1-2 Timothy, Titus

115 2 Timothy 3 Insiders and Outsiders Second Timothy 3 gives powerful descriptions of the wide differences between the teachers of truth, like Paul, Timothy, and other faithful men, and the teachers of falsehood, like Hymenaeus, Philetus , and others. The first half of the chapter describes and condemns more opponents of “Paul” while the second half rehearses Paul’s sufferings and reminds Timothy of the characteristics of sound scriptural teachings. The author returns to denigrating certain of his male opponents, linking their personalities and activities to the kind of moral deterioration that was thought to occur in “the last days” (2 Tim 3:1). Although the NRSV uses the word “people” in 2 Tim 3:2, the Greek once again is the plural noun ἄνθρωποι, which can mean either “people” or “men.”1 Since the author refers specifically to women later in this section (3:6-7), it seems perfectly logical to assume that he is thinking here of a number of men who oppose his own teachings and conduct. Naming nineteen vices—the second longest list of such items in the New Testament after Rom 1:29-31—the author completely censures their inner and outer attributes (3:2-4). There is not much of a recognizable pattern for the inventory except that four traits beginning with the prefix 1. I discuss this issue in above, “Translation Matters: ‘To Faithful People,’” p. 108. 116 1–2 Timothy, Titus for “love” (φιλ-) open and close the list. It includes nine words that begin with alpha, signifying that they are the negative opposite of a positive feature. In the English translation, a few of these appear with comparable prefixes (un-, in-, and im-). As was true in 1 Tim 1:9-10, the author does not explain what is wrong with the content of his opponents’ teaching but relies instead on personal attacks as a means to undermine their authority and amplify his own.2 By accusing the false teachers of socially reprehensible attributes, he also wants his audience to feel disgust toward them and thus to “shun” their teachings as well as their presence. Such an abusive approach seems to be quite at odds with the very advice he has just given to be “kindly toward everyone, . . . correcting opponents with gentleness” (2 Tim 2:24-25). 2. See my comments on 1 Tim 1 about how the author treats his opponents, pp. 3–7. TRANSLATION MATTERS: “YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THIS” In the Greek, the phrase is much shorter, reading literally: “but know this!” (τοῦτο δὲ γίνωσκε). The NRSV has neglected to translate a conjunction δέ, meaning either “but” or “and,” which indicates that 2 Tim 3:1 links back to the instructions given in 2:22-26. In addition, the second-person singular imperative parallels the similar verbal commands given in 2:22-23: “shun!”; “pursue!”; and “have nothing to do with!” This reminds the reader that the letter is addressed to just one (male) recipient. The English use of “you” for either the second-person plural or singular obscures the fact that, in the invented situation, the directive is given to Timothy alone. make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, 7 who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. 9 But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men, their folly will become plain to everyone. 1 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves , lovers of money, boasters, arrogant , abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! 6 For among them are those who 2 Tim 3:1-9 [3.133.79.70] Project MUSE (2024-04-23 11:13 GMT) 2 Timothy 3 117 As if further evidence was needed for the falsity of the opponents’ ideas and the hypocrisy of their motivations, the author states that some of the opponents and their teachings have proved attractive to a particular group of people: some “silly women” (2 Tim 3:6). In the author’s view, a disreputable...