2 Timothy 3:1–17 (Pt. 1) | Resources
Intro
In 2 Timothy 3:1–9, Paul warns Timothy that difficult times will come in the last days, marked by a widespread moral and spiritual decline. People will become lovers of self and money, boastful, proud, disobedient, ungrateful, and unholy. Their lives will be defined by selfishness, pleasure-seeking, and a rejection of godliness, even as they maintain an outward appearance of religion. Paul cautions Timothy to stay away from such people, especially false teachers who prey on the vulnerable and oppose the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, these individuals resist God’s message and will ultimately be exposed. This passage serves as a sobering reminder to remain grounded in true faith and godly living amidst growing deception and rebellion.
Pray: God, I want to grow. Use your Word to shape my heart, change my life, and bring glory to your name.
Passage: 2 Timothy 3:1–17
1 But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.
6 For among them are those who worm their way into households and deceive gullible women overwhelmed by sins and led astray by a variety of passions, 7 always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth. They are men who are corrupt in mind and worthless in regard to the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be clear to all, as was the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres.
10 But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, 11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured—and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Prayer
“Lord, help me recognize the signs of spiritual decline in the world and in my own heart. Guard me against being shaped by the values of this age: selfishness, pride, and empty religion. Give me discernment to recognize false teaching and the courage to stand firm in the truth. Keep my heart humble, grateful, and fully surrendered to You, so I may reflect true godliness in a world that desperately needs Your light.”
Memory Verse
“But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.” 2 Timothy 3:1–5
Supplemental Reading
Romans 1:28–32
Gospel Connection
2 Timothy 3:1–9 points us to the gospel by highlighting humanity’s desperate need for salvation. Paul paints a sobering picture of the brokenness and rebellion that will characterize people in the last days: lovers of self, haters of good, outwardly religious but inwardly corrupt. This stark diagnosis of the human heart underscores why the gospel is not just helpful but essential. We cannot fix ourselves through morality or religion—we need a Savior who transforms hearts from the inside out. In contrast to the deception and destruction described in these verses, the gospel offers true godliness, forgiveness, and power through Jesus Christ. It is only by God’s grace that we can escape the pull of a corrupt world and live lives marked by genuine faith and holiness.
Discussion/Reflection Questions
1. Do I see any of these negative attitudes or behaviors in myself or the culture around me? How should that impact my daily choices?
2. How can I guard my heart against becoming “lovers of self” or “lovers of money” in subtle ways?
3. Am I more focused on outward appearances of faith, or am I cultivating genuine godliness in my life?
4. How can I discern and avoid false teachings or people who distort the truth?
5. What role does the gospel play in protecting me from the moral and spiritual dangers described in this passage?
Action Step: Take time this week to honestly evaluate your heart and habits. Identify one area where you may be tempted to follow the patterns described—such as selfishness, pride, or empty religion—and ask God to reveal how His gospel can bring true transformation. Then, take a concrete step toward growth, like reading a passage on humility, confessing that struggle to a trusted friend or mentor, or committing to pray daily for God’s renewing work in your life.