Or, “understand.” Paul had already foretold a departure from the genuine “faith” (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Here he urges Timothy to be acutely aware of the insidious dangers facing the church in his own day, dangers that would gravely threaten the purity and reputation of the church until Christ should return.

 Gr. kairoi, “seasons,” “periods” (see on Acts 1:7). Since the days of Paul the church has experienced seasons of grave peril occasioned by worldliness, persecution, or apostasy. But Inspiration here declares that in “the last days” God’s people may expect special temptations and dangers.

 Gr. chalepos, “hard,” “oppressive,” “troublesome.” The kinds of peril referred to are listed in vs. 1-5.

 Compare 1 Tim. 4:1; see Additional Note on Rom. 13; see on Heb. 1:2; James 5:3; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:18. Ever since the entrance of sin the evils enumerated in 2 Tim. 3:1-5 have been rampant in the world. Thus it was in the days of Noah (see Gen. 6:5, 11) and in NT days (cf. DA 36, 37), and thus it will continue to be to the very close of time. Elsewhere Paul speaks of “this present evil world,” and John declares that “the whole world lieth in wickedness” (1 John 5:19). Thus, the presence of evil is not a unique characteristic of “the last days.” Nevertheless, the progressive moral depravity of the human race testifies to the utter inability of man to save himself. But with the increasing activity of the prince of evil (cf. Rev. 7:1; 12:12), it is to be expected that the agelong course of evil will reach a climax of intensity in “the last days.” In contradiction to the bland assertions of a myriad of misguided religionists who teach that man is getting better and better and that eventually the entire world will be converted, the Scriptures declare that evil men will “wax worse and worse” (2 Tim. 3:13). It is in this setting that the words of the apostle concerning “the last days” take on their full and complete meaning.