2 Timothy 3

KJV · Chapter 3/4

1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Paul describes what the last days will be like, marked by selfishness, disrespect, and an appearance of godliness without its real power. He reminds Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for shaping a life of righteousness.

Explanation

The list of difficult behaviors in the 'last days' is not merely a prediction of some distant period, but a description of patterns that recur throughout history whenever genuine faith is replaced by empty religious appearances. Paul contrasts this with the eternal value of Scripture, which teaches, corrects, and equips for every good work — one of the most quoted texts on the authority of the Bible. The mention of Jannes and Jambres, traditionally identified as the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses, shows that Paul also drew on well-known Jewish traditions to illustrate his points. Today's practical application is to anchor one's life in Scripture as a reliable source for shaping character, even in times of moral confusion.

Chapters