But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul isn't just predicting hardship; he's highlighting that these difficult times will be characterized by people who are self-centered, lovers of money, and boastful. The "difficulty" isn't just external circumstances, but the very nature of the people living in these days.
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is writing to Timothy, his young protégé, urging him to stay strong and faithful amidst the challenges Timothy is facing and will face. This warning about difficult times and ungodly people, which we see right here, sets the stage for Paul's instructions on how to endure and minister effectively in a world that's increasingly hostile to the truth of God's Word. He's preparing Timothy for the reality of opposition so he can stand firm and continue to share the gospel.
The Bible doesn't paint a rosy picture of the end times. Paul warns us, and understanding his words can help us prepare.
A Heads-Up, Not a Doom Scroll
Paul's opening here is crucial: "But understand this." He wants Timothy, and us, to grasp a fundamental truth about the period leading up to Christ's return. It won't be easy. The Greek word for "difficulty" here isn't just about minor inconveniences; it speaks of harsh, hard, and even dangerous times.
Not a Surprise
This isn't a prophecy of something God wants to happen, but a realistic assessment of the consequences of human sin and rebellion when His restraining grace is tested. It's a heads-up so we aren't blindsided or discouraged when hardship comes.
When Paul wrote "in the last days," did he mean our last days? The Bible's timeline is a bit different than we might imagine.
A Present Reality
The concept of the "last days" in the New Testament doesn't solely refer to the very final moments before Jesus returns. It began with the first coming of Christ and extends through the entire period of the church age, culminating in His second coming.
The Already and the Not Yet
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We are living in the "already" and the "not yet." The "already" is that Christ has come, died, and risen, inaugurating His kingdom. The "not yet" is that His kingdom is not yet fully consummated, and His enemies are not yet fully defeated. This tension means that the "last days" are characterized by both the advance of God's kingdom and the intensifying struggles against it.
Understand the original words
eschatos hēmera · Greek Noun phrase
Refers to the end of the current age, beginning with the first coming of Christ and culminating in His return; characterized by increased apostasy and hardship for believers.
chalepos · Greek Adjective
Describes a time of distress, crisis, or perilous circumstances that test the faith and endurance of believers.
Paul wrote this from his Roman prison, knowing severe trials were not just future possibilities but present realities, urging Timothy to stand firm amidst intensifying persecution and societal decay.
c. 65-67 AD— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul, the author of 2 Timothy, is imprisoned in Rome, facing potential execution. This dire situation deeply informs his final letter.
c. 64 AD
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire sweeps through Rome, leading Emperor Nero to persecute Christians, blaming them for the disaster.
c. 66 AD
First Jewish-Roman War Begins
The Jewish revolt against Roman rule erupts, signaling widespread unrest and conflict in the Roman Empire.
Early 1st century AD
Spread of Greco-Roman Culture
The dominant Greco-Roman culture influences society with its philosophies and practices, sometimes clashing with Christian teachings.
Mid 1st century AD
Early Christian Persecutions
Christians begin to face increasing opposition and sporadic persecution from both Jewish authorities and the Roman state.
Jesus Himself prophesied that 'nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,' and that 'there will be famines and earthquakes in various places,' echoing the idea of difficult times.
2 Peter 3:3This passage warns about scoffers and mockers who will come in the last days, specifically pointing to the spiritual and moral decay that characterizes such difficult times.
Luke 21:11Jesus also spoke of 'great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences,' highlighting the widespread natural disasters and suffering that will accompany the difficult times.
1 Timothy 4:1This verse complements the theme by explaining that difficult times will also involve people abandoning the faith and being led astray by deceitful spirits and teachings.
Paul isn't just predicting hardship; he's highlighting that these difficult times will be characterized by people who are self-centered, lovers of money, and boastful. The "difficulty" isn't just external circumstances, but the very nature of the people living in these days.
Paul is writing to Timothy, his young protégé, urging him to stay strong and faithful amidst the challenges Timothy is facing and will face. This warning about difficult times and ungodly people, which we see right here, sets the stage for Paul's instructions on how to endure and minister effectively in a world that's increasingly hostile to the truth of God's Word. He's preparing Timothy for the reality of opposition so he can stand firm and continue to share the gospel.
Paul is writing to Timothy, his young protégé, urging him to stay strong and faithful amidst the challenges Timothy is facing and will face. This warning about difficult times and ungodly people, which we see right here, sets the stage for Paul's instructions on how to endure and minister effectively in a world that's increasingly hostile to the truth of God's Word. He's preparing Timothy for the reality of opposition so he can stand firm and continue to share the gospel.
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty." — Paul isn't just predicting hardship; he's highlighting that these difficult times will be characterized by people who are self-centered, lovers of money, and boastful. The "difficulty" isn't just e…
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Last reviewed October 2026