The strategy of the corrupt: (3:6-7):
Paul knew that there were dangers and in the last days, they increase much more. The false teachers slowly crawl into the homes of weak willed women. In those days, women were treated low, further they spend most of the time at home than their men. The false teachers went from house to house and persuaded the women to let them come in. Once in their house, they explain their strange ideas. These ideas seemed good to those women who were weak, unstable, guilt ridden and torn by lust. It is one thing to know that such false teaching and corrupt ideas are present in the society, but it is worse to have such ideas creep into our homes. The false teachers take captive of these gullible women. They would accept without question. The women are conscious of their sins, somehow wanted to get rid of them, but fall prey to the strange and false teachers. They think that it would give them the freedom they wanted, they wanted to change but the false teaching put them more into the bondage of sins. Since they would not know the truth of the Gospel of Christ, they would remain in the sins.
In the last days, people would invent more and more strange theological doctrines. They think that they are more heavenly minded and leave out God from it. They attempt great things with their knowledge and intelligence without God and finally end up in doom and destruction.
The false magicians: (3:8-9):
Jannes and Jambres were not mentioned in OT, but according to Jewish tradition, they were the two Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron (Ex.7:8-13, 19-23; 8:5-7, 16-19). They were able to copy the miracles of God which Moses had performed before Pharaoh. They also could do along with Moses the miracles viz. turning rod into a serpent, water into blood, brought forth a plague of frogs. Eventually they could not match God and their occult powers were shown inferior to God’s power. With this example we must understand that:
- Satan and powers of darkness give the ability to his followers to perform miracles. This will be on increase in the last days (Rev.13:13-15)
- Satan masquerades as angels of light and deceive people through big acts with the demonic power.
- Just as Jannes and Jambres revolted and brought a rebellion, people in the last days rebel against the truth of the Gospel. But ultimately they will be put to shame. God’s power is almighty and He is in control of every situation. Jannes and Jambres were foolish to oppose Moses. They could not do the powerful works that God gave to Moses. God defeated them. And everyone could see that they were foolish. So it will be with all who oppose God.
- In the midst of great darkness in the last days, believers need not be desperate. Our God is all powerful. The glorious truth is that we don’t have to be bound by the spirit of end days. We don’t have to be slaves of this present world. There is great hope in God, the Gospel will set us free and we are free indeed.
Paul’s charge to Timothy for the basics: (3:10-15);
- Paul’s manner of live: (3:10): Paul encourages Timothy that Timothy had followed carefully the doctrines. He had seen the life of Paul’s faith, patience, love, endurance, persecution, suffering etc. Timothy had literally seen Paul’s purpose. Christianity is not just taught in words, but to live in deeds. It is also what we believe determines how we live. Paul had nothing to hide, his life is open to all. Paul spoke true doctrines from the faith in Jesus Christ. The only purpose in his life was to finish the task for which he was sent for. He didn’t preach sacrifice and lived in luxury. He gave to others more than he received. He was a man of faith in spite of whatever the circumstances may be. He had the endurance to stick to his faith even when the going is tough.
Ex: it is very sad to see now-days many preachers, in crusades, in TVs preaching a mixture of psychology, success motivation and making God’s Word to suitable to it. We should be very careful. We must always stick to our basics from the Bible.