3:1
Paul has already spoken about the need for Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel (2 Tim 1:8). This letter of Paul is no encouraging Timothy to join him in a superficially wonderful life. Paul is upfront about the realities of being a servant of the gospel. Here he tells Timothy that there will be “terrible times in the last days”. This, of course, was written almost two thousand years ago. The last days have been going on ever since, and will continue to do so until Christ’s return. I also firmly believe that pre-tribulation rapture theology is nonsense. There are numerous warnings from all the New Testament writers, and Jesus Himself, about the need for us to be prepared to suffer for the gospel.
3:2
Paul then gives a lovely catalogue of the features that will characterise these times, and we see so many of these characteristics manifested in our own day. The people will be “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud and abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy”. Now we can all think of several instances and individuals where this is exemplified. At the same time, it is not true of everyone. We need to be careful when we read these sorts of passages. Paul is not saying that everyone is like this all of the time, but it is increasingly true of a number of people and is becoming more prevalent in society.
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