2 Timothy 3King James Version
In the last days perilous times shall come. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The verse used to anchor the doctrine of biblical inspiration.
Paul gives a stark catalogue of the moral collapse coming in the last days, then turns to Timothy's own story as the counterweight: he has seen Paul's life, survived persecution, and been grounded in scripture since childhood. The chapter closes with the foundational claim that all scripture is God-breathed and sufficient to equip every believer for every good work.
When culture deteriorates and false teachers multiply, the answer is not a new strategy. It is scripture, which has been sufficient all along.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (3:16) Paul's capstone claim on the authority of scripture comes from a prison cell, carrying full biographical weight.
Timothy is surrounded by teachers who promise truth but erode faith. Paul reaches back to a shared memory, the stonings and riots in Galatia, the nights of uncertainty, and says: you saw how it ended. Continue in what you learned. The scripture that formed you is enough.
Paul, drawing on his own history of persecution at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. Timothy, who witnessed all of it. Jannes and Jambres, the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses, invoked as a type of every generation's deceivers.
The vice list in verses 1-5 reads like a diagnostic checklist that stays current across centuries. Paul is not surprised by cultural decay. He predicted it and prepared Timothy for it by pointing not to methods but to the scripture Timothy had held since he was a child.
There is something sobering about Paul recounting his own persecutions as training material. He is not boasting. He is showing Timothy the cost and the outcome: the Lord delivered him through all of it.
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.