Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 31

Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 1

2 Timothy 3:1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, KJV

The Apostle Paul  has told Brother Timothy how he must be a good soldier of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and how he must be diligent to study and learn the Word of God for himself so that he can be an able, appropriate, and approved servant of Christ Jesus our Lord distributing His Word solely and only as it is written by God the Holy Spirit without error or compromise because of the threats and spiritual and physical attacks from men and women belonging to the devil inside and outside of the visible church. So, now he tells him why he has so exhorted and encouraged him with these first words, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy 3:1) (KJV). Paul wanted Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to know with absolute certainty that the end times (which had begun then) would be perilous times for him and every true Christian. The English word 'perilous' is translated by the Greek word chalepos which means (as used here) difficult, that is, dangerous, or (by implication) furious: - fierce, perilous. In other words, to be a real Christian means to love our Lord Jesus Christ above all things and above all persons and to believe His Word in its entirety or totality and never add to it or take away from it and never compromise it no matter what the false teachers of the liberal churches say who ordain Preist, Bishops, Pastors, and Reverends who are willful practicing sodomites (they don't belong to Jesus Christ at all), likewise those who embrace and except spiritual abominations in their midst who practice magic, sorcery, wizardry, witchcraft, voodoo, and all those other things our Lord Jesus Christ condemns in Deuteronomy 18:9-14. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning this verse, "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." 

Next Paul begins to make a list detailing and describing these people for Timothy and for we true believers today and of every era and generation, beginning with this, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy," (2 Timothy 3:2) (KJV). The English phrase 'lovers of their own selves' is translated by the Greek word philautos (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning fond of self, that is, selfish: - lover of own self. The English word 'covetous' is translated by the Greek word philarguros meaning fond of silver (money), that is, avaricious (immoderately desirous of acquiring wealth): - covetous. In other words, the man or woman who unnaturally loves themselvs will also want to have inordinate amounts of earthly money (and in most of these cases be willing to do anything to get it) so that they can treat themselves to their 'heaven' here and now on the earth. Albert Barnes had this to say about those lovers of self and money, "It means a lover of oneself, 'selfish.' Such a love of self as to lead us to secure our salvation, is proper. But this interferes with the rights and happiness of no other persons. The selfishness which is condemned, is that regard to our own interests which interferes with the rights and comforts of others; which makes self the central and leading object of living; and which tramples on all that would interfere with that. As such, it is a base, and hateful, and narrow passion; but it has been so common in the world that no one can doubt the correctness of the prophecy of the Apostle that it would exist 'in the last times.'"

The English word 'boasters' is translated by the Greek word alazōn which means braggart(exhibiting self-importance): - boaster. The English word 'proud' is translated by the Greek word huperēphanos meaning appearing above others (conspicuous), that is, (figuratively) haughty: - proud. In other words, the boastful and proud person will always and at all times exalt themselves when you here them say things like 'I am a very intellegent person' or 'I'm very smart' or 'I don't make mistakes', these people think themselves to be above the rest of humanity and they are often found in politics and government. It is certain that every man or woman that has become a Ruler/Dictator of a country is this type of person and perhaps it is found in many of our own American Presidents, the current one for sure. Here is what the Apostle James had to say about the proud and boasting, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6) (Modern King James Version) and "But now you boast in your presumptions. All such boasting is evil." (James 4:16) (Modern King James Version).

The English word 'blasphemers' is translated by the Greek word blasphēmos which means (as used here) impious (against God); railing. The English word 'disobedient' is translated by the Greek word apeithēs which means unpersuadable, that is, contumacious(willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient). The English word 'unthankful' is translated by the Greek word acharistos meaning thankless, that is, ungrateful: - unthankful. The English word 'unholy' is translated by the Greek word anosios which means wicked: - unholy. In other words, the irreverent man or woman toward God the Father will naturally be stubborn and obstinate toward their parents and all other forms of authority God the Father has put in place upon the earth, just as we are reminded that this same Apostle declared to us with these words, "Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God. So that the one resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God; and the ones who resist will receive judgment to themselves. For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the bad. And do you desire to be not afraid of the authority? Do the good, and you shall have praise from it. For it is a servant of God to you for good. For if you practice evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, a revenger for wrath on him who does evil." (Romans 13:1-4) (Modern King James Version). Note: "A disobedient child grows up often times to become a disobedient adult to every authority and is unthankful, ungrateful, and unholy to God the Father and completely unashamed, unafraid, and unyielding in his or her pursuit to take from others, often times with angry violence."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…