|
2 Timothy 3:2
by Don Costello 2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 1. "For men shall be" a. This is why the dangerous, violent, fierce perilous times come, because "men shall be" . Men shall yield themselves to evil. There will be more people possessed with demons during this time than perhaps any other time in human history. As Christians, we cannot be demon possessed, but we can be oppressed and we can choose to be lazy believers and have some of these characteristics in our lives. Again, not that we are demon possessed of course, but are we selfish? Are we covetous? Do we slander someone's good name? Am I unthankful? b. This list is applied to a group who have a "form of godliness but deny the power thereof". In other words he is applying it to last day Christians. 2. "lovers of their own selves" a. lovers of self [5367 * philautos; philos-loving; autos-himself] [Zodhiates: Self centered or selfish. An undue sparing of self with the primary concern that things be easy and pleasant for oneself. The philautos is one who loves his life so much that he seeks ignobly to save it.] 1). Matthew 16:24, 25 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." 2). Philippians 3:18 "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:" 3. "covetous" a. covetous [5366 * philarguros; philos-loving; arguros-silver, money] [D.C.: The definition explains itself. These are money loving.] 1). Luke 16:13-15 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were philarguros,[money loving] heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." 4. "boasters" a. boasters [213 * alazon] [Vines? Primarily signifies a wanderer about the country, a vagabond; hence an imposter, a boaster.] [Bullinger: False pretender, quack.] 5. "proud" a. proud [5244 * hupereephanos; huper-above; phaino-to shine, show] [Zodhiates: Arrogant, proud, often associated with the rejection of God.] 6. "blasphemers" a. blasphemers [989 * blasphemos] [Zodhiates: To be abusive, reviling, destroying one's good name (2 Timothy 3:2, a slanderer, blasphemer in respect to men).] b. Note: D.C. Although this word can be used in blasphemy against God, Acts 6:11, I lean toward what Zodhiates and others say. Mainly because in 2 Timothy 3:5 the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to write that these have a "form of godliness" they are pretending Christians. Their blasphemy, their railing and slander is against men and in this case true followers of Christ. 7. "disobedient to parents" a. disobedient [545 * apeithes; a-without; peitho-to persuade] [Zodhiates: Unwilling to be persuaded, unbelieving, disobedient.] b. parents [1118 * goneus] [Zodhiates: In the N.T., parents.] 8. "unthankful" a. unthankful [884 * acharistos; a-without; charizomai-to show kindness] [Zodhiates: Unthankful, ungrateful.] 9. "unholy" a. unholy [462 * anosis; a-without; hosios-consecrated, hallowed, holy] [Zodhiates: Unholy, ungodly, no regard of duty to God or man.] 1). 1 Timothy 1:9 "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers," My name is Don Costello. Ever since I received Christ in November of 1976 I have had a passion to study and know God's word.My wife Melissa and I have 5 children. My e-mail address is [email protected] I have a blog located at: www.theophilus-loverofgodsword.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |