\\INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY 3\\

In this chapter the apostle delivers out a prophecy of the last days,
showing how perilous the times will be, describing the persons that
will live in them, and what will be their end; and in opposition to
these men, proposes himself an example in doctrine and sufferings; and
encourages Timothy to persevere, and highly commends the sacred
writings. The prophecy begins \\#2Ti 3:1\\ the description it gives
of hypocrites, formal professors, and false teachers, that should
rise up in the last days, and perilous times spoken of, is in
\\#2Ti 3:2-7\\. And these are compared to the magicians of Egypt for the
corruption of their minds, the badness of their principles, and their
opposition to truth, and for their exit, and the issue of things;
they will be stopped in their progress, and their folly exposed,
\\#2Ti 3:8,9\\ and as the reverse of these men, the apostle gives an
account of his own doctrine, conversation, and sufferings; which he
proposes to Timothy for imitation, as being well known to him, and as
also the common state of all godly persons in this life, being a
suffering one, \\#2Ti 3:10-12\\ nor can it be expected that it
should be otherwise, since false teachers, who are wicked and
deceitful men, grow worse and worse, \\#2Ti 3:13\\. And then the
apostle exhorts Timothy to abide by, and continue in the doctrines of
the Gospel, from the assurance he had of the truth of them, from the
consideration of his having learned them of the apostle, and
especially from their agreement with the holy Scriptures, which he
had knowledge of from a child, \\#2Ti 3:14,15\\ which Scriptures are
commended, partly from the useful effect of them, making men wise
unto salvation; and chiefly from the author of them, being by the
inspiration of God; and also from the profitableness of them, both
for doctrine and manners, and especially to furnish a Gospel
minister for the work he is called unto, \\#2Ti 3:15-17\\.