How do we apply these principles?
- Are these the last days? The last days began with the coming of Jesus, according to Hebrews 1:2. Why does Paul link his “vice list” (vv. 2-5) with the last days? How is this both a warning and an encouragement? See also 1 John 2:18; 4:3.
- Where does outward evil begin? Notice that Paul begins and ends this list with what people love or don’t love. Why is this important? List the qualities these people lack. How do these deficiencies contribute to the breakdown of a culture? Can you list some parallels with Israel’s downfall in 2 Chronicles 36:11-16?
- How do false teachers work? Why do you think Paul points out that a key target of the false teachers are “weak women burdened with sins”? (No, he is not defaming women.) Why does he say these teachers are “creeping into houses”? What is it about our sins that make us easy prey for heretics and false teachers? Why does he say that, like the magicians, they will not get far?
- How does Truth reveal itself? Paul reminds Timothy not only of Scripture that he knew but the lives that he had seen living that truth. Why and how can conduct of the faithful become an encouragement to Timothy (and us)? What does Paul mean when he says that Scripture is “God breathed”? What descriptive words and phrases does he use to indicate that Scripture is a sufficient resource for Timothy? How sufficient is it?