But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from who 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 long suffering and teaching. 

The apostle Paul wrote this letter from prison, awaiting execution. Our verses today concern his final and imperative message to Timothy.  Timothy was instructed from infancy  in the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother and then taught the doctrine of the New Testament by none less than an apostle.  Timothy was taught doctrine not of man but of God and knew that salvation is through faith in Christ Jesus.  Paul reminds Timothy that  all – the whole – of Scripture is divinely inspired by the prompting and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Those who use Scripture properly need nothing more for salvation.  Moses and the prophets didn’t speak or write at random but testified boldly at the suggestion of God – NOT MAN. What the New Testament adds to the Old Testament is simple; a natural explanation of the Law and the prophets rendered clear by the addition of the gospel.

Connecting Scripture and preaching, Paul is saying that all teachers have the duty to teach   Scripture as all wisdom is contained within.  Paul now makes the solemn charge that God will come as avenger and Christ as a judge if preachers cease to discharge their office of teaching.  Preachers, in constant earnestness, at all times (in and out of seasons) must teach God’s Word of doctrine and application. Scripture contains the wisdom that leads us to salvation – that equips us for every good thing for this life and godliness.

This final charge to Timothy and to all pastors to teach biblical truth is also a charge to all believers to welcome biblical preaching.  The Word is of utmost importance because Christ is coming again to judge the living and the dead.  As believers we will not face condemnation but we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  Paul’s last words tell Timothy and all of us to take life very seriously – to study all of Scripture and to know the text in context and application.  There will be inevitable opposition to preaching  of the Word but we are to persevere.  Amen