2 Timothy 3 Study Notes

3:10 The words but you set vv. 1-9 in contrast with vv. 10-17. The false teachers lived and taught one way, but Paul provided a totally different model for Timothy.

3:11 Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra were the cities that Paul visited on his first missionary journey. Thus, when looking for examples of his sufferings Paul referred to his earliest mission work. Some have questioned why he would refer so far back, especially since this would have been before Timothy joined Paul. But Lystra was Timothy’s hometown, so he was probably aware of what had happened to Paul there. In effect Paul is saying: “Timothy, you have known from your earliest awareness of me that suffering is a part of the gospel work.”

3:12-13 All who want to live a godly life are not a special kind of Christian, but it should be true of every believer. The false teachers, who were evil and impostors, were not being persecuted.

3:14 The phrase those who taught you probably refers to Timothy’s mother and grandmother (1:5), especially since v. 15 mentions the teaching he received in childhood.

3:15 The phrase give you wisdom for salvation means that Scripture could lead Timothy to the “knowledge of the truth” (2:25; 1Tm 2:4). Scripture has the power to bring people to faith.

3:16-17 Inspired means “breathed out by God.” Because Scripture comes from God himself, it is profitable in many ways, ultimately leading us to righteousness, maturity, and service. All Scripture refers to the OT, but by implication to the writings of the NT as well (1Tm 5:18; 2Pt 3:15-16).