返回Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter Three
2 Tim. 3:1. Know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.
Since in those times there were many evil people, so that Timothy would not be troubled by this, the apostle first said to him: "in a great house" and so on, and now says that evil people will exist afterward as well. Even in the time of Moses there were Jannes and Jambres. Consequently, this phenomenon is not new and it will not continue only until your time. Therefore do not be indignant. The times will be perilous, that is, very bad. It is not the days that should be understood (for what are bad days?), but rather the bad deeds and people occurring in those days. So we too are accustomed to calling times bad and not bad, according to the character of the deeds that happen in those days, or according to the character of the people.
2 Tim. 3:2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves.
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.
2 Tim. 3:2. Covetous.
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.
2 Tim. 3:2. Proud.
Over men they are exalted and tower above.
2 Tim. 3:2. Arrogant, evil-speakers.
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.
2 Tim. 3:2. Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable.
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.
2 Tim. 3:3. Slanderers.
That is, those who slander everyone. A person who is not conscious of anything good in himself slanders everyone, inventing and finding in this, it would seem, a certain consolation for himself.
2 Tim. 3:3. Without self-control.
And in the tongue, and in the belly, and in everything else.
2 Tim. 3:3. Fierce.
You see what self-love and love of money make people? Beasts instead of men.
2 Tim. 3:3. Not lovers of good.
Enemies of every good thing.
2 Tim. 3:4. Traitors.
Betrayers of friendship.
2 Tim. 3:4. Reckless.
That is, unsteady, inconstant.
2 Tim. 3:4. Puffed up.
Filled with arrogance.
2 Tim. 3:4. More lovers of pleasure than lovers of God.
Otherwise it cannot be but so: for where there is love of worldly pleasures, there is no place for the desire of divine things.
2 Tim. 3:5. Having a form of godliness, but denying its power.
That is, they accept only the form of piety and pretend, but by their deeds they reject it. Note that the power of piety, and as it were its sinews, is in deeds. Therefore it is rightly said that it is dead without works. The word "form" in another place (Rom. 2:20) the apostle uses in a good sense. The teacher has the form of knowledge, that is, he builds and forms knowledge in the students.
2 Tim. 3:5. Keep away from such people.
If such people will exist in the last times, then how does he say: "from such turn away"? Most likely, even then there were some such people: although not to a greater degree, there still were; therefore the apostle speaks as if to say: such people will be found even now, turn away from them—this will be good. Therefore he also adds: "of this sort are those who creep into houses." Or Paul calls "the last days" the days that will follow immediately after his death, while Timothy will still remain alive. Or, what is closer to the truth, as St. John Chrysostom judges, through Timothy the apostle exhorts everyone to turn away from such people.
2 Tim. 3:6. To these belong those who creep into houses.
By the word "creep in" he indicates their shamelessness and craftiness.
2 Tim. 3:6. And they deceive women.
He did not say: they deceive, but: they take captive, they make use of them as slave women. For such is the one who is beguiled. Note that to give oneself over to beguilement is characteristic of women. Consequently, even a man who is beguiled may be called by this name.
2 Tim. 3:6. Drowning in sins.
This signifies both the multitude, and the disorder, and the mixture of sins. They deceive not simply women—for nature ought not to be condemned—but silly women laden with a multitude of sins. For whoever recognizes nothing good in himself is more readily inclined toward false doctrines, consoling himself with the thought that he will not be subjected to punishment for his deeds.
2 Tim. 3:6. Led by various lusts.
That is, by greed, love of glory, passion for luxury, for fine clothes. He also points to shameful desires. Notice: "led away," as if speaking of irrational creatures.
2 Tim. 3:7. Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
They may be worthy of indulgence? By no means; on the contrary, they are all the more undeserving of it. Since they were mired in sins and lusts, their reason also became dulled, so that their inability to know the truth is not a natural deficiency, but a consequence of the wrong direction of their will.
2 Tim. 3:8. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth.
These were the sorcerers of the time of Moses. How did Paul learn their names, when Scripture does not speak of this? Their names were taken from unwritten tradition, or probably Paul learned of them from the Holy Spirit.
2 Tim. 3:8. People corrupted in mind, ignorant in faith.
When someone has corrupted his mind with passions, then he becomes unskilled in the faith. "The fool has said: there is no God" (Ps. 52:2). Why? Because they have become corrupt and have become abominable in their iniquities. Therefore, for the acceptance of the faith, an uncorrupted mind is needed. So let us be attentive to ourselves, lest we be corrupted by passions and lest the corruption of faith find a place in us.
2 Tim. 3:9. But they shall not advance much further.
How then does the apostle say in another place: "they will increase unto more ungodliness" (2 Tim. 2:16)? There he affirms that heretics, having begun to introduce novelties and errors, do not stop, but constantly invent newer ones. Here, however, he affirms that they will not deceive or carry away many, although at first they may seem to lead some astray, but they themselves will soon be exposed. Therefore he adds the following.
2 Tim. 3:9. For their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
If you do not believe, learn from what happened to those sorcerers. They were exposed as performing illusory miracles and deceiving, when Moses performed a true miracle. Therefore, everything that is essentially not good only appears good for a time.
2 Tim. 3:10. But you have followed me in teaching.
Those, he says, are such, but you know well our relationship, and it is not like that: you did not simply attach yourself to me, but also "followed," that is, spending a long time and sharing everything with me, you attended to all that was mine and became practiced in it. Be then steadfast and fight against the adversaries. "In teaching," that is, in the word.
2 Tim. 3:10. In conduct.
That is, in life and morals.
2 Tim. 3:10. In purpose.
That is, in zeal and manly enthusiasm. For I, he says, not only taught, but also practiced.
2 Tim. 3:10. In faith.
That is, firmness in the true dogmas, or faith, which does not allow one to fall into despair in times of danger, but to believe in God that He will deliver.
2 Tim. 3:10. In longsuffering.
In relation to heretics. For I was not troubled, but received everything with meekness.
2 Tim. 3:10. In patience.
In persecutions.
2 Tim. 3:11. In persecutions, sufferings.
I, he says, was not only persecuted, but also suffered. Two circumstances especially trouble a teacher — namely, that there are heretics and that one must suffer. Concerning heretics, much was said when the apostle urged Timothy not to be troubled by them. Now he speaks of his own sufferings in order to encourage his disciple.
2 Tim. 3:11. That befell me in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra.
He speaks of Pisidian Antioch, of Lystra, where Timothy came from. Why does he mention only these? Because they were more well known to Timothy, or were more recent compared to other events. Notice, he does not enumerate them one by one, for he writes about them not for glorification, but out of necessity, for the consolation of his disciple.
2 Tim. 3:11. What persecutions I endured, and the Lord delivered me from them all.
Both things he impresses upon Timothy: I too, he says, had the zeal to suffer, and God did not abandon me. Therefore you also be ready, and you will not be abandoned.
2 Tim. 3:12. And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
And in this there is very great consolation. What am I saying, the apostle continues, about myself alone? All who desire to live piously and according to the Gospel will be persecuted. By persecutions the apostle here means not only pursuit by unbelievers, but also simply the sorrows and griefs to which those walking the path of virtue are subjected. For human life is a trial, as Job says, and whoever walks the narrow path necessarily suffers.
2 Tim. 3:13. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Do not be troubled at all if they prosper while trials befall you: such is the order of things. Having stripped down for the struggle, you must exert effort. It is foolish to seek rest in the midst of a struggle. Even if they seem to succeed, in reality this is deception, not success. For the apostle, defining what evil is, said: deceiving and being deceived.
2 Tim. 3:14–15. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and what has been entrusted to you.
Be, he says, unchanging and "do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity" (Ps. 37:1). You have not simply learned, but have also been assured, that is, you received the teaching with conviction. Therefore, even if you should see something contrary to that of which you have been assured, do not be troubled: for Abraham too, having heard that in Isaac his seed would be named (Gen. 21:12), was not troubled when he received the command to slay him.
2 Tim. 3:14–15. Knowing by whom you have been taught. Moreover, from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures.
The Apostle Paul presents two motivations for Timothy to remain steadfast: the first is that you, he says, were taught not by chance from just anyone, but from Paul, and this is the same as from Christ; the second is that you were taught not yesterday, but from childhood, and have divine knowledge deeply rooted within you. And it will not allow you to fall into anything unreasonable, as happens with most people. For whoever knows Scripture as one ought will never be led astray. By sacred writings the apostle means all of Divine Scripture. This is directed against Simon and Manes, and all who spoke ill of the Old Testament.
2 Tim. 3:15. Which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
External knowledge makes a person clever at deceiving others with various sophisms; hence the ruin of the soul. But divine knowledge is not like this: it makes one wise unto salvation. What kind? Salvation not through works, not through words, but through faith in Jesus Christ. For the Sacred Scriptures lead a person to believe in Christ, Who accomplishes salvation for him.
2 Tim. 3:16. All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.
Having pointed out many ways of comforting Timothy, the apostle now offers the greatest one as well – in the reading of Holy Scripture. For he intends to communicate to him something sorrowful, namely, that he is finishing his earthly course. So, lest he lose heart as one being deprived of communion with Paul, he says: in place of me you have the Scriptures, which can be profitable to you. Some raise the question: how did the apostle say, "all Scripture is God-breathed"? Are even the Greek writings God-breathed? And being perplexed by its resolution, they translate not "God-breathed," but rather "that which is God-breathed," so that the meaning would be: every writing which is God-breathed is also profitable. But they ought to have taken into account that, having said above, "you know the sacred writings," the apostle now says, "all Scripture." Which? That of which he spoke above and of which he said that it is sacred. Therefore, it is indeed "Scripture God-breathed and profitable" for all that he enumerates further.
2 Tim. 3:16. For doctrine.
It is useful, he says, in that it teaches us what we ought to know. And there is nothing that cannot be resolved by means of Sacred Scripture.
2 Tim. 3:16. For reproof.
If it is necessary to expose a lie, this too can be drawn from here.
2 Tim. 3:16. For correction, for instruction in righteousness.
If it is necessary, he says, to be corrected and to receive instruction, that is, to be brought to one's senses toward righteousness, that is, to act righteously, then the Sacred Scripture provides this to you as well.
2 Tim. 3:17. That the man of God may be perfect.
Correction, he says, comes through Scripture, so that the man who lives according to God may lack nothing good. So if you too desire to become equally well-fitted (artios), that is, perfect, sound, and always even in all things, not despairing in sorrowful circumstances and not becoming proud in favorable ones—for this is characteristic of an uneven disposition of soul—then have Scripture as your counselor instead of me. If the apostle wrote to Timothy, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, about reading, how much more so to us? Note that without Scripture it is impossible to be perfect.
2 Tim. 3:17. Ready for every good work.
Do not simply take part in good works, but be "prepared," that is, completely ready; and not only ready for one thing but not for another, but for every kind.
2 Tim. 3:1. Know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.
Since in those times there were many evil people, so that Timothy would not be troubled by this, the apostle first said to him: "in a great house" and so on, and now says that evil people will exist afterward as well. Even in the time of Moses there were Jannes and Jambres. Consequently, this phenomenon is not new and it will not continue only until your time. Therefore do not be indignant. The times will be perilous, that is, very bad. It is not the days that should be understood (for what are bad days?), but rather the bad deeds and people occurring in those days. So we too are accustomed to calling times bad and not bad, according to the character of the deeds that happen in those days, or according to the character of the people.
2 Tim. 3:2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves.
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.
2 Tim. 3:2. Covetous.
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.
2 Tim. 3:2. Proud.
Over men they are exalted and tower above.
2 Tim. 3:2. Arrogant, evil-speakers.
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.
2 Tim. 3:2. Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable.
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.
2 Tim. 3:3. Slanderers.
That is, those who slander everyone. A person who is not conscious of anything good in himself slanders everyone, inventing and finding in this, it would seem, a certain consolation for himself.
2 Tim. 3:3. Without self-control.
And in the tongue, and in the belly, and in everything else.
2 Tim. 3:3. Fierce.
You see what self-love and love of money make people? Beasts instead of men.
2 Tim. 3:3. Not lovers of good.
Enemies of every good thing.
2 Tim. 3:4. Traitors.
Betrayers of friendship.
2 Tim. 3:4. Reckless.
That is, unsteady, inconstant.
2 Tim. 3:4. Puffed up.
Filled with arrogance.
2 Tim. 3:4. More lovers of pleasure than lovers of God.
Otherwise it cannot be but so: for where there is love of worldly pleasures, there is no place for the desire of divine things.
2 Tim. 3:5. Having a form of godliness, but denying its power.
That is, they accept only the form of piety and pretend, but by their deeds they reject it. Note that the power of piety, and as it were its sinews, is in deeds. Therefore it is rightly said that it is dead without works. The word "form" in another place (Rom. 2:20) the apostle uses in a good sense. The teacher has the form of knowledge, that is, he builds and forms knowledge in the students.
2 Tim. 3:5. Keep away from such people.
If such people will exist in the last times, then how does he say: "from such turn away"? Most likely, even then there were some such people: although not to a greater degree, there still were; therefore the apostle speaks as if to say: such people will be found even now, turn away from them—this will be good. Therefore he also adds: "of this sort are those who creep into houses." Or Paul calls "the last days" the days that will follow immediately after his death, while Timothy will still remain alive. Or, what is closer to the truth, as St. John Chrysostom judges, through Timothy the apostle exhorts everyone to turn away from such people.
2 Tim. 3:6. To these belong those who creep into houses.
By the word "creep in" he indicates their shamelessness and craftiness.
2 Tim. 3:6. And they deceive women.
He did not say: they deceive, but: they take captive, they make use of them as slave women. For such is the one who is beguiled. Note that to give oneself over to beguilement is characteristic of women. Consequently, even a man who is beguiled may be called by this name.
2 Tim. 3:6. Drowning in sins.
This signifies both the multitude, and the disorder, and the mixture of sins. They deceive not simply women—for nature ought not to be condemned—but silly women laden with a multitude of sins. For whoever recognizes nothing good in himself is more readily inclined toward false doctrines, consoling himself with the thought that he will not be subjected to punishment for his deeds.
2 Tim. 3:6. Led by various lusts.
That is, by greed, love of glory, passion for luxury, for fine clothes. He also points to shameful desires. Notice: "led away," as if speaking of irrational creatures.
2 Tim. 3:7. Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
They may be worthy of indulgence? By no means; on the contrary, they are all the more undeserving of it. Since they were mired in sins and lusts, their reason also became dulled, so that their inability to know the truth is not a natural deficiency, but a consequence of the wrong direction of their will.
2 Tim. 3:8. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth.
These were the sorcerers of the time of Moses. How did Paul learn their names, when Scripture does not speak of this? Their names were taken from unwritten tradition, or probably Paul learned of them from the Holy Spirit.
2 Tim. 3:8. People corrupted in mind, ignorant in faith.
When someone has corrupted his mind with passions, then he becomes unskilled in the faith. "The fool has said: there is no God" (Ps. 52:2). Why? Because they have become corrupt and have become abominable in their iniquities. Therefore, for the acceptance of the faith, an uncorrupted mind is needed. So let us be attentive to ourselves, lest we be corrupted by passions and lest the corruption of faith find a place in us.
2 Tim. 3:9. But they shall not advance much further.
How then does the apostle say in another place: "they will increase unto more ungodliness" (2 Tim. 2:16)? There he affirms that heretics, having begun to introduce novelties and errors, do not stop, but constantly invent newer ones. Here, however, he affirms that they will not deceive or carry away many, although at first they may seem to lead some astray, but they themselves will soon be exposed. Therefore he adds the following.
2 Tim. 3:9. For their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
If you do not believe, learn from what happened to those sorcerers. They were exposed as performing illusory miracles and deceiving, when Moses performed a true miracle. Therefore, everything that is essentially not good only appears good for a time.
2 Tim. 3:10. But you have followed me in teaching.
Those, he says, are such, but you know well our relationship, and it is not like that: you did not simply attach yourself to me, but also "followed," that is, spending a long time and sharing everything with me, you attended to all that was mine and became practiced in it. Be then steadfast and fight against the adversaries. "In teaching," that is, in the word.
2 Tim. 3:10. In conduct.
That is, in life and morals.
2 Tim. 3:10. In purpose.
That is, in zeal and manly enthusiasm. For I, he says, not only taught, but also practiced.
2 Tim. 3:10. In faith.
That is, firmness in the true dogmas, or faith, which does not allow one to fall into despair in times of danger, but to believe in God that He will deliver.
2 Tim. 3:10. In longsuffering.
In relation to heretics. For I was not troubled, but received everything with meekness.
2 Tim. 3:10. In patience.
In persecutions.
2 Tim. 3:11. In persecutions, sufferings.
I, he says, was not only persecuted, but also suffered. Two circumstances especially trouble a teacher — namely, that there are heretics and that one must suffer. Concerning heretics, much was said when the apostle urged Timothy not to be troubled by them. Now he speaks of his own sufferings in order to encourage his disciple.
2 Tim. 3:11. That befell me in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra.
He speaks of Pisidian Antioch, of Lystra, where Timothy came from. Why does he mention only these? Because they were more well known to Timothy, or were more recent compared to other events. Notice, he does not enumerate them one by one, for he writes about them not for glorification, but out of necessity, for the consolation of his disciple.
2 Tim. 3:11. What persecutions I endured, and the Lord delivered me from them all.
Both things he impresses upon Timothy: I too, he says, had the zeal to suffer, and God did not abandon me. Therefore you also be ready, and you will not be abandoned.
2 Tim. 3:12. And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
And in this there is very great consolation. What am I saying, the apostle continues, about myself alone? All who desire to live piously and according to the Gospel will be persecuted. By persecutions the apostle here means not only pursuit by unbelievers, but also simply the sorrows and griefs to which those walking the path of virtue are subjected. For human life is a trial, as Job says, and whoever walks the narrow path necessarily suffers.
2 Tim. 3:13. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Do not be troubled at all if they prosper while trials befall you: such is the order of things. Having stripped down for the struggle, you must exert effort. It is foolish to seek rest in the midst of a struggle. Even if they seem to succeed, in reality this is deception, not success. For the apostle, defining what evil is, said: deceiving and being deceived.
2 Tim. 3:14–15. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and what has been entrusted to you.
Be, he says, unchanging and "do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity" (Ps. 37:1). You have not simply learned, but have also been assured, that is, you received the teaching with conviction. Therefore, even if you should see something contrary to that of which you have been assured, do not be troubled: for Abraham too, having heard that in Isaac his seed would be named (Gen. 21:12), was not troubled when he received the command to slay him.
2 Tim. 3:14–15. Knowing by whom you have been taught. Moreover, from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures.
The Apostle Paul presents two motivations for Timothy to remain steadfast: the first is that you, he says, were taught not by chance from just anyone, but from Paul, and this is the same as from Christ; the second is that you were taught not yesterday, but from childhood, and have divine knowledge deeply rooted within you. And it will not allow you to fall into anything unreasonable, as happens with most people. For whoever knows Scripture as one ought will never be led astray. By sacred writings the apostle means all of Divine Scripture. This is directed against Simon and Manes, and all who spoke ill of the Old Testament.
2 Tim. 3:15. Which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
External knowledge makes a person clever at deceiving others with various sophisms; hence the ruin of the soul. But divine knowledge is not like this: it makes one wise unto salvation. What kind? Salvation not through works, not through words, but through faith in Jesus Christ. For the Sacred Scriptures lead a person to believe in Christ, Who accomplishes salvation for him.
2 Tim. 3:16. All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.
Having pointed out many ways of comforting Timothy, the apostle now offers the greatest one as well – in the reading of Holy Scripture. For he intends to communicate to him something sorrowful, namely, that he is finishing his earthly course. So, lest he lose heart as one being deprived of communion with Paul, he says: in place of me you have the Scriptures, which can be profitable to you. Some raise the question: how did the apostle say, "all Scripture is God-breathed"? Are even the Greek writings God-breathed? And being perplexed by its resolution, they translate not "God-breathed," but rather "that which is God-breathed," so that the meaning would be: every writing which is God-breathed is also profitable. But they ought to have taken into account that, having said above, "you know the sacred writings," the apostle now says, "all Scripture." Which? That of which he spoke above and of which he said that it is sacred. Therefore, it is indeed "Scripture God-breathed and profitable" for all that he enumerates further.
2 Tim. 3:16. For doctrine.
It is useful, he says, in that it teaches us what we ought to know. And there is nothing that cannot be resolved by means of Sacred Scripture.
2 Tim. 3:16. For reproof.
If it is necessary to expose a lie, this too can be drawn from here.
2 Tim. 3:16. For correction, for instruction in righteousness.
If it is necessary, he says, to be corrected and to receive instruction, that is, to be brought to one's senses toward righteousness, that is, to act righteously, then the Sacred Scripture provides this to you as well.
2 Tim. 3:17. That the man of God may be perfect.
Correction, he says, comes through Scripture, so that the man who lives according to God may lack nothing good. So if you too desire to become equally well-fitted (artios), that is, perfect, sound, and always even in all things, not despairing in sorrowful circumstances and not becoming proud in favorable ones—for this is characteristic of an uneven disposition of soul—then have Scripture as your counselor instead of me. If the apostle wrote to Timothy, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, about reading, how much more so to us? Note that without Scripture it is impossible to be perfect.
2 Tim. 3:17. Ready for every good work.
Do not simply take part in good works, but be "prepared," that is, completely ready; and not only ready for one thing but not for another, but for every kind.