2 Timothy 3:1

 2 Timothy 3:1

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

a. NLT: You should know this, Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. Young’s Literal Translation: And this know thou, that in the last days there shall come perilous times, [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible: But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Worrell Translation:  But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. [Copyright 1904 by A.S. Worrell. Copyright assigned to the Assemblies of God, Springfield, MO. This edition was published 1980 by the Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802. Printed in the U.S.A.]

f. Wuest translation: This be constantly knowing, that in the last days difficult times will set in, [The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest. Ⓒ Copyright Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1961. All rights reserved.]

1. “This know also…”

a. This [Strong: 5124 touto too'-to; neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).]

b. know [Strong: 1097 ginosko ghin-oce'-ko; a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.]

1). Rick Renner, 3/9/16 Paul wrote these words by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Second Timothy 3:1: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” Notice that this verse begins by saying, “This know.…” The word “know” is the Greek word ginosko, the Greek word for knowledge. But in this verse, it is used in the present imperative tense, which means it is a strong command to recognize that there is something that must be known, must be recognized, and must be acknowledged. Having this knowledge is not optional; it is mandatory.

c. also [Strong: 1161 de deh: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

1). In this last letter to Timothy Paul focused on a few important matters. He encouraged him in chapter one, he exhorted him to live a pure holy life in chapter two. In chapter three he focused on the characteristics of the last days, some of which would appear during Timothy’s life. In Paul’s warning to Timothy, he is also warning us. In looking at church history in the last two thousand years, we can see remote pockets of these characteristics popping up. In these days though we can see every one of them taking root and blossoming into poisonous fruits that are corrupting and destroying lives, even in the church. This is what Paul was warning Timothy and us. This whole passage describing the last days includes all of Chapter 3 but also includes 2 Timothy 4:1-4.

2. “…that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

a. that [Strong: 3754 hoti hot'-ee; neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

b. in [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

c. [the] last [Strong: 2078 eschatos es'-khat-os; a superlative probably from 2192 (in the sense of contiguity); farthest, final (of place or time):--ends of, last, latter end, lowest, uttermost.]    [Zodhiates: The extreme, most remote, spoken of place and time. In 2 Timothy 3:1, with a noun of time, as the last day…of the world…in the phrase “the last days.] [D.C.: Where we get the term eschatology the studies of the last days.]

d. days [Strong: 2250 hemera hay-mer'-ah; feminine (with 5610 implied) of a derivative of hemai (to sit; akin to the base of 1476) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.]

1). The last days began with the birth of Christ Jesus. They include not only the 2000 plus years of the church age, but also the Second Coming of Christ and the Millennial Reign of Christ. This can be seen in Peter’s use of the term and also of Isaiah’s use of the term “last days”.  

a). Acts 2:14-21 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 

2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 

2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 

2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

(1) We must be aware that along with the perilous times there will be also glorious times. An outpouring of the Holy Ghost in the midst of tremendous evil and geologic upheaval (signs under the earth that produce blood, fire and smoke). 

b). Isaiah 2:1-4 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

(1). The particular events that Isaiah writes about above clearly take place during the Millennial Reign of Christ Jesus. 

2). Rick Renner 3/9/16 The verse continues, “This know also, that in the last days.…” The word “last” in this verse is from the word eschatos, which points to the ultimate end of a thing — such as the last month of the year; the last week of the month; the last day of a week; or the very extreme end of the age. In other words, the word eschatos doesn’t merely describe the last days in general, but the very last of the last days. It was used in classical Greek literature to depict a place furthest away, such as the very ends of the earth. In this sense, it also signified something that is final. With this word eschatos, the Holy Spirit through Paul takes us right into the end of the age to enlighten our eyes and help us see what the world environment will be like in the concluding moments of the age. Paul goes on to say that “perilous” times will mark that final age.

e. perilous [Strong: 5467 chalepos khal-ep-os' perhaps from 5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:--fierce, perilous.] [Bullinger: Heavy, difficult, hard to bear; connected with toil and suffering, dangerous] [Zodhiates: Violent, fierce. Used of demoniacs, wild, difficult]. [D.C: This word is used in only one other place in the N.T., In Matthew 8:28 when describing those possessed with demons. I believe that is very significant.]

1). Rick Renner 3/9/16 “Perilous” is the Greek word chalepos — a word used to describe ugly words that, when spoken, are hurtful and emotionally hard to bear. It is also used in various pieces of literature to depict wild, vicious, uncontrollable animals that are unpredictable and dangerous. It always carries the idea of an action, place, person, or thing that is harsh, harmful, and filled with high risk. This is the very word used in Matthew 8:28 to portray the two demon-possessed men who were so legendary in the country of the Gadarenes. It says, “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.” The words “exceeding fierce” is this same word chalepos. This means the two demon-possessed men were like wild, vicious, and uncontrollable animals, completely unpredictable and dangerous. Simply being in the region near these men placed one’s life in jeopardy because these demonized men were chalepos — harsh and harmful, presenting a high risk to anyone in the region.

a). Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

8:31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

8:33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

2). We need to connect the dots here to understand that the last days in one aspect will be demonic days. Another account of the Gadarene demons is given in Luke.

a). Luke 8:26-33 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 

8:27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 

8:28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 

 8:29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

8:30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

8:31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

8:32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.

8:33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

3). Yes, perilous times will come in the last days, but that is only half the picture, for Acts 2 declares that at the same time that men are yielding their lives to carnal desires and demonic influences, the God of all grace and mercy is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh and saving all who will call out to Him.

a). Acts 2:17-21 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

4). Institute of Creation Research Days of Praise 8/21/2023: There has always been some confusion about the biblical term “the last days.” Many times the phrase is associated with the Great Tribulation period. Some commentaries appear to relate the era to the final days just before the Lord returns to put an end to the universe. It does appear, however, that the “last days” began officially at Pentecost when the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29 was fulfilled and verified by Peter in his sermon recorded in Acts 2:14-21. That same Peter reaffirmed that the Lord Jesus “was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:20). And, just so there could not be any doubt, the apostle John said simply, “Little children, it is the last time” (1 John 2:18). Paul’s warning to Timothy was that these last days will be filled with “perilous times.” The Greek term translated “perilous” is chalepos. Its basic meaning is “stress” or “fierce,” coming from a root word meaning to “reduce strength.” Other Bible versions translate the term as “dangerous” or “difficult” times. The word could well be understood as “strength-sapping pressure.” The “times” that will be perilous are “seasons” or “periods” that will characterize these “last days.” The verses that follow our text contain a list of the kinds of “peril” that will “stress” those who would live godly lives. This warning is not unique. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). No wonder we are told: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). HMM III

 

f. times [Strong: 2540 kairos kahee-ros'; of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:--X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while.]

g. shall come [Strong: 1764 enistemi en-is'-tay-mee; from 1722 and 2476; to place on hand, i.e. (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant:--come, be at hand, present.]

1). Don Costello: Dangerous, fierce, hard to bear, violent and perilous times do not come just because these are the “last days”, they happen because what men will become. Men will become these things because they will by gradual disobedience open the door for carnal and demonic influences. It is a relatively slow progressive descent in the same way spiritual growth is a relatively slow progressive ascent. It seems that as the surrounding culture descends the people living in that culture will also descend. America is a good example. We as a nation have followed a slow descent in the last 60 years. There are things portrayed in music, movies and print that are unbelievable in their ungodliness that would not have been allowed 60 years ago, but now they are commonplace. (The Supreme Court of the United States has through their legal but ungodly decisions outlawed and removed the Biblical boundaries that would have prohibited or slowed the cultural descent). Men don’t become monsters overnight, spiritual corruption is similar to spiritual growth in that it takes time. Saul of Tarsus didn’t become the man of God who wrote two thirds of the New Testament overnight. Kenneth Hagin didn’t become the man of God he became overnight, it takes time to grow spiritually. Billy Graham did not develop into the great evangelist he is overnight, it took a lifetime. In that sense spiritual growth and spiritual corruption are similar in that they both take time. Let me state clearly I am not talking about the salvation experience of Romans 10:9, 10. When an individual gets born again they instantly become new creatures in Christ because they have repented of their sins and have believed Jesus rose from the dead and declared Jesus their Lord. They are forgiven, cleansed, and set apart by God to live for Him, and they are on their way to heaven; that happens immediately, but they do not become spiritually mature overnight. Getting born again is instantaneous, while growing spiritually is a life process.  Regardless of these demonic days we must never forget the Covenant we have with our Father that we have authority over all the power of the enemy and because of that these are going to be the most glorious days of victory for the church.

2). Modern day examples of the demonic in the news abound, but we as believers in Covenant with God through Christ Jesus need to be grounded in Him and full of faith, love and the word in order to be prepared to enforce the victory Christ Jesus won when we are confronted with them.

3). The beginning of 2 Timothy 3:2 explains why perilous times shall come: For men shall be…men become something.