2 Timothy 3 KJV
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
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;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2 Timothy 3 (New Testament)
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Ti.3 (New Testament)
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
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.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| καλέπω καιροί — chalepoi kairoi | Verse 1 — “…perilous times…” | “Difficult,” violent. | Chalepos (“difficult/violent”) indicates harsh seasons (“perilous”). Paul warns of intensified evil. The term foreshadows societal corruption. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| φιλαύτος — philautos | Verse 2 — “…lovers of their own selves…” | “Self-loving,” selfish. | Philautos (“self-loving”) identifies self-absorption (“selfish”). Narcissism becomes moral decay’s root. The term unveils egocentric culture. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| φιλήδονος — philēdonos | Verse 4 — “…lovers of pleasure…” | “Pleasure-loving.” | Philēdonos (“pleasure-loving”) exposes hedonism (“lovers of pleasure”). Pleasure replaces devotion. The term reveals misdirected affection. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| μόρφωσις — morphōsis | Verse 5 — “…having a form of godliness…” | “Form,” outward shape. | Morphōsis (“form”) denotes external appearance without reality (“form/appearance”). Paul contrasts outward religion with inward power. The term condemns hypocrisy. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on the NT (1882) |
| θεόπνευστος — theopneustos | Verse 16 — “…all scripture is given by inspiration of God…” | “God-breathed.” | Theopneustos (“God-breathed”) affirms divine origin (“inspired”). Scripture carries absolute authority. The term grounds doctrine in revelation. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| παιδεία — paideia | Verse 16 — “…instruction in righteousness…” | “Training,” discipline. | Paideia (“discipline/training”) indicates formative correction (“instruction”). Scripture shapes moral character. The term integrates doctrine and ethics. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| ἐμπνευστός — empneustos | Verse 16 (conceptual) | “Inspired,” breathed into. | Empneustos (“breathed in”) parallels inspiration (“in-breathed”). Early exegetes used it to describe Scripture’s divine quality. The term emphasizes revelation’s origin. — B. F. Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| μαθητεύω — mathēteuō | Verse 14 — “…continue thou in the things…” | “Be discipled,” instructed. | Mathēteuō (“to be discipled”) reflects lifelong learning (“continue/learn”). Timothy’s growth stems from faithful mentors. The term reinforces generational transmission. — Philip Schaff, Church History (1890) |
| ἀπατάω —apataō | Verse 13 — “…deceiving and being deceived.” | “Deceive,” mislead. | Apataō (“to deceive”) signifies moral seduction (“deceive”). Sin entangles both deceiver and deceived. The term warns of progressive corruption. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| σοφία — sophia | Verse 15 — “…wise unto salvation…” | “Wisdom,” insight. | Sophia (“wisdom”) denotes salvific insight (“wisdom”). Scripture grants discernment leading to Christ. The term unites intellect with faith. — Joseph Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
Chapter 3
Verse: "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 3:16-17
Lesson: In this chapter, Paul warns Timothy of the difficult times that will come, when people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, and disobedient to their parents. He reminds Timothy that all scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. Therefore, we must cling to the word of God as our guide and source of truth.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: As Christians, we must remain steadfast in our faith, even in difficult times when people around us may be rejecting God and His ways. We must also continue to study and rely on the word of God as our guide and source of truth.
Prayer points: Pray for strength to remain faithful in difficult times, and for a hunger for the word of God that leads to growth in righteousness and equips us for every good work.
What's Next? See our Inspirational Motivational Bible Quotes Today
