The context of what Paul is warning about is false teachers. This is what makes the times so dangerous. Their hearts are so hardened against the truth, there is no breaking through. They are the ones Jesus had in mind in Mt 7:21-23.Nevertheless, the fact remains, these traits are found in false teachers because they are common to all men. You are going to meet them everywhere. As we look at these characteristics of sinners keep in mind these are the very ones you encounter everyday. They are your neighbors, your schoolmates, your coworkers, your family members. Also, understand we point these out, not to judge or condemn, but so that you will have compassion on their condition. For we were once as they are.
v.1 ”This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ““This know also…” there’s something else he wants us to know. In “the last days” a euphemism for the church age, “perilous times” shall exist. Why? Because of the reasons Paul is about to give. We are plagued today with false, ungodly teachers. It’s a sad fact of the age.
v.2 “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”
• lovers of their own selves – narcissistic, self centered, self esteem
• covetous – greedy of gain (Col 3:5 described as idolatry.)
• boasters – because inwardly they are full of pride
• proud – this describes one who thinks he is better than anyone else
• blasphemers – re 1 Tim 1:20, can refer to insults, lack of reverence
• disobedient to parents – If they are not submissive to authority at home, they will not be anywhere else
• unthankful – never satisfied
• unholy – proven by their lifestyle
v.3 “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,”
• without natural affection – cold and heartless, no compassion, no pity
• trucebreakers – unforgiving, literally being in a state of war
• false accusers – same word used for the devil, slanderers
• incontinent – no self control, whatever feels good do it mentality
• fierce – no matter what you do, you can’t get a long with these
• despisers – they hate anything that is good, especially good men
v. 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
• traitors – these cannot be trusted, they will turn against you in an instant
• heady – rash, excitable
• highminded – conceited, a higher level of pride
• lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God – [Unfortunately, there is probably a little bit of this in each one of us.] Today’s feeling is that church must be entertaining - appeal to the senses.
v.5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: [Ro 1:16]from such turn away. In other words, they have a show of religion, or they wear a religious mask but lack the power of the Spirit within. They have a form, but no power. “From such turn away…” , re 2Thes 3:6; 1Ti 6:5. The best response to apostasy is separation.
v.6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
v.7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Conclusion: Don’t be discouraged and give in or give up. Jesus didn’t promise that it would be easy. Christ said that, He would never leave us or forsake us, and “lo I am with you even to the end {of this evil} age.” Christ didn’t give up on going to the cross. He didn’t give up on you when He was working on your sin hardened heart, neither are we.
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