The Bible — World English Bible

2 Timothy 3

In brief

In this letter written near the end of his life, Paul warns Timothy that the last days will be hard times, marked by selfishness, love of money and an outward show of godliness. He reminds him that a life faithful to Christ draws opposition, but he urges Timothy to hold on to what he has learned. The chapter ends with a foundational text: all Scripture is God-breathed and is enough to equip the man of God for every good work.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-9Hard times: a godliness that is only for show
  2. v. 10-13Paul's example: following closely, despite persecution
  3. v. 14-17Remaining in the God-breathed Scripture

1But know this: that in the last days, grievous times will come.

2For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good,

4traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

5holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.

6For some of these are people who creep into houses and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

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

8Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith are rejected.

9But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.

10But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

11persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all.

12Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.

15From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

17that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Key verses

Verse 5
holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.

Paul describes a religion of appearances, one that keeps the forms but denies God's power. The text invites us to examine the reality of our own faith, not just how it looks.

Verse 12
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Living godly in Christ Jesus does not protect from opposition, it sometimes attracts it. Persecution is not something to seek, it is the possible reaction to a life that is truly transformed.

Verse 15
From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

Timothy knew the Scriptures from childhood. They are not meant only to build up knowledge: they lead to the wisdom that brings salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Verse 16-17
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

These two verses tell us where Scripture comes from (God), what it is for (teaching, reproof, correction, training) and what it produces: a believer equipped for every good work.

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What the sermons say

The Living Word, Daily NourishmentThe preacher opens verses 14 to 17 and invites us to pick up the Bible as a natural part of daily life. For him, the Word shapes the heart slowly, especially in hard times.Read the summary →Making the Bible Part of Your Day: Three Graces Every DayStarting from this passage, the message encourages us to spend time in Scripture every day, over the long run. It draws three graces from it: turning back to Christ, being a witness without forcing it, being rebuilt by the Word.Read the summary →3 Levels to Read the Bible Without Staying on the SurfaceStarting from verse 16, the preacher distinguishes three levels of reading: discovering the book, studying the passage, proposing a verified idea. He reminds us never to isolate a verse from its context.Read the summary →Blessed Are the Persecuted: The 8th Beatitude That Sets You FreeOn the eighth beatitude, the preacher quotes verse 12: persecution is the world's reaction to a transformed life. He sees a reason for joy in it, because the kingdom remains secure.Read the summary →Spiritual Warfare: 8 Keys to Master Before Picking Up WeaponsIn this series on spiritual warfare, verse 16 is used to discern God's voice: we cannot recognize it without reading his Word, which always corrects in love.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 2 Timothy 3

What does 2 Timothy 3:16 mean?

This verse says that all Scripture is God-breathed, literally breathed out by him. It is profitable for teaching the truth, reproving error, correcting conduct and training in righteousness. Christians understand it as a call to read the whole Bible, and not only the passages that comfort.

What is the main message of 2 Timothy 3?

Paul prepares Timothy for hard times. Faced with a selfish society and a religion of appearances, he asks him to remain faithful to what he has learned and to rely on Scripture. It gives the wisdom that leads to salvation and equips the believer for every good work.

Will all Christians be persecuted according to 2 Timothy 3:12?

Paul writes that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. The form varies a great deal: mockery, social rejection or violence depending on the country. The verse does not invite us to look for persecution, but not to be surprised by opposition when faithfulness to Christ becomes visible.

Articles quoting 2 Timothy 3

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World English Bible translation — public domain.