Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 2 Timothy 3:10 - 3:17
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Ti_3:10-17
10Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2Ti_3:10-11 2Ti_3:10 is a contrast to the lives and priorities of the false teachers. Paul lists the things that Timothy shares with him in ministry:
1. Paul's Apostolic teaching (cf. 1Ti_4:6)
2. Paul's lifestyle
3. Paul's purpose
4. Paul's faith (cf. 1Ti_6:11)
5. Paul's patience
6. Paul's love (cf. 1Ti_6:11)
7. Paul's perseverance (cf. 1Ti_6:11)
8. Paul's persecutions
9. Paul's sufferings (cf. 1Co_4:10-13; 2Co_4:7-11; 2Co_6:3-10; 2Co_11:23-28)
All of the verbs in 2Ti_3:10-11 are aorist. Paul was reflecting on his missionary journeys and how the Lord had delivered him in every circumstance. He passes this encouragement on to Timothy by way of a reminder.
2Ti_3:11 "Antioch, Iconium and Lystra" From Acts 13, 14 we know that this was the area of Timothy's home.
2Ti_3:12 This is a shocking verse to modern western believers. Our culture has been spared many of the persecutions related to Christianity. But with the lack of persecution has also come a lack of power and godliness! Jesus was perfected by the things He suffered (cf. Heb_5:8). The things God uses to develop His children into Christlikeness are the very things modern westerners flee from! The health, wealth, and prosperity movement characterizes our spoiled, pampered culture.
Notice the text says "all"! Persecution is normal for God's children seeking to live for Him in a fallen world; yes, normal (cf. Mat_5:10-12; Joh_15:18-21; Joh_16:1-2; Joh_17:14; Act_14:22; Rom_5:3-4; Rom_8:17; 2Co_4:16-18; Php_1:29; 2Ti_1:8; 2Ti_2:3; 2Ti_3:12; 1Th_3:3; Jas_1:2-4; 1Pe_4:12-19)!
We are not to seek persecution, but we must live ready! If we die daily (cf. 2Co_5:14-15; Gal_2:20; 1Jn_3:16) for the cause of Christ, then physical death does not intimidate us anymore!
2Ti_3:13 "evil men and imposters" These false teachers were charlatans like the false magicians (cf. 2Ti_3:8).
▣ "will proceed" This is the same verb as in 2Ti_2:16.
▣ "deceiving" This is a present active participle. They led others astray as they are led themselves by evil.
▣ "and being deceived" This is a present passive participle. Those trapped by sin, self, and Satan tend to trap others!
2Ti_3:14 "continue in the things you have learned" This is a contrast to 2Ti_3:13 and continues the encouragement from 2Ti_3:10-12. This is a present active imperative (cf. 2Ti_2:13; Tit_1:9).
2Ti_3:15 "from childhood" This shows Timothy's religious training at home (cf. 2Ti_1:5). It is uncertain whether this refers to Judaism or Christianity.
▣ the sacred writings" This could include more than just the OT, but 2Ti_3:16 shows us that the OT is what is meant here.
▣ "which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation" This shows the primary purpose of Scripture is mankind's redemption. It also shows us the mechanism of redemption which is mankind's faith response to God's Messiah. This is the essence of Apostolic preaching (kerygma). However, 2Ti_3:17 shows that Scripture (which in this text must refer to the OT because the NT was not yet complete or in circulation) has another subsequent purpose — equipping the saints for lifestyle Christlikeness. Paul often used the OT to encourage believers to live godly lives. The OT does not function for "justification" (cf. Galatians 3), but it does function for "sanctification." See Special Topic at 1Ti_1:8.
hyperlink
2Ti_3:16 "All Scripture" There is no article. It could be translated "every Scripture" (NET Bible), but this may imply to some that they are isolated truths (propositions). The plague of modern Bible study is the "proof-text" method of interpretation which destroys the literary context and the intent of the inspired author.
▣ "is inspired by God" This is literally "God-exhaled." The how is not stated, but the who and the why are very specific! In 2Pe_1:21 the Spirit is the focus of inspiration, but here it is the Father. Both are active in this area!
This is such an important truth that I wold like to add my comments from 2Pe_1:20-21 (see hyperlink.
1Pe_1:20 "Scripture" This is one of several verses in the NT that speak of God's self-revelation in OT and NT writings (i.e., Scripture).
1. Mat_5:17-19
2. 1Co_2:9-13
3. 1Th_2:13
4. 2Ti_3:16
5. 1Pe_1:23-25
6. 2Pe_1:20-21
7. 2Pe_3:15-16
The essence of all of these is that Scripture is from God and of God, not human in origin. God inspired the writers (cf. 2Pe_1:20-21) and their writings (cf. 2Ti_3:16).
▣ "a matter of one's own interpretation" This phrase surely expresses the existing tension caused by the false teachers in the churches. It is possible that they were quoting Scripture and then putting their own spin on it (which is also common today).
In context it is difficult to know whether this phrase refers to (1) the OT writers or (2) the contemporary false teachers. If the first option, it speaks to the theological concept of inspiration (cf. 2Ti_3:16). The following verse seems to confirm this interpretation. If the second option, it speaks of the theological concept of illumination (i.e., that the Spirit guides believers in interpreting the Bible).
It must be stated that the evangelical concept of "the priesthood of the believer " is usually understood as the Spirit-given ability to interpret the Bible for oneself. However, biblically, the phrase refers to the church as the agent of accomplishing the Great Commission, cf. 1Pe_2:5; 1Pe_2:9; Rev_1:6. Notice in the OT (cf. Exo_19:6) and the NT the phrase "the priesthood of believers" is plural (i.e., corporate), not individual.
1Pe_1:21 "men moved by the Holy Spirit" This is literally "carried," which is a present passive participle. This adds emphasis to the truth that the Bible is God's message, not a human message! It is true that the Bible is in human words, but humans were uniquely guided by the Spirit. The Bible is not exhaustive truth, for no human can comprehend that level of reality, but it is trustworthy, adequate truth about God, about sin, about salvation, about godly living, and about eternity.
The exact method of inspiration varies.
1. theophanies
2. Urim and Thummin/lots
3. dreams
4. visions
5. trances
6. angels
7. symbolic acts
8. special events and interpretations
The questions remain (1) does God give the content and the human author the form or (2) does God give both?"
▣ "is profitable for. . ." God's word (Scripture) is characterized by two terms:
1. God-breathed
2. profitable
a. for (pros) teaching
(1) positive, 2Pe_3:10; 1Ti_5:17
(2) negative, 2 Pet. 4:3
b. for (pros) rebuking
c. for (pros) correction
d. for (pros) training (child discipline, cf. Heb_12:5; Heb_12:7-8; Heb_12:11) in righteousness
e. that (hina) the man of God may be adequate, 2Pe_3:17
f. equipped for (pros) every good work, 2Pe_3:17
This term "Scripture" always refers to the OT. The OT functions in "sanctification" but not "justification" (cf. Galatians 3). Salvation (justification) is in Christ through faith (cf. 2Pe_1:14).
These two verses are the twin aspects of the Great commission.
1. make disciples (Mat_28:19)
2. teach them (Mat_28:20)
They must go together! Maturity (Christlikeness) is the goal!
▣ "in righteousness" See Special Topic at Tit_2:12.
2Ti_3:17 "so that" This is a purpose clause (i.e., hina) which should be translated "in order that."
▣ "adequate" This term is found only here in the NT. It means "complete, capable, proficient, or entirely suited."
▣ "equipped" "Adequate" (artios) and "equipped" (exartizo) are cognate verbs used for equipping something for an assigned task (cf. Eph_4:12). It speaks of gifted, functioning maturity (i.e., Christlikeness) which is brought by the Spirit through the Scripture (2Ti_3:16). Salvation is brought about by the work of Christ and a faith/trust human response (cf. 2Ti_3:15).
▣ "for every good work" What God calls us to (cf. Eph_2:10), He equips us for (cf. 2Ti_2:21)!
Copyright © 2013 hyperlink