unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, unlovingThe Greek word used here is "ἄστοργοι" (astorgoi), which refers to a lack of natural affection, particularly within family relationships. In the historical context of the early church, this term would have been especially poignant, as familial bonds were considered sacred and foundational to societal stability. The absence of such love indicates a breakdown of fundamental human connections, reflecting a society moving away from God's design for relational harmony. unforgiving The term "ἄσπονδοι" (aspondoi) suggests an unwillingness to reconcile or make peace. In ancient times, covenants and agreements were vital for maintaining peace and order. This word implies a stubborn refusal to forgive, which is contrary to the Christian call to forgive as Christ forgave us (Colossians 3:13). It highlights a heart hardened against the transformative power of grace and mercy. slanderous Derived from the Greek "διάβολοι" (diaboloi), this word is often translated as "devils" or "accusers." It underscores the destructive power of false accusations and malicious speech. In a scriptural context, slander is akin to the work of Satan, the ultimate accuser. This behavior erodes trust and unity within the body of Christ, emphasizing the need for believers to guard their tongues and speak truth in love. without self-control The Greek "ἀκρατεῖς" (akrateis) conveys a lack of mastery over one's desires and impulses. In a historical context, self-control was a highly valued virtue in both Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures. The absence of self-control leads to chaos and moral decay, contrasting sharply with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control (Galatians 5:23). This phrase calls Christians to live disciplined lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit. brutal The word "ἀνήμεροι" (anēmeroi) means savage or untamed. It paints a picture of people acting on base instincts rather than reason or compassion. In the ancient world, such behavior would be likened to wild animals, lacking the civilizing influence of God's law and love. This term challenges believers to rise above their fallen nature and reflect the gentleness of Christ. without love of good The Greek "ἀφιλάγαθοι" (aphilagathoi) indicates an aversion to goodness and virtue. Historically, love for what is good was seen as a hallmark of a righteous life. This phrase suggests a moral inversion where evil is embraced, and good is despised. It serves as a warning to Christians to remain steadfast in their love for what is good, noble, and pure, as outlined in Philippians 4:8. Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and warnings about the challenges of the last days. 2. TimothyA young pastor and protégé of Paul, recipient of the letter, tasked with leading the church in Ephesus. 3. EphesusThe city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and challenges to Christian living. 4. The Last DaysA period described by Paul characterized by moral decay and spiritual challenges, relevant to both Timothy's time and the present. 5. The ChurchThe body of believers who are called to live counter-culturally in the midst of societal decline. Teaching Points Understanding the TimesRecognize that the characteristics listed by Paul are signs of the times and should prompt believers to be vigilant and discerning. Cultivating Love and ForgivenessAs followers of Christ, we are called to be loving and forgiving, countering the unloving and unforgiving nature of the world. Guarding Our SpeechAvoid slander and speak truth in love, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions. Practicing Self-ControlDevelop self-control through the Holy Spirit, resisting the temptation to act brutally or without regard for goodness. Valuing GoodnessEmbrace and promote what is good, standing firm against the cultural tide that dismisses or distorts moral values. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we identify and resist the characteristics of the last days described in 2 Timothy 3:3 in our own lives? 2. In what ways can the church today cultivate a culture of love and forgiveness, countering the unloving and unforgiving nature of the world? 3. How does the call to self-control in Galatians 5:22-23 relate to the lack of self-control mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:3? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure our speech is edifying and not slanderous, as warned against in 2 Timothy 3:3? 5. How can we actively promote and love what is good in a society that often celebrates the opposite, as described in 2 Timothy 3:3? Connections to Other Scriptures Romans 1:29-31Paul lists similar vices, highlighting the depravity of humanity when they turn away from God. Galatians 5:19-21The works of the flesh are contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing the need for self-control and love. 2 Peter 3:3Peter warns of scoffers in the last days, paralleling Paul's description of moral decay. Matthew 24:12Jesus speaks of the increase of wickedness and the love of many growing cold, echoing the themes in 2 Timothy 3:3. 1 John 4:7-8John emphasizes the importance of love, contrasting the unloving nature described by Paul. Grievous Times | R. Finlayson | 2 Timothy 3:1-17 | A Sermon Against Self-Love, Etc | Thomas Tenison, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Actions to be Kindly Interpreted | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Amusements | Alex. Bisset, M. A. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Antipathy Between Good and Evil | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Blasphemy Ungrateful | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Boasters | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Boasters Discontented | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Boasting no Recommendation | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Boasting of Vice | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Carnal Pleasure Ruling in Man | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Characteristics of the Apostasy | T. Croskery | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Connection of Ingratitude with Other Evils | Bp. Hall. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Covenant Proof | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Covetous | J. Harris, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Covetousness Barren of Grace | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Covetousness Rerealed in Talk | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Covetousness Seen in Human Life | A. Monod, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Cruelty to Children | Contemporary Review | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Culling Pleasure | | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Death of a Lover of Pleasure | | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Downfall of Pride | Cobbin. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Emblem of Worldly Pleasure | R. Curzon. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Enormity of Ingratitude | J. Trapp. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Faults Invented | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Fidelity | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Godly Pleasure | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Gradation in Sin | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Heady | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | How Rightly to Covenant | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | How to Know a Drunkard | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Incontinent | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Ingratitude Mars Friendship | | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Lessons | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Lovers of Pleasure Described and Warned | E. Payson, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Lovers of Pleasures More than Lovers of God | | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Meanness of Boasting | S. Coley. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Natural Affection | | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | On Self-Conceit | Isaac Barrow. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | On Vain-Glory | Isaac Barrow. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Pious Self-Love Communicative | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Pleasure-Loving Professors | T. L. Cuyler, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Pleasure-Mongers | J. Trapp. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Preservatives Against Incontinency | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Pride Abounding | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Pride Hated by the Proud | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Pride Poisons Virtuous Actions | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self.Love | B. Beddome, M. A. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Centred | Van Oosterzee. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Selfishness Common | T. Seeker. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Selfishness Condemned by Philosophy | J. F. B. Tinling, B. A. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love | J. Jortin, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love | A. Barnes. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love a Manifold Disease | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love a Primary Sin | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love Foolish | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love Hereditary | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love Odious | Andrew Snape, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love Odious to God | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love Self-Deceptive | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Self-Love the Great Cause of Bad Times | William Dawes, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Sin Multitudinous | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Slander Poisonous | Dictionary of Illustrations | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Slander, Overruled | J. F. B. Tinling, B. A. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Some General Remedies of Self-Love | Isaac Barrow. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | The Backbiter | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | The Christian View of Amusements | A. N. Johnson, M. A. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | The Divine Nemesis | Van Oosterzee. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | The Fierceness of Sin | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | The Love of Pleasure | A. Raleigh, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | The Natural Heart Full of Pride | T. Hall, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | The Nature and Kinds of Self-Love | D. Waterland, D. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | The Poison of Pleasure | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Traitors | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Vain Boasting | | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Voluptas | C. Buck. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Want of Affection | | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Wickedness Ferocious | T. Hall, B. D. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | William Tyndale's Betrayal | Sword and Trowel. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Worldly Pleasures | Newman Hall, LL. B. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | Worldly Pleasures Vain | J. Henshaw. | 2 Timothy 3:2-5 |
People Jambres, James, Jannes, Paul, TimothyPlaces Ephesus, Iconium, Lystra, Pisidian AntiochTopics FALSE, Affection, Bitter, Brutal, Despisers, Destitute, Evil, Fierce, Goodness, Gossips, Haters, Hating, Implacable, Incontinent, Inhuman, Irreconcilable, Love, Lovers, Malicious, Natural, Opposed, Passions, Profligates, Savage, Saying, Self-control, Slanderers, Slanderous, Trucebreakers, Truce-breakers, Uncontrolled, Unforgiving, Unloving, Unsubdued, ViolentDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Timothy 3:3 3254 Holy Spirit, fruit of 2 Timothy 3:1-4 8821 self-indulgence 2 Timothy 3:1-5 2565 Christ, second coming 5541 society, negative 5838 disrespect 7028 church, life of 8703 antinomianism 8784 nominal religion 8846 ungodliness 2 Timothy 3:1-9 1025 God, anger of 8750 false teachings 2 Timothy 3:2-4 5951 slander 2 Timothy 3:2-9 7025 church, unity Library Fathers and Children' Malachi iv. 5, 6. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. These words are especially solemn words. They stand in an especially solemn and important part of the Bible. They are the last words of the Old Testament. I cannot but think that it was God's will that they should stand … Charles Kingsley—Sermons for the TimesNineteenth Day for the Holy Spirit on Christendom WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Christendom "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."--2 TIM. iii. 5. "Thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead."--REV. iii. 1. There are five hundred millions of nominal Christians. The state of the majority is unspeakably awful. Formality, worldliness, ungodliness, rejection of Christ's service, ignorance, and indifference--to what an extent does all this prevail. We pray for the heathen--oh! do let us pray for those bearing … Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession The Author to the Reader. CHRISTIAN READER,--After the foregoing address, I need not put thee to much more trouble: only I shall say, that he must needs be a great stranger in our Israel, or sadly smitten with that epidemic plague of indifferency, which hath infected many of this generation, to a benumbing of them, and rendering them insensible and unconcerned in the matters of God, and of their own souls, and sunk deep in the gulf of dreadful inconsideration, who seeth not, or taketh no notice of, nor is troubled at the … John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Some Carriages of the Adversaries of God's Truth with Me at the Next Assizes, which was on the 19Th of the First Month, 1662. I shall pass by what befell between these two assizes, how I had, by my jailor, some liberty granted me, more than at the first, and how I followed my wonted course of preaching, taking all occasions that were put into my hand to visit the people of God; exhorting them to be steadfast in the faith of Jesus Christ, and to take heed that they touched not the Common Prayer, etc., but to mind the Word of God, which giveth direction to Christians in every point, being able to make the man of God perfect … John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners The Christian's Book Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers. … Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian Appendix i. Pseudepigraphic Writings III. The collection of eighteen hymns, which in their Greek version bear the name of the Psalter of Solomon, must originally have been written in Hebrew, and dates from more than half a century before our era. They are the outcome of a soul intensely earnest, although we not unfrequently meet expressions of Pharisiac self-religiousness. [6315] It is a time of national sorrow in which the poet sings, and it almost seems as if these Psalms' had been intended to take up one or another of the leading … Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Holy Scripture. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."-- 2 Tim iii. 16, 17. Among the divine works of art produced by the Holy Spirit, the Sacred Scripture stands first. It may seem incredible that the printed pages of a book should excel His spiritual work in human hearts, yet we assign to the Sacred scripture the most conspicuous place … Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit The Scriptures Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration … Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition. (a) The supreme and unique revelation of God to man is in the Person of the Incarnate Son. But though unique the Incarnation is not solitary. Before it there was the divine institution of the Law and the Prophets, the former a typical anticipation (de Incarn. 40. 2) of the destined reality, and along with the latter (ib. 12. 2 and 5) for all the world a holy school of the knowledge of God and the conduct of the soul.' After it there is the history of the life and teaching of Christ and the writings … Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Epistle xxx. To Narses, the Religious (Narsæ Relegioso) . To Narses, the Religious (Narsæ Relegioso) [1710] . Gregory to Narses, &c. When I was sending Romanus the guardian (defensorem) to the royal city, he sought long your letters, but they could not be found: but afterwards they were found among many letters from other persons, your Sweetness, therein telling me of your afflictions and tribulations of spirit, and making known the oppositions to you of bad men. But, I pray you, in all this recall to your mind what I believe too that you never … Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Endurance of the World's Censure. "And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them; neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions; be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house."--Ezekiel ii. 6. What is here implied, as the trial of the Prophet Ezekiel, was fulfilled more or less in the case of all the Prophets. They were not Teachers merely, but Confessors. They came not merely to unfold the Law, or to foretell the Gospel, … John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Dread of Ridicule. 24th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. ix. 24. "And they laughed Him to scorn." INTRODUCTION.--"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. iii. 12.) This is what S. Paul says. This is what everyone of you must make up your mind to, if you intend to live godly lives, and, moreover, to live in Christ. Do you know what that meant to the early Christians? It meant that if they were going to be firm in their faith, live up to their profession, and eschew evil, they should … S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent Of the Unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of Persons Deut. vi. 4.--"Hear, O Israel The Lord our God is one Lord."--1 John v. 7 "There are three that bear record in heaven the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one." "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," 2 Tim. iii. 16. There is no refuse in it, no simple and plain history, but it tends to some edification, no profound or deep mystery, but it is profitable for salvation. Whatsoever … Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Honour and Glory unto Him. IN Revelation V, that great worship scene, beginning some day in heaven and going on into future ages, we read of the Lamb to whom honor and glory are due. He alone is worthy. And every heart who knows Him rejoicing in His love, cries out, "Thou art worthy!" Yea, the sweetest song for the redeemed soul is the outburst of praise, which we find on the threshold of His own Revelation. "Unto Him that loveth us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and hath made us kings and priests unto God and … Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory Inspiration. "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God."-- Rev. iii. 1. We do not speak here of the New Testament. Nothing has contributed more to falsify and undermine faith in the Scripture and the orthodox view concerning it than the unhistoric and unnatural practise of considering the Scripture of the Old and the New Testament at the same time. The Old Testament appears first; then came the Word in the flesh; and only after that the Scripture … Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Letter xxii (Circa A. D. 1129) to Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas To Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas Bernard consoles him under the persecution of which he is the object. The most pious endeavours do not always have the desired success. What line of conduct ought to be followed towards his inferiors by a prelate who is desirous of stricter discipline. 1. I have learned with much pain by your letter the persecution that you are enduring for the sake of righteousness, and although the consolation given you by Christ in the promise of His kingdom may suffice amply for … Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Letter xi (Circa A. D. 1120) the Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims The Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims He consoles this abbot for the departure of the Monk Drogo and his transfer to another monastery, and exhorts him to patience. 1. How much I sympathize with your trouble only He knows who bore the griefs of all in His own body. How willingly would I advise you if I knew what to say, or help you if I were able, as efficaciously as I would wish that He who knows and can do all things should advise and assist me in all my necessities. If brother Drogo had consulted … Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures 2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular … Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Stedfastness in the Old Paths. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, … John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away. There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, … John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Discerning Prayer. INTRODUCTORY. BY D.W. WHITTLE. To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by all intelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and under condemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would be horrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power and wisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought of consequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not of enough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles … Various—The Wonders of Prayer The Perfect Heart. For the eyes of the Lord ran to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him--2 CHRON. xvi. 9. This passage occurs in the history of Asa, one of the most godly and devoted kings that ever sat upon the throne of Judah. We are told in the fourteenth chapter that he commenced his reign by setting himself to destroy the idolatry into which the whole nation had been betrayed by its former ruler, and to restore the worship and service … Catherine Booth—Godliness Links 2 Timothy 3:3 NIV2 Timothy 3:3 NLT2 Timothy 3:3 ESV2 Timothy 3:3 NASB2 Timothy 3:3 KJV
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