This has been a heavy letter, as Paul seems to capture everything about, and in the human experience. He writes to Timothy from the depths of his heart, and with an honesy that we rarely see today Paul has reminded Timothy of his Call, Delight and duty in the gospel. It is a letter to packed with emotion, urgency, and a deep picture of the generational reality of Gospel ministry – passing the baton.

In chapter 1, Paul urged Timothy to rekindle the flame, stand firm in the gospel, and not be ashamed—neither of the message nor of Paul’s suffering. This was a reminder that the Christian life, especially in ministry, requires courage and endurance, with the grace of Christ being the source of that strength.

As we enter chapter 2, Paul emphasises the significance of sharing the gospel with others. He illustrates this concept like a relay race—Timothy carrying the gospel baton, aiming to pass it to trustworthy individuals who will, in turn, instruct others. Paul underscores the need for perseverance, comparing it to the lives of soldiers, athletes, and farmers—each demanding discipline, patience, and dedicated focus on their responsibilities.

As we dive into chapter 3, the tone becomes more intense. Paul shares his heartfelt warnings about the “last days” and the challenges that lie ahead. He highlights not just external persecution, but also the risks we face from within—individuals who appear godly yet deny its true power. These misguided teachers often take advantage of the vulnerable among us. But through these challenges, one message shines through: stay faithful. Moving through this upcoming chapter, we’re gently reminded of the importance of discernment, perseverance, and, most importantly, embracing the truth of the gospel. Let’s trust that God’s word prepares us for every good work ahead!

1. The Reality of Difficult Times in the Last Days (3:1-5)

It is a strong introduction to the chapter as Paul continues to instruct Timothy about the road ahead. Throughout this letter, Paul’s instructions to Timothy have been clear in terms of both what he needs to do personally and what he will face both internally and externally. Rekindle his faith and content for the faith, and keep from stupid discussions and arguments as you do so so that those who are trying to argue don’t gain a stage. Rather, entrust the truth to reliable people and then gently instruct those who have turned so they might return to the beauty of the Gospel and life with Christ. Content strongly, constantly and faithfully declares Paul. Why? Because of the assurance of the Gospel – Christ has died and risen (2:8), and a solid foundation of God’s sovereign reign (2:19). This will be the call of Timothy, as It has been his call since Paul had first written to him and sent him to the church in Ephesus, and so it will remain his call as Paul has been in Chains, and it will be his call to lead when Paul fulfils the longings of his hear – to live is Christ and to die is gain.

The Beginning of the End (1)

Chapter 3 begins with starkness, a warning almost. Mark this as if you write it down, and take note – the verb literally means “know,” yet there is a jolt to it here. What is the jolt towards? Young Timothy must come to terms with what is coming – “terrible times,” “Days that will be full of danger”, or, as the NLT renders it simple, very difficult times. False teachings shaped around human wants and desires, morality twisted to suit whatever is prevalent in the culture, the church and her leaders being more concerned with what the world thinks – and thinks of the church – than God’s things (Chapters 1-2) are the jolt/sign/mark of the beginning of the last days. And these last days will be difficult.

It is not a very nice thing to hear, yet it is also a beautiful thing to hear because, in love, Paul wants to be honest with Timothy about what he has experienced and what he knows is ahead for this young leader in the faith. This verse should confront any notion in the church today that following Jesus is a call to ease and prosperity. Salvation comes by the Cross, and our call is the cross, so we should be ready that our lived experience in the Kingdom, as we wait for the coming of the Kingdom, will in some way reflect the Cross. Jesus told the 12 that the world would hate them – because they are his disciples. The world will hate the disciples of Christ not because they have done anything wrong nor have sought power for the sake of others; the world will hate the disciples of Jesus, even when those disciples are serving the sick, poor and vulnerable and risking their lives to tend to those most in need because of no other reason than Jesus. All the disciples experienced this as they continued the work of the Gospel after Christ’s ascension. Paul was living this as he lay in chains, and Timothy must come to terms with this as he seeks to rekindle his flame, tend to the faith and instruct reliable people in the truths he has received. And part of this call for young Timothy and those who will serve with him is coming to terms with the state of the world and, sadly , the state of the church.

The State of the World (2-5b)

There is a section on the United Nations website called “The State of our World,” and it begins by saying “The world economy has barely had the time to recover from a string of shocks that began with the 2007 financial crisis, and we can already see another global slowdown looming large. At the same time, high economic and social inequalities are fuelling some of the mass protests around the world. As we start a new decade, two reports by UN DESA offer a way out of this bleak situation.” The World, it seems, is not in a very good place; people are struggling, nations are fighting, and tensions are rising. These seem to be amplified and exasperated by our ever-increasing interconnectedness and interdependence; hence, the report states: “Rapid technological change, climate change, unprecedented urbanisation and international migration are all impacting inequalities between countries and people in various ways.”

I don’t even need to say this because you all have felt the state of the global economy more than anyone. Hyperinflation of currency, political tensions, corruption, and hopelessness are the normal experiences of so many people here. The world is a mess, and every time we turn on the TV, we see that more and more as culture turns inward and moral and spiritual decay becomes rationalised. Sometimes it feels like we live in the book of Judges where: ’ In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.’ – Judges 21:25 The world seems to be getting worse, but is it? You see, I think it’s just as bad as it has always been, but because we live in the age of instant information, we are just beginning to see more fully that the effects of sin spare no part of the globe. This is the state of our world, and the sad truth is that where humans move, sin affects us. Where humans move, sin abounds – and It is this Picture that Paul helps Timothy understand:

• Lovers of self: People will be selfish, simply they will put putting their own wants and needs first without a second thought for others.
• Lovers of money: Greed will take over, with wealth becoming their number one priority, even over their relationship with God.
• Boastful: They’ll be constantly talking themselves up, always trying to get recognition for their own achievements.
• Proud: Arrogance will be everywhere, with people thinking they’re superior to everyone around them.
• Demeaning: People will cut others down with their words, choosing to insult rather than encourage.
• Disobedient to parents: Respect for authority will collapse, starting with children ignoring their parents.
• Ungrateful: People won’t appreciate what they have, always wanting more but never stopping to say thanks.
• Unholy: There’ll be a disregard for anything sacred, with moral decay becoming the new normal.
• Unloving: Compassion will fade, and people will become cold, unable to truly care for anyone but themselves.
• Irreconcilable: People won’t want to forgive or make peace, holding onto grudges as if they’re trophies.
• Slanderers: Lies and gossip will spread like wildfire, with people using words to tear others apart.
• Without self-control: They’ll give in to every temptation with no restraint or discipline in their lives.
• Brutal: Violence will rise, and people will become harder, more heartless, and less compassionate.
• Without love for what is good: Goodness will be mocked, with people rejecting virtue in favour of whatever pleases them.
• Traitors: Betrayal will become common, with loyalty thrown out the window whenever it’s convenient.
• Reckless: People will act impulsively, never stopping to think about the damage they’re causing.
• Conceited: Self-importance will be rampant, with people constantly puffing themselves up.
• Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God: Pleasure will be the ultimate goal, with people chasing their own desires and completely turning their backs on God.
  

Isn’t that last line the most potent and terrifying of all? That people will love pleasure and not God. Do you see the point as Paul holds two things in contrast to show how far the world has fallen; people who were made to know Joy in God reject Him to pursue it in created things? The created things it knows better and looks to a disordered world to satisfy disordered desires rather than finding life and joy in the source of life. That is how devastating our sin has become; the lusts of our hearts have become the idols we serve. Paul has traced the downward spiral of humanity into the sin of ultimate rejection of God. It is bad, but it gets worse still.

The Worst of All (5)

Lists are fascinating; they reveal so much about the human mind or, in this case, what the writer was thinking. If you were to glance at one of the many to-do lists on my iPhone, you’d quickly see the things I value and those tasks I’d rather avoid. Paul has listed 19 characteristics that define the last days—marks of cultural decay where moral and spiritual death become the norm. His list feels like a descent into deeper and deeper darkness, and its conclusion is perhaps the most startling. Not because it’s of lesser importance, but because of the stark warning it gives Timothy: “They will maintain a facade of ‘religion’, but their conduct will deny its validity. You must keep clear of people like this” (2 Tim 3:5, J.B. Phillips). It’s not just that people will reject God outright; far worse, there will be those who try to look the part but don’t live the part. They’ll wear an outward appearance of religion yet inwardly deny God’s power. Behind the facade, they are, in Paul’s words, like wild animals—living for themselves, not for Him. These are the ones who’ve rejected the Spirit’s power to transform their lives, but they still cling to the appearance of godliness. In essence, they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit by rejecting His work while trying to pass off their false teachings as true power. And what should Timothy do? Paul tells him clearly—“You must keep clear of people like this”. He urges Timothy to exercise discernment and stay clear of such individuals, stressing the need for wisdom in relationships and ministry.

Timothy is called to recognise the danger of allowing false appearances to go unchecked, and its seriousness is clear. In a world where deception runs rampant, even in religious circles, guarding the truth requires courage and clarity. This is the battle Timothy faces, the same one we must face today.

2. The Corrupt Nature of False Teachers (3:6-9)

Paul now simply continues the warning that he has been graphically painting against the evil people of this world, with their form of godliness but lack of power. They look the look, and they can talk the talk – but they know nothing about the power of God and the true power of the Gospel. They are the pinnacle description of a wolf in sheep’s clothing that we have often heard of. It is an image that seems so stupid in our mind as we create; how could a wolf ever begin to hide itself as a sheep, yet that is the depth of evil? They take on the appearance of the sheep and mingle among them, adapting the behaviour of a sheep so that the other sheep think:

“Well, it looks like a sheep, and it talks like a sheep and moves like a sheep…. So even though it sometimes sounds a bit different to a sheep – it must be a sheep!”

Then, when the wolf has settled into the life of the flock and maybe even convinced itself it is one of the sheep, it starts to show its nature again, the nature of the wolf. The false teacher will always be the wolf, as they seek to devour for themselves and their glory, not for the benefit of the other or in service of the Lord. Thus, we have a devastating image of these people as defiled creatures who worm their way into people’s homes. Quite literally, they squiggle their way into trust.

The Worming Wolf (6)

To be invited into someone’s house in this culture was not just a random act; it was a gesture of deep friendship and trust. Those with the appearance of godliness seem to be good people you can trust, and so they worm their way into such positions to take advantage of them for their own agendas and glory. Eugene Peterson terms it as smoothly talking their way into the house and then “winning the confidence of vulnerable women” (3:6 NLT).

There is some important exegetical work to ensure we understand the fullness of this point in the passage. Those described in 3:6 as gynaikaria are a specified group. Paul is not referring to a trait of women in general, in the same way that the lists of sins in 2-4 could be used to describe every man. No, the specificity of this disparaging image is directed towards a specific group who are easily targeted at this time. The teaching point for Timothy here is not for those who are being targeted; rather, it displays the evil and selfishness of the false teachers who, in their deceit and cunning, pick upon the most vulnerable. This is the way of the wolf, false teachers who, in their cunning, pray on the spiritually vulnerable; in this context, a group of people “who are burdened with the guilt of sin, and controlled by various desires.” (3:6 NLT). Thus, again, we remember that the main thrust of verses 6-7 is not to rebuke a specific group within the church; Paul is writing a personal letter to his friend in the ministry to offer personal instruction and wisdom for Timothy – the point is to help Timothy to see the way of the wolf so that he can recognise the betrayal of the false teacher and fight against it.

Entrapped in the Search of Truth to Avoid Truth (7)

These false teachers were spiritual predators who preyed on the vulnerable in the hope of enriching themselves in status, influence and wealth. Seemingly, by the inference of the verse, the false teaching made many of these vulnerable people obsessed with their bondage of sin because they had not grasped the freedom of the Gospel. Yet, they were devoted to study and the search for the truth – “always learning” (NIV) or always “following new teachings” (NLT) yet never arriving at the truth. This might be a susceptible group, but in a way, they seem genuine. Yet, because of the betrayal of the wolf, they are trapped in this cycle of knowledge without ever being able to arrive at the truth they need – the Gospel of Christ: He who died for their sins and ascended. Why? To free us from the bondage of sin! False teachers do not just distort the Gospel; they keep people from it. The root

Even Moses Had It (8)

To help Timothy grasp the point that Paul is making, Paul draws on Old Testament events to ground the threat in the history of God’s people. Interestingly, Jannes and Jambres are not names found in Scripture but are drawn from Jewish oral traditions and extrabiblical literature. These two magicians are believed to have been part of Pharaoh’s court, opposing Moses during the plagues:

Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. [12] They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staff. [13] Pharaoh’s heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted. – Exodus 7:11-13 NLT

False teachers are not just good people who are misguided, nor are they preachers who have merely lost their way. Paul clarifies that these false teachers are like the magicians who stood with Pharaoh and directly opposed God and His servant, Moses. False teachers are rebels of the deepest depravity—enemies of the Lord and His rescue plan. God has rejected them.

Yes, they might be gaining a foothold in people’s lives and even within the church. They may lead people away from Christ’s truth and God’s redeeming work. This situation may have been one of the factors causing Timothy to tire, prompting Paul to challenge him to be bold and rekindle the flame of faith. Timothy, contending for the truth, likely watched as these false teachers appeared to have more success than him—it must have been heartbreaking. But Paul assures Timothy, reminding him that any progress these false teachers make is only ever temporary.

Gospel Truth Will Always Prevail (9)

Just as Jannes and Jambres appeared to succeed in Pharaoh’s court, the Lord soon displayed His ultimate power, overwhelming the enemies of His people. Pharaoh, who kept God’s people in bondage, was brought low as the ten plagues descended upon Egypt, each one a declaration of the Lord’s supremacy: “I AM WHO I AM, and I will set My people free.” In the same way, these false teachers may seem to make progress for a time, but they, too, will be stopped in their tracks. Why? Because, as the NLT says, “they are men who are corrupt in mind and worthless regarding the faith.” They offer a counterfeit version of faith, but there will come a day when their progress halts as the truth becomes clear. People will realise that the freedom these false teachers promised is bondage, the ‘truth’ they preached was a lie, and the hope they sold leads only to despair.

Just as God exposed the futility of Jannes and Jambres’ magic with the plagues, demonstrating His own power time and again, so too will the power of Christ in the lives of the faithful, empowered by the Holy Spirit, expose the false teaching of today. Those who love God rather than themselves, who live humble, Christ-like lives that embrace the true power of godliness, will, by their faithful living, expose the Jannes and Jambres of their day. These false teachers will be shown for what they are: their opposition to the truth is temporary, and their corrupt motives will eventually be brought to light by God.

3. Timothy’s Example of Faithfulness (3:10-11)

If you’ve been in ministry long enough or involved in the church for any length, you’ll know that certain people have a word that marks the beginning of something. It doesn’t matter where you are, the context or the denomination, but one word can cause a church leader to tense up: but. It’s a word that often brings a complaint or a concern that dismisses whatever we might have just said. “But” can be a difficult word to hear, and yet, I think we might have one of the most beautiful uses of it in all of Scripture here. Paul has painted a grim picture of the world’s depravity, the wretchedness of false teachers, and the dangers facing those who fall under their influence. It’s been a difficult listen, with moral and spiritual decay on display. And then Paul responds with the most beautiful but!

“But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance.”

In response to the darkness and danger brought by false teachers, Paul commends the beauty of Timothy’s faithfulness. Timothy has followed Paul’s teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, and this is to be praised. It’s faithful plodding that starkly contrasts the false teachings and moral decay around him. Timothy’s life shows true discipleship: steady, persistent, and grounded in the truth of Christ. His faithful plodding is the antidote to the cancer that heresy brings.

The word “followed” used in verse 10 can mean anything from “investigated” to “imitated” or “followed closely.” Timothy has done all of these, and in doing so, he stands as the antithesis of the false teachers. Where they distort the gospel, Timothy has consistently lived and modelled the way of Jesus.

In our age of increasing darkness, division, and disruption, we can feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges in our ministries, churches, and nations. It’s tempting to think we need grand schemes or large-scale movements to counter them. Yet, in Paul’s commendation of Timothy, we are reminded that what is required of us is faithfulness. We are called to keep on plodding faithfully where God has placed us, using the means of grace He has given: teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, all modelled after Christ and His cross, in Christ’s suffering on the Cross. The answer to false teaching and the moral decay of the world is the gospel lived out and proclaimed in the power of God, of which Paul’s list’s are steeped in:

• Teaching (Didaskalia): Timothy embraced Paul’s teachings, firmly rooted in the truth of Christ. It’s all about holding on to the right beliefs—staying true to what Jesus shared and passing it along in a way that’s clear and honest, without adding or twisting anything. It’s a heartfelt commitment to share the gospel just as it is, free from any distortions.
• Conduct (Anastrophē):Timothy didn’t just listen to Paul; he watched how he lived. It wasn’t just talk—it was how Paul’s faith showed up in how he acted, day in and day out. Timothy has been following that example, seeing faith put into practice in real life, not just in words.
• Purpose (Prothesis):Paul lived with a clear purpose—everything he did aimed to make Christ known and spread the gospel. Timothy understood this and made it his own aim and focus. This is about living intentionally, not just going with the flow but being driven by God’s call.
• Faith (Pistis):Timothy’s faith echoed Paul’s unwavering trust in God, even when things got tough. Faith holds you firm when everything else shakes—it’s that deep trust in God’s promises when the world around you falls apart.
• Patience (Makrothumia):Paul showed Timothy the importance of holding your nerve—being patient when others lose theirs. Patience in ministry isn’t just waiting; it’s enduring without bitterness, staying steady when things don’t go your way, and keeping calm when challenges come.
• Love (Agapē):Timothy saw in Paul a love that wasn’t just words but action. It’s a love that sacrifices serves, and looks out for others, even when it costs. This is the Christ-like love that puts others first, the kind of love that makes a difference.
• Endurance (Hypomonē):Endurance is about sticking with it. Paul and Timothy didn’t throw in the towel when the going got tough. This is about staying on the path, no matter the setbacks, knowing that our hope in Christ will see us through.
  

After following Paul’s teaching and way of life, Timothy has seen firsthand the persecutions Paul faced, particularly in places like Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. He’s witnessed how Paul faced suffering and how the Lord delivered him each time. Timothy is reminded that, just like Paul, God’s faithfulness shines through even in the darkest of trials. That’s the call for Timothy—to keep faithfully plodding forward, knowing that God delivers, sustains, and will ultimately make His power known.

4. Persecution for the Godly (3:12-13)

Paul suffered for the Gospel, of that there can be no doubt; we read about his journey to faith, and then because of that faith, the journey that he undertook to make sure that the Goepl advanced wherever the Spirit led him. It was a sobering reality that stood in contrast to the world of his day. Where the wise and teachers would have been expected to live comfortable, joyful lives. Yet, here was Paul, a well-educated Roman citizen who had the world at his feet in terms of his culture and background, running about from place to place, subjecting himself to beatings, mockery, and murder attempts as he moved about the known world. Why? Because he had met Jesus, and at that moment, he had realised that he had found what it was he had been looking for his entire life and that all the trials and tribulations of the world could not affect that gift of Grace in his life or living. Paul’s life showed the value of Jesus, and his consistency shows us that he meant what he said when he said:

“ But whatever gains were to me, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

In Jesus, Paul found the fullness of life and a reason to keep on living regardless of the circumstances. There was nothing contextual that could be effectual in relation to the eternal Joy that Paul grasped on the Damascus road, Joy that was sustaining him every day, that he grasped fully in a moment, yet, by faith, knew there was far more to come. The joy that a sinful world despises because it takes people from the powers and principalities of this world into the safety of life with Christ.

The Reality of a Good Life in a Broken World (12)

That is why we cannot be surprised that false teachers will come as the enemy tries to weaken the Kingdom and the power of the Gospel at work in the world. And that is why we cannot be surprised when difficulty comes because of our identity and life with Christ. They Crucified Jesus for what he claimed of himself and offered to the world; thus, we cannot be surprised when a mark of true following will be difficult because of following. Paul highlights this simply when he says that all who want to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. It was not an isolated event for Jesus, nor was it an isolated event for Paul, Simon Peter, James, son of Zebedee, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, Matthias. It has happened to us all, Timothy, so you who genuinely love Jesus and know the power of the Holy Spirit should expect it to. “All who seek to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will face persecution,” it was true 2000 years ago, and it remains true to this day in every corner of the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ who are true to his calling, ethic, and teaching will evoke from the world a reaction against the Kingdom of God. That reaction will be different in terms of the context and culture, but it will come, and its arrival is an affirmation of the genuineness of our love of God and what he is doing in us and through us.

A Temporary Reality (13)

Sadly, as the godly are persecuted, and that increases, so will the iniquity of those who resist God and work against him. Evil people and Imposters (false teachers) will become worse; they will continue to deceive and be deceived themselves. In a world broken by sin, those who give themselves over to sin shall know only an increase in their corruption. The New Living captures the contrast between verses 12 and 13 as it writes of evil people: “They will flourish.” While the Godly suffer, the godless shall flourish; and for the faithful, it will be difficult to comprehend, but we are those who remember that we have already received fully in Christ, and a day is coming when Christ will declare his final amen. It is a sobering reminder of the ongoing Battle we are in. In Paul’s words and contrasts here, we are reminded that our identity as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven is not in effect but active. To belong to a Kingdom is to be ready to defend that Kingdom, so as we serve with love and humility, we do so knowing that it is an act of upside-down warfare, not against the people we are serving – but against the powers of Darkness and the curse of sin. It is an act modelled on the victory of the Cross – we live out its ethic in the power of the

5. Continue in What You Have Learned (3:14-15)

Evil people and false teachers will flourish in the age of sin. Of that, we can be sure, and it can be discouraging for the faithful. In the power of the Spirit, we labour faithfully where God has placed us, and we feel the difficulty of our context and the world we live in. It can leave us thinking, “Why even bother?” or wondering what we are to do in the face of rising evil, false teaching and darkness. Paul offers this advice to Timothy as he contrasts the evil of this world with the beauty of Gospel life and teaching. It is another beautiful “but” that sings with Gospel encouragement based on the sovereign power of God.

Keep On Going (14)

In the face of such peril and evil, Paul simply encourages Timothy to keep on going with the things that he has known from his childhood. That which his Grandmother received, and his Mother lived, and which Timothy inherited as his own. The Gospel, in which Timothy has flourished, is all he needs to continue to live well for God and flourish in God. This will be the fruit of his rekindled flame as he renews himself in the Lord and continues to contend for the faith that has been handed down.

What must Timothy do? He is encouraged to stand steadfast in the teachings he received as a child. Teachings that have given him life and shaped his life. Simply put, Timothy has been called to consistency in doctrine, truth, and conviction. These are things that he has not only been taught but has become convinced of – in that he has weighed them and found them to be of complete truth and eternal value.

Why is he convinced of it? Because of the life, witness and beauty of faith in those who have been around him. He has seen the authenticity of the Gospel in the lives of those who received it and passed it on to him. How we live matters because how we live displays what we live for, and as disciples of Christ, we remember that our daily life is an active sermon being written and preached. Those who live faithfully in the way of Christ for the cause of Christ are God’s active but to the darkness and sin of the world and false teachers until he comes again.

Stick to the Word and Stick in the Word (15)

What is Timothy to do in the face of persecution, darkness and false teachings? Continue in the faith received and confirmed and in the Holy Scriptures that he has been immersed in since infancy. Interesting, isn’t it that Paul reminds Timothy of the Word of God? Even though every one of us here knows the beauty of the Scriptures and believes them as necessary for the life of the church and in the life of faith, we can become lazy with the Scriptures. I know I can. Yet, more interesting is that in the Global church today, the biggest assault within the Church is often towards the word of God by which God has made himself known. Today, what is the easiest way to Spot a false teacher? Perhaps, by simply how they regard or disregard God’s word. We are a people of the word because it is by the word the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and shows us the beauty of Jesus.

We know that Salvation does not automatically come from reading the Holy Scriptrues or else there would be many an academic would have come to know the wonder of God. Yet, we know equally and in tension that the word is the primary tool in which God the Holy Spirit will convict individuals of their sin, instruct them in the life of faith, and equip the Church to content for the Faith and the work of the Kingdom. It is by the Spirit that the Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

It was Timothy’s upbringing in the Scriptures, as he was taught by strong women of faith – his Mother and Grandmother – that is his grounding for life and ministry as he seeks to entrust the faith to reliable people via the same means. Timothy must hold fast to the Doctrine via the Scriptures he has received and seen modelled in the life of his family and Paul (even now in Chains) and then build on that foundation by instructing others in a way that helps them see the beauty of Christ, the peril of Darkness and the joy of serving Christ our Lord. Then, they become living stones in the house of faith that God is building and is still building today.

6. The Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture (3:16-17)

Here is the simple summary at the End of Chapter 3, it is all about Scripture. Paul affirms what Timothy has received from the Scriptures from childhood as truth for living and the way that God reveals Christ – “which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.” It is the word of God that reveals the Son of God to the people of God, allowing us to come to know Jesus. The Holy Scriptures is the primary means of instruction in faith and introduction to Jesus for the believer and in the church. Simply put, it is the Holy Scriptures that make God’s redeeming work known and enable us to come to the security of eternity in Christ. How? The Holy Spirit uses them to illuminate our sin and our need for a saviour.

The scriptures are all that is necessary to make Salvation known; the scriptures are the means by which we preach Christ Crucified. The word of God is a means of the Grace of God in the life of the Church and to bring life to the world. It was true some 2000 years ago, and it has remained true every year since, as the faithful have contended for the faith by pressing into the word, preaching the word and defending the word form all assaults of the enemies and secular academic’s who engage its history and deny its power. You want to know a Church today that is healthy and vibrant, making disciples and fufifling the call of Christ in word and deed? They you don’t need to look at their vision statement, their employees or the size of their bank account. No, you need to simply consider their preaching of the word, and teaching of the word. Growing Churches are Gospel-centric churches that preach the word.

The word of God is the primary means of the Kingdom in the life of the Church, and the churches witness to the world. Yet, we are reminded beautifully here it is useful for so much more than just the revelation of Scripture and knowledge of Jesus Christ, the scritpures are multi-purpose in the life of the church; the bible bring life, as John Newton wrote:

Precious Bible! What a treasure
Does the Word of God afford!
All I want for life or pleasure,
Food and Medicine, shield and sword;
Let the world account me poor—
Christ and this, I need no more.
– John Newton

Timothy has known the beauty of the Scriptures from his childhood, and in their beauty, he has met Jesus. As he has come to know them, he has also grasped that “The Bible is the Word of God given in the words of people in history.” (George Eldon Ladd). They are Poems, Songs, Laments, Histories, and laws by the hand of humanity but fully inspired by God. Let us be clear: these two verses represent the strongest statement about the nature of Scripture in all of Scripture. They remind us just how vital the word of God is for the life of God across all of time and place. I read about an interview that the Daily Mail (a British paper) did with an American Pastor who said “The Bible “wasn’t written for 2024.” To this heresy, the Scripture’s retort: ALL OF SCRIPTURES IS GOD-BREATHED AND USEFUL… Quite literally, Paul is reminding Timothy that every word of the Scriptures has been purposed by God and written by human hands under inspiration. In the language of creation, where God spoke all that is into existence by his word, Paul reminds Timothy that he has spoked the Scriptures into existence for the same purpose – to give life and to order life. Paul’s main point is the usefulness of Scripture in the life of the church, a usefulness built on its inspiration. They make known salvation through Jesus Christ, and they are the means of Order and Grace in the life of the church. Thus, Paul helps Timothy to understand just how helpful Scripture is:

• Teaching: In the same modus as verse 10, the scriptures are useful for doctrine because they reveal the truths of God. The word of God is used to teach the principles of God and their implications for the believer and church. As Timothy has received Paul’s teaching, the church across the ages will receive the same Gospel and doctrine by the word.
• Rebuking: A Strange concept perhaps for us today. Yet, when you think that the primary purpose of Paul’s writing his pastoral letters to Timothy is to address false teaching in the church in Ephesus, then we understand rebuking as appropriate in the overall context. People are teaching death-giving heresy, and by the word of God, they shall be rebuked.
• Correction: In the same way that the Scriptures can be used to point out our falseness and error (rebuke), they can be used to redress or redirect those falseness. It is one thing to say, “You are wrong,” but pointing to what is right is more beautiful. Correction here means to straighten out and set the path right.
• Training in Righteousness: This final item in a beautiful list provides an ongoing reality for the Scriptures in the church’s life. The verbal form of the word training is continuous and similar to Titus 2:11-14 and reminds Timothy that the word of God must be active in the daily life of the faith community to equip the saints to live in the Kingdom and live out the Kingdom. The Scriptures are the primary tool that the Holy Spirit will use to prune and shape us internally and externally as we are made more into the image of God. Thus, the NLT’s phrasing “teaches us to do what is right,” or Eugene Peterson’s translation of “training us to live God’s way” reminds us about the ongoing and constant reality of the Scriptures in the life of the Church. All of these points is why Article 6 of the Anglican formula’s declares:
  

Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture, we understand those canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, whose authority was never doubted by the Church.

Teaching is the starting foundation of Paul’s summary of the usefulness of Scripture, as he reminds Timothy of the ways it can be used in the life of the Church and must be used to rebuke heresy and paint the beauty of Gospel truth; Paul then summarises all the usefulness of Scripture in verse 17. The Scripture does all of these things in the life of the Church and individual disciples so that they are equipped to live out God’s way in the world, in word and deed. The Scriptures help us to enter the Kingdom by faith, and then the Scriptures help us to live in and out of the Kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Eugene Peterson’s capture of the essence of Paul’s point is vital for us to ground it in our context: “Through the Word, we are put together and shaped up for the task God has for us.”

The ultimate purpose of Scripture is to equip the man of God for every good work, ensuring that Timothy and all believers are thoroughly prepared for their ministries. Scripture is the foundation for faithful ministry, guiding us to persevere and grow in godliness. The importance of good works in pastoral letters should never be understated, not as a means of Grace but as a response to Grace. We have been made wise to salvation in Jesus Christ, so we delight in living out that call so others can know it. These Good deeds are not needless moral acts of righteousness; they are the very outworking of the great commission. The blending of Sound Doctrine and good living proves the validity of what we believe, as we live it. Gospel belief shoudl lead to Gospel living: Gospel living displays the truth and beauty of Gospel belief.

Something which starts back in 1 Timothy 1:5-11, where Paul talks about purity, faith, and having a good conscience, and then as he goes on in his writing, he outlines the importance of faith lived out in Elders and Deacons (1 Timothy 3), and for church leaders (1 Tim 4:6-16), and for those the church might support (1 Timothy 5:3-10). Thus, today, we are reminded that for us to affirm the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures as inspired by God for this world today, the importance of grounding the church is vital doctrine and teaching; we must then also recognise the ethical implications for our daily life and ministry: inspired Scripture should lead to inspired living as the Spirit empowers us to correct the error and the cause of Kingdom good deeds, so that in all aspects of our lives, and through all aspects of our living, Christ might be made known.