Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 32

Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 2

2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, KJV

Paul continues his description to Brother Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation of the type of times the last days will be and what type of things men and women will commonly, consistently, and coldly practice in those days without care, caution, or concern for other peoples rights or welfare at all, so he declares these words in this second (2nd) letter to Timothy next, "Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good," (2 Timothy 3:3) (KJV). The English phrase that begins this verse 'without natural affection' is translated by the Greek word astorgos (used here and only one other place in the entire New Testament) meaning hard hearted towards kindred: - without natural affection. In other words, men, women, and children who exhibit this character and behavior toward their own flesh and blood on the earth cannot be trusted in any earthly capacity and are capable of doing anything to society at large, for the affection of a Mother to child and a Father to child and children to Parents is something that should come naturally to every human being, therefore, when it is apparently absent among some, then we are reminded that we are in the last days for sure, as our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ told us would occur during these times when He said this to the early disciples, "Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. Everyone will hate you because of Me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved." (Matthew 10:21-22) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this phrase, "Without that affection which parents bear to their young, and which the young bear to their parents. An affection which is common to every class of animals; consequently, men without it are worse than brutes."

The English word 'trucebreakers' is translated by the Greek word aspondos which means truceless: - implacable, that is,  incapable of being placated, someone who is relentless and merciless. In other words, the trucebreaker is the person who never wants peace between people and will eventually or at some point always break any agreement that they make with others. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about trucebreakers, "It properly means 'without treaty;' that is, those who are averse to any treaty or compact. It may thus refer to those who are unwilling to enter into any agreement; that is, either those who are unwilling to be reconciled to others when there is a variance - implacable; or those who disregard treaties or agreements. In either case, this marks a very corrupt condition of society. Nothing would be more indicative of the lowest state of degradation, than that in which all compacts and agreements were utterly disregarded." The English phrase 'false accusers' is translated by the Greek word diabolos which means (as used here) a traducer, that is, One who attacks the reputation of another by slander or libel; someone who acts like the devil who is the father of lies (John 8:44). In other words, the person who is a false accuser is one who is always endeavoring to ruin or destroy the character of others, so that they can elevate themselves above them in the eyes of all. Note: "The false accuser is a man or woman who enjoys being held in high regard, that is, in the place of honor and often they see the way to get to that place is by lying on the person or persons standing in their way of elevation. These people know nothing of taking the lowly place and then being exalted by God to a higher place, that's because they are like their father the devil who said, 'For you have said in your heart, I will go up to the heavens, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.' (Isaiah 14:13) (Modern King James Version)."

The English word 'incontinent' is translated by the Greek word akratēs (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning (as used here) powerless, that is, without self control. In other words, this describes the men and women who have completely yielded themselves over to the control of their natural selves, their corrupt nature, without any strength or power to resist the passions of the flesh, they then make excuse for it by saying things like, 'God made me this way', 'It is in my genes or genetics', 'I was born this way', etc. The Apostle Paul warned the married Christian couples in the Corithian Church against giving themselves over to their corrupt first nature by committing adultery with these words to them, "Now I will answer the questions that you asked in your letter. You asked, 'Is it best for people not to marry?' Well, having your own husband or wife should keep you from doing something immoral. Husbands and wives should be fair with each other about having sex. A wife belongs to her husband instead of to herself, and a husband belongs to his wife instead of to himself. So don't refuse sex to each other, unless you agree not to have sex for a little while, in order to spend time in prayer. Then Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. In my opinion that is what should be done, though I don't know of anything the Lord said about this matter. I wish that all of you were like me, but God has given different gifts to each of us. Here is my advice for people who have never been married and for widows. You should stay single, just as I am. But if you don't have enough self-control, then go ahead and get married. After all, it is better to marry than to burn with desire." (1 Corinthians 7:1-9) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about the incontinent, "Those who, having sinned away their power of self-government, want strength to govern their appetites; especially those who are slaves to uncleanness." The English word 'fierce' is translated by the Greek word anēmeros (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) which means savage, that is, violently agitated and turbulent. The English phrase 'despisers of those that are good' is translated by the Greek word aphilagathos (used also this one time only in the New Testament) meaning hostile to virtue. In other words, those that are savage and violant to others are also especially very hostile to those of us who love and belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, simply because the devil hates our Lord Jesus and in turn those who belong to him hate us. Our Lord Jesus said these words concerning this fact, "The one hearing you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me; he who rejects you also rejects Him who sent Me." (Luke 10:16) (Modern King James Version).

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…