In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul provides a sobering description of what people will be like in the last days before Christ’s return. While many Christians throughout history have anticipated Christ’s imminent return, Paul’s words offer timeless wisdom about the character of people during these challenging times.
What are the “last days” according to the Bible?
The phrase “last days” in Scripture can broadly refer to the entire period from Jesus establishing the church until His return. However, in this passage, Paul is specifically addressing the season immediately before Christ’s return – what Matthew 24 calls the “birth pangs” before Christ returns.
Paul warns that these times will be characterized by difficulty. The Greek word used here is the same one used to describe dangerous wild animals or a raging sea – it appears elsewhere only in the story of the demon-possessed men Jesus encountered. This gives us a picture of just how challenging these times will be.
What does it mean that people will be “lovers of themselves”?
The central characteristic Paul identifies is that people will be “lovers of themselves.” Everything else he lists flows from this self-love. This is particularly relevant today when our culture often promotes self-love as the foundation for mental health and relationships.
However, this contradicts Jesus’ teaching in Luke 9:23: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Christ teaches that the path to joy and peace comes through self-denial and serving others – not through focusing on ourselves.
How does self-love manifest in people’s behavior?
Paul lists 17 characteristics that flow from self-love. These can be grouped into several categories:
- Lovers of money – The pursuit of wealth has never been more accessible or celebrated than it is today. Paul reminded Timothy elsewhere that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Money itself isn’t wrong, but making it our focus leads to destruction.
- Boasters, proud, blasphemers – These traits say “you don’t matter and God doesn’t matter – only I matter.” Social media has amplified these tendencies, making self-promotion a cultural norm.
- Disobedient to parents – This goes beyond childhood rebellion to a society that no longer honors parents or respects the wisdom of elders.
- Unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving – These traits reflect a growing disregard for family love and obligation. Some political movements actively work to undermine traditional family structures, leading to generations of people who are bitter, angry, and manipulative.
- Without self-control – Our culture increasingly celebrates immediate gratification and the fulfillment of desires without restraint.
- Lovers of pleasure – While pleasure itself isn’t wrong, making it our primary focus leads to emptiness. God created us for more than just pleasure – He wants us to fulfill His purpose and plan.
How can Christians navigate these difficult times?
Paul provides the answer in verse 5: avoid those who have “a form of godliness but denying its power.” The key to enduring these times is:
- Not just appearing godly, but actually being transformed by Christ
- Acknowledging God’s power rather than denying it
Many people profit from appearing Christian while living contrary to Christ’s teachings. As Titus 1:16 says, “They profess to know God, but deny him by their works.”
How can we identify those with false godliness?
Paul warns that these people:
- Will prey on the vulnerable
- Will appear knowledgeable but never arrive at the truth
- Will eventually be exposed – “their folly will be plain to all”
As believers filled with the Holy Spirit, we’ll develop discernment to recognize those who merely talk a good game but lack the fruit of genuine faith. When two people of truth come together, the truth unites them despite different backgrounds. When someone doesn’t have the truth, something will feel off despite their words.
Life Application
As we navigate these challenging times before Christ’s return, here are some practical ways to apply Paul’s teaching:
- Examine your own heart: Are you focused on loving yourself or denying yourself to follow Christ? Ask God to reveal areas where self-love has crept into your life.
- Develop spiritual discernment: Immerse yourself in God’s Word daily so you can recognize truth from falsehood. When something doesn’t feel right about someone’s words or actions, trust that discernment.
- Find strength in genuine community: Christ created the church as a place where like-minded believers can encourage and strengthen one another. Don’t try to navigate these difficult times alone.
- Trust God’s timing: When you see people living contrary to God’s truth yet seemingly prospering, remember that “they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all.” Trust God to expose what needs exposing in His time.
Ask yourself: Am I being transformed by the gospel in ways that are evident in my life? Do I truly believe in God’s power to work in and through me? Am I surrounding myself with people who encourage my faith rather than those who merely have an appearance of godliness?
The last days will indeed be difficult, but as we lean on Christ and His church, we can navigate them with wisdom and faith.
