2 Timothy 3:1-5

v1: We are living in difficult times “when there is a general corruption in people’s conduct and attitude,” which “makes the times dangerous to live in, for it is hard to maintain our integrity in the midst of general corruption.”

v2-4: Even among those in the church there can be found “an excessive, sinful self-love” where people put “their own gratification before the church’s edification.”  When believers are more concerned about looking after themselves than pleasing God “many sins and troubles” follow, and what is seen the world around creeps into the life of the church.

v5: “A great deal of damage to the church” is done by those who say they are Christians, who have publicly professed their faith in baptism, who give the appearance that they are following Christ, but are seen to be lovers of themselves and worldly by their behaviour.