II Timothy 3: A Study in Evil August 7, 2016 This is the preface to a series based on the book, “The Disappearing Church”

II Timothy Is a pastoral epistle To Timothy from Paul Paul’s last letter And these are Paul’s last instructions to Timothy They are how the pastor and church should perceive and respond to evil in the world

1. How the Church should perceive evil 3.1: It will exist continually Biblically, the “last days” began when Jesus was born in Bethlehem Timothy lived in the last days; we live in the last days; and our children will live in the last days. 3.1: It will be ferocious evil, and Christianity will be its target Perilous is translated “fierce” in Matthew 8.28 3.12: Christianity will be it’s target There will be no uneasy truce There are 3 imperatives in the text: 3.1; 3.5; 3.14

3.2-5: this ferocious evil will be embodied in people 3.2: It’s primary trait will be “self-love” 3.2-4: Selfish self-interest will be its most evident trait: coveting; bragging; pride; speaking evil of others; disobedient to their parents; ungrateful; indifferent to right; “heartless;” uncommitted; slanderers; “out of control;” savage; opposed to those who do right; betrayers; reckless (highminded) 3.4-5: The Church will not escape such people Trucebreakers refers to the idea of being unwilling to be bound by, or enter into, a covenant.

3.10-12: This evil will only be resisted through Godly living 3.6-9: This evil will both spread, and lose influence among true believers It will spread by preying upon the weak and spiritually feeble. 3.6-8 It’s NOT a blanket condemnation women It is highlighting the weakest element (spiritually) of any society: the powerless (in this case women), those in “bondage,” and those searching for answers It will be stopped when the folly is exposed. 3.9 Paul has not yet explained how it will be exposed, but he is getting there 3.10-12: This evil will only be resisted through Godly living Which comes at a high cost at times Jannes and Jambres are the traditional names of the Egyptian magicians. They had some power, but were ineffective against Moses.

3.13: Godly living will not eliminate evil, nor slow its impact. As the age progresses, there will be a progression of Evil men and those who seduce (“enchant”) Who themselves are deceived 3.14-17: Godly living is enabled by, and defined by, the Bible Evil men oppose the truth; and are deceived The Bible makes one wise unto salvation

2. How the Church should respond to evil 3.1: Know this. Godly people need to know this 3.5: Avoid this conduct and those who engage in it Evangelize them? Yes Befriend them and participate? No 3.14: Continue in obedience to the Bible. 3 imperatives occur: 3.1; 3.5; 3.14