"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men."
—2 Timothy 3:1-9 (ESV)
I’ve always found profound joy and deep reflection in reading the Epistles to Timothy. Sometimes, I’ll start reading and find myself lost in the richness of Paul’s words, nearly finishing both letters in one sitting. There’s something almost magnetic about these passages—a timeless relevance that grips my heart and compels me to pause and reflect. The passage above from 2 Timothy 3:1-9 is particularly arresting. As I read it, I feel the weight of Paul’s words pressing upon my soul, urging me to take heed, to be vigilant. How beautiful and yet how sobering it is to dwell in the Scriptures! But of course, I cannot unpack an entire chapter in one blog post. Today, I want to focus on Paul’s urgent warnings about the dangerous characters he describes. Let’s explore this together, with hearts open and attentive.
Paul begins by sounding an alarm: “Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” These aren’t just apocalyptic musings; they’re a clear-eyed assessment of the moral and spiritual decay that will characterize these times. As I read this, I can’t help but feel a tremor of unease. Paul’s words are like a clarion call, echoing through the corridors of time, reaching us here and now. He’s telling us that perilous times are not merely on the horizon—they are here. They are here, and they are especially challenging for those who dare to live in the truth of Christ.
What strikes me deeply is the picture Paul paints of humanity in these last days. His list of vices is overwhelming, almost suffocating: “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” As I read this, my heart aches. It’s as if Paul is holding up a mirror to our world, and what we see reflected is deeply disturbing. People will be consumed by their own desires, driven by greed, pride, and a lust for power. They will be hardened to the ways of righteousness, their hearts calloused and indifferent to the things of God. It’s a heartbreaking vision of a world gone astray, of a people who have chosen darkness over light.
But what truly unsettles me—what shakes me to my core—is what Paul reveals in verse 5: “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” Just when we might assume that Paul is referring to those outside the church, those who openly reject God, he jolts us with a startling truth. These people, with all their vices and moral decay, are not distant strangers. They are among us. They sit in our pews, sing our hymns, and pray our prayers. They have an appearance of godliness. And yet, their hearts are far from God. It’s as if Paul is pleading with us: Open your eyes! These aren’t just external threats; they are wolves in sheep’s clothing, lurking within the very fellowship of believers.
The more I think about this, the more my heart grieves. There’s something so tragic about the contrast Paul draws between the “appearance of godliness” and the “power of godliness.” The appearance is all surface—people who know how to play the part, who speak the language of faith, who can quote scripture and say all the right things. But where is the power? Where is the transformative, life-giving power of the gospel that breaks chains and sets captives free? These people have crafted their own version of Christianity—one that is hollow, devoid of substance, lacking the very essence of what it means to follow Christ.
Paul doesn’t stop there. He drives the point home with a chilling observation: “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). These individuals are perpetually in motion, always accumulating knowledge, always engaged in religious activities, but never truly understanding. Their hearts are closed off, their minds corrupted, and they resist the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. It’s a heartbreaking cycle—endless learning without transformation, endless striving without peace. Their pursuit of knowledge is futile because it is disconnected from the truth and power of the gospel.
As I reflect on this, I feel a deep sense of urgency. We live in a world where it’s easy to be deceived by appearances, to mistake busyness for holiness, and knowledge for wisdom. But Paul’s words are a sobering reminder that we must be discerning. We must look beyond the surface, beyond the outward displays of piety, and seek the true power of godliness—a power that transforms, that redeems, that brings us into the light of Christ.
And what does Paul say is the antidote to such deception? It’s simple, but it’s not easy: “Avoid such people.” This is not a call to debate or reason with those who have chosen to deny the power of godliness. Paul’s advice is clear and direct—don’t engage with them. Don’t let their hollow version of faith seep into your life. These are not people who are innocently mistaken or misguided. They are deliberate in their rebellion, often seeking to lead others astray with them. They present themselves as deeply spiritual, as pillars of the faith, but their teachings are empty, their lives devoid of the power and truth of the gospel. Paul is urging us—don’t waste your time with them. Don’t let them influence you. Their views deny the power of godliness, the very essence of our faith in Christ.
In these perilous times, we must be vigilant. We must guard our hearts and minds against those who have an appearance of godliness but deny its power. My heart cries out for the church, for the body of believers, that we would not be swayed by the false teachings and hollow piety of those who have chosen a different path. Let us cling to the truth of the gospel, to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Let us be a people who not only have the appearance of godliness but who live in the full power of Christ’s redeeming love. The fellowship of believers is meant to be a place of truth, light, and genuine godliness—not a breeding ground for deception and false teaching. So, mark these individuals, avoid them, and keep your focus on the true power of godliness—a power that is found in a life wholly surrendered to Christ, a life that reflects the glory and grace of our Saviour.
