2Ti 2:14-3:9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Tim 2:14-26: 2:14-26 Timothy must insist on the teaching of 2:8-13 and steer clear of the teaching and conduct of the false teachers. The heresy was probably the same as in 1 Tim 6:20-21 .

Summary for 2Tim 2:14-26: 2:14-26 ^a Timothy must insist on the teaching of 2:8-13 ^b and steer clear of the teaching and conduct of the false teachers. The heresy was probably the same as in 1 Tim 6:20-21 ^c.
2:15 ^d who correctly explains (literally who guides along a straight path): The NLT relates this verse to right interpretation of the word of truth. Another possibility is that Timothy should keep to his purpose in teaching the word (see 1 Tim 1:4 ^e) and not turn aside by engaging in the false teachers’ controversies (2 Tim 2:16 ^f).
2:17 ^g Hymenaeus was earlier teamed with Alexander (1 Tim 1:20 ^h); both of them were still wreaking havoc (2 Tim 4:14-15 ⁱ).

• Philetus was Hymenaeus’s new accomplice.
2:18 ^j claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred: Cp. 2 Thes 2:2 ^k. These false teachers might have twisted Paul’s own teaching on the resurrection of the dead (Rom 6:5 ^l; Gal 2:20 ^m; Eph 1:3 ⁿ; 2:6 ^o; 5:14 ^p; Col 2:12 ^q; 3:1-4 ^r) by teaching that they already fully participated in the heavenly life, and perhaps that physical resurrection would not occur. They could have concluded from this that one’s conduct in the body (i.e., morality) was irrelevant, since their mortal bodies could have no impact on their eternal spirits. Or, they could have gone the other way, toward world-denying asceticism (1 Tim 4:3 ^s; see Col 2:8 ^t, 16-23 ^u), with the idea that enjoyment of material things is inappropriate for resurrected, spiritual persons. These teachers might have understood from Jesus’ teachings (see Matt 19:10-12 ^v; 22:30 ^w) that marriage should be prohibited (1 Tim 4:3 ^x). Their teachings on the Old Testament law (1 Tim 1:7-11 ^y) might have led to the promotion of certain taboos. Their teachings might have involved an overly aggressive promotion of equality (see 2 Tim 3:6 ^z; cp. Gal 3:28 ^aa; 1 Tim 2:11-15 ^ab) in the belief that the age to come was already here. Their teaching might have focused exclusively on resurrection power, which would contradict Paul’s message of suffering and the cross (see 2 Tim 1:8 ^ac, 12 ^ad; 2:8-13 ^ae; cp. 1 Cor 4:8-13 ^af; 2 Cor 12:8-10 ^ag). Whatever its exact form, Paul describes their teaching as “worthless, foolish talk” (2 Tim 2:16 ^ah).
2:19 ^ai Paul assures Timothy that the false teaching will not win (see 3:9 ^aj), and he reinforces the call to purity.

• foundation stone: This metaphor emphasizes immunity to destruction (Isa 28:16 ^ak) and might reflect a temple (see also 1 Tim 3:15 ^al; 1 Cor 3:11 ^am; Eph 2:20 ^an; 1 Pet 2:4-7 ^ao; Rev 21:14 ^ap).

• The Lord knows: This quotation alludes to Num 16:5 ^aq.

• All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil: See Isa 52:11 ^ar; cp. Num 16:26-27 ^as; Lev 24:16 ^at; Ps 6:8 ^au.
Summary for 2Tim 2:20-21: 2:20-21 ^av Building on 2:19 ^aw, Paul uses imagery about the utensils in a wealthy home (see Rom 9:21 ^ax). Within God’s household one should endeavor to be like a utensil that is cherished rather than one that is treated with contempt.
2:22 ^ay those who call on the Lord: Cp. Ps 99:6 ^az; Joel 2:32 ^ba; Acts 2:21 ^bb; 9:14 ^bc, 21 ^bd; 22:16 ^be; Rom 10:12-13 ^bf; 1 Cor 1:2 ^bg.

• with pure hearts: Cp. 1 Tim 1:5 ^bh.
2:24 ^bi A servant of the Lord: See Titus 1:1 ^bj; cp. Isa 42:1-2 ^bk; 50:6 ^bl; 53:7 ^bm; Matt 12:14-21 ^bn.

• be able to teach, and be patient: See 1 Tim 3:2-3 ^bo; Titus 3:2 ^bp.
2:25 ^bq Gently instruct: Cp. 1 Cor 4:21 ^br; 2 Cor 10:1 ^bs; 1 Thes 5:14 ^bt; 2 Thes 3:14-15 ^bu; Titus 3:10-11 ^bv; Jude 1:22-23 ^bw.

‏ 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Summary for 2Tim 3:1-4:8: 3:1–4:8 ^bx Timothy must stay on course through difficult times ahead.
Summary for 2Tim 3:1-5: 3:1-5 ^by Paul describes what people will be like in the last days (see also 1 Tim 4:1-5 ^bz; 2 Pet 2:1-22 ^ca; 3:3 ^cb; Jude 1:18 ^cc), which had already begun (2 Tim 3:5 ^cd, 6-9 ^ce).
3:5 ^cf People like that (3:2-4 ^cg) had rejected sound teaching and cut themselves off from the power that could make them godly (see 1 Tim 1:5-11 ^ch; Col 2:16-23 ^ci).
Summary for 2Tim 3:6-7: 3:6-7 ^cj The effect of the false teachers on households and women is a consistent concern of the letters to Timothy and Titus (Titus 1:11 ^ck; see 1 Tim 2:11-15 ^cl; 3:4-5 ^cm; 5:14-15 ^cn). Whether or not the false teachers targeted women, they apparently were successful with some of them.
3:8 ^co Jannes and Jambres are, according to tradition, the names of the Egyptian sorcerers who opposed Moses (see Exod 7:8-13 ^cp; 8:18 ^cq; 9:11 ^cr).