Perilous Times and Perilous Men1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
The Man of God and the Word of God
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
8 comments:
Ver. 10. “But thou hast fully known” Wherefore be strong; for thou were not merely present, but did follow closely. Here he seems to imply that the period had been long, in that he says, “You have followed up my doctrine”; this refers to his discourse. “Manner of life”; this to his conduct. “Purpose”; this to his zeal, and the firmness of his soul. I did not say these things, he says, and not do them; nor was I a philosopher in words only. “Faith, longsuffering.” He means, how none of these things troubled me. “Charity,” which those men had not; “patience,” nor yet this. Towards the heretics, he means, I show much longsuffering; “patience,” that under persecution.
Ver. 11. “Persecutions, afflictions.”
There are two things that disquiet a teacher, the number of heretics, and men’s wanting fortitude to endure sufferings. And yet he has said much about these, that such always have been, and always will be, and no age will be free from them, and that they will not be able to injure us, and that in the world there are vessels of gold and of silver. You see how he proceeds to discourse about his afflictions, “which came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra.”
Why has he selected these instances out of many? Because the rest was known to Timothy, and these perhaps were new events, and he does not mention the former ones, for he is not enumerating them particularly, for he is not actuated by ambition or vainglory, but he recounts them for the consolation of his disciple, not from ostentation. And here he speaks of Antioch in Pisidia, and Lystra, whence Timothy himself was. “What persecutions I endured.” There was twofold matter of consolation, that I displayed a generous zeal, and that I was not forsaken. It cannot be said, that God abandoned me, but He rendered my crown more radiant.
“What persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.”
Ver. 12. “Yea, and all those that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
But why, he says, should I speak only of myself? Each one that will live godly will be persecuted. Here he calls afflictions and sorrows, “persecutions,” for it is not possible that a man pursuing the course of virtue should not be exposed to grief, tribulation, and temptations. For how can he escape it who is treading in the strait and narrow way, and who has heard, that “in the world ye shall have tribulation”? (John xvi. 33.)
Verse 'always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth'
Despite the the Post-modern notion that doubt and unbelief is king and there is no absolute truth, I must strongly reject it.Even poor Job when he was severely tried was still able to cry out'I know that my Redeemer lives'. He knew in his heart of hearts, most likely by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, that God was there and would vindicate him.In Chapter 1 Paul wrote 'That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
Yet there are those like Bono who declare 'I still haven't found what I'm looking for' after also claiming a spiritual experience.Sadly it is the Postmodern way. Like the serpent in the garden they want us to question things that God has clearly said,by saying 'Did God really say?'
Sadly many Postmodern teachers such as Brian McLaren are still searching for the answer.Whereas Wesley years ago was able to declare:
Now I have found the ground wherein
My soul’s sure anchor may remain;
The wounds of Jesus for my sin
Before the world’s foundation lain;
Whose mercy shall unshaken stay,
When heav''n and earth are fled away.
I'm very thrilled that you said this...
Junior
Verse 10. Thou hast fully known my doctrine] And having long had the opportunity of knowing me, the doctrine I preached, my conduct founded on these doctrines, the object I have in view by my preaching, my fidelity to God and to my trust, my long-suffering with those who walked disorderly, and opposed themselves to the truth, and did what they could to lessen my authority and render it suspected, my love to them and to the world in general, and my patience in all my adversities; thou art capable of judging between me and the false teachers, and canst easily discern the difference between their doctrines, conduct, motives, temper, spirit, &c., and mine
Verse 12 All that are resolved to live godly - Therefore count the cost. Art thou resolved? In Christ - Out of Christ there is no godliness. Shall suffer persecution - More or less. There is no exception. Either the truth of scripture fails, or those that think they are religious, and are not persecuted, in some shape or other, on that very account, deceive themselves
Verse 10. But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions..
Such is the true learner to his trainer,coach, shepherd, father in the faith.Such is the Father in the faith to his apprentice,learner,disciple and son in the faith. One watches and learns and does,the other leads the way through his teaching, his faith,his love, his suffering,his commitment,his example.
I think they would lay down their lives for one another and would also lay down their lives for Christ and the gospel.
Andrew, your first comment is right on and I too am very glad you wrote it. How excited I would be if I could be a co-worker with you in the Lord's vineyard. Armed with the Word of God, and fed and housed by it too, by the grace of God, how wonderful it would be to serve Him together. Bravo, brother! I just thank God that you exist, and that He has let us meet over these airwaves.
Junior, thanks for your encouragement,whoever you are.
Peace and Grace
Romanos,
Thanks also for you kind comments.
Come over to Belfast- but then again we must labour in the Vineyard that the LOrd has assigned to us.I always thank God for your encouragement.
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