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2 Timothy 3:1-5
The Message
2 Timothy 3:1-5
The Message
Difficult Times Ahead
3 1-5 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.
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2 Timothy 3:1
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2 Timothy 3:1
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3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.(A)
2 Timothy 3:10-17
The Message
2 Timothy 3:10-17
The Message
Keep the Message Alive
10-13 You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me! Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.
14-17 But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
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2 Timothy 3:10-17
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2 Timothy 3:10-17
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A Final Charge to Timothy
10 You, however, know all about my teaching,(A) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,(B) Iconium(C) and Lystra,(D) the persecutions I endured.(E) Yet the Lord rescued(F) me from all of them.(G) 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,(H) 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,(I) deceiving and being deceived.(J) 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,(K) 15 and how from infancy(L) you have known the Holy Scriptures,(M) which are able to make you wise(N) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed(O) and is useful for teaching,(P) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,(Q) 17 so that the servant of God[a](R) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.(S)
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:17 Or that you, a man of God,
2 Timothy 4:5-8
The Message
2 Timothy 4:5-8
The Message
3-5 You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
6-8 You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.
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2 Timothy 4:5-8
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2 Timothy 4:5-8
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5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,(A) do the work of an evangelist,(B) discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,(C) and the time for my departure is near.(D) 7 I have fought the good fight,(E) I have finished the race,(F) I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me(G) the crown of righteousness,(H) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day(I)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.(J)
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Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
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