2 TIMOTHY LESSON 5


     We will begin this lesson in II Timothy 3:8 "Now as Jannes and
Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of
corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."

     The Bible does not tell us exactly who this Jannes and Jambres
are. The history books say that they were the magicians who withstood
Moses. Even though they withstood, as the 10 plagues on Egypt
progressed, we see the magicians proclaiming to Pharaoh that Moses'
God was God, and they could not fight against Him. There will be a
time when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord. In the last lesson, we were speaking of conditions on
the earth in the last days. Now, this is saying, those same people
will resist the Truth {Jesus}. In the end, they will be like the
magicians who realize and believe. "Reprobate" means reject. These are
those who have refused to believe in Jesus, then. Those who have
corrupt or evil minds are not looking for the Truth. This is not
speaking of an ordinary sinner. This is someone who has opposed God in
every way.  These would be sinners who have gone almost too far.

     II Timothy 3:9 "But they shall proceed no further: for their
folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was."

     We know that it did not take God and Moses very long to discredit
the magicians, and it will not be hidden forever the evil of these
with a reprobate mind either. Truth always wins out. When the Light of
God shines on these deeds of these evil ones, it will be apparent to
everyone their error. False doctrines, in a church, may flourish for
awhile, but when the Truth comes, it reveals the error of the false
doctrine.

     II Timothy 3:10 "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of
life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,"

     Paul is saying here, that he has not hidden what he believes from
anyone. The way Paul had conducted his life spoke for him, as well as
the words he spoke. It was no secret to anyone that Paul had totally
dedicated himself to the service of the Lord. He had fought hard, even
in Jerusalem, for what he believed the doctrine of the church to be.
He had conducted his life in a manner of self sacrifice. He had
endured stonings and many other hardships to bring the message of the
gospel to the unsaved world. He said himself, that he would be all
things to all people, that by all means he might save some. His
purpose was to bring as many as possible to the saving knowledge of
Jesus Christ. His faith had been undaunted by the hardships. He
suffered long with the stripes, beatings, shipwreck, and the utter
hate of his fellow Jews.  He did not ask anyone to support him in the
ministry.  Most of his ministry, he was a tentmaker, so he would not
be a burden to others. Those that did help him, was of their own free
will, like the church at Philippi. His patience was demonstrated when
he waited for years to even be tried for things he was not guilty of.

     II Timothy 3:11 "Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at
Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out
of [them] all the Lord delivered me."

     The Jews persecuted him the most of any. The Lord was with him in
every circumstance. None of the places mentioned here that he suffered
were unto the death. That persecution would be reserved for Rome.
Paul, not only endured these persecutions, but thought himself honored
to endure them for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

     II Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution."

     This was true in Paul's time, and is also true today. Jesus had
told Paul that he would suffer for the gospel's sake. Throughout the
Old Testament and the New Testament, we find persecutions abound for
those servants of God. Paul is saying, that he is not alone in the
persecution. It comes to all who serve God.

     II Timothy 3:13 "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
worse, deceiving, and being deceived."

     This false doctrine had already started then, and the church was
just a few years old. The only thing that would break this deadly
chain of getting worse and worse, would be to come in direct contact
with the Truth. A false doctrine does not get better as it is told.
It comes from Satan in the first place, and gets worse and worse every
time it is told. When a person is evil, his conscience gets where it
is not working. Each sin gets a little worse until he is totally
consumed with sin.

     II Timothy 3:14 "But continue thou in the things which thou hast
learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned
[them];"

     Paul is saying, do not let your head be turned by all of these
false doctrines. Stay with the good news of the gospel that was first
presented to you. Apply the things you have learned more and more.
Grow in the grace that God has provided for you. Paul reminds Timothy
here, that not only are the things he learned true, but Paul was
truthful, as well. He is saying to Timothy, you know I teach the
truth. Paul knows, also, that Timothy's mother and grandmother had
taught Timothy the Scriptures all of his life. He needed to rely on
the truths he had learned through them.

     II Timothy 3:15 "And 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."

     All of the books of men pale by comparison to the Holy Word of
God. It seems that even when he was a child, his mother and
grandmother had taught him of Jesus. It was part of his very fiber.
They had taught him that salvation is in none other than the Lord
Jesus Christ. He had accepted Jesus for himself when he came to the
age of accountability. Paul is saying to Timothy, do not let these
teachings fade from your memory. Keep them ever before you. They were
good enough to save you, they are, also, good enough to live by.
Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, and that alone. We remember,
here, that Timothy was preaching where the Judaizers were trying to
put him back under the law. Paul reminds him of what saved him.

     II Timothy 3:16 "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God,
and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:"

     My own opinion of the Bible, Word of God, or Scriptures,
whichever you decide to call them, is that they are like looking into
the face of Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God. The word "inspired"
means God breathed. I prefer to say that God is the author of the
Bible and people like Paul are the penman. II Peter 1:21 "For the
prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost."  God has always brought
messages to His people through the mouth, or pen, of men. I like to
think of the Bible as God's instruction to man for living victorious
lives. You might think of it as a road map which guides us at every
intersection of life. If we stick with the guide, it will keep us from
taking the wrong turn. If the Bible says something, there is a reason.
We may not understand the reason at the time, but if it says it, it
has a purpose. We can learn from other's experiences in the Bible. I
Corinthians 10:11 "Now all these things happened unto them for
ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends
of the world are come." If it were not for the Scriptures, we would
not know how to be righteous. Righteousness is received, not earned.
We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

     II Timothy 3:17 "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works."

     The word that was translated man in the verse above is not
someone of the male gender, but a human being, man or woman. Acts 9:36
"Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and
almsdeeds which she did."  Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them."  I Timothy 6:11 "But thou, O
man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."  Whoever you are, if you
are called to work for God, you must set an example for others in the
way you live. The most important thing in working for God, is the fact
that you turn your will over to the Father. You must let the Holy
Spirit teach you the Truth of the Word of God, that you might bring
the Truth to others. Learn all you can about the Word of God, share
with others what you know.





                        2 Timothy 5 Questions


1.  Who were Jannes and Jambres, probably?
2.  What were they?
3.  Did they change their minds?
4.  How many plagues did God send on Egypt?
5.  Who is the Truth?
6.  What does "reprobate" here, mean?
7.  Their folly shall be known to all ______.
8.  What reveals the error of these reprobates?
9.  What did Paul say, that Timothy knew about him in verse 10?
10. What kind of hardships had Paul faced?
11. What had Paul dedicated himself to?
12. Why was Paul all things to all people?
13. How had Paul made his living while he preached?
14. What church helped Paul?
15. Who persecuted Paul the most?
16. Name some of the places where Paul was persecuted?
17. Where did Paul die, reportedly?
18. What attitude did Paul have about the persecutions?
19. Quote 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 12.
20. Evil men and seducers shall wax ________ and _______.
21. What did Paul tell Timothy to continue in?
22. Who, besides Paul, had taught Timothy the Scriptures?
23. How long had Timothy known the Scriptures.
24. The Holy Scriptures will make you wise unto __________.
25. Where was Timothy teaching?
26. All Scripture is given by _________ of God.
27. It is profitable for _________, for _________, for __________, for
    ____________ in righteousness.
28. What is the authors opinion of the Bible?
29. What does "inspired" mean?
30. Quote 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 17.