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#27.
Love and the Lapse of the Last Days (3: 1 - 4).
pp. 113 - 117
The reader of the Scriptures would do well to remember that in many instances the
subdivision of chapter and verse does not always follow the true structural division of
the passage. In II Timothy, with its four chapters, there is not so much room to go
wrong; and with the end of chapter 2:, we reach the close of the first half of the epistle.
We have approached the centre of the epistle by a series of four steps: (1) Salutation,
(2) Forsaken, (3) the Crown, (4) Approved. From this point these four phases of the
truth are expounded and expanded in reverse order, (4) Disapproved, (3) the Crown,
(2) Forsaken, and (1) Salutation. This has already been shown in the opening articles
of the series where the structure of the epistle as a whole is set out. The opening words of
this new section are prophetic in tone and deal particularly with the characteristics of the
last days. This feature is very prominent in chapter 4: and it is this light upon the last
days of the dispensation of the mystery that makes Paul's final word so important to us.
Let us first of all acquaint ourselves with the structure of this section.
II Timothy 3: 1 - 9.
Disapproved concerning the faith.
A | 1, 2. MEN (anthropoi) of the last days.
B | Characteristics of last days--misplaced love. |
a | 2. Love of self (philautoi).
Love of money (philarguroi).
b | 3. Haters of good (aphilagathoi).
a | 4. Love of pleasure (philedonoi), more than
Love of God (philotheoi).
C | 5-. Form without power.
D | -5. From these turn away.
A | 6.. WOMEN (gunaikaria) of the last days.
B | Characteristics of last days--inordinate desires. |
a | 6. Led captive.
b | 6. Laden with sins.
a | 6. Led away by lusts.
C | 7. Ever learning. Disapproved.
D | 9. They shall proceed no further.
Just as the key note of the balancing member II Tim. 2: 14-26, is the word
"approved" dokimos (II Tim. 2: 15) so the key note of the present section is
"disapproved" or "reprobate" adokimos (II Tim. 3: 8). The apostle opens this section
with a forecast of the character of the last days. We must exercise care when meeting this
expression lest we confuse things that differ. Peter quoting from Joel refers to the "last
days", but a reading of the context shows that these days immediately precede "the great
and dreadful day of the Lord" and are associated with Israel's restoration. The Lord
speaks of "the last day" six times in the Gospel according to John, and the day HE refers
to is the day of resurrection and judgment. From the standpoint of the epistle to the