The Skeptics Annotated Bible (958 page)

There’s nothing very exciting in this one, but here are a few things of that might be of interest:

• “If we deny him, he also will deny us.” (Fair is fair!)
  2.12
  
• The devil can take us captive any time he pleases.
  2.26
  
• In the last days, people will become evil, “without natural affection,” and “silly women” who are “ever learning” will be “led away with divers lusts.”
  3.1-7
  
• “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God.”
  3.16
  Even Leviticus
  20.13
  , Judges
  19.22-30
  and Ezekiel
  23.20
  ?
  

1
Paul
, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2
To Timothy
, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

(1.1-2)
“Paul … to Timothy”
Although Second Timothy claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it was written by someone else long after his death.

3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7 For
God hath not given us the spirit of fea
r; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

(1.7) “God hath not given us the spirit of fear.”
132 Should we fear God?

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9
Who hath saved us
, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to his own purpose and grace
, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

(1.9) “Who hath saved us … according to his own purpose and grace.” God selected us to be either saved or damned, and there isn’t a damned thing we can do about it.
158 Do humans have free will?

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

2
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember that
Jesus Christ of the seed of David
was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

(2.8)
“Jesus Christ of the seed of David”
329 Was Joseph the father of Jesus?

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

(2.12-18)

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us
:

(2.12)
“If we deny him, he also will deny us.”
(Fair is fair!)

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But
shun profane and vain babblings
: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

(2.16) “Shun profane and vain babblings.” Shun non-believers and other profane babblers.
468 Should believers discuss their faith with non-believers?

(2.17-18) Hymenaeus and Philetus are condemned for disagreeing with “Paul” about the timing of the resurrection. (See 1 Tim 1.20 and 2 Tim 4.14-15)

17 And
their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus
;

(2.17)
“Their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;”

18
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some
.

(2.18)
“Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”