Always Learning and Never Able to Arrive at a Knowledge of the Truth

[LearningToLetGo]

While reading 2 Timothy, chapter 3 jumped out, specifically the following:

3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (2 Timothy 3:1-9 ESV)

I'd like to discuss this. At first glance this seems to describe con artists and other charlatans intentionally using the gospel to further their own nefarious ends, and perhaps there is that included, but it also seems to apply to honest but confused people. At least that's how I see it: "always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth."

This is akin to someone who spends their entire life in college, endlessly teaching yet never applying their knowledge where it matters, e.g. in the real world. And since this is Paul's last letter, written after his arrest and shortly before his execution in Rome, I feel he's even more blunt than usual since he senses his own time drawing to a close.

How do you understand this?

 

[bobinfaith]

Good morning, LearningToLetGo;

What comes to mind in 2 Timothy 3:5 and 7 is Jesus' rebuke and the Seven Woes toward the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Jesus wasn't proud of this and walked away with a broken and troubled heart.

This is why Paul's teachings to Timothy and us are so truthful and vital in this Book.

2 Timothy 3:5, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. - ESV

2 Timothy 3:7, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. - ESV

You wrote: "I'd like to discuss this. At first glance this seems to describe con artists and other charlatans intentionally using the gospel to further their own nefarious ends, and perhaps there is that included, but it also seems to apply to honest but confused people. At least that's how I see it: "always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth."

This is akin to someone who spends their entire life in college, endlessly teaching yet never applying their knowledge where it matters, e.g. in the real world. And since this is Paul's last letter, written after his arrest and shortly before his execution in Rome, I feel he's even more blunt than usual since he senses his own time drawing to a close."

I do understand and agree with you.

In my own words and how I understand this, there are false ministers and self proclaimed prophets today who must publicly announce their title, education and accomplishments. But when it truly matters they will expose publicly toward others their defensive words or physical actions because they cannot receive or respond to constructional conversation or correction.

When an effort to take the Bible's teaching in Ephesians 4:32, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 and Matthew 18:15-20 and apply, most of the time the naysayers will not respond, just like the Pharisees, who could not respond to Jesus, publicly. Their bruised egos, jealousy and extreme hated toward Jesus came out in the open.

It is ok to share our personal testimonies of God's raising and guiding us in our education, calling, career, etc...but it must always bring Him glory and how we use what God has entrusted us being the bigger picture, not our self proclaimed accomplishments.

But we must remain vigil. The devil is cunning and has succeeded in distracting people at all costs. This is why Paul is adamant, avoid such people.

God bless you, Jason, and thank you for sharing this important need to know topic.

Merry Christmas!

Bob

 

[cocoa]

Yeah. I get that people value wordly knowledge over the knowledge of Christ. Like people who find surety in science and feel no need for religion or someone who thinks themselves a philosopher and finds security in his own thoughts and opinions.

 

[BibleLover]

I have another name for worldy philosophers--FOOLOSOPHERS.

 

[Davey D0]

Yeah. I get that people value wordly knowledge over the knowledge of Christ. Like people who find surety in science and feel no need for religion or someone who thinks themselves a philosopher and finds security in his own thoughts and opinions.

VERY well said, Coca, especially the "find security" concept portion!

We find security, the second level of Maslow's Need Hierarchy, in that which is comfortable to us, and it's a universal need.

Recently, I've gotten into the area of Apologetics and one of the attractions is the logic it shows in Christianity. I made a statement at a recent Bible Study Group that God works His ways through natural laws of the universe. "Except for miracles", the Pastor replied as if an opinion was fact. I would nave like to discuss his statement, but he was more focused on discounting something the Apologetics speaker said on the DVD we were watching.

The Pastor's behavior irked me a bit, but I did tell him at a private first meeting that in my reconnection with congregational church going in my spiritual quest, I wanted to listen more than talk. So be it.

As I mentioned previously in another thread, I enjoy it when we can apply Christian theology to other schools of thought and you did just that for me, cocoa!