βEvil men and seducers shall wax worse and worseβ¦but continue thouβ (II Tim. 3:13,14).
These were among the last words of the great Apostle Paul, written in view of his approaching martyrdom, to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith.
Circumstances, outwardly, were anything but encouraging. It seemed that the last days of the dispensation of grace were indeed at hand. The apostle had borne many βpersecutionsβ and βafflictionsβ and now βsuffered trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bondsβ. There were those who, like Jannes and Jambres, had βresisted the truthβ (II Tim. 3:8). βAlexander the coppersmithβ had done him βmuch evilβ and had βgreatly withstood his wordsβ (II Tim. 4:14,15). βEvil men and seducersβ had risen on every hand and were to βwax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceivedβ (II Tim. 3:13).
And what, now, is his parting advice to young Timothy? Does he say: βPerhaps I have been too intense. My methods have made many enemies. I advise you to be more diplomatic and tolerant than I have beenβ. Hardly, for the records show Paul to have been of all men most tactful and considerate. His sufferings were not the result of a contentious spirit, but of his faithfulness in proclaiming that message which so embarrasses and enrages βour adversary, the devilβ, that message which is Godβs gracious response to manβs need and His answer to Satanβs slander β βthe gospel of the grace of Godβ.
Thus it is that the Apostle urges Timothy: βContinue thouβ¦be not ashamedβ¦be strongβ. He well knew that in this sin-cursed world the only hope for the individual is to be found in Godβs offer of salvation through faith in the redemption wrought by Christ at Calvary. source
