False Teachers
Category: Failure of truth
Could endure: Handle the word of truth correctly.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved… who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Cross-Refs: Titus 1:9; Acts 20:30.
Chose wrongly: Spread godless chatter and heresy.
“Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:17–18)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 1:19–20; 2 Peter 2:1–2.
Endured (negatively): Overthrew the faith of some.
“…They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2:18)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 1:6–9; Matthew 24:11.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, deception, itching ears.
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:3)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 5:31; 2 Thessalonians 2:10.
Result: Condemned unless they repent.
“They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:4)
Cross-Refs: Hosea 4:6; Revelation 22:15.
Lovers of Self and Pleasure
Category: Failure of holiness
Could endure: Love God above all.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 22:37; 1 John 2:15.
Chose wrongly: Became lovers of themselves, money, and pleasure.
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2–4)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 3:19; James 4:4.
Endured (negatively): Had a form of godliness but denied its power.
“…having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:5)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 23:27; Titus 1:16.
Why (wrong motive): Desire for indulgence, rejection of God’s rule.
“Always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7)
Cross-Refs: Romans 1:21–22; Jude 18–19.
Result: Exposed and rejected.
“But they will not get very far because… their folly will be clear to everyone.” (2 Timothy 3:9)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 32:23; Luke 8:17.
Abandonment of Paul
Category: Failure of loyalty
Could endure: Stand with the apostle in suffering.
“Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” (2 Timothy 1:8)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 1:7; Hebrews 10:33.
Chose wrongly: Deserted Paul in fear.
“You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.” (2 Timothy 1:15)
Cross-Refs: Mark 14:50; 2 Timothy 4:16.
Endured (negatively): Brought shame, loss of honor.
“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.” (2 Timothy 4:16)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 31:11; Matthew 26:56.
Why (wrong motive): Fear of persecution, love of the world.
“Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.” (2 Timothy 4:10)
Cross-Refs: Luke 8:14; 1 John 2:15–17.
Result: Left unrewarded, remembered for desertion.
“May it not be held against them.” (2 Timothy 4:16 — Paul’s mercy)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 109:8; Revelation 21:8.