2 Timothy 3 - Warned and Inspired

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In chapter 3, Paul basically shoots a warning shot across the bow to Timothy. Opening with the reality that the time on this earth is not going to get easier, in the last days there will be very difficult times. Then Paul closes his thought, after listing out many of the challenges we will face in our society with another warning and reality. 

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I don’t know about you, but there is not much inspiration going on here. This is how the Message translation describes the difficult times ahead. 

“Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:1-5‬ ‭MSG‬‬

So, as Paul is on death row, nearing his last breath on earth, he pens this letter letting Timothy know the last days there will be very difficult times, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 

Well, happy Thursday, have a great day! Right? What about the inspiration you said in the title, where is that? Great question, and exactly what I was thinking and processing as well. Paul did give thoughts and a really powerful closing that we need to apply to our lives. Let me start with this. After listing out all the challenges we will face in this world, the verses in the Message translation above, look at the closing; Stay clear of these people.

“Have nothing to do with such people.” - 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:5‬b ‭NIV‬‬

We will, and better said, we are facing many of these realities in our days today! As Christ-followers, we must stay clear of those types of people. My pastor, in a message years ago, said something so powerful that describes this perfectly; “Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.” Great advice we can apply today. Paul goes on and offers a few more thoughts and tips for Timothy. 

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Stay clear of, and do not befriend the wrong type of people, and continue to walk out and live our your faith that has been instilled in you through the Bible. I don’t know about you, but in the end, when you sum it all up, it’s pretty basic. We can find ourselves in the middle of our complex and challenging circumstances, thinking there is a deep and profound answer that we just can not seem to find. Here, Paul debunks that theory and concept and lays out a pretty simple and straightforward direction. The world is not our friend, it’s going to be hard, we will face trials and persecution, but through it all, we must walk out our faith and live a life according to the truth that the Bible instructs. We can do this knowing that:

“Every Scripture has been inspired by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Inspired. We should be inspired knowing that every Scripture, every word in the Bible we read and study is God-breathed. The word “inspiration” translates θεοπνευστος (THEOPNEUSTOS), a Greek word occurring only once in the New Testament. Its meaning, literally, is “God-breathed.” 

Be inspired, be encouraged that every moment you are reading the Bible, God is breathing life into you. God’s breath will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.

Amen