The Setting - A Day of Ruin and Failure: 2 Timothy

2Ti  •  6 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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In the first epistle of Paul to Timothy, he instructed believers as to the proper order of conduct suited to the house of God. In this second epistle, he instructs us as to how we are to conduct ourselves when things in God's house have fallen into disorder. What stands out in the second epistle is that there would be widespread spiritual declension in the Christian testimony in the last days, and need for wisdom to conduct oneself in such times.
This epistle was written to encourage Timothy to serve in a difficult day when the masses in the Christian profession were forsaking Paul and his doctrine (2 Tim. 1:1515This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15)). It forewarns believers of the progressive character of corruption in Christendom, which would culminate in the last days when there would be wholesale departure from the truth of God. It anticipates a time of complete ruin and failure in the Christian testimony (2 Tim. 3:1-8; 4:3-41This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy 3:1‑8)
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3‑4)). At the same time, it carefully marks out the path in which the faithful are to walk in such times.
What has happened in the history of the Church is foreseen in this epistle. Paul likens the ruin of the Christian testimony to “a great house” that is full of disorder and defilement (2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20)). In fact, the beginning of this departure was already noticeable when Paul wrote to Timothy. The Lord Himself foretold this time of failure and public breakdown in the parables of Matthew 1320But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; (Matthew 13:20). He said that when things would be committed into the hands of men in the time of His absence, the "enemy" (Satan) would introduce “tares” (evil persons), “fowls” (evil spirits), and “leaven” (evil doctrines). Looking at the history of the Christian profession, we see that this has happened indeed. Satan’s emissaries have worked through human agents to subvert the truth of God in the hearts of men. Much corruption and disorder has been introduced into that which bears the name of Christ.
It is significant that there is no promise in the epistle (or anywhere in Scripture) of a recovery of the Christian testimony after it has fallen into this corrupted state. Instead, the Apostle told Timothy that things would only go from bad to worse (2 Tim. 3:1313But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)). He could not expect to see a recovery to the Church’s former glory as found in the early chapters of Acts, when all were filled with the Spirit, and all dwelt together in happy unity, and there were signs of the power of the Spirit. Revelation 2-315So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 18And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28And I will give him the morning star. 29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (Revelation 2:15‑3), indicates that the Church’s history on earth will end on a sad note of gross indifference to the claims of Christ. Not only would the Apostle be shunned, as mentioned in this epistle (2 Tim. 1:1515This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15)), but the Lord Himself would be left outside! (Rev. 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)) This is generally the case today.
“The Man of God”
The expression, “the man of God” (1 Sam. 2:27; 9:1027And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? (1 Samuel 2:27)
10Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was. (1 Samuel 9:10), etc.), occurs in Scripture when the mass of God’s professing people fail in their collective responsibility. It signifies a man who stands for God and acts for Him when those who profess to know God prove to be unfaithful. The term is always used in the singular form; Scripture never speaks of “men of God.” This shows that faithfulness is on an individual basis when there is a public breakdown in the testimony of the Lord. The expression, “the man of God,” is not used in Scripture when conditions are good among the Lord’s people, but when they are poor. The second epistles in the New Testament are particularly applicable for such times; they anticipate the public failure of God’s people and emphasize the need for individual faithfulness. It is striking, therefore, to see that Timothy is called a “man of God” (1 Tim. 6:11; 211But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 6:11)
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. (1 Timothy 2:11) Tim. 3:17).
Since Timothy was a young man (1 Tim. 4:1212Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)), some have concluded that this epistle was written for young people who are struggling with the issues of youth—i.e. the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, etc. However, it clearly wasn’t written with this in mind. To imply that Timothy was struggling with the world, etc., is to demean his sterling character and his incredible devotion to the Lord. He was a mature, godly Christian, though relatively young, who was totally committed to doing the will of God and serving His people. Timothy, therefore, was not a careless and indifferent young Christian. Paul could say of him, “I have no man likeminded, who will naturally [genuinely] care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel” (Phil. 2:20-2220For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. (Philippians 2:20‑22)). To read this epistle with the mistaken idea that it is addressing worldly young people is to take it out of its context.
We are not saying that we cannot make applications to the young and careless from the epistle, but the context and primary interpretation is that of an older labourer (who is about to pass off the scene) counseling and encouraging a younger labourer. The object of the epistle, therefore, is to encourage Timothy to faithfully carry the torch that was being passed to him. Being a pastoral epistle—an epistle not written to an assembly or a group of assemblies, but to an individual—it is full of godly counsel from the Apostle to Timothy regarding his life and service for the Lord. Paul passes on to him many helpful pointers that have been graciously preserved for us in the Word of God, so that anyone who desires to serve the Lord will have these guiding principles for their service. It is a very needed word for today.
Outline
The first chapter—outlines the moral and spiritual qualities needed in the “man of God” in a day of ruin.
The second chapter—lays out some great principles needed for service in such a time.
The third chapter—recounts the resources available for the servant of God in order that he would be preserved and be found useful in such a day.
The fourth chapter—closes the epistle with some divine incentives for service that are calculated to stimulate the servant of the Lord in His work.