God-Breathed and God-Equipped (Sep. 22)
Read: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Because Scripture is God’s inspired Word, it equips us for good works and helps us live out our faith in the midst of persecution and difficulty.
After considering the apostasy that would come in the “last days,” Paul exhorts Timothy to remain faithful in the face of it. To achieve this, he presents two grappling points that would help him sustain himself amid a changing and drifting church.
The paragraph is divided into two parts that are introduced by the expression, “but you”. In the first, Paul exhorts Timothy to consider what he has learned from his own example over the years of collaboration, and in the second he encourages him to persevere in the Holy Scriptures in which he had been instructed since childhood, through his grandmother and mother. Let’s take a look at these two ideas.
Exhortation to Consider Paul’s Example (2 Tim 3:10-13)
“But you have followed my doctrine, conduct, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings, like those that befell me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra; persecutions that I have suffered, and of all the Lord has delivered me. And also all who want to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution; but evil men and deceivers will go from evil to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
In stark contrast to false teachers, Paul reminds Timothy of his own example. Of course, it is not an act of vanity on the part of the apostle, but its purpose was to encourage Timothy by showing him how despite the great obstacles he had encountered in his ministry, the Lord had delivered him from all of them.
Exhortation to Sustain Yourself in the Scriptures (2 Tim 3:14-17)
“But you persist in what you have learned and persuaded yourself, knowing from whom you have learned; and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise for salvation by faith that is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God, and useful for teaching, for reproofing, for correcting, for instructing in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, entirely prepared for every good work.”
Paul goes on to explain that the primary recourse to be able to resist the evil days ahead is to continue to be faithful to God’s Word: “But you persist in what you have learned and persuaded yourself.” The Word is the truth that can limit the advance of error, it is the light that makes darkness disappear.
Timothy could put all his trust in the Word, given its immutable courage to equip the man of God for every need that may arise. In fact, he had not only known the Word since childhood but had also come to be “persuaded” of its truthfulness. Therefore, even if he saw how others seemed to prosper with the teaching of error, he should not abandon the truth of Scripture to change it to human theories and speculations.
Action Step: Think about the challenges and difficulties you are facing in life right now and how fellow believers and Scripture can be a source of support and guidance. Write down the names of a few believers who have experienced similar things and whose example of conduct, faith, patience, etc. you can follow. Identify several Scripture passages that speak directly to situations you are facing. Write them down on a note or card to help you remember them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, my Savior, I thank you for not leaving me alone in my troubles. Thank you for fellow believers to walk through life with and for the never-changing truths of Scripture to lean on. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you and your church. I pray that I will learn to know and love you more and more through the scriptures and the Holy Spirit, leaning on you in the midst of difficulties.
Author: Leymin Alvarado