20/05/2025
(2 Tim. 3:9).
Meanwhile, what must believers do to counteract those who resist the truth? Paul instructed Timothy to “continue (abide, remain under) in the things you have learned and been assured (convinced) of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (2 Tim. 3:15). Timothy had learned from Paul who served as an example, not only to Timothy but to us as well. Timothy knew firsthand Paul’s teaching, godly walk, faithful service, and patient suffering for the cause of Christ (2 Tim. 3:10-11).
Timothy had learned from his godly mother and grandmother who taught him the Scriptures from the time he was a young child (2 Tim. 3:15). These Scriptures were not only able to make him “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus,” they were also “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” that he might be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Throughout history people have withstood and attacked the truth of God’s Word. King Jehoiakim went so far as to throw one of the scrolls of the prophet Jeremiah in the fire (Jer. 36:23), but God simply had Jeremiah record His words again. As we go further in these “last days” of the age of grace, these attacks will continue, thus Paul directed Timothy to:
“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep (guard) by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (2 Tim. 1:13-14)
The “sound words” Paul refers to here include all Scripture, but they refer specifically to the truth of the mystery, that message given by revelation to the Apostle Paul for this present dispensation. Just as God entrusted this message of grace initially to Paul, Paul entrusted it to Timothy, and we are to entrust it to others as well (2 Tim. 2:2). It is vital that we “hold fast” to this truth and “keep” (or guard) it, not in our own power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit