2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3, part of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, written around AD 66–67 from Rome during his second imprisonment, warns of perilous times marked by godlessness and false teachers. Paul encourages Timothy to persevere by holding to Scripture’s inspired truth, which equips him for every good work, contrasting the deceit of impostors with the power of godly living.
Key Sections
Perilous Times and Godless Behavior (3:1–9): In the last days, people will be lovers of self, money, and pleasure, not God, displaying traits like pride, abusiveness, and ungratefulness, while holding a form of godliness but denying its power. Timothy should avoid such people, who prey on vulnerable women and resist truth, like Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. Their folly will be exposed, as their deception fails.
Timothy’s Faithful Example (3:10–13): Timothy has followed Paul’s teaching, conduct, and perseverance through persecutions, like those in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, from which God delivered him. All who live godly lives will face persecution, while evil impostors will worsen, deceiving and being deceived.
Power of Scripture (3:14–17): Timothy must continue in what he learned from childhood, knowing the sacred Scriptures that make wise for salvation through faith in Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed, profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, equipping God’s servant for every good work.
Cross-References
Perilous Times: 
1 Timothy 4:1–3: Deceitful spirits.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4: Apostasy.

Matthew 24:12: Lawlessness increases.
Godless Traits: 
Romans 1:29–31: Depraved mind.

Titus 1:16: Deny God by works.

2 Peter 2:1–3: False teachers.
Jannes and Jambres: 
Exodus 7:11–12: Magicians vs. Moses.

Acts 13:8: Elymas’s opposition.

Revelation 13:13–14: Deceptive signs.
Paul’s Persecutions: 
Acts 13:50: Antioch’s trials.

Acts 14:5–6: Iconium’s stoning threat.

Acts 14:19–20: Lystra’s stoning.
Godly Persecution: 
John 15:20: Persecuted as Christ.

1 Peter 4:12–14: Suffer for Christ.

Philippians 1:29: Granted to suffer.
Scripture’s Power: 
Romans 15:4: Written for hope.

Hebrews 4:12: Living word.

Psalm 119:105: Lamp to feet.
Equipped for Work: 
Ephesians 2:10: Prepared for works.

Titus 3:8: Devote to good works.

1 Timothy 6:18: Rich in good deeds.
Theological Meaning
Last Days’ Apostasy: Godlessness and deception mark the period before Christ’s return (3:1–5; Jude 1:18).

False Godliness: External religion without transformative power is worthless (3:5; Matthew 23:27–28).

Deception’s Limit: False teachers’ folly will be revealed, failing against truth (3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:11).

Perseverance in Persecution: Godly living invites opposition, but God delivers (3:11–12; Psalm 34:19).

Scripture’s Sufficiency: God’s inspired word equips believers for salvation and service (3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:3).

Faithful Legacy: Timothy’s grounding in Scripture ensures steadfast ministry (3:14–15; Proverbs 22:6).
Questions and Answers
What are the “last days” (3:1)?
The period before Christ’s return, marked by increasing godlessness (3:1; Acts 2:17).

Why avoid godless people (3:5)?
Their fake godliness and harmful influence corrupt faith (3:5; 1 Corinthians 15:33).

Who are Jannes and Jambres (3:8)?
Traditional names for Pharaoh’s magicians, symbolizing opposition to God’s truth (3:8; Exodus 7:11).

Why mention Paul’s persecutions (3:11)?
To show God’s deliverance and encourage Timothy’s endurance (3:11; Acts 14:22).

Why will godly suffer (3:12)?
Living for Christ conflicts with a sinful world, inviting opposition (3:12; John 16:33).

How is Scripture “God-breathed” (3:16)?
Inspired by God, authoritative for faith and practice (3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21).

How does this apply today?
Avoid deception, endure trials, and rely on Scripture for ministry (3:16; Ephesians 6:17).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written during Paul’s second Roman imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:6), under Nero’s persecution, to Timothy in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Ephesus’s pagan culture (Acts 19:24–27) and false teachers (1 Timothy 4:1–3) heightened deception risks (3:6–9). Paul’s trials (3:11) occurred during his first missionary journey (Acts 13–14).

Cultural Questions: “Last days” (3:1) uses Jewish eschatology, understood in Ephesus’s synagogue (Joel 2:28). “Lovers of self” (3:2) critiques Greco-Roman narcissism, prevalent in Ephesus’s wealth (Romans 1:30). “Jannes and Jambres” (3:8) draw from Jewish tradition, familiar in Ephesus (Exodus 7:22). “Persecutions” (3:11) reflect Ephesus’s hostility to Christians (Acts 19:9). “Sacred writings” (3:15) refers to Old Testament, studied in Ephesus’s Jewish community (Luke 24:27). “God-breathed” (3:16) uses Greek poetic terms, bold in Ephesus’s literary culture (Psalm 119:89).

Application: 2 Timothy 3 calls believers to discern deception, endure persecution, and trust Scripture’s power. It challenges worldly values, false religion, and fear, urging steadfastness in God’s truth in a godless world (Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:13).