2 Timothy 3:10-15

Believers need to be as wise as the serpent, aware of the evil times we live in, but as gentle as the Lamb of God in our actions in grace and love.

Knowledge of salvation in Jesus is the truth.

Faith in Him is the way.

2 Timothy 3:10-15

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Paul draws a sharp contrast between a Christian testimony and the way of the false teachers. He notes ten different qualities of his own teaching and life that Timothy had had opportunity to observe. Those who want to live godly lives must be prepared for persecution, literally “to be hunted.” God does not promise us deliverance from persecution but deliverance through it. Persecution is one of the means God uses to develop our capacity to reign with Him in His kingdom. 

The Greek word translated impostors can also mean sorcerers or swindlers. False teachers deceive themselves as well as others.

Paul emphasizes Timothy’s godly heritage. His mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois had faithfully taught him the Holy Scriptures. The truths of God’s Word directed Timothy to Christ. 

God’s Word and the Spirit of God are both essential for our salvation. The Word of God without the Spirit of God is lifeless; it has no power to act. But the Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God becomes a living force in our lives. NKJ Bible.

Paul connects his instruction and his lifestyle, listing the virtues that define true godliness, not just a form of it. In doing so, he contrasts himself with the false teachers. Paul’s entire ministry he considers worthy of imitation.

Paul visited these cities during his first missionary journey. In Pisidian Antioch,  opponents drove Paul out of the city. In Iconium,  they tried to stone him, in Lystra,  they finally succeeded.

 

Those who are godly should expect persecution. In Jewish tradition, boys received instruction in Torah beginning at age five.  In this context, salvation is the subject of instruction. Scripture makes a person wise, but the instruction of false teachers leads to folly. Throughout the Pastoral Letters, Paul relates knowledge of the truth with salvation. In this verse, Paul returns to “faith in Christ Jesus” as the means of salvation. 

Paul uses the Greek term theopneustos here (meaning “God-breathed”) to assure Timothy that Scripture is, in fact, from God. Although God used people to produce the Scriptures, their ultimate origin is God. By contrast, the false teaching that Timothy opposed comes from evil forces who spread their doctrine through errant teachers. Scripture is valuable because it corrects false teaching while building up believers to live godly lives. Faithlife Bible.

As good men, by the grace of God, grow better, so bad men, through the craft of Satan, and the power of their own corruptions, grow worse. The way of sin is down-hill; such go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Those who deceive others, deceive themselves, as they will find at last, to their cost. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.