This is what Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy is about: apostacy. People with itching ears turning from the TRUTH of the Gospel of Grace to a FORM of RIGHTEOUSNESS, with works and a false gospel being preached and accepted.
Paul instructs Timothy in something very important in this letter: 2 Tim. 2:15. He does not tell Timothy to depend on others for instruction in God’s word. He tells him to STUDY God’s word. For himself. That he will NOT be ASHAMED as a WORKMAN for God if he STUDIES His word, rightly divided. He doesn’t tell him to go to a church building, or adhere to doctrines and traditions of men. That’s where APOSTASY originates; in doctrines and traditions of fallen men.
You have heard the word of God from us (the Catholic Church) 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Not the word of men.
2 Timothy 2:15 The word of Truth is the gospel message which is “heard” through preaching (Eph 1:13; Col 1:5)
Paul was sending a pastoral letter to Timothy a Catholic Bishop to warn about false teaching such as Hymenaeus who was excommunicated for blasphemy. As a Bishop, Timothy was responsible to preach the Truth of God.
Thank you - I needed that today.