2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Timothy must not think it strange if there were in the church bad men; for the net of the gospel was to enclose both good fish and bad, Matt. 13:47, 48. Jesus Christ had foretold (Matt. 24:1-51) that there would come seducers, and therefore we must not be offended at it, nor think the worse of religion or the church for it. Even in gold ore there will be dross, and a great deal of chaff among the wheat when it lies on the floor. I. Timothy must know that in the last days (2 Tim. 3:1), in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 3:1

3:1 You must realize this--that in the last days difficult times will set in. The early Church lived in an age when the time was waxing late; they expected the Second Coming at any moment. Christianity was cradled in Judaism and very naturally thought largely in Jewish terms and pictures. Jewish thought had one basic conception. The Jews divided all time into this present age and the age to come. This present age was altogether evil; and the age to come would be the golden age of God. In... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1

This know also ,.... That not only men of bad principles and practices are in the churches now, as before described in the preceding chapter, but that in succeeding ages there would be worse men, if possible, and the times would be still worse; this the apostle had, and delivered by a spirit of prophecy, and informed Timothy, and others of it, that he and they might be prepared for such events, and fortified against them: that in the last days perilous times shall come ; "or hard" and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 3:1

In the last days - This often means the days of the Messiah, and is sometimes extended in its signification to the destruction of Jerusalem, as this was properly the last days of the Jewish state. But the phrase may mean any future time, whether near or distant. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 3:1

Verse 1 1But know this By this prediction he intended still more to sharpen his diligence; for, when matters go on to our wish, we become more careless; but necessity urges us keenly. Paul, therefore informs him, that the Church will be subject to terrible diseases, which will require in the pastors uncommon fidelity, diligence, watchfulness, prudence, and unwearied constancy; as if he enjoined Timothy to prepare for arduous and deeply anxious contests which awaited him. And hence we learn,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1

But know this for this know also , A.V.; grievous for perilous , A.V. Grievous times ( καιροὶ χαλεποί ). "Grievous" is not a very good rendering. "Perilous," though in some contexts it is a right rendering, is a little too restricted here. "Difficult," "trying," "uneasy," or the like, is nearer the sense. They are times when a Christian hardly knows which way to turn or what to do. He has to live under a constant sense of hindrance and difficulty of one sort or another. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1

The perilous times of the apostasy. The apostle next proceeds to predict a further progress in error, with the view of putting Timothy on his guard and sharpening his diligence. I. THE PERIOD OF THIS APOSTASY . "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." 1 . The language does not point to the closing days of the Christian dispensation , for it resembles the language of the Apostle John—"It is the last time"—where the present is undoubtedly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Holy Scripture the strength of the man of God. There is marvellous force in the application to the Christian bishop and evangelist of the title THE MAN OF God When we remember the course of faithful and untiring labour, and patient unflinching suffering, which was run by those to whom alone this title was given in the Old Testament—Moses and Samuel and Elijah, and other prophets of God—we feel at once that the application of this title to the ministers of Christ under the New... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Grievous times. "But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come." They were in the first days of the Christian era; the times foretold were to be in the last days of that era. There is an intended indefiniteness about the days; nothing is said about their commencement, or about the period over which they are to extend. They are to embrace distinct times, but all characterized by grievousness. From what follows we may infer that the grievousness of the times will consist in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Timothy 3:1

This know also - The “object” of this reference to the perilous times which were to occur, was evidently to show the necessity of using every precaution to preserve the purity of the church, from the fact that such sad scenes were to open upon it. The apostle had dwelt upon this subject in his First Epistle to Timothy 2 Timothy 4:0, but its importance leads him to advert to it again.In the last days - Under the gospel dispensation; some time in that period during which the affairs of the world... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1-9

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 3:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 3:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Timothy 3:1

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