The big picture
2 Timothy 3 opens in verse 1 with “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as…”, and closes in verse 17 with “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Repeated or prominent terms include faith, lovers, able, Christ, doctrine. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Timothy · King James Version · 172 Timothy 3:1-6
1–6: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Timothy 3:1–6 opens with “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” and reaches “For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Dangerous character and corrupt teaching contrasted with Timothy’s long knowledge of the holy Scriptures, with particular weight carried by lovers, accusers, affection.
Context that brings the passage to life
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
2 Timothy 3:1-6
King James Version1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2 Timothy 3:7-12
7–12: Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:7–12 opens with “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” and reaches “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Dangerous character and corrupt teaching contrasted with Timothy’s long knowledge of the holy Scriptures, with particular weight carried by faith, persecutions, truth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Naming Ever keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Timothy 3:7-12
King James Version7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
13–17: Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being…
2 Timothy 3:13–17 opens with “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” and reaches “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Dangerous character and corrupt teaching contrasted with Timothy’s long knowledge of the holy Scriptures, with particular weight carried by learned, worse, able.
Context that brings the passage to life
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
King James Version13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Timothy 3:1 begins with “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
Where the chapter turns
2 Timothy 3:9 forms a natural hinge: “But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”
The final note
2 Timothy 3:17 leaves the reader with “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words faith, lovers, able, Christ, doctrine, good help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does blame move through the conversation?
The man points to the woman and indirectly to God; the woman points to the serpent. Neither response repairs trust.
Where does mercy appear?
Continued life, the promise involving offspring, and clothing accompany the expulsion.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.