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2 Timothy Chapter 3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 17 Verses

What is 2 Timothy 3 about?

Paul's final letter — a solemn charge to Timothy to guard the deposit of the faith and preach the Word in season and out. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
4traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
5holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away.
6For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,
7ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
9But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.
10But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
11persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.
15And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.
17That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“This know also, etc.] That not only men of bad principles and practices are in the churches now, as before described in the preceding chapter, but that in succeeding ages there would be worse men, if possible, and the times would be still worse; this the apostle had, and delivered by a spirit of prophecy, and informed Timothy, and others of it, that he and they might be prepared for such events, and fortified against them: that in the last days perilous times shall come; “or hard” and difficult times to live in; not by reason of the outward calamities, as badness of trade, scarcity of provisions, the ravages of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“COMING EVIL DAYS: SIGNS OF EVIL ALREADY: CONTRAST IN THE DOCTRINE AND LIFE OF PAUL, WHICH TIMOTHY SHOULD FOLLOW IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS EARLY TRAINING IN SCRIPTURE. (2Ti. 3:1-17) also--Greek, "but." last days--preceding Christ's second coming (Pe2 3:3; Jde 1:18). "The latter times," Ti1 4:1, refer to a period not so remote as "the last days," namely, the long days of papal and Greek anti-Christianity. perilous--literally, "difficult times," in which it is difficult to know what is to be done: "grievous times." shall come--Greek, "shall be imminent"; "shall come unexpectedly" [BENGEL].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“This know also - The “object” of this reference to the perilous times which were to occur, was evidently to show the necessity of using every precaution to preserve the purity of the church, from the fact that such sad scenes were to open upon it. The apostle had dwelt upon this subject in his First Epistle to Timothy 2 Timothy 4:0, but its importance leads him to advert to it again. In the last days - Under the gospel dispensation; some time in that period during which the affairs of the world will be closed up; see the 1 Timothy 4:1 note, and Hebrews 1:2 note. Perilous times shall come - Times of danger, of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“In the last days - The time of the gospel dispensation, commencing at the time of our Lord's death, is peculiarly styled the last days. Grievous - Troublesome and dangerous. 2 Timothy 3:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“3:1–4:8 Timothy must stay on course through difficult times ahead. 3:1-5 Paul describes what people will be like in the last days (see also 1 Tim 4:1-5; 2 Pet 2:1-22; 3:3; Jude 1:18), which had already begun (2 Tim 3:5, 6-9).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“in: Ti2 4:3; Gen 49:1; Isa 2:2; Jer 48:47, Jer 49:39; Eze 38:16; Dan 10:14; Hos 3:5; Mic 4:1; Ti1 4:1; Pe2 3:3; Jo1 2:18; Jde 1:17 perilous: Dan 7:8, Dan 7:20-25, Dan 8:8-14, Dan 11:36-45, Dan 12:1, Dan 12:7, Dan 12:11; Th2 2:3-12; Ti1 4:1-3; Rev. 8:1-17:18 2 Timothy 3:2”
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