Memory – 2 Timothy 3.16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man [Greek: anthropos refers to human being man or woman] of God may be complete equipped for every good work
The Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy was probably written shortly before he was martyred in Rome for his preaching / teaching about Jesus’ redemptive work. Perhaps in fear of their own persecution many of those who had once been close to Paul in sharing in the evangelistic ministry had deserted him (You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me … 1.15). Still, Paul remained faithful to his calling as a preacher and apostle and teacher. It is in this capacity that he writes a final pastoral letter to his protégé and faithful partner in the ministry not to neglect his God-given gift; he reminds him that God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (v. 1.6-7). So, in light of what God has done in Timothy’s life, Paul encourages him to remain faithful and not to be ashamed of the gospel nor of him even though that may mean suffering to the point of death (read 2 Timothy 1.8-14; cf. Luke 9.23-26; Revelation 12.11b). [As an aside, you may find it productive to read the counterintuitive passage in Matthew 11.28-30 and try to reconcile these two thoughts.] Nevertheless, Paul is constant in his faith and declares: But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
So much has been entrusted to Timothy and now that Paul is awaiting his execution he pens these poignant words in his last letter: You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2.1-2). Central to what Paul is entrusting to Timothy is to gain a solid grasp of the Word of God – Indeed, Paul writes in another place he brings every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10.5) – It is a submission to the truth of Scripture that equips the Christian for every situation in life. Earlier in his missive he exhorts Timothy to do his very best to present himself as an approved worker who properly handles the sacred Word (cf. 2.15).
Paul is steeped in the words of the old covenant (Old Testament) and knows that all things are accomplished according to the prescribed Word of the Lord, e.g. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55.10-11). God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament and through the apostles in the New Testament. Jeremiah wrote: Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1.9). And to the church at Thessalonica Paul wrote: And we thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, … (1 Thessalonians 2.13). And finally, consider Hebrews 4.12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
As is no doubt obvious by now, gaining a working knowledge of the Bible is not an easy task, but it is doable when you are consistent in your walk with Christ. Remember not to let some inconsistency derail you from your end goal – Christ being formed in you (2 Peter 1.3-11). Just pick up where you left off. Keep in mind that it is how you finish the race not how you started or if you fell down or if you momentarily got off course. The measure of character is what does it take to stop you? I learned fairly early on in my life not to listen to the voices of faithless people. More than a few “counselors” told me to forget academic pursuits – I was clearly not cut out for college. Though Paul was not writing about higher education, I found encouragement in his closing comments to the Philippians nonetheless: I can do all thing through him who strengthens me. Commit yourself to be grounded in the word of God and know whatever God asks of you, you will find that he is faithful and he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5.24).
So much has been entrusted to Timothy and now that Paul is awaiting his execution he pens these poignant words in his last letter: You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2.1-2). Central to what Paul is entrusting to Timothy is to gain a solid grasp of the Word of God – Indeed, Paul writes in another place he brings every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10.5) – It is a submission to the truth of Scripture that equips the Christian for every situation in life. Earlier in his missive he exhorts Timothy to do his very best to present himself as an approved worker who properly handles the sacred Word (cf. 2.15).
Paul is steeped in the words of the old covenant (Old Testament) and knows that all things are accomplished according to the prescribed Word of the Lord, e.g. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55.10-11). God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament and through the apostles in the New Testament. Jeremiah wrote: Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1.9). And to the church at Thessalonica Paul wrote: And we thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, … (1 Thessalonians 2.13). And finally, consider Hebrews 4.12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
As is no doubt obvious by now, gaining a working knowledge of the Bible is not an easy task, but it is doable when you are consistent in your walk with Christ. Remember not to let some inconsistency derail you from your end goal – Christ being formed in you (2 Peter 1.3-11). Just pick up where you left off. Keep in mind that it is how you finish the race not how you started or if you fell down or if you momentarily got off course. The measure of character is what does it take to stop you? I learned fairly early on in my life not to listen to the voices of faithless people. More than a few “counselors” told me to forget academic pursuits – I was clearly not cut out for college. Though Paul was not writing about higher education, I found encouragement in his closing comments to the Philippians nonetheless: I can do all thing through him who strengthens me. Commit yourself to be grounded in the word of God and know whatever God asks of you, you will find that he is faithful and he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5.24).
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