Men of This Sort II Tim. 3: 6-13 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
After describing the characteristics of people in the perilous times of these last days, Paul warns us against the things people of this sort do. They have a form of godliness but they are not godly [2 Tim 3:5]. People of this sort:
Primarily target women – 2 Tim 3:6 – JW’s for instance are 65:35 female to male. In proselytizing, they “creep” into houses. To creep is to enter gradually so as to be almost unnoticed. In other words, they advance subtlety like a predator. Their objective is to “lead (them) captive.” Thus, the women so proselytized are held under the control of their religion only having the appearance of independence. The easiest ones to catch are “silly women,” those who are weak in intellect, foolish, and lacking common sense and sound judgment. Because of their sins and lusts, these women can’t see that they are being taken, in much the same way that Eve couldn’t see that she was being deceived [Gen 3:1-6]. The kinds of sins and lusts that lead them away are those mentioned in the context [2 Tim 3:1-5].
Will never know the truth – 2 Tim 3:7 – they are “ever learning.” They do lots of studying. But with all of their studying they are “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” That’s because truth is revealed to those who study with a humble mind and a believing heart. People of this sort are not humble and do not believe the words of God. They use them, like the Pharisees did, to usurp the authority of God’s words for their own purposes and exaltation.
Resist the truth – 2 Tim 3:8 – they are like the magicians, Jannes and Jambres, who withstood Moses, when Moses performed the plagues in Egypt. Moses brought the plagues as a testimony to the Lord’s power. These men faked the plagues to turn Pharaoh’s heart away from the Lord [Ex 7:1013; 7:21-22; 8:6-7; 8:16-19]. By the time the magicians admitted the power of God, Pharaoh’s heart had been hardened by their deeds. People of this sort have corrupt minds and they are reprobate concerning the faith. In other words, there is little to nothing you can do turn them [Titus 3:10-11].
Are eventually exposed – 2 Tim 3:9 – all knew that the magicians were fakes when they couldn’t make lice from the dust [Ex 8:16-19]. The fraud of people of this sort is evident to Bible believers today. However, at the judgment all men will know the folly of their “form of godliness.” See Matt 7:21-23 for instance.
Are not anything like Paul – 2 Tim 3:10-12 – in other words, their lives are not comparable to Paul’s life. Paul’s life is like a template. He told Timothy that his life was fully known. That is, he was the same everywhere and every time, privately and publicly. Notice his:
Doctrine – 2 Tim 3:16 – it was sound doctrine which came from the scripture. False doctrine comes from men, who use the scripture to “prove” it.
Manner of life – 2 Cor 11:23-30
Purpose – 2 Cor 4:5
Faith – 2 Tim 4:7
Longsuffering – look how much he put up with from the Corinthians [2 Cor 12:15; 2 Tim 4:2]
Charity – 1 Cor 13:1-8
Patience – he was patient toward men [1 This 5:14] and patiently waited for Christ [2 Thes 3:5]
Persecutions and afflictions – Gal 5:11; 6:17 – the Lord delivered him [2 Tim 4:17-18]. Paul said, “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Thus, people of this sort are not godly because they don’t suffer persecution [Gal 6:12].
Only get worse – 2 Tim 3:13 – Evil men and seducers [those women were seduced because they were laden with sins and led away with lusts] wax worse and worse. They deceive others and they themselves are deceived by their own deceit. That’s why the Lord warned us as we approach his return to “take heed that no man deceive you,” [Matt 24:4].