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.
(16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(4:1) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: (2) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
The second letter of the Apostle Paul to Timothy was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome, condemned to death for his gospel of salvation by free grace to believers in the completed works of Christ Jesus. This is probably Paul’s last letter and in it he asks Timothy to come to him in Rome and to bring him his cloak before the winter. – imagine the wet and cold prison for an old, badly used, man. It is universally acknowledged by the historical data from that time that Paul was executed by Nero and Nero died in June of 68 A.D. So this letter dates no later than the fall of 67 A.D – and we don’t know if Timothy arrived with the warm cloak.
Just prior to the verses we study today, Paul had warned Timothy about certain religious persecution so that Timothy would be prepared to endure coming hardships and to stand firm in his ministry. Paul’s words here are emphatic and remind Timothy that the gospel he learned from Paul and the scripture learned from his grandmother and mother is trustworthy and has a firm foundation – truths not only to live by but to die for. Paul makes it clear that words in scripture have the inherent ability to give wisdom and the wisdom from scripture leads to salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. In verse 16 Paul writes that ALL scripture is inspired by God. All – every word with no exception. Jewish teaching and that of all the early Christian church was in agreement with this. The Bible is not a witness to revelation but is revelation given by God. It’s origin is divine.Paul further says that all scripture is profitable – it serves to meet the moral and spiritual needs of men; it attests to it’s divine inspiration; it teaches sound doctrine.
In our reading today we can hear Paul’s warning to not confuse salvation with sentimentality. Paul commands Timothy to preach the Word or the Scripture – meaning this preaching is essential and is to be given top priority. This is Paul’s final appeal/command based on the coming judgment and Paul’s approaching death: preach the message of the gospel. Preaching should be a presentation of biblical truth, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical and spirit guided study of a passage in its context. Preaching is primary and expository preaching (based on the Bible) is paramount. This is the reason I am writing this blog – my aim is that when I am done you can look at your Bible and understand what it is saying and how it applies to your life.
A man I much admire said that man worries about what he thinks of God but what matters is what God thinks of man. Scripture is based on truth and is for our information and transformation and as Paul tells us in Romans,” it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Later in Romans, chapter 10, verse 14 Paul writes: “ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
(2nd Timothy 4:2) ” Preach the word.” I feel that many (most) of our religious institutions today have forgotten these last words of Paul and that people are hungry for the Word of God