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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | To whom does this refer to? | 2 Tim 3:1 | ReaditBelieveit | 238166 | ||
In Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy, (Chap 3:1-5), is this addressing conditions within the church or the world in general? | ||||||
2 | To whom does this refer to? | 2 Tim 3:1 | jlhetrick | 238167 | ||
Hi, and welcome to the Forum. The characteristics of those referred to in this passage can not be referring to the true church. This is because truly saved people have been changed by the saving work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. See 2 Corinthians 5 and begin reading at verse 1 but pay special attention to verse 17. This is not to say true Christians are sinless, we continue a struggle against the "flesh". I recommend some study on Sanctification to help understand this. With that said we should keep in mind that the physical or local churches that we all attend do have unsaved people in them (some churches may be mostly filled with the unsaved) so we are seeing (and have been since the early Church) teachings that are far from consistent with Scripture. In addition, we see gross, sinful behaviors from church "members" to include leadership. We see the truth of the gospel watered down and even largely ignored and replaced by gimmicks and orchestrated deliveries of "entertainment" and, of course, an aggressive attempt (often successful) to rob members of their money. In 2 Timothy 3:5 we see Paul saying that these spoken of in the preceding verses have the "appearance" of godliness but deny it's power (the saving and changing power of the work of Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit). Finally, in the same verse Paul warns to "avoid such men as these" (NASB). Paul would never advise to avoid true Christians but instead would (and does in Matthew chapter 18) require that we intervene with misbehaving (sinning) Christians in order to restore them. Hope this helps. |
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