2 Timothy 3:2 Kommentar

INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY 3 In this chapter the apostle delivers out a prophecy of the last days, showing how perilous the times will be, describing the persons that will live in them, and what will be their end; and in opposition to these men, proposes himself an example in doctrine and sufferings; and encourages Timothy to persevere, and highly commends the sacred writings. The prophecy begins Ti2 3:1 the description it gives of hypocrites, formal professors, and false teachers, that should rise up in the last days, and perilous times spoken of, is in Ti2 3:2. And these are compared to the magicians of Egypt for the corruption of their minds, the badness of their principles, and their opposition to truth, and for their exit, and the issue of things; they will be stopped in their progress, and their folly exposed, Ti2 3:8 and as the reverse of these men, the apostle gives an account of his own doctrine, conversation, and sufferings; which he proposes to Timothy for imitation, as being well known to him, and as also the common state of all godly persons in this life, being a suffering one, Ti2 3:10 nor can it be expected that it should be otherwise, since false teachers, who are wicked and deceitful men, grow worse and worse, Ti2 3:13. And then the apostle exhorts Timothy to abide by, and continue in the doctrines of the Gospel, from the assurance he had of the truth of them, from the consideration of his having learned them of the apostle, and especially from their agreement with the holy Scriptures, which he had knowledge of from a child, Ti2 3:14 which Scriptures are commended, partly from the useful effect of them, making men wise unto salvation; and chiefly from the author of them, being by the inspiration of God; and also from the profitableness of them, both for doctrine and manners, and especially to furnish a Gospel minister for the work he is called unto, Ti2 3:15.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves,.... Not in a good sense, as men may be, and as such are who love their neighbours as themselves, and do that to others they would have done to themselves; and who take all prudent and lawful care to preserve the life and health of their bodies, and seek in a right way the salvation of their immortal souls: but in a bad sense, as such may be said to be, who only love themselves; their love to God, and Christ, and to the saints, being only in pretence, not in reality; and who do all they do in a religious way, from a principle of self-love, and to selfish and mercenary ends; either to gain glory and applause from men, or to merit something for themselves at the hands of God, without any view to the glory of God, the honour and interest of Christ, and the good of others; and ascribe all they have and do to themselves, to their industry, diligence, power, free will, worth, and merit, and not to the grace of God: and this character may be seen in the principles and practices of the church of Rome, in their doctrines of merit and free will, in works of supererogation &c. "Coveteous"; lovers of silver, greedy of filthy lucre, doing nothing but for money; everyone looking for his gain from his quarter; making merchandise of the souls of men; and which are reckoned among the wares of Babylon, the Romish antichrist, Rev 18:13. "No penny, no pater noster". Boasters; of their wealth and riches, of their honour and grandeur; I sit a queen, &c. Rev 18:7, of their numbers, of their holiness, of the infallibility of their popes, of their having the true knowledge, and certain sense of the Scriptures, and of having all power in heaven and in earth. Proud; as have been the popes of Rome; exalting themselves above all that is called God, above all princes, kings, and emperors of the earth; deposing one, excommunicating another, treading upon their necks, obliging them to hold their stirrups while they mounted their horses; the pride of the popes, cardinals, priests, and the whole clergy of the church of Rome, is notorious. Blasphemers; of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ; sitting in the temple as God, as antichrist does, showing himself that he is God; assuming that to himself which belongs to God only, which is to forgive sin; calling himself Christ's vicar on earth; taking upon him to enact new laws, and to dispense with the laws of God, and Christ; and has a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies against God, his name, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven, Th2 2:4. Disobedient to parents: as many of the votaries of the antichristian church have been; who have withdrew themselves from under the care of their parents, and their fortunes too out of their hands, when they have been in their power; and have shut themselves up in cloisters, monasteries, and nunneries, without the leave and consent, or knowledge of their parents. Unthankful: to God, for what is enjoyed by them, ascribing all to themselves, and to their merit and good works; and to men, to the princes of the earth, by whom they were first raised to, and supported in their dignity; as the popes of Rome were by the Roman emperors, and whom they in return tyrannized over, and dethroned at pleasure. Unholy; notwithstanding his holiness the pope at the head of them their holy father, and holy mother church, and holy priests, and holy orders they talk of; yet are without the fear of God, or any regard to him, living most unholy lives and conversations, Dan 11:37.

And the apostle says, "Which things we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth." For of the prophets it is said, "We have all received of His fulness," that is, of Christ's. So that the prophets are not thieves. "And my doctrine is not Mine," saith the Lord, "but the Father's which sent me." And of those who steal He says: "But he that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory." Such are the Greeks, "lovers of their own selves, and boasters." Scripture, when it speaks of these as wise, does not brand those who are really wise, but those who are wise in appearance.

“And my doctrine is not Mine,” saith the Lord, “but the Father’s which sent me.” And of those who steal He says: “But he that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory.” Such are the Greeks, “lovers of their own selves, and boasters.” Scripture, when it speaks of these as wise, does not brand those who are really wise, but those who are wise in appearance.

Immediately he sets down the root and fountain, whence these and all other evils spring, that is, overweeningness. He that is seized with this passion is careless even of his own interests. For when a man overlooks the concerns of his neighbor, and is careless of them, how should he regard his own? For as he that looks to his neighbor's affairs will in them order his own to advantage, so he that looks down upon his neighbor's concerns will neglect his own. For if we are members one of another, the welfare of our neighbor is not his concern only, but that of the whole body, and the injury of our neighbor is not confined to him, but distracts with pains all else as well. If we are a building, whatever part is weakened, it affects the whole, whilst that which is solid gives strength and support to the rest. So also in the Church, if thou hast slighted thy neighbor, thou hast injured thyself. How? In that one of thy own members hath suffered no small hurt. And if he, who does not impart of his possessions, goes into Hell, much more will he be condemned, who sees a neighbor suffering severer evils, and does not stretch out his hand, since in this case the loss is more grievous. "For men shall be lovers of their own selves." He that loves himself may be said not to love himself, but he that loves his brother, loves himself in the truest sense. From self-love springs covetousness. For the wretched niggardly temper of self-love contracts that love which should be widely extended, and diffused on every side. "Covetous." From covetousness springs boastfulness, from boastfulness pride, from pride blasphemy, from blasphemy defiance and disobedience. For he who exalts himself against men, will easily do it against God. Thus sins are produced. Often they ascend from below. He that is pious towards men, is still more pious towards God. He who is meek to his fellow-servants, is more meek to his Master. He that despises his fellow-servants, will end with despising God Himself.

There isn’t anyone, after all, who doesn’t love himself. But we have to look for the right sort of love and avoid the wrong sort. You see, anyone who loves himself by leaving God out of his life and leaves God out of his life by loving himself, doesn’t even remain in himself but goes away from himself.… Listen to the apostle giving his support to this understanding of the matter. “In the last days,” he says, “dangerous times will loom up.” What are the dangerous times? “There will be people loving themselves.” That’s the core of the evil. So let’s see if they remain in themselves by loving themselves; let’s see, let’s hear what comes next: “There will be people, he says, loving themselves, lovers of money.” Where are you now, you that were busy loving yourself? Obviously, you’re outside. Are you, I’m asking you, are you money? Obviously, after loving yourself by neglecting God, by loving money you have even abandoned yourself.

Since I have already given an example of love [amor] used in a good sense, someone may want an example of the same word used in a bad sense. If so, let him read the text, “Men will be lovers [amantes] of self, covetous [amatores pecuniae].”

lovers of themselves. This is the root of wickedness, to consider only oneself. And those who are such, neglecting their brothers, first destroy their own. arrogant. From lovers of themselves are lovers of money. From these offspring are the boastful and the proud, then from these, blasphemers. For evil types cling to each other just as those who are good do. For all good proceeds from love. disobedient to parents. For arrogance is known to be carried even against nature. ungrateful. The greedy are also ungrateful. For they give thanks only when they have fulfilled their desire, but it never happens that they themselves are satisfied. But he who is such is also impious. For he who does not have gratitude towards God the Benefactor [εὐεργέτῃ2], how will he show gratitude to others?

He immediately points out the cause of all evils as well: it is the concern not for the affairs of one's neighbor, but only for one's own. A self-loving person loves only himself, from which it follows that in reality he does not even love himself. For just as in the members of the body, harm inflicted on one spreads to the rest; or what happens in buildings, the same occurs in the Church: whoever despises his brother and cares only for himself, harms himself. Having pointed out the root, he enumerates in particular the offshoots from it, of which the first and greatest is the love of money. For just as from love comes every good, so from self-love, which is opposed to love, comes every evil. Love is broad and pours itself out everywhere; but self-love constrains its breadth and concentrates only on itself alone. Over men they are exalted and tower above. When evil grows, it reaches even to rebellion against God. For if someone is vainglorious before people, he will then attribute to himself every perfection as well, and not to the grace of God; then he becomes already a blasphemer. This is fair: for whoever blasphemes God, how will he honor his parents? Whoever does not honor his parents will be ungrateful to other people as well. Such a person is also unrighteous, because he sets aside holiness and duty, and he is also unfriendly. For whom else will a person love who has rejected his own benefactor! "And implacable," they are not reconciled with anyone, even with their own benefactor.

The cause of this is the abundance of iniquity, and because iniquity has abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold (Matt 24:12), because faith and charity will be annihilated and perish utterly: for the further away a thing is from its beginning, the weaker it gets. As a result faith and charity will fall away in those days, because men will be further from Christ: but yet the Son of man, when he comes, shall he find, think you, faith on earth? (Luke 18:8). In regard to this he first discloses the root of iniquity; second, its various forms. Now the root of iniquity is love of self, for two loves built two cities. But one might object: it is natural to love oneself. I answer that in man there are two things, namely, the rational nature and the bodily nature. In regard to the intellectual or rational nature, which is called the inner man (2 Cor 4:16), a man should love himself more than he loves others: because he would be foolish, who chose to sin in order to withdraw others from sin. But in regard to the outward man it is praiseworthy to love others more than oneself. Hence those who love only themselves are blameworthy: all seek the things that are their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's (Phil 2:21). From this root spring various forms of sin; hence he says, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers. In regard to these he does three things: first, he lists the sins which consist in abusing external things; second, those which consist in a man's being improperly related to others, at blasphemers, disobedient to parents; third, in regard to the self, at incontinent. In external things we discover two features: abundance of riches and the excellence of good things. In regard to the first he says, covetous, which is placed first because it is the root of all evils and because it is closest to love of self, which satisfies itself with external goods. In regard to the second he says, haughty, which is a form of pride, of which there are four species: one, when a person attributes to himself something he lacks; another is when he attributes to himself what he has from another, as though he had it from himself: what have you that you have not received? (1 Cor 4:7). A third form is when one attributes to himself what he has received from another, but considers that he earned it: I fast twice in a week, I give tithes of all that I possess (Luke 18:12). The fourth form is when a person desires singular attention above others; and this is elation: Lord, my heart is not exalted (Ps 130:1). Therefore, when he says, proud, he includes all forms of pride: God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (Jas 4:6). Then he lists the vices which relate us to others: first, those which relate us to superiors; second, those which relate us to equals, at proud. Now we have three superiors, namely, God, and against him he says, blasphemers: they have forsaken the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel, they are gone away backwards (Isa 1:4). Second, parents, in regard to which he says, disobedient to parents: it is like the sin of witchcraft to rebel: and like the crime of idolatry to refuse to obey (1 Kgs 15:23); the eye that mocks at his father and that despises the labor of his mother in bearing him, let the ravens of the brooks pick it out, and the young eagles eat it (Prov 30:17). Third, benefactors as such, and in relation to these he says, ungrateful: they that render evil for good have detracted me (Ps 37:21); be ye thankful (Col 3:15); the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's ice, and shall run off as useless water (Wis 16:29).

Dangerous times in the latter days, from the apostasy and wickedness of men, of whom an affecting description is given, Ti2 3:1-7. It shall happen to them as to Jannes and Jambres, who withstood Moses, Ti2 3:8, Ti2 3:9. The apostle speaks of his persecutions and sufferings, and shows that all those who will live a godly life must suffer persecution, Ti2 3:10-12, because evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, Ti2 3:13. Timothy is exhorted to continue in the truths he had received, having known the Scriptures from a child, Ti2 3:14, Ti2 3:15. All Scripture is given by Divine inspiration, Ti2 3:16, Ti2 3:17.

For men shall be - The description in this and the following verses the Papists apply to the Protestants; the Protestants in their turn apply it to the Papists; Schoettgen to the Jews; and others to heretics in general. There have been both teachers and people in every age of the Church, and in every age of the world, to whom these words may be most legitimately applied. Both Catholics and Protestants have been lovers of their own selves, etc.; but it is probable that the apostle had some particular age in view, in which there should appear some very essential corruption of Christianity. Lovers of their own selves - Φιλαυτοι· Selfish, studious of their own interest, and regardless of the welfare of all mankind. Covetous - Φιλαργυροι· Lovers of money, because of the influence which riches can procure. Boasters - Αλαζονες· Vain glorious: self-assuming; valuing themselves beyond all others. Proud - Ὑπερηφανοι· Airy, light, trifling persons; those who love to make a show - who are all outside; from ὑπερ, above, and φαινω, to show. Blasphemers - Βλασφημοι· Those who speak impiously of God and sacred things, and injuriously of men. Disobedient to parents - Γονευσιν απειθεις· Headstrong children, whom their parents cannot persuade. Unthankful - Αχαριστοι· Persons without grace, or gracefulness; who think they have a right to the services of all men, yet feel no obligation, and consequently no gratitude. Unholy - Ανοσιοι· Without piety; having no heart reverence for God.

COMING EVIL DAYS: SIGNS OF EVIL ALREADY: CONTRAST IN THE DOCTRINE AND LIFE OF PAUL, WHICH TIMOTHY SHOULD FOLLOW IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS EARLY TRAINING IN SCRIPTURE. (2Ti. 3:1-17) also--Greek, "but." last days--preceding Christ's second coming (Pe2 3:3; Jde 1:18). "The latter times," Ti1 4:1, refer to a period not so remote as "the last days," namely, the long days of papal and Greek anti-Christianity. perilous--literally, "difficult times," in which it is difficult to know what is to be done: "grievous times." shall come--Greek, "shall be imminent"; "shall come unexpectedly" [BENGEL].

men--in the professing Church. Compare the catalogue, Rom 1:29, &c., where much the same sins are attributed to heathen men; it shall be a relapse into virtual heathendom, with all its beast-like propensities, whence the symbol of it is "a beast" (Rev 13:1, Rev 13:11-12, &c.; Rev 17:3, Rev 17:8, Rev 17:11). covetous--Translate, "money-loving," a distinct Greek word from that for "covetous" (see on Col 3:5). The cognate Greek substantive (Ti1 6:10) is so translated, "the love of money is a (Greek, not 'the') root of all evil." boasters--empty boasters [ALFORD]; boasting of having what they have not. proud--overweening: literally, showing themselves above their fellows. blasphemous--rather, "evil-speakers," revilers. disobedient to parents--The character of the times is even to be gathered especially from the manners of the young [BENGEL]. unthankful--The obligation to gratitude is next to that of obedience to parents. unholy--irreligious [ALFORD]; inobservant of the offices of piety.