American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
2 Timothy 3
2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
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3
Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
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4
Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
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Parallel theme
1 Timothy 3:6
Romans 16:18
Jude 1:19
Romans 11:20
1 Timothy 5:6
References God
Jude 1:4
1 Timothy 6:17
5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 29:13
1 Timothy 5:8
Matthew 7:15
Titus 3:10
2 Timothy 2:23
Ephesians 4:14
2 Thessalonians 3:6
References God
Titus 1:16
2 Timothy 2:16
1 Timothy 6:5
6
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
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7
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ephesians 4:14
Hebrews 5:11
Proverbs 14:6
Matthew 13:11
John 5:44
Deuteronomy 29:4
Truth
1 Timothy 2:4
2 Timothy 2:25
8
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
Reference
People
Faith
1 John 4:1
1 Timothy 1:19
Parallel theme
Revelation 2:20
Exodus 7:11
Titus 1:16
2 Peter 2:14
Ephesians 4:14
2 Timothy 4:15
Romans 16:18
Truth
1 Timothy 6:5
9
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as their's also was.
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10
But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,
Reference
Faith
1 Timothy 6:11
1 Timothy 4:6
Parallel theme
Titus 2:7
Philippians 2:22
Hebrews 13:9
Acts 11:23
11
Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
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12
Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Peter 3:14
Mark 10:30
John 16:33
References Christ
1 Corinthians 15:19
References God
Acts 14:22
John 16:2
2 Peter 3:11
Titus 2:12
References Jesus
Matthew 16:24
14
But continue you in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them;
Reference
15
And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Reference
Faith
2 Timothy 1:5
Acts 10:43
Parallel theme
Proverbs 22:6
Luke 2:40
Psalm 71:17
Proverbs 8:17
Word
Luke 24:45
Matthew 22:29
Luke 24:27
Psalm 19:7
16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
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Summary of 2 Timothy 3
2 Timothy 3 warns Timothy about moral corruption, false religion, deceptive teachers, increasing opposition to godliness, and the certainty of persecution while directing him to remain faithful to the truth he has learned and to rely upon the God-inspired Scriptures that teach, correct, restore, train, and equip believers for righteous living and every good work.
Paul begins by warning Timothy that difficult times will come in the last days, describing people whose lives become increasingly dominated by self-love, greed, pride, arrogance, disobedience, ingratitude, impurity, hostility, lack of self-control, betrayal, recklessness, and an excessive love of pleasure.
The problem is especially serious because some of these people will maintain an outward appearance of godliness while denying its transforming power, demonstrating that religious appearance alone does not prove genuine faith.
Paul warns Timothy about teachers who exploit vulnerable people, constantly pursue knowledge without arriving at the truth, and spread ideas that corrupt rather than strengthen the faith of others.
He compares these false teachers with Jannes and Jambres, traditionally understood as Egyptian opponents of Moses, explaining that although false teachers may appear influential for a time, their foolishness will eventually become evident.
Paul then contrasts these deceptive teachers with his own example, reminding Timothy that Timothy has personally observed Paul's teaching, character, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, and willingness to endure persecution.
Paul specifically recalls suffering at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, but emphasizes that the Lord rescued him from all these trials, providing Timothy with an example of perseverance rather than a promise of a trouble-free ministry.
Paul makes the broader point that everyone who genuinely desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus should expect opposition and persecution, while evil and deceptive people will continue becoming more corrupt as they deceive others and become increasingly deceived themselves.
Against this growing spiritual danger, Paul commands Timothy to continue in the truth he has learned, remembering the trustworthy people who taught him and remaining firmly grounded in the Scriptures he has known since childhood.
Paul emphasizes that the sacred Scriptures are able to make people wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, demonstrating that Scripture is not merely a source of information but a means through which people are directed toward saving faith and transformed living.
The chapter reaches its theological climax with Paul's declaration that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness, giving Timothy the essential foundation for faithful ministry.
Scripture therefore equips God's servant to become mature and prepared for every good work, connecting biblical truth directly with practical Christian character, ministry, discernment, and obedience.
The central message of 2 Timothy 3 is that Christians must remain faithful to God when society becomes increasingly self-centered, morally corrupt, deceptive, and hostile toward godliness, recognizing that outward religion without spiritual transformation is dangerous, while continuing firmly in the truth learned from trustworthy teachers and relying upon the God-inspired Scriptures to provide wisdom for salvation, correct error, develop righteousness, and completely equip God's people for every good work.
Paul begins by warning Timothy that difficult times will come in the last days, describing people whose lives become increasingly dominated by self-love, greed, pride, arrogance, disobedience, ingratitude, impurity, hostility, lack of self-control, betrayal, recklessness, and an excessive love of pleasure.
The problem is especially serious because some of these people will maintain an outward appearance of godliness while denying its transforming power, demonstrating that religious appearance alone does not prove genuine faith.
Paul warns Timothy about teachers who exploit vulnerable people, constantly pursue knowledge without arriving at the truth, and spread ideas that corrupt rather than strengthen the faith of others.
He compares these false teachers with Jannes and Jambres, traditionally understood as Egyptian opponents of Moses, explaining that although false teachers may appear influential for a time, their foolishness will eventually become evident.
Paul then contrasts these deceptive teachers with his own example, reminding Timothy that Timothy has personally observed Paul's teaching, character, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, and willingness to endure persecution.
Paul specifically recalls suffering at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, but emphasizes that the Lord rescued him from all these trials, providing Timothy with an example of perseverance rather than a promise of a trouble-free ministry.
Paul makes the broader point that everyone who genuinely desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus should expect opposition and persecution, while evil and deceptive people will continue becoming more corrupt as they deceive others and become increasingly deceived themselves.
Against this growing spiritual danger, Paul commands Timothy to continue in the truth he has learned, remembering the trustworthy people who taught him and remaining firmly grounded in the Scriptures he has known since childhood.
Paul emphasizes that the sacred Scriptures are able to make people wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, demonstrating that Scripture is not merely a source of information but a means through which people are directed toward saving faith and transformed living.
The chapter reaches its theological climax with Paul's declaration that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness, giving Timothy the essential foundation for faithful ministry.
Scripture therefore equips God's servant to become mature and prepared for every good work, connecting biblical truth directly with practical Christian character, ministry, discernment, and obedience.
The central message of 2 Timothy 3 is that Christians must remain faithful to God when society becomes increasingly self-centered, morally corrupt, deceptive, and hostile toward godliness, recognizing that outward religion without spiritual transformation is dangerous, while continuing firmly in the truth learned from trustworthy teachers and relying upon the God-inspired Scriptures to provide wisdom for salvation, correct error, develop righteousness, and completely equip God's people for every good work.