(1) Overview
(BKC) v.1-5 As in his previous letter, Paul warned Timothy about the collapse predicted for the last days (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1–3), a term which includes the entire period between the first century and Christ’s return. During this interim, according to the prediction, the world will see terrible times of societal degeneration...Though these characteristics are cataloged under the auspices of a prediction about “the last days,” it is clear that Paul considered them to be already present in Ephesus. Though they would intensify with time, Timothy had to beware of such people and have nothing to do with them.
v.6–9 Paul focused on the specific situation in Ephesus. It was from the increasingly large group in society who displayed the preceding characteristics that the false teachers had emerged to plague the church.
(2) 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 3:2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,...
The difficulties of the last day are the people. We are the ones who make up our societies. Who we are affects our community the most.
(3) 3:2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, 3:4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.
The difficult time is due to the wrong kind of love. The love of ourselves is the number 1 problem. And therefore we love money so that it brings us comfort, and finally we love all these pleasures more than the One we should love the most, God.
(4) 3:5 They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power.
These people are not outside of the church, but inside. They also tried to influence others. Both the women that they influenced and themselves share 2 characteristics:
v.6b captivate weak women [BDAG-idle/foolish/weak woman] who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions
v.8b who have warped [BDAG-depraved in mind] minds and are disqualified in the faith
v.9b for their foolishness [BDAG-without understanding] will be obvious to everyone
Reflection: Whom you learned from you will be like them. From whom do you learn from? Do they have the right mind? Do they have the right faith?
Reflection: Whom you learned from you will be like them. From whom do you learn from? Do they have the right mind? Do they have the right faith?
Audrey
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