2 Timothy – Chapter 3

New Testament17 Verses

Chapter Summary

2 Timothy 3 opens with the words: "Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times." Moses stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and love and charity. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times.

2Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked,

3Without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness,

4Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasure more than of God:

5Having an appearance indeed of godliness but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid.

6For of these sort are they who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, who are led away with divers desires:

7Ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of the truth.

8Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

9But they shall proceed no farther: for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.

10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,

11Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error,

14But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned and which have been committed to thee. Knowing of whom thou hast learned them:

15And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures which can instruct thee to salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice:

17That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.

Important Verses in 2 Timothy 3

Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times.

2 Timothy 3:1

Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasure more than of God:

2 Timothy 3:4

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,

2 Timothy 3:10

And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures which can instruct thee to salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15

Historical Context

2 Timothy addresses timothy, entrusted with the faith as the apostle faces martyrdom within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 3 of 4 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times." The chapter ends with: "That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work. " Read against its original backdrop, Paul's last letter, written awaiting execution under Nero: 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith' (2 Tim 4:7). The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 66-67, from his final Roman imprisonment.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 66-67, from his final Roman imprisonment

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, this chapter addresses specific questions facing early Christian communities. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times." The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

Catholic exegesis reads 2 Timothy 3 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Paul's teaching on Scripture's inspiration (CIC 105-107). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2578).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All Scripture is inspired by God. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 2 Timothy 3 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Moses1 mention

Reflection for Today

2 Timothy Chapter 3 belongs to the New Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Paul's teaching on Scripture's inspiration (CIC 105-107). Here the believer is invited to ponder gratitude as the foundation of prayer.

Let 2 Timothy Chapter 3 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Timothy Chapter 3 about?

2 Timothy 3 contains 17 verses. It opens with "Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times." and closes with "That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work. ". The book as a whole is pastoral epistle.

What is a key verse in 2 Timothy 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Timothy Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Moses.

Who wrote 2 Timothy and when?

The Apostle Paul. About AD 66-67, from his final Roman imprisonment.

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