Summary: In the first two chapters of this letter, Paul has encouraged and discipled Timothy in order to prepare him for what he says in Chapter 3. With the knowledge of mercy and peace God gives us and with a great work ethic, Timothy (like us) could be prepared

Opposition from Within

2 Timothy 3:1-9

I. Their Characteristics (v. 2-5)

a. Selfish (v. 2; Luke 9:23)

b. Negative view of others (v. 3; Romans 13:8-10)

c. Dangerous (v. 4; Philippians 2:3)

d. Spiritual counterfeits (v. 5; Jude 4; Matthew 7:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6)

II. Their Converts (v. 6-7)

a. Those looking for an escape (v. 6; Titus 3:3)

b. Those searching for the truth (v. 7; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 2:6; Proverbs 14:7; Romans 10:2)

III. Their Devout Destruction (v. 8-9)

a. Opposed to anything other than THEIR beliefs (v. 8)

b. They face certain doom (Romans 1:18-21)

REFERENCE NOTES

Luke 9:23—

23And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

Romans 13:8-10—

8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9For this, " YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Philippians 2:3—

3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Jude 4—

4For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:15—

15"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

2 Thessalonians 3:6—

6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.

Titus 3:3—

3For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

Proverbs 12:1—1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

But he who hates reproof is stupid.

Proverbs 1:7—

7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 2:6—6For the LORD gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 14:7—

7Leave the presence of a fool,

Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

Romans 10:2—

2For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.

Romans 1:18-21—

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.