Timothy II - Expositional Study
A MIRROR OF LAST DAYS
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-9 (KJV)
Introduction
"In the last days" – what is the period to which this phrase refers? Some say that it describes the whole of this age, from the Departure to the Return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Others hold that it means only the close of the age, the last times immediately preceding His coming. What we have in this passage is an outline of the deplorable character that will become outstandingly common among men at that time. Yet, these sad characteristics are not the exclusive property of that last period; for in different ways and degrees they have appeared, and will continue to appear, through the years. So much so that in the course of history it has often happened that life has become so evil that earnest people have thought, "these must be the last days". Yet, it has passed, a certain improvement has been manifested, and then another outbreak has occurred. And once more serious minded folk have wondered. It may, then, be said that while in the intervening years some measure of the picture will, from time to time, be seen, yet, when the end-time really does dawn, these dread qualities will be so widespread, and deep-seated, as has never been before. Therefore, anytime in any exaggerated degree, prevalent sin exhibits itself in such a manifestation, it may turn out to be, in all solemn truth, "the last days", before the Day of His Appearing. Can we find such elements in our present-day world? We should pause for serious reflection concerning the possibility. It may or may not be – it may pass, as have other similar seasons. But, we should make enquiry. Some have said that Paul expected the Return to come immediately, and that circumstances have proved him to be wrong. But, he never said it 'would' be immediate, but that it 'might' be which is certainly different. It is evidently the Lord's intention that each succeeding generation of Christians should remain on the "qui vive": "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour..." (Matt. 25:13). Let each following age of Christians watch; and let each individual Christian watch for any emphatic recrudescence of evil that might prove to be the predicted sign of "the last days", whose marks have frequently shown themselves. In 'Winter Walk at Noon' the poet, Cowper, wrote:
"The prophets speak of such, and, noting down
The features of the last degenerate times,
Exhibit every lineament of these."
The poet spoke of eighteenth-century times. His words have equal point for our century, as we shall presently observe. Timothy was to see some of these things in his time, as the closing words of verse 5 make plain, yet, those did not turn out to be "the last days". We, too, see these things, yet, these may not be "the last days", but they might be. "Watch therefore", just in case. Let us look now into the Divinely given mirror of the conditions of the end time.
Note how the mirror discloses the type of people. We observe them here in the glass, and we are struck by the remarkable resemblances to our own time. Indeed, as we watch, let us beware of an ungodly censoriousness, or non-humble superiority, for it may be that even some Christians are not altogether immune from some of the undesirable traits here depicted.
With this personal proviso in mind, we first note that their behavior is wrong. What a catalogue of infamy it is. Consider them: "Blasphemers", abusive. Moffatt's renders it, "foul-mouthed". Loose language, a mark of our day: lying, swearing, filth, and blasphemy; "Disobedient to parents." Sounds like the daily newspaper; "Unthankful", ungrateful – oblivious of any goodness of God or man. Taking everything for granted. Having no use for God while things continue to go well, but using Him as Someone to blame if things go bad; "Unholy", irreverent. This is one of the prevailing features of our day, scarcely anything is held sacred. Hymns are hilariously parodied. The Bible sometimes becomes a medium for what some imagine to simply be funny stories, and even a few Christians laugh; "Trucebreaders", relentless. Becoming utterly careless of our bond, our word, and our pledge in order to gain our end; "False accusers", scurrilous. How prone we are to scandal-mongering, back-biting, unkind gossiping; never attempting to find out whether the thing is true or false. Actually, the truer it is, the more serious it becomes; "Incontinent", dissolute. A woeful lack of self-control in matters of sex throughout the land is deeply disturbing. The laxity of morals continues to create immense problems for our society; "Fierce", savage. There is in our country a tremendous increase in cruelty. The savage tongue is still active in the work place, but now even our music, television, radio, streets, and schools seem filled with inflicting wounds that can break the heart, blast hopes, and both destroy and ruin lives; "Traitors", treacherous, undependable. Prepared to change sides if it seems advantageous to do so, having no real convictions or sense of loyalty to any cause or person unless it be self; "Heady", reckless, headstrong – having taken the bit in his teeth and becoming entirely heedless of the rights of others or of consequences. What a distressing picture the mirror gives back! But there is more:
Behind the behavior is the thought. Their opinion is wrong. We will never find it easy to accept what such people think about any matter. But notice their opinion of themselves: "Bosters", boastful, of what they do and of what they are; "proud", haughty, as if humbler folk were beneath consideration or notice; "high-minded", conceited, eaten up with self-esteem, bloated with self-importance. How forcibly it reminds us of the Pharisee of Luke 18:10f, "I, I, I, I, I", five times in two verses. He had the highest opinion of himself. And, he had a point. "I fast twice in the week", he was, by the Law, only required to fast once in the year on the Day of Atonement. "I give tithes of all that I possess", he was, by the law, expected to tithe only certain of his possessions, but he taxed all. Splendid! What a Spirit of boastfulness. Timothy will he called to meet, and to deal with, some of the Pharisee's blood relations.
Indeed, they are not yet extinct. Look, too, at their opinion of others. How terribly misguided it can be. For example, as here, "despisers of those that are good." You may have known a few Christians who put people off by their inconsistency ("Deliever me from blood guiltiness, O God" (Ps. 51:14), and others by their best intentions, and others by blundering tactlessness. But, the strange thing is that sometimes people are put off by a Christian's sheer goodness. The mere sight of them becomes a rebuke to their ungodliness; sinfulness cannot abide such saintliness, and, if it is only to quiet their conscience, this hatred of good is horn within them. Wonder if, among the "ungodly sinners" of Enoch's day, (Jude 15), there were some who grew to loathe the lovely character of that dear man who, amid all the base wickedness of those times, "walked with God" (Gen. 5:22, 24). Wonder, too, what, out of their daily contact and intimacy, the wicked heart of Judas made of the holy life of Jesus. Did that traitor become a despiser of the good, as these "traitors" of our present text did? Maybe, but in any case their opinion is of no value because their mind was awry. How different is the true and loyal Christian who can say, as Paul does in 1 Corinthians 2:16, "we have the mind of Christ", who in everyday practical life, as they simply "trust and obey", so closely "walk with the Lord" that they come to know what His mind would be about things and are ever ready to make it theirs. But, in presenting these "men" to us, our text goes further.
Down underneath their behavior and opinion lies that which explains the unsatisfactory condition of both – their affection is wrong. They are "without natural affection", callous. Husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters, living under strained relationships. What a tragedy it all is, and how revealing as the source of much wider evil. But, in the absence of the proper feeling, where is their affection placed? Our present text is clear: they are "lovers of their own selves", wrapped up in themselves. And, it will make an uncommonly small parcel; "Covetous", that is, lovers of money. Of itself, money is no evil thing. It can be very useful and can exercise a blessed ministry in the world. But, as Paul told his "son" earlier (1 Tim. 6:10), "the love of money is the root of all evil." The R.V. says: "a root of all kinds of evil"; "Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Our age has seen a wild, mad, feverish rush after pleasure, with multitudes who seem supremely bored if one night is without its "action" of some sort. Even some Christians are swept up by the love of pleasure, which in time will sap our love of God. In this busy world, a certain relaxation of mind and spirit is not only permissible, but necessary, provided it is the right kind and in the right proportion and at the right time. But to set our love upon it is quite a different proposition. To love unworthy things is a dangerous and damaging thing. One young man said, "Mom, I love your chocolate cake". To which his wise mother replied, "Son, you mustn't love chocolate cake. Like it, but don't love it." Love should be reserved for things worthier than sweets. Pleasure, money, self – these are to be respected and kept in their proper place, but never loved so "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). Misplaced affection is the explanation of much of the evil living displayed in "the last days". Such is the type of people disclosed in this mirror.
Now look again at their kind of piety and see how strange it seems to speak of such a thing as piety in connection with the sort of people we have been considering. Actually, they are pagans masquerading as Christians with only a form of Religion – "having a form of godliness" (v. 5). In spite of the sinful life they are living and the wicked state of their hearts, they have retained a certain shell of religion. They may still: attend worship services, say their prayers, read their Bible, partake of the Lord's Supper, teach a class, but there is no real, vital religion. It is unreal and formal.
Strangely enough the form is maintained, but religion as a force is unknown to them. Or, if they ever did know it, they have long since become strangers to it, "denying the power thereof." Religion is a farce when it is not a force. It is thus "vain" (James 1:26). The "men" of our present text are notable for the absence of any restraining, or constraining, religious force in their conduct and character. Their religion is but an outer veneer, an empty shell. Like a nice, exquisitely modelled chair that cannot be used because the inside frame is rotten, leaving only an outward form. Their so-called "faith" does not work. It is "dead" (James 2:26). A religion that does not influence our lives is a pitiable thing, having short shrift from Scripture. An unbeliever once said, "We have come to a sad situation, if religion is going to be allowed to interfere with our ordinary daily lives". These people profess an empty piety.
Probably, there are fewer deliberate and conscious hypocrites in the world than we suppose. Some of them have known better days, and are tragically unaware that things have changed, like Samson in Judges 16:20 who "wist not that the Lord was departed from him", and fondly imagined that things were "as at other times before". Or, as Hosea 7:9 reports, "strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, grey hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not". How infinitely sad it all is and how easily possible for the writer or reader. Let us look at ourselves in the mirror, as well as those more prominently exposed. Paul says, "From such turn away", probably meaning two things. First, as an individual, Timothy was studiously to avoid the company of such undesirable people. Second, as a leader, Timothy was carefully to guard the purity of the church, in respect of: doctrine, practice, and life.
Now we turn to a second big surprise about these men. The first was that any kind of religion should be associated with them. Now comes the unexpected news that there was credited to them a certain missionary zeal, a desire to extend their ranks by winning fresh adherents. It is a plain fact that while heterodoxy is eager to get others, orthodoxy is often shy and slothful, remaining too content with those already won. How long has it been since we made any serious endeavor to 'find another, as Andrew found his brother'?
Consider briefly their method of propaganda. We see at once that they are masters of cunning, "which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women." The word, "silly", does not imply lack of brains, but lack of stability. Women are certainly not the only ones to be afflicted with this disability. Plenty of men are just as weak. But, it happens to be women in this case. "Lead captive" reminds us of "taken captive" at the end of the previous chapter. However, in the original, the word in our present text is different. Here it is a taking prisoner, with all the loss of freedom and comfort that involves. Their captures are captive indeed. But why use the word, "creep"? There is something sinister and cunning about it. They get the women, but where are the men? This is where the slyness comes in. The men are not at home possibly because they are working. For women who still work at home as housewives, the afternoon hour is the safest time for these unhealthy propagandists to "creep" around the streets, and call at the "houses" – door-step propaganda. By comparison with these 'creepers', some of us are slow and slothful. Timothy here may rest assured that he will find these people eager to swell their numbers by gaining new converts. And he will need to exert himself and encourage others to counteract their endeavors. The representatives of the Master will need to formulate their plans for door-step evangelism, and to engage themselves in what some in the Chinese Body of Christ call, "gossiping the Gospel."
But, wherein is the secret of the success of these "creeping" people. Perhaps it lies in the fact that their visits synchronize with need in the homes on which they call. They are exploiters of conscience – "women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts." The evil things they have done and the evil things they have desired have become a load upon their mind. How shall they get release? It is at such a juncture that evil teachers may appear at their door-step, telling them they need not worry, they are all right. Thus do they fulfill the prophet's words, "They have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jer. 8:11). Oh, that we might learn to go to their door-steps with the thorough-healing message, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). These poor women were "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth". In their restlessness of mind, ever consumed with religious curiosity, they never arrive at any real knowledge or clear faith. And they never will until they "learn of Me", as the Master said Matthew 11.
It is not "the truth" that the "creeper" offers on his rounds. No, rather he is a purveyor of counterfeit – "As Jannes and Jambres". These gentlemen "withstood Moses" by pretending to do the wonders of Moses. Is Pharaoh impressed by the stick becoming a serpent? These court magicians are snake-charmers. Their reptile, mesmerized stiff as a rod, shall, on being thrown to the ground, break out into wriggling life. Was it the same as Moses? No, it was a counterfeit. Their "stick" was never a stick. Shall Pharaoh be unduly moved by Moses turning all the Nile water red? His own conjurers can match it. Fetch them a jug of clear water from somewhere, and lo, the thing was done. What about the frogs? What conjurer worth his salt does not know how to produce rabbits or frogs from his hat? So, in royal eyes, it appeared Moses was discredited again because it seems that Pharaoh's magicians matched Moses at every point.
But, their powers of counterfeit had limits – "lice" were beyond them. Performing fleas they might manage, but not lice. They have to admit their defeat, "This is the finger of God" (Ex. 8:19). Their wonders were only masterpieces of counterfeit and not legitimate. There is something particularly apt in introducing magicians in a letter bound for Ephesus (2 Tim.), seeing that the city was a home of magic and abounding in incantations. Consider Acts 19 where Paul encountered the exorchsts, "sons of Sceva", who dared to use the Holy Name as an incantation, to their own dire misfortune. And in the same chapter the practitioners of these "curious arts" made a bonfire of their books of incantations, as a sign and seal of the reality of their conversion. Without doubt, the leader of magic-ridden Ephesus would be intrigued by the mention of wicked conjurers of long ago.
In like fashion these gentlemen "also resisted the truth" by pretending to preach the same gospel as Paul and Timothy. In reality it was a counterfeit of the true. It is the same old message, they will say, only couched in more modern terms. The identity is the same, though the dress may be more up-to-date. "So they wrap it up", as Micah 7:3 says.
Conclusion
This has been a somewhat depressing study. But, it is necessary for us to be fore-warned and fore-armed. All this hollow religion, subtle and energetic counterfeit and all this wrong behavior, opinion, and affection should be expected in the perilous atmosphere of "the last days". And if we see these things abounding in our day, it may be we are nearing the end-time when the Master may come. In any case, we should keep a look-out. But, is the hope of His advent only dark and dismal? No, it is characterized by Titus 2:13 as, "that happy hope." It has its somber side, but how sunny is its other side. The sonnet of Keats on Homer says, "There is a budding morrow in midnight." For the Christian, the emphasis of His Advent is not black, but bright. It is not the midnight, but the morrow. If our present text has stressed the prevailing gloom of the preceding days, let us conclude by remembering the exceeding gladness that lies ahead. As Psalms 30:5 assures us,
