2 Timothy 3:1

King James Version (KJV)

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

In the last days - This often means the days of the Messiah, and is sometimes extended in its signification to the destruction of Jerusalem, as this was properly the last days of the Jewish state. But the phrase may mean any future time, whether near or distant.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

This know also - The “object” of this reference to the perilous times which were to occur, was evidently to show the necessity of using every precaution to preserve the purity of the church, from the fact that such sad scenes were to open upon it. The apostle had dwelt upon this subject in his First Epistle to Timothy 1 Timothy 4:1 note, and Hebrews 1:2 note.

Perilous times shall come - Times of danger, of persecution, and of trial. On the general meaning of this passage, and the general characteristics of those times, the reader may consult the 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 notes, and 1 Timothy 4:1-3 notes. There can be no doubt that in all these passages the apostle refers to the same events.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. Times are perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise that which is good and to be honoured. God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is very different from the power; from such as are found to be hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw. Such persons have been found within the outward church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have been artful men, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful. All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus. Like the Egyptian magicians, these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and found to be quite without faith. Yet though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Know. Or, “understand.” Paul had already foretold a departure from the genuine “faith” (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Here he urges Timothy to be acutely aware of the insidious dangers facing the church in his own day, dangers that would gravely threaten the purity and reputation of the church until Christ should return.

Last days. Compare 1 Tim. 4:1; see Additional Note on Rom. 13; see on Heb. 1:2; James 5:3; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:18. Ever since the entrance of sin the evils enumerated in 2 Tim. 3:1-5 have been rampant in the world. Thus it was in the days of Noah (see Gen. 6:5, 11) and in NT days (cf. DA 36, 37), and thus it will continue to be to the very close of time. Elsewhere Paul speaks of “this present evil world,” and John declares that “the whole world lieth in wickedness” (1 John 5:19). Thus, the presence of evil is not a unique characteristic of “the last days.” Nevertheless, the progressive moral depravity of the human race testifies to the utter inability of man to save himself. But with the increasing activity of the prince of evil (cf. Rev. 7:1; 12:12), it is to be expected that the agelong course of evil will reach a climax of intensity in “the last days.” In contradiction to the bland assertions of a myriad of misguided religionists who teach that man is getting better and better and that eventually the entire world will be converted, the Scriptures declare that evil men will “wax worse and worse” (2 Tim. 3:13). It is in this setting that the words of the apostle concerning “the last days” take on their full and complete meaning.

Perilous. Gr. chalepos, “hard,” “oppressive,” “troublesome.” The kinds of peril referred to are listed in vs. 1-5.

Times. Gr. kairoi, “seasons,” “periods” (see on Acts 1:7). Since the days of Paul the church has experienced seasons of grave peril occasioned by worldliness, persecution, or apostasy. But Inspiration here declares that in “the last days” God’s people may expect special temptations and dangers.

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Ellen G. White
The Adventist Home, 341

Jesus came to our world to rectify mistakes and to restore the moral image of God in man. Wrong sentiments in regard to marriage had found a place in the minds of the teachers of Israel. They were making of none effect the sacred institution of marriage. Man was becoming so hardhearted that he would for the most trivial excuse separate from his wife, or, if he chose, he would separate her from the children and send her away. This was considered a great disgrace and was often accompanied by the most acute suffering on the part of the discarded one. AH 341.1

Christ came to correct these evils, and His first miracle was wrought on the occasion of the marriage. Thus He announced to the world that marriage when kept pure and undefiled is a sacred institution.⁴ AH 341.2

Counsel to One Contemplating Divorce—Your ideas in regard to the marriage relation have been erroneous. Nothing but the violation of the marriage bed can either break or annul the marriage vow. We are living in perilous times, when there is no assurance in anything save in firm, unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. There is no heart that may not be estranged from God through the devices of Satan, if one does not watch unto prayer. AH 341.3

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Ellen G. White
Confrontation, 89

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. Con 89.1

John, upon the Isle of Patmos, saw the things which should come upon the earth in the last days. Revelation 13:13; Revelation 16:14: “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Con 89.2

The apostle Peter distinctly points out the class which will be manifested in these last days. Con 89.3

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Ellen G. White
Counsels on Health, 504

While Satan is constantly doing his utmost to take advantage of men's ignorance and to lay the foundation of disease by improper treatment of the body, it is best for those who claim to be sons and daughters of God to avail themselves while they can of the opportunities now presented to gain a knowledge of the human system and how it may be preserved in health. We are to use every faculty of mind which God has given us. The Lord will not work a miracle to preserve anyone in health who will not make an effort to obtain knowledge within his reach concerning this wonderful habitation that God has given. By study of the human organism, we are to learn to correct what may be wrong in our habits and which, if left uncorrected, would bring the sure result, disease and suffering, that make life a burden. The sincerity of our prayers can be proved only by the vigor of our endeavor to obey God's commandments. CH 504.1

Evil habits and practices are bringing upon men disease of every kind. Let the understanding be convinced by education as to the sinfulness of abusing and degrading the powers that God has given. Let the mind become intelligent, and the will be placed on the Lord's side, and there will be a wonderful improvement in the physical health. But this can never be accomplished in mere human strength. With strenuous efforts through the grace of Christ to renounce all evil practices and associations and to observe temperance in all things, there must be an abiding persuasion that repentance for the past, as well as forgiveness, is to be sought of God through the atoning sacrifice of Christ. These things must be brought into daily experience; there must be strict watchfulness and unwearied entreaty that Christ will bring every thought into captivity to Himself; His renovating power must be given to the soul, that as accountable beings we may present to God our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him, which is our reasonable service. CH 504.2

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Ellen G. White
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 327

When the children decide for themselves to leave the pleasures of the world and to become Christ's disciples, what a burden is lifted from the hearts of careful, faithful parents! Yet even then the labors of the parents must not cease. These youth have just commenced in earnest the warfare against sin and against the evils of the natural heart, and they need in a special sense the counsel and watchcare of their parents. CT 327.1

Young Sabbathkeepers who have yielded to the influence of the world will have to be tested and proved. The perils of the last days are upon us, and a trial is before the young which many have not anticipated. They will be brought into distressing perplexity, and the genuineness of their faith will be proved. They profess to be looking for the Son of man, yet some of them have been a miserable example to unbelievers. They have not been willing to give up the world, but have united with the world in attending picnics and other gatherings for pleasure, flattering themselves that they were engaging in innocent amusement. Yet it is just such indulgences that separate them from God and make them children of the world. CT 327.2

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