ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 2 Timothy 3

2 Tim. 3:1 last days. As Acts 2:17 indicates, “the last days” began with the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost (see note on 1 Tim. 4:1). Thus Paul’s prediction of times of difficulty that will occur in “the last days” is already beginning to be fulfilled.

2 Tim. 3:2–5 This list of vices vividly describes the negative impact of those who were opposing Paul and Timothy. The list begins and ends with references to misplaced love.

2 Tim. 3:5 Avoid such people. Do not allow them to be part of the church or support their ministries. Unlike those discussed in 2:25–26, the people described here (3:2–5) remain stubborn in their sin.

2 Tim. 3:6 women, burdened with sins. These women carry guilt from their past. Some seek self-cleansing. They are vulnerable to false teaching about self-denial (see 1 Tim. 4:3). Others seek to justify their behavior. They are vulnerable to false teaching that says that sin is acceptable (see 2 Tim. 3:2–4).

2 Tim. 3:8 Jannes and Jambres are the names given in early extrabiblical Jewish writings to the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses in Ex. 7:8–13. In these writings, these men symbolize opposition to God’s truth. corrupted in mind. Again false teaching is considered bad thinking (see note on 2 Tim. 2:26). disqualified regarding the faith. In spite of their claims, these people do not have saving faith. They oppose the gospel in their teaching and in their living (see Titus 1:16).

2 Tim. 3:10–4:8 Contrasting Timothy with False Teachers. Paul tells Timothy how to resist the false teachers and remain faithful to the gospel.

2 Tim. 3:10–17 This paragraph opens with a clear, strong contrast: “You, however.” The false teachers live and teach one way (vv. 1–9). Paul gives Timothy a totally different pattern to follow. See note on Phil. 3:17.

2 Tim. 3:11 Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra are cities Paul visited on his first missionary journey (Acts 13–14). Timothy joined him during his second journey (Acts 16:1). Lystra was Timothy’s hometown (Acts 16:1–2), so he probably knew of the sufferings that Paul had experienced there on this first journey. From them all the Lord rescued me does not mean that God kept Paul from experiencing any harm. In Lystra he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19–20). Paul probably means that the Lord preserved him from death and kept him faithful even in suffering. See 2 Tim. 4:18.

2 Tim. 3:14 from whom you learned. This could refer to Paul. It may also refer back to Timothy’s mother and grandmother (1:5; see esv footnote on 3:14).

2 Tim. 3:15 to make you wise for salvation. Scripture can lead to the “knowledge of the truth” (2:25; 1 Tim. 2:4). It has the power to bring its readers to faith (see James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23). False teaching leads only to useless arguments and ungodliness.

2 Tim. 3:16 All Scripture, as Paul uses the term here, would include all of the OT and at least some NT writings, which by this time were already considered Scripture (see 1 Tim. 5:18 and note; 2 Pet. 3:15–16 and note). Breathed out by God translates a Greek word that does not occur in any known Greek text (biblical or otherwise) prior to this letter. Some suggest that Paul invented this term from words meaning “God” and “breathed.” This is certainly possible. The term stresses the divine origin and thus the authority of Scripture. Paul says that the writings themselves are the words spoken (“breathed out”) by God. The opponents of Paul and Timothy stressed certain aspects or portions of Scripture (such as genealogies, 1 Tim. 1:4; see Titus 3:9). Paul stresses the authority of all Scripture. The divine origin of Scripture is the reason for its power to convert (2 Tim. 3:15) and its usefulness in training (v. 17).