Paul is well known for presenting a dichotomy in his writings, comparing two things that are opposites to highlight the differences. He does exactly that in this week’s passage.

You can see it for yourself in 2 Timothy 3:12-13:

In the previous verses, Paul gave Timothy some very positive encouragement, giving some personal examples of his own sufferings. The point of this was to strengthen Timothy to face the trials and persecutions that would come.

What Paul was encouraging obliquely in those verses, he now states unequivocally. Persecution was not limited to people like Paul, who traveled the world, presenting the gospel message to all who would hear it. Rather, if anyone desires to live a godly life, he will be persecuted.

With this section of the letter, Paul shifts back to a focus on Timothy and his ministry, with some further encouragement. His instructions here are pretty simple. Timothy is to continue to imitate Paul, putting into practice the things he has learned from his mentor, what he has seen played out in Paul’s life, and keep the gospel as his prime priority. Take a look at this week’s passage in 2 Timothy 3:10-11:

Paul begins this section of exhortation with an emphatic declaration, “You, however…” This sets Timothy’s ministry apart from the false teachers that Paul has spent much of this letter addressing. Their false doctrine and the consequences of it differ greatly from that of Timothy. Paul lists a series of descriptors here, about his own life, that Timothy is aware of and that he can learn from. Timothy knows about…

Paul’s description of the false teachers needs something to compare it to. He shares a reference to an Old Testament event that most people are familiar with, although these particular names are not mentioned in that account.

You can see this week’s passage, found in 2 Timothy 3:8-9:

Paul gives Timothy a reference for comparison as he deals with the false teachers in Ephesus. He refers back to the Old Testament account of the Exodus, and Pharaoh’s unwillingness to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. As Moses struggled to achieve freedom for his people, he was opposed by two of Pharaoh’s magicians or sorcerers, Jannes and Jambres. These two men are the magicians referred to in Exodus 7:11-12, 22, and 8:7. Although their names are not listed in the Exodus account, they are identified in ancient Jewish literature, beginning about the time between the Testaments.

Timothy was faced with false teachers who were opposed to the truth of God just as these two men were in the day of Moses and the Exodus. Simply put, seeking truth from alternative sources is always in opposition to God and his truth. There is no other means by which truth is delivered to us, outside of God, through is Son and his Word.

With the conclusion of a bleak description of the last days, and the false teachers in that era, Paul gives Timothy some insight into how they operate as they try to spread their false religion.

Take a look at this week’s passage, found in 2 Timothy 3:6-7:

At first glance, you might think that this entire passage describes the false teachers. But that is not the case. These two verses begin with how such teachers operate, but then transitions into a description of those who fall for their traps.

These false teachers infiltrate homes, often under false pretenses. Some commentators suggest that these homes are of people that Timothy knows. These homes may even refer to some of the younger widows in the community, who have enough wealth to give them ample time to listen to and perpetuate such false teachings. These widows would have been “easy marks” for the false teachers, with the extra time on their hands.

These false teachers captivate such minds, gaining control and planting their ideas into fertile soil. Such minds are weak-willed. Take note that Paul is not describing women in general with this statement, but certain women in particular within Timothy’s church or community.