2 Timothy 3

9 For some time these evildoers and false Christians can deceive other people, but in the end their evil work and evil character will become clear to everyone.

10-11 Timothy knows what Paul’s life and behavior have been like. Paul offers his own example for Timothy to follow. Paul does not boast in himself; all of his good qualities and good works are the result of God’s grace alone (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Paul mentions his teaching first of all. All the other things in Paul’s life arise out of his teaching. Paul follows in his own life the same teaching he gives to others. Timothy knows that Paul has lived as he has taught. May all teachers do the same.

Paul reminds Timothy of what happened to him in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra (Acts 13:49-52; 14:1-20). Timothy had been in Lystra at that time (Acts 16:1). Surely Timothy had heard Paul speak and had seen him stoned by the crowd (Acts 14:19). Paul endured many persecutions (2 Timothy 2:12); but, he says to Timothy in verse 11, the Lord rescued me from all of them (Psalm 34:17).

12 Here Paul reminds Timothy of a very important thing: Every true follower of Christ sooner or later will be persecuted. Many years earlier, Timothy may have heard Paul say at Lystra: “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). From Christ’s time until the present, all true Christians have faced trials and suffering of some kind. Jesus said to His disciples: “All men will hate you because of me” (Matthew 10:22). “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20).

13 When once a man starts on an evil path, his life becomes more and more evil (see Romans 1:21,28; Ephesians 4:17-19 and comments).

14-15 But, Paul says to Timothy, continue in what you have learned. It is not enough only to learn; we must continue in what we have learned. Timothy can trust that what he has learned is true, because he can trust his teachers—such as Paul, his mother, and his grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). Again, Timothy can have confidence in what they have taught, because it agrees with what is written in Scripture. Timothy can be sure that if a teaching agrees with Scripture, it will be a true teaching.

Paul writes that the holy Scriptures³ … are able to make you wise for SALVATION (verse 16). That is, the Scriptures teach us how salvation can be obtained. How can salvation be obtained? It can be obtained through faith in Christ Jesus. And the Scriptures Paul is talking about here is the Old Testament. If the Old Testament can show us the way of salvation, how much more will the New Testament show us the way!

16  This is one of the most important verses in the entire Bible. All Scripture—that is, every verse of the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament—has been written by the inspiration and guidance of God (see 2 Peter 1:20-21 and comment). There is no other book like the Bible in all the world. Other books may contain things that are true, that are wise, that are helpful; but there is only one book that contains the words of God Himself, and that is the Bible. Only the Bible has been written by the direct inspiration of God; it is Godbreathed. We can fully trust every word in the Bible. It is truly God’s own word (see General Article: How We Got Our Bible).

Because the Bible is God’s word, it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. The

Bible shows us the true way of righteousness and, in addition, helps us to walk in it.

17  Through the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training that comes from studying the Bible, the man of God will become equipped for every good work. Here, the expression man of God especially means a church leader or teacher like Timothy. But this verse is also equally true for all Christians everywhere, both men and women.