1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 3:1-9 KJV)
Godlessness in the Last Days
Timothy must not think it strange if there are bad people in the church, for the net of the gospel gathers both good and bad fish (Matthew 13:47-48). Jesus Christ foretold that seducers would come (Matthew 24:11), so we must not be offended or think less of religion because of them. Even in gold ore, there is dross, and among the wheat, there will be chaff.
Timothy must understand that in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1)—meaning the gospel era—perilous times would come. Though the gospel brings reformation, there would still be danger, not so much from persecution outside the church as from corruption within. These would be difficult days for anyone striving to keep a clear conscience. The peril comes not merely from enemies of Christianity but from those who have a form of godliness yet are corrupt and harmful to the church (2 Timothy 3:5). Two traitors inside a fortress can do more harm than two thousand enemies outside.
Sin makes the times perilous. When wickedness becomes widespread, it is hard to remain faithful in the midst of corruption. The rise of such times proves the truth of Scripture’s predictions. We must be prepared for them so that we are not surprised when they come.
Paul explains what causes these perilous times and how to recognize them (2 Timothy 3:2-5).
Self-love will make the times perilous. This refers not to healthy self-care but to sinful self-centeredness. People will love their carnal desires more than their spiritual well-being. They will care more about pleasing themselves than pleasing God, and will seek their own gratification instead of the good of others.
Covetousness follows self-love. When people love themselves excessively, greed soon takes root. When everyone seeks personal gain, society becomes dangerous, for each man becomes a threat to his neighbor.
Pride and arrogance also make the times perilous. When people are boastful and blasphemous—boasting before men and blaspheming against God—they show they neither fear God nor respect man (Romans 1:30).
When children are disobedient to parents, they destroy one of the basic bonds of society. Those who rebel against their own parents will easily rebel against God (Ephesians 6:1-2).
Unthankfulness and unholiness go together. Those who forget God’s mercies will not fear Him. Ingratitude leads to impurity, for when people abuse God’s gifts and turn them into instruments of lust, they show deep disrespect for their Creator.
The times are perilous when people lack natural affection and honesty (2 Timothy 3:3). When children disobey parents and parents neglect their children, sin has corrupted even natural love. Those who have no regard for family ties or solemn covenants will easily break promises and betray trust.
Times are also perilous when people are false accusers, acting like devils toward one another, disregarding others’ reputations and oaths (Psalm 12:4).
When people cannot control their appetites or tempers, they become dangerous. The incontinent and the fierce are like cities without walls—easily provoked and quick to harm (Proverbs 25:28).
The times are perilous when good is despised. The proud look down on the godly, even though the righteous are more excellent than their neighbors (Proverbs 12:26).
When men are treacherous, reckless, and arrogant, the times are perilous (2 Timothy 3:4). Our Lord said, “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child” (Matthew 10:21). When betrayal, pride, and scorn prevail, society crumbles.
When people love pleasure more than they love God, the times are truly evil. To love anything more than God, especially sinful pleasures, is to live with a carnal mind that is hostile to Him (Romans 8:7).
Even worse, while indulging in all this wickedness, people will still maintain a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). They will claim to be Christians, yet deny the power of true godliness. They will accept religion’s outward form to avoid reproach, but reject its transforming power to avoid repentance.
People may appear religious but live wickedly. The form of godliness is entirely different from its power. We must therefore turn away from those who claim faith but deny its life-changing reality.
Paul then warns Timothy against certain deceivers—not only to protect himself but also to help others resist them (2 Timothy 3:6-9).
These false teachers work secretly, creeping into homes rather than appearing openly, for “everyone who does evil hates the light” (John 3:20). They target the weak—those burdened with sin and easily led astray by various desires. A foolish mind and a corrupt heart make people easy prey for deception.
Though they are always learning, they never come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7). They are unstable and always chasing new ideas under the pretense of seeking higher knowledge, but never grasp the truth as it is in Christ.
Paul compares them to the Egyptian magicians Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses (Exodus 7:11). Just as those men resisted God’s truth, so do these heretics. They are corrupt in mind and faith, but their progress will be short-lived.
Deceivers hide in darkness and prey on the weak. They resist the truth and, like the magicians of Egypt, will ultimately be exposed and shamed. Their folly will become evident to all, for truth will prevail. God allows the spirit of error only for a time; Satan cannot deceive longer than God permits.