King James Version
2 Timothy 3
17 verses with commentary
Godlessness in the Last Days
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.</strong> Paul transitions to eschatological warning. "This know also" (<em>touto de ginōske</em>, τοῦτο δὲ γίνωσκε) commands certain knowledge—this isn't speculation but revealed truth Timothy must understand. "In the last days" (<em>en eschatais hēmerais</em>, ἐν ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις) refers to the entire period between Christ's...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**III.**
(1) **This know also.**—Better rendered, *But know this.* The Apostle had warned Timothy (2Timothy 2:3-13) not to allow fear of oncoming peril and trouble to paralyse his efforts in the Master’s cause, for the Lord’s true servant should never lose heart, and then had proceeded (2Timothy 2:14-26) to detail how these efforts of his were to be directed, showing him how his teaching should st...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
INTRODUCTION
Its GENUINENESS is attested by Polycarp [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], who alludes to 2Th 3:15. Justin Martyr [Dialogue with Trypho, p. 193.32], alludes to 2Th 2:3. Irenæus [Against Heresies, 7.2] quotes 2Th 2:8. Clement of Alexandria [Miscellanies, 1.5, p. 554; The Instructor, 1.17], quotes 2Th 3:2, as Paul's words. Tertullian [On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 24] quotes 2Th 2:...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle expresses confidence in the Thessalonians, and prays for them.(1-5)
He charges them to withdraw from disorderly walkers, particularly from the lazy and busybodies.(6-15)
And concludes with a prayer for them, and a greeting.(16-18)
**Verses 1-5**
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to ...
Read full commentary →For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.</strong> Paul begins a vice catalog describing "perilous times." "Lovers of their own selves" (<em>philautoi</em>, φίλαυτοι) is self-love, narcissism—foundational sin from which others flow. <em>Philos</em> (φίλος) means friend, lover; combined with <em>autos</em...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **For men** **shall be lovers of their own selves.**—Hofmann and others have attempted to portion out these vices into groups. But any such effort seems artificial. A certain connection seems to exist in some part; but when pressed to preserve the groups, a strained meaning has to be given to some of the terms. It seems, therefore, best simply to understand the catalogue as representing the va...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. from God our Father--**So some oldest manuscripts read. Others omit "our."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle expresses confidence in the Thessalonians, and prays for them.(1-5)
He charges them to withdraw from disorderly walkers, particularly from the lazy and busybodies.(6-15)
And concludes with a prayer for them, and a greeting.(16-18)
**Verses 1-5**
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to ...
Read full commentary →Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, false: or, one who foments strife
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.</strong> Paul continues the vice catalog. "Without natural affection" (<em>astorgoi</em>, ἄστοργοι) literally means "without family love"—lacking natural affection parents feel for children or spouses for each other. This describes horrifying coldness, the breakdown of most basi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Without natural affection.**—Careless and regardless of the welfare of those connected with them by ties of blood.
**Trucebreakers.**—Better rendered, *implacable.*
**False-accusers.**—Or, *slanderers.* (See 1Timothy 3:11.)
**Incontinent.**—Having no control over the passions.
**Fierce.**—Inhuman, savage, or merciless.
**Despisers of those that are good.**—Better rendered, *no lovers of good...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. We are bound--**Greek, "We owe it as a debt" (2Th 2:13). They had prayed for the Thessalonians (1Th 3:12) that they might "increase and abound in love"; their prayer having been heard, it is a small but a bounden return for them to make, to thank God for it. Thus, Paul and his fellow missionaries practice what they preach (1Th 5:18). In 1Th 1:3, their thanksgiving was for the Thessalonians' f...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle expresses confidence in the Thessalonians, and prays for them.(1-5)
He charges them to withdraw from disorderly walkers, particularly from the lazy and busybodies.(6-15)
And concludes with a prayer for them, and a greeting.(16-18)
**Verses 1-5**
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to ...
Read full commentary →Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.</strong> Paul concludes the vice list's first section with four final characteristics. "Traitors" (<em>prodotai</em>, προδόται) means betrayers—those who violate trust, betray friends, break confidences. This is Judas-like treachery. "Heady" (<em>propeteis</em>, προπετεῖς) means rash, reckless, impulsive—acting witho...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Traitors.**—Or, *betrayers, *probably, as it has been suggested, of their Christian brethren. (Comp. Luke 6:16, where this epithet is used of Judas Iscariot, “which also was the traitor;” and also Acts 7:52, where Stephen, in his Sanhedrin speech, uses this term “betrayers” of the Jews, “of whom—the Just One—ye have been now the betrayers.” In these days of Timothy, and for many a long year,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. glory in you--**make our boast of you, literally, "in your case." "Ourselves" implies that not merely did they hear others speaking of the Thessalonians' faith, but they, the missionaries themselves, boasted of it. Compare 1Th 1:8, wherein the apostle said, their faith was so well known in various places, that he and his fellow missionaries had no need to speak of it; but here he says, so abo...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle expresses confidence in the Thessalonians, and prays for them.(1-5)
He charges them to withdraw from disorderly walkers, particularly from the lazy and busybodies.(6-15)
And concludes with a prayer for them, and a greeting.(16-18)
**Verses 1-5**
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to ...
Read full commentary →Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.</strong> Paul reaches the frightening climax: these vice-ridden people aren't obvious pagans but professing Christians. "Having a form of godliness" (<em>echontes morphōsin eusebeias</em>, ἔχοντες μόρφωσιν εὐσεβείας). <em>Morphōsis</em> (μόρφωσις) means outward form, appearance, semblance—external shape without...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.**—Keeping up a show of observing the outward forms of religion, but renouncing its power and its influence over the heart and the life; shewing openly that they neither acknowledged its guidance or wished to do so. These, by claiming the title of Christians, wearing before men the uniform of Christ, but by their lives dishonouring Hi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. Which--**Your enduring these tribulations is a "token of the righteous judgment of God," manifested in your being enabled to endure them, and in your adversaries thereby filling up the measure of their guilt. The judgment is even now begun, but its consummation will be at the Lord's coming. David (Psa 73:1-14) and Jeremiah (Jr 12:1-4) were perplexed at the wicked prospering and the godly suff...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle expresses confidence in the Thessalonians, and prays for them.(1-5)
He charges them to withdraw from disorderly walkers, particularly from the lazy and busybodies.(6-15)
And concludes with a prayer for them, and a greeting.(16-18)
**Verses 1-5**
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to ...
Read full commentary →For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts.</strong> Paul provides specific example of false teachers' methods. "For of this sort are they which creep into houses" (<em>ek toutōn gar eisin hoi endynontes eis tas oikias</em>, ἐκ τούτων γάρ εἰσιν οἱ ἐνδύνοντες εἰς τὰς οἰκίας). The verb <em>endynō</em> (ἐνδύνω) m...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women.**—The corrupting influence of these hypocritical professors of the religion of Jesus must have been already great, and the danger to all real vital godliness in Ephesus imminent, for Paul here specifies one of the most—perhaps *the most*—successful work of these toilers for Satan: the power they were acquiring o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. seeing it is a righteous thing--**This justifies the assertion above of there being a "righteous judgment" (2Th 1:5), namely, "seeing that it is (literally, 'if at least,' 'if at all events it is') a righteous thing with (that is, in the estimation of) God" (which, as we all feel, it certainly is). Our own innate feeling of what is just, in this confirms what is revealed.
**recompense--**re...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.</strong> Paul describes false teachers' victims with tragic irony: "Ever learning" (<em>pantote manthanontas</em>, πάντοτε μανθάνοντα). Present participle indicates continuous action—always learning, constantly seeking, perpetually studying. The adverb <em>pantote</em> (πάντοτε) means at all times, always—their learning n...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.**—A morbid love of novelty, and a hope to penetrate into mysteries not revealed to God’s true teachers, spurred these female learners on; but “to *the full* knowledge of the truth”—for this is the more accurate rendering of the Greek word—they never reached, for by their evil life their heart was hardened. That some of thes...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. rest--**governed by "to recompense" (2Th 1:6). The Greek is literally, "relaxation"; loosening of the tension which had preceded; relaxing of the strings of endurance now so tightly drawn. The Greek word for "rest," Mt 11:28, is distinct, namely, cessation from labor. Also, He 4:9, "A keeping of sabbath."
**with us--**namely, Paul, Silas, and Timothy, the writers, who are troubled like your...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. reprobate: or, of no judgment reprobate: or, of no judgment
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.</strong> Paul reaches into Exodus tradition to illustrate false teachers' rebellion. "Jannes and Jambres" (<em>Iannēs kai Iambrēs</em>, Ἰαννῆς καὶ Ἰαμβρῆς) aren't named in Exodus but Jewish tradition identified Pharaoh's magicians (Exodus 7:11, 22; 8:7) by the...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses.**—To one brought up, like Timothy, by a pious Jewish mother, and who from a child knew the Holy Scriptures and all the history and ancient traditions connected with the early history of the people, such a comparison would be very striking. No child of Israel could hear the name of Moses, the loved hero of the chosen people, unmoved; and to be told t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. In flaming fire--**Greek, "In flame of fire"; or, as other oldest manuscripts read, "in fire of flame." This flame of fire accompanied His manifestation in the bush (Ex 3:2); also His giving of the law at Sinai (Ex 19:18). Also it shall accompany His revelation at His advent (Da 7:9, 10), symbolizing His own bright glory and His consuming vengeance against His foes (He 10:27; 12:29; 2Pe 3:7, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →But they shall proceed no further : for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.</strong> Despite false teachers' apparent success, Paul assures: "they shall proceed no further" (<em>all' ou prokoopsousin epi pleion</em>, ἀλλ᾿ οὐ προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ πλεῖον). The verb <em>prokoptō</em> (προκόπτω) means advance, make progress. Their deception has limits; God won't allow in...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **But they shall proceed no further.**—After that St. Paul, with no gentle hand, had torn aside the veil which was hiding apparently from Timothy the real state of his great charge at Ephesus, and had pointed out what fearful ravages among his flock had been committed by these ambitious and evil men, the Apostle proceeds to comfort his friend and disciple with the assurance that, great though ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. Who--**Greek, "persons who," &c.
**destruction from the presence of the Lord--**driven far from His presence [Alford]. The sentence emanating from Him in person, sitting as Judge [Bengel], and driving them far from Him (Mt 25:41; Re 6:16; 12:14; compare 1Pe 3:12; Is 2:10, 19). "The presence of the Lord" is the source whence the sentence goes forth; "the glory of His power" is the instru...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →Paul's Charge to Timothy
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, fully: or, been a diligent follower of
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.</strong> Paul contrasts Timothy's knowledge of his teaching and life with false teachers' error. "But thou" (<em>sy de</em>, σὺ δέ) creates sharp contrast—"you, however." "Hast fully known" (<em>parēkolouthēsas</em>, παρηκολούθησας) means followed closely, traced accurately, understood ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **But thou hast fully known my doctrine.**—Literally, *But thou wert a follower of my doctrine;* thou followedst as a disciple, and thus hast fully known. The Greek word translated “fully known” (see 1Timothy 4:6) denotes a diligently tracing out step by step. See Luke 1:3, where the same word is rendered, in the English version: “having had perfect understanding,” having traced up to their s...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. "When He shall have come."
**glorified in his saints--**as the element and mirror IN which His glory shall shine brightly (Joh 17:10).
**admired in all them that believe--**Greek, "them that believed." Once they believed, now they see: they had taken His word on trust. Now His word is made good and they need faith no longer. With wonder all celestial intelligences (Ep 3:10) shall see and a...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.</strong> Paul continues listing what Timothy observed, focusing on suffering. "Persecutions, afflictions" (<em>tois diōgmois, tois pathēmasin</em>, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν). <em>Diōgmos</em> (διωγμός) means persecution—organized oppo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Persecutions, afflictions.**—St. Paul adds to “persecutions” “afflictions”—for not merely were his plans thwarted, his hopes baffled, his friends alienated, through the persistent enmity of his opponents, but *bodily* suffering was inflicted on him—stoning, scourging, long and weary periods of imprisonment, were among the repeated sufferings he endured for his Master’s sake. The question ha...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. Wherefore--**Greek, "With a view to which," namely, His glorification in you as His saints.
**also--**We not only anticipate the coming glorification of our Lord in His saints, but we also pray concerning (so the Greek) YOU.
**our God--**whom we serve.
**count you worthy--**The prominent position of the "You" in the Greek makes it the emphatic word of the sentence. May you be found amo...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.</strong> Paul universalizes his experience: persecution isn't peculiar to apostles but common to all believers. "Yea, and all" (<em>kai pantes de</em>, καὶ πάντες δέ) is emphatic—absolutely everyone, no exceptions. "That will live godly" (<em>hoi thelontes zēn euseōs</em>, οἱ θέλοντες ζῆν εὐσεβῶς). The participle <...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Yea, and all that will live godly.**—But St. Paul would not allow it to be thought for a moment that in the fact of his enduring persecution and suffering there was anything remarkable or singular; so he adds the words of this verse, which repeat in a peculiarly solemn way the great Christian truth that eternal glory was only to be reached by man through an avenue of sufferings. “No cross, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. the name of our Lord Jesus--**Our Lord Jesus in His manifested personality as the God-man.
**in you, and ye in him--**reciprocal glorification; compare Is 28:5, "The Lord of hosts shall be ... a crown of glory and ... a diadem of beauty unto ... His people," with Is 62:3, "Thou (Zion) shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem," &c. (Joh 21:10; Ga 1:24; 1Pe 4...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse , deceiving, and being deceived.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.</strong> While godly people suffer persecution, evil advances unhindered—temporarily. "Evil men and seducers" (<em>ponēroi de anthrōpoi kai goētes</em>, πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες). <em>Ponēros</em> (πονηρός) means evil, wicked, morally corrupt. <em>Goēs</em> (γόης) means sorcerer, deceiver, imposter—or...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.**—This verse is closely connected with the following (2Timothy 3:14), to which, indeed, it serves as an introduction. 2Timothy 3:14 takes up again the exhortation to Timothy begun in 2Timothy 3:10 : “But thou hast fully known my doctrine,” &c. 2Timothy 3:14 takes up the thought: “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and bee...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →Abide in Scripture
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.</strong> Against the backdrop of worsening evil (v. 13), Paul commands steadfast faithfulness. "But continue thou" (<em>sy de mene</em>, σὺ δὲ μένε) creates sharp contrast—"you, however, remain." The verb <em>menō</em> (μένω) means abide, remain, continue steadfastly. P...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned.**—But Timothy, on the other hand, was to continue in the things he had learned. Evil teaching would become worse; the opposition to truth would, as the ages rolled on, become more intense; but Timothy and his successors must remember that there was to be no development in the fundamental doctrines of his most holy faith. He had (2Timo...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 2
2Th 2:1-17. Correction of Their Error as to Christ's Immediate Coming. The Apostasy that Must Precede It. Exhortation to Steadfastness, Introduced with Thanksgiving for Their Election by God.
**1. Now--**rather, "But"; marking the transition from his prayers for them to entreaties to them.
**we beseech you--**or "entreat you." He uses affectionate entreaty, rather than stern reproo...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.</strong> Paul identifies the foundation of Timothy's faith: Scripture. "From a child" (<em>apo breephous</em>, ἀπὸ βρέφους)—<em>brephos</em> (βρέφος) means infant, baby, very young child. Timothy's mother Eunice and grandmother Lois taught him S...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.**—The Greek words translated “from a child” should be rendered, *from a very child, *as the word denotes that Timothy’s instruction in the Holy Scriptures began at a very early and tender age.
**The holy scriptures.**—Literally, *the sacred writings.* The Scriptures of the Old Testament are here exclusively meant. The expression “wr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. soon--**on trifling grounds, without due consideration.
**shaken--**literally, "tossed" as ships tossed by an agitated sea. Compare for the same image, Ep 4:14.
**in mind--**rather as the Greek, "from your mind," that is, from your mental steadfastness on the subject.
**troubled--**This verb applies to emotional agitation; as "shaken" to intellectual.
**by spirit--**by a person profes...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians....
Read full commentary →All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.</strong> This is one of Scripture's most crucial verses on its own nature. "All scripture" (<em>pasa graphē</em>, πᾶσα γραφή). <em>Pasa</em> (πᾶσα) means all, every—no exceptions. <em>Graphē</em> (γραφή) means writing, Scripture—technical term for sac...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **All scripture is given by inspiration of God.**—Although this rendering is grammatically possible, the more strictly accurate translation, and the one adopted by nearly all the oldest and most trustworthy versions (for example, the Syriac and the Vulgate), and by a great many of the principal expositors in all ages (for instance, by such teachers as Origen, Theodoret, Grotius, Luther, Meyer...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. by any means--**Greek, "in any manner." Christ, in Mt 24:4, gives the same warning in connection with the same event. He had indicated three ways (2Th 2:2) in which they might be deceived (compare other ways, 2Th 2:9, and Mt 24:5, 24).
**a falling away--**rather as the Greek, "the falling away," or "apostasy," namely, the one of which "I told you" before (2Th 2:5), "when I was yet with you,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle expresses confidence in the Thessalonians, and prays for them.(1-5)
He charges them to withdraw from disorderly walkers, particularly from the lazy and busybodies.(6-15)
And concludes with a prayer for them, and a greeting.(16-18)
**Verses 1-5**
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to ...
Read full commentary →That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. throughly: or, perfected
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.</strong> This verse states Scripture's ultimate purpose. "That the man of God may be perfect" (<em>hina artios ē ho tou theou anthrōpos</em>, ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος). "The man of God" (<em>ho tou theou anthrōpos</em>, ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος) is technical Old Testament phrase for prophet or servant specially...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.**—The “man of God” here is no official designation, but simply designates the Christian generally, who is striving, with his Master’s help, to live a life pleasing to God; and the “good works” have no special reference to the labours of Timothy and his brother presbyters, but include all those generous and self-sac...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. Da 11:36, 37 is here referred to. The words used there as to Antiochus Epiphanes, Paul implies, shall even be more applicable to the man of sin, who is the New Testament actual Antichrist, as Antiochus was the Old Testament typical Antichrist. The previous world kingdoms had each one extraordinary person as its representative head and embodiment (thus Babylon had Nebuchadnezzar, Da 2:38, end; M...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle expresses confidence in the Thessalonians, and prays for them.(1-5)
He charges them to withdraw from disorderly walkers, particularly from the lazy and busybodies.(6-15)
And concludes with a prayer for them, and a greeting.(16-18)
**Verses 1-5**
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to ...
Read full commentary →