2 Timothy 3:1-5

1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,

blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3: Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4: Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The Apostle Paul writes Timothy revealing that the last days shall be perilous. And

since the first days of Christianity through to the present the times have been

perilous, meaning dangerous and troublesome. These perilous times shall continue

until the day that Jesus Christ the Son of God shall come again. vs.1

Once Paul clearly declares that perilous times shall come in the last days, he shares

with Timothy the characteristics of the men of these troublesome times. vss.2-5

He reveals they are:

Lovers of their own selves (2)

Covetous (2)

Boasters (empty pretender) (2)

Proud (2)

Blasphemers (slanderous) (2)

Disobedient to parents (2)

Unthankful (ungrateful) (2)

Unholy (unclean morally and ethically)(2)

Without natural affection (inhuman behavior) (3)

Trucebreakers (promise breakers) (3)

False accusers (3)

Incontinent (without self-control) (3)

Fierce (savage) (3)

Despisers of those that are good (3)

Traitors (4)

High-minded (4)

Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God (4)

Having a form of godliness (5)

Denying the power (strength) of God (5)

From such turn away (imp)

After Paul lists the characteristics which identify dangerous people, He strongly

commands Timothy to turn away from these kinds of people.

It isn’t enough to know that Christians live in perilous times, and that they are able

to identify dangerous people, but they must act responsibly and turn away

themselves both from associations and in actions from these people.

As Christians, let us always remember that real peace and safety comes through

faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give

unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27