Chapter 3 of 2 Timothy contains two well-known verses that are very important (verses 16-17): “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” This, of course, was written by Paul at a time when there was not much around in the way of New Testament scripture. But that does not mean it is excluded. Many people wonder why we need the Old Testament at all, since we are not under the Law of Moses any longer. Those who ask that question can find the answer by studying it in earnest. It does not take long to find that it truly is “profitable.”

Paul begins chapter 4 by encouraging Timothy in his preaching and his example to others. The remainder of the chapter contains his greetings for others, as well as the clear message that Paul knows he is not going to be around much longer. He asks his young friend to come see him.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Tim 6, 2 Tim 1, 2 Tim 2, 2 Tim 3, 2 Tim 4

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, it is apparent that Paul is free, which leads many to believe that he was writing while on a fourth missionary journey, having been released from the Roman prison that we find him in during the latter part of the Book of Acts. In the first chapter of his second letter,  it is clear that he is once again in prison. It seems obvious that this is a second imprisonment in Rome, and that he would be executed there. He speaks of those in Asia who had “turned away” from him, as well as one who had been kind and cared for him while in his chains.

In chapter 2, Paul tells Timothy to “share in suffering as a good soldier.” He then says that “no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” He continues this thought later in the chapter in verses 23-25:

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.

While we should not fear speaking against evil, we will certainly have to endure it at times. Doing so “patiently” may not be so easy. Where do we draw the line at speaking out against evil, while not being too quarrelsome? Perhaps not an easy question to answer.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Tim 6, 2 Tim 1, 2 Tim 2, 2 Tim 3, 2 Tim 4

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.