2 Timothy 3:1-2 NIV

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

For men shall be - The description in this and the following verses the Papists apply to the Protestants; the Protestants in their turn apply it to the Papists; Schoettgen to the Jews; and others to heretics in general. There have been both teachers and people in every age of the Church, and in every age of the world, to whom these words may be most legitimately applied. Both Catholics and Protestants have been lovers of their own selves, etc.; but it is probable that the apostle had some... 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

John Calvin

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

Verse 2 2For men will be It is proper to remark, first, in what he makes the hardship of those “dangerous” or “troublesome” times to consist; not in war, nor in famine, nor in diseases, nor in any calamities or inconveniences to which the body is incident, but in the wicked and depraved actions of men. And, indeed, nothing is so distressingly painful to godly men, and to those who truly fear God, as to behold such corruptions of morals; for, as there is nothing which they value more highly than... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:2

Self for their own selves , A.V.; lovers of money for covetous , A.V.; boastful for boasters , A.V.; haughty for proud , A.V.; railers for blasphemers , A.V. Men ( οἱἄνθρωποι ); men in general, the bulk of men in the Church; for he is speaking, not of the world at large, but of professing Christians. Lovers of self ( φίλαυτοι ); only here in the New Testament, and not found in the LXX .; but used by Aristotle in a striking passage (quoted by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:2-5

Characteristics of the apostasy. The doctrinal degeneracy is marked by a widespread moral decay. The apostle, after his usual manner, groups the characters into classes for more distinct consideration. I. THE SELFISH CLASS . "For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money." Selfishness heads the dreary list. It is regarded by many theologians as the root principle of all sin. As the opposite of love, however, is not selfishness, but hatred, this position cannot be maintained.... 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

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

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 3:2-5

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

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