v1: Paul teaches about "the last days". These things have been present throughout the Church age, however, things will deteriorate as the time of the Lord's return draws near. Times will be "terrible", or perilous, because of the sinfulness of mankind, Rom 1.29-31. Often the people described are religious people, having a form of godliness. Thus we may meet these attitudes in the 'visible' church.

v2-4: People display selfish attitudes;

• they are lovers of themselves, but without love;
• they are lovers of money, and unforgiving;
• they are boastful, proud, brutal;
• they are lovers of pleasure.

They speak evil; abusive, ungrateful, slanderous, not lovers of good.

They are blatantly disobedient, being unholy, and disobedient to parents.

In summary, they prefer the material to the spiritual; they prefer enjoyment rather than edification; and they despise the things of Christ. The true Christian finds himself out of place.

v5: There is a form of godliness, a veneer of righteousness, but dead religion. This is not theoretical, since real people promote these things, and real people are involved. It is not reserved for the future, and wasn't for Timothy, since he was commanded to "have nothing to do with them." Such people are around today, and they influence Christians.

Human religion (1 Tim 6.3-5) pleases man not God; it has no power to change lives; and gives no power to live godly lives; it is impotent. Some of the apostle's strongest words were reserved for superficial or hypocritical faith!

v6-7: Such people "worm their way" (or creep) into homes, using secrecy and deceit, to ensnare gullible people. They will never grasp the truths of Christ, since in their hearts they oppose Him.

v8-9: They resist and oppose the truth. They have no future, since they have folly but not faith. Jambres and Jannes are names attributed to Egyptian magicians (Ex 7.11-12), who opposed Moses, the servant of God.

v10: The godly example of others; of Paul, and of many other dedicated servants of Christ; such examples contrast with much of what we observe; we must therefore learn from the lives of godly people; Ps 37.37; 1 Cor 11.1; Phil 3.17. We learn from their doctrine and their manner of life.

Paul's "way of life" (or manner of life); an over-arching phrase (1 Cor 4.17 also) describing Paul's vision and values. This is something which is caught, not taught; something which is seen in Paul's life, as he set the example for others to follow.

Paul's "purpose" (Gk; PROTHESIS), used in 1.9, God's "own purpose"; something set forth; Paul referred to the order and direction of his life, his drive and motivation. He had taught Timothy what he was seeking to achieve; Timothy, being his 'son' shared that purpose.

His faith and love explain how he lived.

His patience and endurance speak of him pressing on through opposition and difficulty.

Pele (Brazilian footballer):'Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and, most of all, love of what you are doing.'

v11-12: Paul described his persecutions and sufferings, being inevitable consequences of belonging to Christ. Paul experienced the Lord's faithfulness in such situations, for He rescued him. He expected that all who truly follow Christ would suffer similarly.

v13: Our expectation of the world is that things will get worse. The environment in which we live will continue to degenerate. There is the growth of false religion, since many are deceiving and being deceived. We must therefore be on our guard.

v14: In the light of all this, we must continue in the truth. This means blessing for ourselves, and for others. We are convinced of the truth of Scripture.

v15: Timothy had long known the Scriptures (as in 1.5), and he must not neglect them. Scripture leads to the Saviour and to salvation. Scripture declares the key truth of faith in Jesus Christ.

The apostle puts his own inspired writings ("my teaching (doctrine)", v10) alongside "the holy Scriptures" as the word of God. Here is true apostolic boldness not arrogance.

v16-17: All Scripture (Ps 119.160) is from the lips of God. It is God-breathed, and it therefore is of inestimable value and benefit. 'Divine inspiration is not a subsequent polish or enhancement given to an originally human production. The Scriptures began as truth God himself breathed-out, and which was then brought to the Church through his chosen agents, and through them received its genuine human colourations without losing anything of its divine origin and quality' (Alec Motyer, Loving the Old Testament, page 17)

• It is useful for teaching, for doctrine, since it presents clear statements of the person of Jesus Christ, and provides a doctrinal foundation for faith and life.
• It is useful for rebuking, since it identifies wrong in our lives.
• It is useful for correction, since it puts things right in our lives.
• It is useful for training in righteousness, since it teaches us how to live our lives, so that we might serve God effectively.