2 Timothy
Introduction

1 2 3 4

Injustice
Contradictions
Intolerance
Absurdities
Interpretation
Women
Homosexuality
Good Stuff
"In the last days ... shall be ... silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." -- 2 Timothy 3:1-7

Second Timothy for Skeptics

Like the other Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy and Titus), 2 Timothy was written by someone who claimed to be Paul, but wasn't. It was written by an unknown author long after the real Paul had died. (1)

There's nothing very exciting in this one, but here are a few things of that might be of interest.

  • "If we deny him, he also will deny us." (Fair is fair!) 2:12

  • The devil can take us captive any time he pleases. 2:26

  • In the last days people will become evil, "without natural affection." Fundamentalist say that this refers to homosexuals. 3:1-3

  • In the last days, "silly women" who are "ever learning" will be "led away with divers lusts." 3:6-7

  • "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God." Even Judges 19:22-30 and Ezekiel 23:20? 3:16

1. Bart D. Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introlduction to the Early Christian Writings, 3rd ed. (2004), chap.23

Wikipedia
Second Epistle to Timothy
Authorship of the Pauline epistles: The Pastoral Epistles