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2 Timothy 3 2-5

W

Winnie

' For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,........holding to form of godliness, although they have denied its power;'

So, how do you think godliness has power?
 
Winnie said:
' For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,........holding to form of godliness, although they have denied its power;'

So, how do you think godliness has power?
Click to expand...
I read the text to be talking about self-righteousness.
 
something like appearing, to the world around us as if one is in-tune with God. while the privet life is ugly,

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

My mind goes to TV preachers... The wonderful appearance ,yet they are very shallow..

something like being proud of their humbleness

this is not an easy question to answer to put inot words
 
Winnie said:
' For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,........holding to form of godliness, although they have denied its power;'

So, how do you think godliness has power?
Click to expand...
I remember my first Bible study leader said at the beginning of class. Remember, when reading God's word context is everything. This way while reading His word you do not read into His word what is not there. Or miss what is. I think that wise advice still.




2 Timothy 3

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Click to expand...

This epistle is describing some 18 vices that people during the last days, or end times, will display when they are calling themselves God's people. (Christians) The advice Apostle Paul gives then unto Timothy is to turn away from such hypocrites in the church. :cross
 
Winnie said:
....So, how do you think godliness has power?
Click to expand...
God is Truth and Love (Love is the expression of Truth). Truth and Love is the only reality. Anything else is a deception, unreal, and therefore powerless to what is real.
 
Winnie said:
' For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,........holding to form of godliness, although they have denied its power;'

So, how do you think godliness has power?
Click to expand...
Walking in the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit has the power.

A "form of godliness" is men walking in their own good and calling it "from the Lord."

They deny the power of the Spirit and rely on their OWN good.
 
Winnie said:
' For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,........holding to form of godliness, although they have denied its power;'
So, how do you think godliness has power?
Click to expand...
2Ti 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Paul describes people who are totally self-centered.
They may give the appearance of Godliness by regular church attendance and volunteering to be board members but they have no love for their neighbors or anyone but themselves. They deny the faith by rejecting Jesus command to love God, one another, neighbor and even enemies. Therefore there is no power in their religious behavior. It is a facade, a masquerade.

Those who are truly Godly do have power. Paul, for example cast out demons, healed the sick and even raised the dead as did Peter and Steven and all the apostles and many, many saints down through the ages. People who are very Godly (and they are few and far between) operate in the power of the Kingdom.

iakovos the fool
 
I believe Paul is saying that "godliness" is being connected with God and his power. But unbelievers merely mimic right living without any power.
 
Godliness has the power of destruction as many give lip service to the Lord, but their insides are full of dead mans bones, Matthew 23:27. Romans 8:6-11
 
The "power" of godliness is in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The "form" of godliness without the power is the pretense of being a Christian without having the Spirit in one's life. This describes 97% of "Christians," of course, but that's a different discussion.
 
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