Description
Paul describes the corrupt nature of society and of the Church in the end times. He reaffirms the inspiration of the scriptures, and their importance for revealing the way of salvation and for equipping Christians to minister.
Commentary
In verses 1 to 4 Paul describes the corrupt nature of society in the last days. He gives an accurate depiction of what people are like in most countries today. People will be self-centred and more concerned with their own pleasure than with their love for God.
In verse 5, he reveals that the Church will be just as bad. People will maintain the outward appearance of religion, but deny its power. In other words, churches will deny the necessity of the Gospel and its miracle working power to transform lives, to heal and to deliver. People will think it sufficient to make an outward show of going to church and doing the right things, but they will be trusting in their own supposed righteousness instead of depending on the saving power of Jesus.
In verses 5 to 9 Paul describes corrupt ministries that will seem to minister to people, but never bring them to a knowledge of the truth.
In verses 10 to 17 he talks about the importance of following the teachings of scripture, even though all who wish to live godly lives will be persecuted. He affirms the inspiration of the scriptures (v16), the ability of the scriptures to give us the knowledge of salvation (v15), and their sufficiency to equip us for every good work (v17). It is a reliance upon the scriptures that will prevent us being corrupted like those who merely maintain an outward appearance of religion.
In verse 5, he reveals that the Church will be just as bad. People will maintain the outward appearance of religion, but deny its power. In other words, churches will deny the necessity of the Gospel and its miracle working power to transform lives, to heal and to deliver. People will think it sufficient to make an outward show of going to church and doing the right things, but they will be trusting in their own supposed righteousness instead of depending on the saving power of Jesus.
In verses 5 to 9 Paul describes corrupt ministries that will seem to minister to people, but never bring them to a knowledge of the truth.
In verses 10 to 17 he talks about the importance of following the teachings of scripture, even though all who wish to live godly lives will be persecuted. He affirms the inspiration of the scriptures (v16), the ability of the scriptures to give us the knowledge of salvation (v15), and their sufficiency to equip us for every good work (v17). It is a reliance upon the scriptures that will prevent us being corrupted like those who merely maintain an outward appearance of religion.
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Tags: End-time Church, End-time corruption and godlessness, End-time signs, Persecution of Christians, Power of the Gospel, Deception
Symbols:
Tags: End-time Church, End-time corruption and godlessness, End-time signs, Persecution of Christians, Power of the Gospel, Deception
Ministry in the Last Days
3 But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.
5 They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.
6 For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.
7 Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people – who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith – also oppose the truth.
9 But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.
Continue in What You Have Learned
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance,
11 as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all.
12 Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.
14 You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you
15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
3 But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.
5 They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.
6 For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.
7 Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people – who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith – also oppose the truth.
9 But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.
Continue in What You Have Learned
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance,
11 as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all.
12 Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.
14 You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you
15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
(NET)
