Study Desk

But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: "The Lord knows those who are his" and "Those who say that they belong to the Lord must turn away from wrongdoing."

Those who make themselves clean from all those evil things, will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed.

But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels.

And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.

People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious;

they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good;

they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God;

But they will not get very far, because everyone will see how stupid they are. That is just what happened to Jannes and Jambres.

The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear.

They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends.

It is necessary to stop their talk, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching what they should not, and all for the shameful purpose of making money.

It was a Cretan himself, one of their own prophets, who spoke the truth when he said, "Cretans are always liars, wicked beasts, and lazy gluttons." For this reason you must rebuke them sharply, so that they may have a healthy faith

They claim that they know God, but their actions deny it. They are hateful and disobedient, not fit to do anything good.

Slaves are to submit themselves to their masters and please them in all things. They must not talk back to them

or steal from them. Instead, they must show that they are always good and faithful, so as to bring credit to the teaching about God our Savior in all they do.

But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless.

You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.

Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos to get started on their travels, and see to it that they have everything they need.

You will fold them up like a coat, and they will be changed like clothes. But you are always the same, and your life never ends."

What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.