Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,.... By "evil men" are meant, not sinful men in common, as all are by nature and practice; nor only open profane sinners but rather wicked men under a form of godliness, as before; and who are full of wickedness and malice against truly godly persons, even as the devil himself, of whom the same word...
Verse 12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Paul takes occasion from the reference to his own persecutions, to say that his case was not peculiar. It was the common lot of all who endeavoured to serve their Redeemer faithfully; and Timothy himself, therefore, must not hope to escape from it.
Paul tells Timothy the Church will face terrible diseases that demand uncommon fidelity and watchfulness from her pastors. When all goes well we grow careless; but necessity sharpens us. He prepares Timothy for arduous work ahead.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Timothy 3:1-17