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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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
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
: 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.

6. 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
: 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

7. 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