2
TIMOTHY 3:14-17
EXCELLENT,
ENCOURAGING NEWS
2
Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast
been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Susan: Pursue
holy living according to the sacred Scripture. Timothy had not only studied and
learned Scripture but was confident in its authenticity as the word of God.
Susie: Timothy
had been taught personally by Paul the apostle and had many opportunities to
validate that Paul lived what he believed. He would have learned from Paul’s
co-laborers as well and observed their righteousness first-hand. However, his
instruction in Scripture began much earlier than his becoming acquainted with
Paul.
2
Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which
are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.
Susan: From
the time Timothy was a babe in arms, his grandmother, Lois, and his mother,
Eunice, taught him the truth of the Old Testament Scripture. Since he was an
infant, I would conjecture that they may have sung the Psalms to him as
lullabies.
Susie: It is
never too early to begin sharing God’s love and message with your children.
Recite scripture to them, sing hymns and choruses as you rock them. Help them
associate God’s word with lovingkindness. Prepare their hearts to be ripe for
the sowing of the seed of the Gospel.
Susan: Timothy
would have seen and witnessed the truth of God, not just in the words he was
taught but in the behavior and lifestyle of his grandmother and his mother.
Lois and Eunice were devout Jews who had mined out the
truth of the gospel message like treasured jewels from the Old Testament. When
they heard salvation through Jesus Christ preached, they joyfully recognized it
as the fulfillment of the truth they had learned in Scripture and trusted Jesus
as the promised Messiah.
Susie: Likewise,
Timothy’s understanding of the Old Testament primed him to realize his
sinfulness and need of a Savior. Then, when he heard the Gospel message, he
received it, believed it, and surrendered to Jesus.
2
Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Susie: The
literal translation would be that scripture is “God-breathed.” God breathed
life into Adam after making him from mud, and He breathed His message into the
human authors of the Bible. It was not their own worthiness or ability that
inspired them but God’s choice to use them as His pen.
Susan: God
implanted the truth, the reality of the scriptures into the biblical writers.
Each human writer expressed God’s message through their own personalities, vocabularies,
and experiences.
Susie: The
Bible, both old and new testament, is God’s instruction for life and godliness.
It points us to our need for a Savior, shows us how to know Him, and teaches us
how to live as a member of His kingdom.
Psalm
119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Susan: The
word of God is evidence that highlights sin in one’s life. It can be used to
rebuke someone who has strayed from the path of righteousness.
Susie: After
reproving or rebuking someone, we should then use the word of God for
correction. Correction is helping the person get back on track with the Lord,
showing them how to turn from the sin that has been pointed out and turn toward
the godliness that Jesus demands. This word for “correction” is used only here
in the new testament. It was used elsewhere in Greek literature to mean lifting
a fallen object or person up. We are not to be concerned with punishment but to
point out a person’s fallen state with reformation and restoration in mind.
Susan: We
need to use the word of God to share and show that those who have fallen can,
in the power of Jesus, get up again and overcome sin rather than be overcome by
sin.
Susie: Scripture
gives detailed instruction in the right way to live as well as pointing out
error. Instruction has the connotation of training a child; and believers,
children of God, need to be trained in righteousness, right living with God and
people. Instruction involves discipleship, teaching Christians, especially
those who are newer to faith than yourself, the disciplines found in the word
of God.
Proverbs
22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not
depart from it.
Susan: Scripture
teaches us how God created us to live. The word of God is not an a la carte
menu. Every course, every nutrient found there, is necessary for successful
Christian living.
Susie: Too
often, we want to eat the appetizers and desserts of God’s word and shy away
from studying the meat and veggies. However, 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches us that ALL
scripture is profitable.
2
Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works.
Susan: The
scripture is the essential equipment, the toolbelt, the Christian uses to
fulfill his or her divine destiny.
Susie: It is
the orientation document, procedure manual, and complete guide for the servant
of the Most-High God. All those who believe are in the employment of the King
of kings. Therefore, all of us should study and apply the Bible diligently.
QUESTIONS
1.
Describe Timothy’s spiritual heritage.
2.
If you were blessed with a strong heritage of
faith, write about it.
3.
How are you providing a heritage of faith for
your children and/or spiritual children?
4.
Write 2 Timothy 3:16 in your one words. Look it
up in several translations. Memorize this verse in the translation that helps
you understand it the best.
5. This passage
emphasizes the importance and effectiveness of
scripture. Do you feel you spend
enough time studying and eternalizing
God’s word? Do you have systematic
plan for reading the Bible?
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