Is Truth the standard for preaching in your church?
And is honesty concerning Christ a measure of your hospitality and love of other believers?
Walking in Truth and Love
Now that you are separated to holiness by the risen Jesus Christ,who must a saint believe?
NOT every Rabbi — not every Bishop, any Priest or supposed Prophet; not every emotional pastor or passing spirit-led performance; not the powerful preacher of visionary change.
Many would mislead you.
TheElder of Ephesus and nearby church gatherings of saints in first century Asia Minor had already heard of or encountered many false teachers and their heretical teachings concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
At the time of his final epistle (most likely in the A.D. 90’s), John is the only remaining Apostle. John’s Apostolic authority is unquestionable, as is the Elder’s dedication in witness of the Way, the Truth and the Life of Christ.
Jesus said to him [the Apostle Thomas],
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 ESV
John’s witness of the Truth of Christ Jesus becomes immediately evident in this — the Apostle’s final letter.
III John
The elder
πρεσβύτερος - presbyteros - elder
to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and bore witness to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
3 John 1:2-3 NKJV
Γάϊος – Gaius
The Elder receives a letter from his dear friend [agapētos] Gaius responding positively that indeed John hopes to visit these believers personally soon after his response arrives.
Gaius is a common Greek name and he could be:
a Macedonian delegate from Derbe who earlier had accompanied Paul to Jerusalem [Acts 20:4] or
a Corinthian, one of two men baptized by Paul and/or
later, Paul’s host (the Elder or Bishop of Thessalonica) [Acts 18:7]
or possibly yet another Gaius with this common name
Referring to those Gaius leads in his local church John rejoices:
I have no greater joy than these things that I hear of my children walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4 – Darby Translation
Friendship Worthy of God
The Apostles Peter, Paul and others had been executed for their faith some twenty years ago in Rome. Many more Christians were constantly martyred in since then throughout the Empire.
The recipient of the Elder’s final epistle recognizes the witness of his hospitality to these evangelists — many who might soon die in witness to the gospel of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Now (sometime around the year of our Lord 90-95), John commends the faithful boldness of his dear (and probably long-time) friend Gaius.
Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church.You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
3 John 1:5-7 ESV
The Elder is essentially putting his Apostolic seal of approval on the witness of these beloved, specific evangelists (missionaries).
Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
3 John 1:8
DO NOT MISS the lasting long relationship of more than twenty years between the Elder John and Elders of other churches throughout the Roman Empire.
I have written something to the church…
.. but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.
3 John 1:9 NKJV
This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words.
And he is not satisfied with that!
He not only refuses to welcome fellow believers, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.
3 Epistle of John 1:10 CSB
The Elder has an enemy opposed to Apostolic doctrine and authority.
True saints of Christ will recognize such evil gate-keepers of false faith as an antichrist! And John intends to correct their growing heresy in person with his beloved true Christian friend Gaius.
Yield to Good but Not Evil
Here the Apostle measures this heretical behavior of Diotrephes, who stands against the true gospel of Christ. John advises his faithful friend with this Apostolic standard:
Beloved [agapētos] follow not that which is evil [kakos ], but that which is good.
3 John 1:11a KJV
Before we go forward with John's Apostolic rule, let's make certain that WE the saints of the Church understand both GOOD and EVIL.
κακός, κακῇ, κακόν, the Sept. for רָע (from Homer down), bad (A. V. (almost uniformly) evil);
(morally, i. e.) of a mode of thinking, feeling, acting; base, wrong, wicked: of persons,
universally, of a bad nature; not such as it ought to be.
John applies this to this wicked gate-keeper of his hometown church, comparing his own standard of judging who belongs in the Church and who does not to the true hospitality of of the Truth of Christ as the Shepherd of flocks, with the Apostles of Jesus as true witness of the Gospel and teachings of our Lord.
A previous warning concurrently in circulation
Although the later canon of Scripture places Revelation after this epistle (and that of Jude), some historical scholarship suggests that the Apocalypse of John may have been written prior to this brief letter — the Elder’s third epistle. Perhaps you might recognize a type of Diotrephes in the message to the angel of Ephesus:
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
“and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake [that of the risen Lord Jesus Christ] and have not become weary.
a primary word; “good” (in any sense, often as noun):—benefit, good(-s, things), well.
This comparison between evil and good by the Lord Jesus calls believers to faithfulness imitating God our Father in heaven.
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Gospel of Matthew 7:11 NKJV
John in his gospel also quotes Jesus concerning good.
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voiceand come out,
those who have done good to the resurrection of life,
and those who have done evil [φαῦλος phaûlos, “foul” or “flawy”, i.e. (figuratively) wicked:—evil]
to the resurrection of judgment.
Gospel of John 5:26-29 ESV, with a definition of evil
Deciding between Friends
John writes to a mutual brother faithful to the Lord Jesus and the teaching of the Apostles. But how does the Elder (and Apostle) advise his dear friend to lead?
Short answer: enroll a second brother in the Lord known to be true to the truth of the Gospel.
Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
3 John 1:12 NIV
John writes briefly with all the Authorithy of Apostolic leading of the Church. He enlists allies grounded in truth. And most of all John emphasizes that he and others must confront this controversy in person (lest it get out of hand at the leading of this wicked so-called christian).
I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
The beloved Elder closes his final Apostolic Epistle with a seemingly common word of distant greeting; but it is indeed a peace that we do not understand and practice too little as the saints saved by the risen Christ Jesus.
is between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord; the Messiah’s peace, the way that leads to peace (salvation); the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is; the blessed state of devout and upright men after death — as well as: a state of national tranquillity; exemption from the rage and havoc of war
Do the saints of your church struggle with this?
The Ephesians, to whom John writes did!
And the Elder adds a call to reciprocal love as well:
Our friends [Philos] salute you.
Most certainly John would recall the words of Jesus from more than sixty years ago — again and again in correspondence as well as personal encounters with his fellow believers…
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.G5384 Ye are my friends,G5384 if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Gospel of John 15:13-14 KJV
.. I have called you friends;G5384 for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Gospel of John 15:15b – the words of JESUS to His Apostles
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:17
Philos, friend, obeys Christ’s commands of love and truth. Our salutation to each other is that of love and peace.
Greet the friends by name. Again, a mutual and personal greeting between beloved friends, this translation of ‘greet’ using the same Greek word as ‘salute.’
Certainly those receiving the Elder’s third epistle looked forward to Johns upcoming personal visit, God-willing. From the Apostle’s very lips they will receive the truth of Christ and follow The Way prescribed by John and the Apostles of JESUS.
Would your church welcome the Elder IF the Apostle John and his friends were coming to challenge an errant teacher or preacher of your local gathering?
It was a tragic punishment of the Jews to be exiled, it would become a tragic consequence for a church which would later abandon truth for control in a medieval world.
He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.
I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.
Gospel of John 19:35; Third Epistle of John 1:4 CSB
Today we are going to READ the New Testament’s shortest letter. It is written by the beloved Apostle John near the end of the first century A.D.
Once you have read it, we will then take a look at WHY the Elder wrote it and how to heed John’s warnings to those joined to Christ’s Church.
2 John
The ELDER,
unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; for the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.
This is the commandment That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.
This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.
He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine,receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
John writes a brief note of less than 300 words in the common Greek of the first century Roman Empire on a single piece of papyrus sometime near the year of our Lord ninety-five (A.D. 90-95) in lieu of a personal visit the aging Apostle intends.
It appears that the great purpose of II John was to warn the believers not to give indiscriminate hospitality to strangers or traveling evangelist-teachers. Those who did not meet the sure test of sound doctrine were to be refused hastily.
King James Bible commentary 2-3 John p.1763
He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
– 2 John v.9
The URGENT WARNING of this last living Apostle of Jesus Christ is both clear and relevant to leaders of the Church up to this day.
The Second Epistle of John cautions against hospitality or the receiving of heretics.
As the Apostle emphasized in his earlier letter to the Church, the mystical approach of some antichrists, namely Gnostics, opposed the truth of Scripture and the incarnation of God in the Person of JESUS Christ, His suffering and crucifixion and especially the Lord’s resurrection IN THE BODY and ascension into heaven until Jesus’ return at the last day.
The Elder’s purpose in writing is to urge the faithful to REJECT false gospels, false philosophies cloaked in christian garments and especially to send away FALSE teachers.
Theologians may debate a small point of who ‘the elect lady’ is.
The “elect lady and her children,” addressed in verse 1, are taken by most interpreters to mean a church and her members.
There is.. deep concern for truth (vv. 4-6) and the warning against false doctrine (7-11) are there as in all John’s writings.
Authorized King James Version intro 2 JOHN
Lady (Gr kyria) is the same word as “Lord” in the New Testament, except that it is feminine here (and in vs. 5) and refers not to a literal “lady” but to the “congregation” or “church’ in a figurative sense.
King James Bible Commentary into 2 JOHN
“The children of thy elect sister greet thee” ( 2Jo 1:13 ).
the word “Church” comes from a Greek word (kyriake) cognate to the Greek for “lady” (kyria; “belonging to the Lord,” kyrios)
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Introduction to 2 John
John, an elder or bishop of churches would in person certainly apply his warning to the body of believers as a whole and especially to any pastor, host or hostess of a home church.
House Churches
Some theologians would point out that many early churches were ‘house churches’ and that the “lady” and “her children” may well have been an actual unnamed woman (such as John will name an addressee of his third and final epistle to “Gaius.”
Since inns in the first century were notoriously flea-infested and rapacious, where would a Christian stay while traveling? The answer was in the home of another Christian.
KJ Bible Commentary ibid.
I had to look up this definition and it is culturally worth noting for Christians of the first century or 21st. Some synonyms for Rapacious - greedy, insatiable, gluttonous, materialistic selfish, devouring, savage, preying... Get the idea?
So some theologians believe that John wrote to warn a woman hosting a house church against welcoming such heretical predators, let alone let any teaching of such men or women be heard by the saints she welcomes into her home for worship.
Think of these as evangelists of the antichrist. John also calls them antichrists. The danger of false teaching became so prevalent that by the second century AD other Elders (Bishops) wrote about them.
Elder Successors to John
Without digging into early writings of the early church, note one well-documented warning from the 2nd century AD.
Irenaeus of Lyons, born in Asia Minor ~AD 125 and ‘mentioned as a hearer of Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, who in turn was traditionally associated with the Apostle John’ writes a major theological book:
“Against Heresies” (Adversus Haereses), composed around AD 180.
He systematically refuted Gnostic teachings, which challenged the reliability of Scripture and the nature of Christ’s Incarnation. By reinforcing the unity of God as Creator, as well as the integral unity of Scripture, Irenaeus defended fundamental Christian doctrines, including the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
Christians (especially women) can be ‘too nice’ — we’ve all witnessed that. But the Elder John and others caution against it (until the true character of one is tested).
CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA (A.D. 192) [Miscellanies, 2.66].. says, “John’s Second Epistle which was written to the virgins (Greek, “parthenous”; perhaps Parthos is what was meant) is the simplest; but it was written to a certain Babylonian named the Elect lady.”
John MacArthur also suggests that John writes to an individual lady and that the whole purpose of the Elder’s brief epistle is focused on truth.
Truth
John writes of her and her children (whether specific individuals or all those of a house church he plans to visit):
“whom I love in the truth” —agapaōen alētheia—
.. but also all they that have known the truth;
Pretty inclusive of true believers already established as part of her household of saints separated to Christ.
for the truth’s sake… — again, alētheia
AND then John adds to his greeting:
which abides in us [NKJV] or
which lives in us [NIV and others]
because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. [CSB]
2 John 1:2
Is the Apostle reminding here of the Holy Spirit whom we may consult in our discernment of truth — ἀλήθεια – alētheia?
A reminder from John's introduction in his Gospel:
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17 LSB
MacArthur’s commentary outlines this brief second epistle of John as follows:
The Basis of Christian Hospitality
vs 1-3, with truth mentioned 4X
The Behavior of Christian Hospitality
vs 4-6, with truth mentioned in v.4
The Bounds of Christian Hospitality
vs 7-11, with a test of truth in v. 9
The Blessings of Christian Hospitality
vs. 12-13, the Elder will come to her in person
Recognizing that all the readers of his letter faced and always would face a world of lies and deceit, he wrote to call them to live in God’s truth… John reveals four features of living in the truth: the truth unites, indwells, blesses and controls believers.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.
1 John 5:1 ESV
MacArthur applies the Apostle’s test specifically to John’s second letter.
John’s statement encapsulates the main theme of this brief epistle, that truth must always govern the exercise of love. Christians’ deep, mutual affection flows out of their shared commitment to the truth.
ibid. p.217
John emphasized Christ’s identity as God’s Son because the false teachers were denying that truth.
ibid. p. 220
MANY deceivers have gone out into the world.
WATCH YOURSELVES!
2 John v.7a,8a
Do you, beloved lady of this 21st century of the common era, imagine that anything in the life of a Christian has changed one iota?
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word..
Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy 4:1-2a CSB
Paul’s tone in the closing of his final letter to pastors — especially Timothy — strikes a most serious Apostolic climaxic chord. Paul’s edict recalls his own commanded authority as an Apostle under God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
An Edict to Preach
“I solemnly charge you,” captures this formal seriousness of Apostolic authority, although this English translation does not literally capture Paul’s charge word-for-word.
What is an edict?
Since 21st century Common Era English ears consider such authority archaic, trace its definition from earlier eras:
edict is a borrowing from Latin. edictum.
In the Roman law. An edict; a mandate, or ordinance. An ordinance, or law, enacted by the emperor without the senate.
source: thelawdictionary.org
The earliest known use of the noun edict is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
Oxford English Dictionary
a decree issued by a sovereign or other authority.
Synonyms: pronouncement, dictum
any authoritative proclamation or command.
source: Dictionary.com
Some translations read,
“I charge you therefore,”
correctly connecting the Apostle’s edict to everything Paul as preached and written in this final letter.
By what Authority?
Common Era christians such as us might well ask, ‘who made you judge, jury and executioner?’
But it NOT the same question of Paul which the Apostle answered in writing two thousand years ago. The Apostle’s answer confirmed by other scriptures: it is not he who judges, but God by whose Authority he preaches and writes.
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word;
Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy 4:1-2a – Authorized (King James Version)
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,” the Apostle writes to the faithful.
Allow me to say it again: Paul writes to the Church.
These are the Holy witnesses of Truth conveyed by Scripture.
Perhaps this charge rings familiar to any witnessing a ceremony of vows of Christian marriage.
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,” reads the New American Bible.
God and..
ἐνώπιον θεοῦ καί
“before [enōpion ]GOD [theos] and [kai]
Paul clearly charges Timothy and the church to obey his teaching “with God as [my/his/our] witness.”
The Apostle adds a second and equal witness.
ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
You may recognize His Name (in Greek) from other Scripture.
‘the lord’ [ho kyrios] iēsouschristos
the Lord Jesus Christ
THEREFORE, with the witness of God and the witness of the Lord Jesus Christ — the Apostle to the gentiles (including most Christians) commands our faithfulness to God and Christ.
Would an unbeliever ask, ‘AND who are God and the Lord JESUS Christ, that I should do what Scripture says?”
The Apostle is NOT speaking to the unbeliever, but to the saint who claims Jesus as our Lord and Savior, propitiation for our sin and judge of all men [humankind, for you who choose], AND the pastor [like Timothy] discerning false followers among his fold.
I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:1 – Common English Bible
coming again to judge the quick and the dead.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick [KJV from gk.zaō] and the dead [nekros]!
A 21st century christian little schooled in Scripture will find further study in these terms related to judgment which the Apostle Paul employs here in his last testament to pastors and the Church.
Much false teaching has evolved in these last days (centuries and millennia) in the Church — Scripture twisted by men and women commissioned with the highest responsibility of Truth who the Apostle would condemn before God and Christ.
The Preaching of a Man of God[a]
Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead,[b]
Two theological notes from the New Catholic Bible
Footnotes a. 2 Timothy 4:1 Apostles, missionaries, and pastors are first of all men of the Gospel and evangelization. The project that animates their existence is to awaken human beings to the true worship of the living God. This is a much more pressing task when a swarm of vain ideas sows confusion. Such a time has come, says Paul.
Although English punctuation in what Paul writes next varies, don’t disconnect the following edict from what the Apostle has just introduced as our solemn duty.
Now in those days John the Baptist came, preachingG2784 in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Gospel of Matthew 3:1-2 LSB
He preached to those who sought him.
Or think of the Lord Jesus as He went out with the Gospel.
And Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching G2784 the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:23 LSB
The Apostle Peter wrote of Christ preaching to both the quick and the dead:
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached G2784 unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
First Epistle of Peter 3:18-20 KJV
Preach the Gospel by Paul’s example
you, therefore, who teach [didaskō] another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach G2784 that one shall not steal, do you steal?
Romans 2:21 LSB
For you remember, brothers, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed G2784 to you the gospel of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 LSB
but we preach G2784 Christ crucified,
to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 LSB
Be Prepared
Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.
2 Timothy 4:22 NIV
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:22 AKJV
STAND BY…
Paul’s verb, ephistēmi, instructs us to always be present, used esp. of persons coming upon one suddenly
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon G2186 them, – Luke 2:9 KJV
And the night following the Lord stood by G2186 him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. – Acts of the Apostles 23:11 KJV
Reprove, Rebuke Exhort
Harsh words to 21st c. Common Era ears.
And IF we hear these from the pulpit these tend towards those not of our same flock, rather than directed to the refining of the faithful.
Never-the-less, the Apostle’s edict commands Timothy and other pastors to do these.
Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching G1322 which you learned, and turn away from them.
Paul’s letter to the Romans 16:17 LSB
[The Bishop {overseer} must be].. holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching G1322, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to reprove those who contradict.
Paul’s pastoral epistle to Titus 1:7-9 excerpt LSB
Be Patient
Who remembers the Boy Scout motto: BE PREPARED? A Leader or Teacher's motto might well be: BE PATIENT.
What Christ-follower has not experienced, ALL-LONGSUFFERING?
The Apostles suffered, indeed longsuffered for their faith. Timothy and others had lived long in the persecution of the saints in several cities.
Descriptions in other translations:
Patience, or all patience
complete patience,
great patience
unfailing in patience
If you have proclaimed Christ crucified and risen — JESUS as your ONLY Savior from damnation and just punishment in death by Almighty God — you, beloved believer, must be patient, long-suffering with others.
Paul’s Apostolic Edict to Pastors:
Preach the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.
Be ready and persevere in ministry.
Reprove, Rebuke and Encourage – with all patience.
Understand this Apostolic importance of correcting false teachings and sinful behavior within the church, always with love and truth.
“Reprove” involves correcting false beliefs or behaviors, aligning with the corrective nature of Scripture as described in 2 Timothy 3:16.
“Rebuke” is a stronger form of correction, often necessary to address persistent sin, as seen in Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 23.
“Encourage” involves building up and supporting believers, similar to the exhortations found in Hebrews 10:24-25. Together, these actions reflect the balance of truth and love in ministry.
metaph. of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error
of one who keeps the graces and is strong
source: blueletterbible.org
The Apostle to Jesus Christ warns once more against false teaching constantly invading in the church.
Previously from Paul:
..the law is made .. for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, or the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers
—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
1 Timothy 1:9-12 excerpt NIV
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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
1 Timothy 4:1-2,6 KJV
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself.
First Epistle of Paul to Timothy 6:5 KJV
2 Timothy 4:3 – a second reminder
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:3 CSB
When the church will not tolerate sound doctrine
We read in the Common English Bible: ‘There will come a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching.’
Paul and the other Apostles all warned of it. Some heresies already seeping into the Church became rampant even before the fall of Rome. Another turning from doctrine by the Church itself resulted in a millenial dark age defying the Scriptural light of Apostolic faith in the early Church.
The Protestant Reformation returned this Light of Christ and the Gospel for a time. Then a great awakening reignighted a remnant faith once more.
Even into the 20th century an enlightened mankind would at least acknowlege God and Jesus Christ. But now in the Common Era, most will not.
An Insatiatiable Common Era church
WHY?
We find Paul’s reasoning here in this text 21st c. pulpits dare not say to our own Sunday gathering of sinners (forgiven ONLY in Christ)?
These are a longing (especially for what is forbidden); to lust after something we really want replacing what God desires.
Other translations suggest, ‘to suit their own desires,’ or ‘they will follow their own desires,’ or even accuse that it is, ‘because they are self-centered.’
What does the Apostle warn will happen?
Recognize here the life of our Common Era communities and churches:
.. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:3b NIV
Preaching to itching ears
“..to suit their own desires” (lusts) the church will ordain teachers to preach to multitudes of “itching ears”
They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:4 NKJV
When did the desires of the multitudes become the gospel of false teaching?
The Apostle WARNS that this could happen and urges Timothy to beware of these false teachers.
but you watch
5 But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances.
Common English Bible
5 But you, keep your head in all situations,
NIV
But as for you, exercise self-control in everything
2 Tim 4:5a CSB
in all things:
endure afflictions
The Apostle Paul emphasized this, by contrast to false teachers, in the early part of this epistle.
The Apostolic call of Paul to endure all thingswill ring familiar in ears to hear his gospel preached to many churches.
.. it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
The KJV translates Strong’s G2097 in the following manner: preach (23x), preach the Gospel (22x), more
And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming G2097 the good G2097 news G2097 that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts of the Apostles 5:42 LSB
Jesus instructs us in the works of the evangelist.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
Gospel of John 6:28-29 NKJV
Carry on
“Fulfill your ministry,” translate several versions of 2 Timothy 4:5.
Paul has fulfilled his Apostolic mission and in closing his final epistle the Apostle now encourages Timothy to carry on — ‘make full proof of thy ministry’ [KJV], discharge all the duties of your ministry [NIV].
NEXT: Paul will pass the torch to Timothy in closing his final epistle.
