Scripture: 2 Timothy 3: 10-15

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Scripture Commentary:

Sin has consequences, and no one will get away with it forever. Live a godly life – live as if your actions will one day be known to everyone. Now is the time to change anything you wouldn’t want revealed later.

Don’t be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize, and even try to hurt you because of what you believe and how you have changed your life. Don’t give up!

Jesus’s light changes people.

Don’t expect false teachers and evil people to reform and change on their own. Left alone, they will go from bad to worse. If you have the opportunity to bring them back to faith in Christ, do so.

Christ has placed people in your life to bring them out of the darkness (as we all were at a time in our life). You are to point them to His glory, light and love.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 Timothy Chapter 3

Read Other Commentary from the Books of Timothy:

Be Strong in the Grace that is Jesus

Flee from Evil Desires and Pursue Righteousness

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3: 1-5

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Scripture Commentary: Paul’s reference to the “last days” reveals his sense of urgency.

The last days began after Jesus’ resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost. And the last days will end when Jesus returns.

Paul gives us a descriptive list of behavior of the last days. Check the list! It describes our society and unfortunately, the behavior of many Christians.

Don’t give in to society’s pressures.

Don’t settle for comfort without commitment. Sin has consequences, and no one will get away with it. Don’t be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize and even try to hurt you because of what you believe and how you live.

We have to remove ourselves from temptation. This can be the most courageous action we can take when the devil tries us. When we do this, those who oppose us will be more willing to hear what we have to say. Perhaps they will turn from their error.

Stand up against evil by living as God would have His people live.

Seek to find God’s truth and will for your life. God is the only one we need to please.

Read the Entire Chapter:

2 Timothy Chapter 3

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2: 8-13

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.  Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

 Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Scripture Commentary: Beloved, remain faithful! Jesus was raised from the dead for you!

In Timothy’s day, many asserted that Christ was divine but not human; God, but not man. After all, He was raised from the dead.

The truth that Jesus is one person with two united natures has never been easy to understand. But people believe.

God promises that someday we will live eternally with Him.

What does this mean? It means believers will live in Christ’s kingdom, and will share in the administration of that kingdom.

Are you facing hardships? Don’t turn away from God. He promises you a wonderful future with Him. Jesus is faithful. He will stay by your side even when you have endured so much that you seem to have no faith left.

Jesus Christ loves us all!

Read the Entire Chapter:

2 Timothy Chapter 2

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2: 22-23

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Scripture Commentary: Flee evil desires and pursue faith, love, and peace.

Timothy, a young man, was warned to flee anything that produced evil thoughts. Running away is considered cowardly by many. Wise people realize that removing themselves physically from a situation/temptation can be the most courageous and effective action to take.

Do you have recurring temptations that are difficult to avoid? Are there certain situations that stimulate your desire to sin. By physically removing yourself from those situations you decrease your likelihood to sin.

The flesh is weak.

Ask the Lord Jesus Christ for his power to release you from your temptations. Through him, you can make it out, but you will never make it out alone. By living the life God intends for you, you will inevitably surround yourself with fellow Christians and find yourself in an environment that does not tempt you to sin.

Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight. Don’t give in to society’s pressures. Stand up against evil. Live as God wants you to live. Follow God’s truth, and he will never forsake you.

Don’t settle for less than God’s highest and best.

Allow God to use you as his instrument to carry his word to all.

Read the Entire Chapter:
2 Timothy Chapter 2

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2: 1-5

You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 

Scripture Commentary: The grace of Jesus is with you

Live by the grace that saves you, the grace you don’t deserve. Trust completely in Christ and his power. Do not try to live for Christ in your strength alone.

If the church lived by this advice, it would expand greatly and well taught believers would teach others and commission them, turning them into teachers also. Disciples must train before they pass on their faith. We complete our work when new believers can bring others to Christ and make disciples of them.

Jesus is the power and the glory

Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules.

Our suffering is worthwhile. We will reap what we sow when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, bringing people to Christ, and one day living eternally with him. God will supply the strength to endure his mission.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Galatians Chapter 2