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 to Timothy was written by the apostle Paul from his dungeon in the Mamertine prison, awaiting execution for preaching the gospel. Timothy had been left in Ephesus in charge of the church there. Nero, the Roman emperor, had stepped up persecution against Christians. Paul is writing here with few commendations but many admonitions against against false teachers corrupting the gospel. Timothy was reminded that he had learned Scripture as a child from his mother and grandmother – here Paul is strictly referring to the sacred writings of the Old Testament. All Scripture is inspired by God – the great truth is the Bible is the Word of God. God used the personalities and style of human authors who were active but not in control. The God of truth would not inspire error. Jesus Christ referred to the Scriptures as authority for His actions – He said all Scripture bore witness to Him. They are the word of God, not men.

The New Testament was not yet all written but the Jewish scriptures were canon. Paul expects Timothy to be a contrast to false teachers by keeping steadily to old teaching of doctrine. Timothy would know the authority of Paul and that great doctrine of Christians was strictly based on Old Testament writings. All of the Bible points to the Christ, the Messiah. In those early, violent days of the church the opposition to the gospel was intensifying and Paul is reminding Timothy that there was to be no development in foundational doctrine that Paul had received directly from the Holy Spirit. The Lord Himself had spoken to him. Timothy was to consider evidence of changed lives, growing churches and committed believers. He had seen the power of God at work in the life of Paul. And Paul refers to the Scriptures as absolute truth and trustworthy in every area of life. In Timothy’s time of terrible persecution, many were falling away from the Word of God and even denying the resurrection.

All Scripture is God breathed – this means God is the originator of the Bible. The Bible did not come from the best religious ideas of the apostles or prophets. It teaches our NEED for salvation. It commands our hearts as well as our actions.