 |  |
The reference to Jannes and Jambres, the magicians who withstood Moses, again
throws light on the Satanic character of the opposition of the Truth. These were able, up
to a point, to copy the miracles that Moses wrought and they did it by Satanic power.
Satan is always the ape of God, and the Scriptures warn us of lying wonders, signs and
miracles that he produces at the end of this age in order to deceive the whole world
(II Thess. 2: 8-10; Rev. 13: 11-15).
Those who withstand the truth of God at this time do so by the same means; they are
corrupt and reprobate concerning the faith (II Tim. 3: 8). The word `reprobate' is the
negative of the word translated `approved' in 2: 15. This is the opposite of the
unashamed workman. These reprobate ones worm their way into houses, seeking women
of the weaker sort. "Silly women" of the A.V. is literally `little women', a contemptuous
terms indicating feebleness of character. Such are `laden with sins'; their consciences
are overwhelmed and they clutch at any solution before them. They are `swayed by
various impulses' (3: 6 R.S.V.) and while they listen to other people, their minds have
become so warped that they become incapable of attaining to `a knowledge of the truth'.
Thus they become an easy prey to the false teachers and Satan behind them.
The Apostle now turns back in his thought to Timothy and reminds him:
"But thou (emphatic) didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering,
love, patience, persecutions, sufferings; what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at
Lystra; what persecutions I endured: and out of them all the Lord delivered me" (3: 10,
R.V.).
Timothy had been closely linked with the Apostle from the earliest days of his
ministry and up to this point had followed Paul in his doctrine and manner of life.
How good to be able to link together teaching and conduct! It could always be said with
truth that the Apostle practiced what he preached. He not only called attention to his
teaching, but could uphold it all by the manner of his life, thus giving power to his
witness. He could say without egotism, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ" (I Cor. 11: 1). His life was dominated by one great purpose, namely to make
known fully and complete the truth ("the good deposit") entrusted to him by the risen
Saviour.
Timothy knew well Paul's faith, his persuasion, his longsuffering and patience which
enabled him to endure extremes of testing when others would have given up; his love
which ever manifested itself in pouring himself out for others, a practical example of the
wonderful exposition of divine love he gave in I Cor. 13: Timothy knew the Apostle's
sufferings and persecutions for Christ and how faithfully they were endured.
Paul's mind travels back to the beginning of his ministry at Antioch and the first
great missionary journey he undertook when justification by faith was first preached
(Acts 13: 38, 39); then to Iconium and the assault made on him there (Acts 14: 1-5) and
lastly Lystra, where he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14: 6-20).