What are the greatest challenges in our world today? What would you say and why?
Many things may come to mind. Unstable geopolitical situation? Unstable world banking systems? A crisis of trustworthiness?
Whatever your answer might be, why is it so? What would you say is the reason? Would you say that it is because we live in the end times? This section of 2 Timothy helps us to think about what the Bible says about the last days.
(A) Displaced Loves (2 Tim 3:1-5)
In the earlier verses, Paul has already told Timothy that he will face opponents but he is to correct them with gentleness (2 Tim 2:25a). Timothy is his ministry, is to recognise that there is a certain truth that is at stake, and Timothy is to correct them. He is also to watch how he corrects those who are teaching untruth, as there is still hope for them. In doing so, “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim 2:25b). This is a specific truth that relates to their salvation.
Yet, at the same time, Timothy is to understand that “in the last days there will come times of difficulty” (2 Tim 3:1). Though he begins by explaining what the last days will look like, as the text goes on, Paul recognises that they are in the last days. This also extends to us today. Christians have understood it to be the time following Jesus’ ascension and sending of His Spirit, as the world waits for His return. His redemptive plan has almost come to completion.
These days will be characterised by chaos and violence (“times of difficulty” as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1). Thus, while Timothy is supposed to have hope and be gentle with his opponents, he is to also recognise the nature of the times and he is to be ready for that. Yes, God could grant them repentance, but difficulties are real.
In 2 Timothy 3:1-4, we have a list of 18 characteristics that showcase the inner and outer life of those who bring about these times of difficulty. We see how these people are devoid of a love of God and have in its place, a love for self and pleasure. There is also a lack of love for neighbour, which shows itself in being proud, arrogant, not loving good, swollen with conceit.
They also love money (and pleasure). In 1 Timothy 6:10, we were told that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. How much do you believe that? When you compare with your friend? Or when you compare your salary with the median? Paul is also reminding us here that when we love money and pleasure, these other things spew forth.
Paul also lists an attitude of ungratefulness, being unholy, unappeasable and without self-control.
Paul also speaks about the outer life of these people. They are disobedient to their parents, abusive, heartless, ungrateful, slanderous, brutal, treacherous and reckless.
As we examine the list, note how the words are in the negative forms “not ____”, e.g. not grateful, holy etc. Paul is reminding Timothy that those who are set on this world end up not having the things they should have. The pursuit of self-love and pleasure results in this. We won’t have time to look at everything, but let’s consider just one — “disobedient to their parents”. If we believe that this is God’s world, let’s consider God’s design. God has designed for us to learn about authority from our parents in our families. This is a picture of the authority that God has over all of us, over all of this world, Disobedience to parents is a rebellion against this authority that God has put in place.
As we examine this list, it is worth thinking about this, and asking if we can recognise them in this world, and in our lives and heart. It is important for us to get it to our own hearts. The relationship between our inner and outer life is about what we love. What do we delight in? What throws us into a state of fear and anxiety? What is our chief treasure? What do you organise your time around? Above all else, guard your heart for from it, flows all of these things.
In Revelation 2:2-4. we read of how Jesus spoke these words to the church at Ephesus. This was a church that had endured lots of trials and also did not put up with false teachings. They have endured and not grown weary too. Yet, Jesus says that they have abandoned the love they had at first. What God wants is our heart, the commanding seat of our lives. If you realise in your heart that you may know and do many Christian things, but do not grow in the love of God and do not know what it means that He has set His redemptive love on you, ask Him to help you to know and love Him. Do you know God? Do you know His love for you?
Times of difficulty come when our loves are displaced.
We also read of how these people have the appearance of godliness but denying its power (2 Tim 3:5). Displaced loves hide, and hide pretty well sometimes. Timothy is to avoid them, i.e. not partake in communion. He is not to pretend that they are Christians or give them the assurance that they are Christians. Timothy has to be clear who is a Christian and who are not. This speaks of church discipline. The church of Christ is to be kept pure.
(B) Disqualifying Folly (2 Tim 3:6-9)
Paul also writes about how these people set their sights on weak women who are burdened with sins and led astray by various passions (2 Tim 3:6). These prey on spiritual vulnerabilities. Instead of providing godly guidance, care, support,, they spur on these women in their false loves. As a result, the women are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim 3:7).
As we read this, we need to ask why we are doing all this learning? Are we clear about the truth? What is the truth of Jesus Christ? How does the truth guard against sin and being led astray? Do you know what it means that Jesus led a sinless life in His active obedience before God? Are you clear about what the death of Jesus means for the stain of sin that is upon you, for your guilt and shame? Are you clear about what Jesus’ resurrection means for this world and how you live? How about how Jesus’ intercession affects your fight against sin? Are you clear about how His second coming changes your hope (and how you wake up daily)?
Friends, there is so much more of Jesus for us to know. It is a good thing that we other around His word that we might know Jesus and His truth.
Paul wants Timothy to know Jannes and Jambres — the magicians in Pharaoh’s court (2 Tim 3:8-10, c.f. Exo 7:11). In Exodus 7:8-13, though the magicians could do the same trick of turning their sticks into snakes, Aaron’s snakes ate theirs up. In Exodus 7:22 and 8:7, they also did the same.
Why did Paul single out these magicians? These men knew of spiritual realities and should have been the first to recognise what is real truth, and repent before this true God.
These are difficult and violent times, and we know this. We know of those who have tasted and gotten a glimpse of how God is God, yet in their hardness of hearts and displaced loves, they have set their sights on pursuing these loves. We need to be clearheaded about the difficulties, but Paul also ends with an encouragement.
Paul draws out a final similarity. He tells Timothy that they will not get very far, just as in the plagues (2 Tim 3:9, c.f. Exo 8:18, 9:11). Because of the cross of Jesus, we know what real power is and that victory is secured. He brought about salvation by a Roman cross — a grave, terrible injustice. Therefore, we can be confident in our time!
Their folly also goes deeper. As the plagues unfold, God isn’t just judging the bad guys and saving the good guys. God judges everyone, unless they have been covered by the blood. Their folly is not in just resisting God, but in resisting the God of surprising grace. God’s people too, should have understood that this is a God of covenantal promise. The chief of all follies is to resist this God who has grace for sinners.
The times of difficulty are also times of pleasure. It can look alluring to be partnered with world pleasure. But God is also calling us to look beyond worldly pleasure, to something that is more lasting. All who turn to this God is covered by the blood, not of bulls and goats, but of Jesus, who gave Himself to love sinners.
What will it look like for you to resist the folly of this world and find yourself covered by the blood?