true and to trust in it would help reveal what is true and what is false.  In any case, scripture has many purposes and scripture is certainly good.  These things are all for the completion and equipping of a person for good works.  To be aligned with God's word is to be prepared for the work God prepares for his people.

2 Timothy 3:1-9

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.  For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,  always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.  But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

2 Timothy 3:1-9

In the last chapter, there was a charge to patiently endure evil in hopes that God would grant repentance.  This was all under the backdrop of being a worker approved by God who departs from iniquity.  In contrast to correcting opponents with gentleness in hopes that God would save them, Paul gives Timothy a warning about people.  Specifically, people will become quite sinful.  They will become lovers of self and lovers of money to name a few.  Paul also mentions that they will be "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God".  We are to be lovers of God; but unfortunately, pleasure will become their love.

What I find scary is that they will have "the appearance of godliness".  People who have become lovers of things that are not God will somehow have the appearance of godliness.  However, though they have the appearance of godliness, they will deny its power.  I know that a lot of professing Christians will point to the denial of the power of the Holy Spirit when some don't embrace certain outward manifestations.  I don't think that Paul is talking about that here.  In fact, if you were to side with NLT or AMP, we see their bent.

holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith].

2 Timothy 3:5a (AMP)

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

2 Timothy 3:5a (NLT)

The appearance of godliness seems to be an outward religious behavior.  However, the rejection of power is referring to power to make one godly.  I suppose the power in living a life for God is one that will make you more and more set apart.  However, though these people live with all the typical religiosity, their unchanged lives show that they really do not believe in the power of God in their own lives.  You can do all sorts of things in the church or in your life that looks very Christian.  Maybe you go to church or maybe you tithe or go on retreats or missions trips or even speak in tongues or heal people.  However, though you may appear to be godly, your unchanged life may show that you actually deny the power of God.

In any case, I didn't go about this in the correct order and perhaps jumped in too far.  This is all spoken to with regards to difficulty in the last days.  Why would there be difficulty in the last days?  It is because people will become lovers of things other than God.  So, Paul warns Timothy to avoid these people.  These people are dangerous.

Well, if people are to be like that, and we know that all people are sinful and not lovers of God, who are we to not avoid?  It seems like Paul is referring to everyone then?  I think that Paul is referring to people seemingly of the truth but actually not of it and deceiving others.  This is because they will have the appearance of godliness.

On the flip side, Paul uses Jannes and Jambres as an example and they certainly would not fit into the category of one within the body.  These men I believe are the magicians who contended with Moses and Aaron (according to Wikipedia).  However, their example is used to describe their opposition to the truth, not necessarily who they are.

In any case, these people are sneaky.  They "creep into households and capture weak women".  They certainly are here today and this is happening all the time.  Unfortunately, they are sneaky as Paul describes.  There is a ray of hope, since Paul tells us in verse 9 that "they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men".  Eventually, they will be found out, as Jannes and Jambres were shown to be false.  We should still beware of these people and avoid them.

One interesting thing to note is about these women who are being captured.  These women are described as "burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth".

First of all, they are burdened with sins.  We should feel broken about our sin, but we should also recognize that there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ.  This "burdened about sin" is probably describing an unhealthy and incorrect view with regards to ones own sins.

Not only are they burdened about sin, but they are also led astray by various passions.  If sin is a burden, it probably doesn't help that they continue in sin by being led astray by various passions.  Though not specific, I'd think it is sin because of being "led astray".

Lastly, I find it most interesting that they are "always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth".  I always find it interesting seeing people going to different conferences or workshops or seminars about things of God, but I feel as if they don't really get the gospel.  They don't get it and their lives don't show change.  Instead, they learn one thing after another, but whatever they learn is either not beneficial or just doesn't stick.  This is an example of what Paul is describing here.  Sure, they are being captured by these evil men, but they too must be on guard themselves and beware of such attacks.  It is a dangerous thing to be in such a position that one is "always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth".

2 Timothy 2:20-26

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,  correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,  and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

-2 Timothy 2:20-26

Back in verse 19, Paul brings up God's firm foundation, referring to “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”.  Paul continues on with the idea of the second one about departing from iniquity.  Bringing up a picture of a house and vessels, the example is given of vessels used for honorable use and vessels used for dishonorable use.  The point made is that cleansing oneself from what is dishonorable will lead to becoming a vessel for honorable use.  Because of this, Timothy is charged by Paul to "flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace".  He is not only called to flee what is bad (youthful passions), but also called to pursue what is good (righteousness, faith, love and peace).  Perhaps it is just as important to move toward what is good as it is to move away from what is bad.  In any case, this is the charge and it is not something set aside for only Timothy.  This is something that others do as well.  Timothy is called to do this "along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart".  This is what those who call on the Lord in sincerity do.

Another instruction is given, and that is to "have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies".  The reason for this is because "they breed quarrels".  This is a bad thing because "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome".  If we (servants of God) are not to be quarrelsome and foolish, ignorant controversies breed quarrels, then we should have nothing to do with them.  That only makes sense.  Instead of being quarrelsome, servants of God are to be "kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness".  This is important because it is right and in line with God.  However, Paul also speaks of this with regards to salvation.  Acting in such a way is in the hopes that they may be saved.  Sure, God can save someone regardless of what we do.  However, we must do our best to present and convey who God is by what we say and what we do.  Through that, God may perhaps bring the lost to their senses.  This is actually a passage that I am quite fond of.  I am prone to be harsh, abrasive and mean towards others, especially when they don't see the truth.  My actions are obviously sinful and I have hurt people in the past.  However, this verse reminds me not to be like that (and I certainly need to hear it).  It is a beautiful reminder of how I am to act and that it is God who may perhaps grant repentance.  It is not what I do that saves them, but what God does.

2 Timothy 2:14-19

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,  and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,  who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.  But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

2 Timothy 2:14-19

Timothy is told to "Remind them of these things".  What is he to remind people of?  Well, most immediately preceding this verse is about remembering Jesus Christ.  They are to remember Jesus and that he was risen from the dead.  They are to remember salvation that is in Christ Jesus and that we have died with him and will live with him.  These are great things to be reminded of, but who is Timothy called to remind?  I am first thinking of those who he is leading.  This is probably true.  Also, looking back towards verse 9, we see who Paul is enduring everything for: "the elect".  This would also make sense because what people are being reminded of are things that would apply to the elect.  I guess they're both true and it is applying to both those who he is leading and those who are elect.

Beyond reminding, Timothy is told to charge the same people "not to quarrel about words".  We are not told much about what this means, but there were perhaps many similar issues.  For example, we read about "foolish ignorant controversies" in verse 23.  Even looking back at 1 Timothy, we read about people who "devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies".  Whatever "quarreling about words" means, it's not good.  In fact, Paul explains that, "which does no good, but only ruins the hearers".

The following verses probably shed some more light on the meaning of this verse.

Skipping ahead, we read about "irreverent babble", which should be avoided.  This is in contrast to the previous verse, where Paul instructs Timothy to be a worker approved by God.  A worker approved by God does not need to be ashamed and should rightly handle the word of truth.  What would he be ashamed of?  Perhaps not working hard would bring shame.  Well, working hard and being approved by God would avoid this shame.

I'm still not sure why Paul warns against quarreling about words and against irreverent babble.  Well, I get that they're not good things, but how does this fit?  Perhaps that's what Timothy was facing by those around him?  Perhaps working hard to be a worker approved by God is contrast to quarreling about words and engaging in irreverent babble.  Apparently, quarreling about words does no good and irreverent babble leads people into more and more ungodliness.  If that's the case, it would make sense that a worker approved by God would not do something that would not be good and would not do something that would lead others into more and more ungodliness.

Another bad thing about irreverent babble is that this talk will spread very fast.  Paul describes it as spreading like gangrene.  Apparently, gangrene is a type of cell death and spreads to connected tissues.  I think it will continue to spread until the dead cells are removed.  This irreverent babble spreads quickly and produces death in some sense.  As an example, Paul talks about Hymenaeus and Philetus.  So what does this look like?  They have swerved from the truth.  This irreverent babble is that which is off the path and not of the truth.  Specifically, they are saying that the resurrection has already happened.  I'm assuming this refers to the resurrection that is to take place in the end times.  By doing so, they upset the faith of some.  What they are doing is very destructive and not good at all.

God's firm foundation is in direct contrast to this.  Compared to those who have their faith upset, or have left the faith, there is a firm foundation that says "the Lord knows those who are his".  Some may turn away and depart, but we shouldn't be worried because God isn't worried.  God knows who are his.  For those who are his, they are to depart from iniquity.