20160919 Saturday, September 19 2016
2 Timothy 03: For Men Shall Be Lovers Of Their Own Selves

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves"

The English-language word "peril" originated from a Latin word, periculum, that meant to try, or to test. Interestingly, the English-language word "experiment" originated from the same Latin word as "peril."

"Peril" is used twice in the King James Version - once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. Notice however that the context and intent is the same.

"5:7 Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities. 5:8 Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand. 5:9 We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness." (Lamentations 5:7-9 KJV)

"8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." (Romans 8:35-36 KJV)

"Perilous" is the adjective form of "peril." The apostle Paul (see Paul, The Apostle To The World) used it (the Hebrew and Greek words are identical in meaning to "peril" and "perilous" that are used to translate them; see also The Apostle Paul's Gramma) in describing how the time just before Satan's perverted world collapses upon itself will be "perilous": "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come."

Paul included the conditions that will make that time "perilous" - a near-complete falling away into iniquity - when all that is perverted and self-destructive is called "right," or even "a right," while the LORD's winning Way will be declared "wrong" (see the Fact Finder question below).

"3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was." (2 Timothy 3:1-9 KJV)

But while Satan is "trying" and "testing" the world as a whole, those who truly know the LORD have already found the Way: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (see Which Way Is Right And Left? and Strait And Straight).

"3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:10-17 KJV)

Fact Finder: What is "iniquity"? Why does it always result in self-destruction?
See Iniquity In History And Prophecy; also Is Iniquity Liberal Or Conservative? and The Only Political Party That's Going To Survive