2Timothy 3:10-17

Sunday Morning Bible Study

December 10, 2000

Introduction

As we mentioned last week, this is Paul’s last letter before being executed by Nero. There’s a passion in what he writes to his dear friend Timothy.

:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

hast fully known – parakoloutheo – to follow after; so to follow one as to be always at his side; to follow close, accompany. Perfect tense, past action with results continuing.

doctrine – didaskalia – teaching, instruction

manner of life – agoge – a leading; conduct; way or course of life

purpose – prothesis – a setting forth of a thing, placing of it in view; a purpose

faith – pistis – faith; fidelity, faithfulness

longsuffering – makrothumia – patience, endurance, steadfastness, perseverance; slowness in avenging wrongs; patience with difficult people.

charity – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

patience – hupomone – in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

:11 Persecutions, afflictions,

persecutions – diogmos – persecution

afflictions – pathema – that which one suffers or has suffered

:11 which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra;

It was on Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas that he faced persecution at these three cities in Asia Minor. Iconium is about 70 miles south of Antioch. Lystra is about 20 miles further south of Iconium.

Antioch –

In Acts 13:44-52, we read of Paul being used to preach to multitudes in the city of Antioch. But some of the unbelieving Jews became envious of Paul’s popularity, and they had him run out of town.

Iconium –

In Acts 14:1-6, we read of Paul moving south to Iconium, where Paul was again threatened by unbelieving Jews. They threatened to stone him, and he left town.

Lystra –

(Acts 14:8-20 KJV) And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: {9} The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, {10} Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. {11} And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. {12} And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. {13} Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. {14} Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, {15} And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: {16} Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. {17} Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. {18} And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. {19} And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. {20} Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

This was Timothy’s home town, but Timothy was just a kid at the time. He wasn’t yet acquainted with Paul.

This may be the first time that Timothy and his family became exposed to Paul, but because of what Paul says here, it’s possible that Timothy’s family may have even seen or heard Paul in Antioch.

It won’t be until Acts 16:1-3 that Paul meets young Timothy in Derbe and Lystra on his second missionary journey with Silas. Timothy would join Paul and become his disciple.

But it seems that Paul’s example to Timothy may have started before Acts 16.

:11 what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

I endured – hupophero – to bear by being under, bear up (a thing placed on one’s shoulders); to bear patiently, to endure

delivered

Lesson

Timothy is watching

You may be aware that others are watching your life. We usually hope that they will see all the good things happening to us and watching us being blessed by God.

But I kind of wonder if the things that really will catch the eye of the Timothy who is watching me is not how blessed I can be, but how I handle the tough times, the persecution, the suffering.

I would dare to think that how I handle the tough times will be the greatest thing to impact others.

Will I demonstrate “longsuffering, charity, patience”, even when I’m in the fire?

Timothy is watching.

:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

will – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; to take delight in, have pleasure

godly – eusebos – piously, godly

live

shall suffer persecution – dioko – to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; in any way whatever to harass, trouble; to be mistreated

Lesson

Living right brings trouble

We have this notion that if we want to live in a way that pleases God, that life ought to be better and easier. But it seems that in reality, just the opposite is true.

Heavy persecution

We really don’t know what this is all about.

Illustration

This is from the Gospel for Asia website –

"Flying Stones"
West Bengal

It was late at night, and native missionary Rinzin was all alone walking home from the nearby village on his new mission field in West Bengal. Suddenly stones flew all around him. He desperately ran for cover, not sure from which direction the attack came. Shaken up but unharmed, he reached his small rented room on the outskirts of the tea plantation.

Born in Bhutan, Rinzin was no stranger to persecution. Right after accepting Christ as a youth, he was banned from attending school. Shortly after he had led his entire family to Jesus, they all were excommunicated from their village. Later on when the Lord called him to full-time ministry, Rinzin attended GFA's missionary training center in Nepal. After his graduation in April 1997, he was sent out to West Bengal to work among the poor and mostly illiterate laborers on a tea estate.

Most of these plantation workers are either idol worshippers from Nepal or Adivasis, who venerate nature and ancestral spirits. Both groups practice witchcraft, regard Christianity as a foreign religion and ostracize anyone from their community who accepts Christ.

Flying stones were only the beginning. Rinzin had to endure countless trials, opposition, threats and beating. But he never considered leaving his mission field. Instead, he prayed a great deal and trusted the Lord Who called him.

And God began to open doors for him. A man suffering from tuberculosis was instantly healed when Rinzin prayed for him. Others were likewise freed from demon possession or healed from sickness when he called upon the mighty name of Jesus on their behalf. People began to come to Christ. As the number of believers grew, GFA sent two Bible women, graduates form our Bhutan training center, to help Rinzin and his wife with the outreach work.

In the meantime, the church has grown to 50 members and presently a new church building is under construction.

The persecution hasn't stopped; but now in the midst of darkness, the light of the Gospel is shining brightly.

Deciding to serve Jesus

When you make a decision to serve the Lord, don’t be surprised when you have a bad week. Expect it.

The enemy will try his hardest to discourage you any time that you take a stand for Jesus. Expect it.

:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse …

evil

seducers

shall wax

worse

deceiving

Don’t be discouraged when you see evil people prospering. It will get even worse.

continue – meno – to remain, abide

learned

hast been assured of

:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,

child – brephos – an unborn child, embryo, a fetus; a new-born child, an infant, a babe

Timothy had been taught about the Lord from an early age. Paul mentions his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice being the ones that knew the Lord first. It is most likely that they raised Timothy to know the Lord.

holy

scriptures

Lesson

Children can know

Kids may not always get all the Bible facts right …

Illustration

" K I D' S B I B L E B L O O P E R S " (true)

In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so He took the Sabbath off. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.

Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Syanide to get the Ten Amendments. The first Commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple. The Fifth Commandment is to humor thy father and mother. Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought with the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times. Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

Just because kids may not always get some of the facts right, they are able to know Jesus.

That’s part of what our Children’s Ministry is all about, to be a part of helping your kids to know Jesus better.

:15 which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

are able

make … wise

Lesson

The gospel

It starts with the Scriptures, knowing what they say about salvation.

If you want to understand salvation better, you need to read the Scriptures. I’d encourage you to start with the gospel of John.

It’s through the Scriptures that we learn that we are all sinners. It’s through the Scriptures that we learn that our sin brings a separation between us and God. It’s through the Scriptures that we learn that God has provided a remedy to take care of our sin. God loved us so much that He allowed His only Son to become a sacrifice and to pay the penalty for our sins.

:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God

all – pas – individually; each, every, all, the whole, everything

Paul doesn’t say “some Scripture” is given by inspiration, but ALL.

A phrase you will hear some liberal theologians use is, “The Bible contains the Word of God.”

This might sound okay, but what they’re really saying is, “Not all of the Bible is the Word of God.”

Yet Paul says, “ALL” Scripture.

If I am going to water this down and say that only “some” things are inspired, then I’m going to face a problem. How do I know what is inspired and what isn’t? I find myself at the mercy of the “scholars” (so-called).

scripture – graphe – a writing, thing written; the Scripture

Though Paul could have only had the Old Testament in mind, it wasn’t long before the Church realized that the writings of the apostles were also Scripture. In fact, at the time that Paul wrote this, Peter wrote of Paul’s writings and said they were equal with the other Scriptures (2Pet. 3:15-16).

given by inspiration of God – theopneustos (“God” + “breathed”) – inspired by God

(2 Pet 1:21 KJV) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

We can trust the Bible.

How can I know that God is behind this book, and not just a bunch of crazy fanatics?

One of the greatest facts that attest to the Scriptures being inspired by God is that of fulfilled prophecy. And one of the greatest areas of fulfilled prophecies has to do with the coming of our Messiah.

Did you know that there are over 300 specific prophesies in the Old Testament concerning the first coming of Jesus Christ?

What are the odds?

Peter Stoner wrote a book called Science Speaks (Moody Press, 1963), that applies the science of probability to the prophesies of Jesus.

First, Stoner looks at just eight of the prophecies and considers the probability of just these being fulfilled by one man. (from Evidence That Demands A Verdict… pg.174-176)

1) Being born in Bethlehem (Mic.5:2)

2) Preceded by a messenger (Is.40:3)

3) Entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Zec 9:9)

4) Betrayed by a friend (Ps.41:9)

5) Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zec 11:12)

6) Money thrown in the temple, buying a potter's field (Zech 11:13)

7) Dumb before accusers (Is.53:7)

8) Hands and feet pierced, crucified with thieves (Ps.22:16; Is.53:12)

Stoner concludes that the odds of any man that might have lived down to the present time fulfilling all eight of these prophecies are 1 in 10¹⁷. That's a one with seventeen zeroes after it!

To grasp the size of this number …

“Suppose we take 10¹⁷ silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wished, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time, providing they wrote them in their own wisdom.”

But keep in mind, that's with only EIGHT of the prophecies! Don’t forget that there were over 300 prophecies concerning Jesus

The Bible is an incredible book. It is trustworthy. It has been “breathed” by God.

:16 and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

profitable – ophelimos – profitable

God’s Word is useful.

doctrine – didaskalia – teaching, instruction

To teach you about God. To teach you about life.

reproof – elegchos – a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested; conviction

To convict you of your sin.

correction – epanorthosis (“upon” + “straighten”) – restoration to an upright or right state; correction, improvement of life or character

To straighten you up.

instruction – paideia – the whole training and education of children

in righteousness

To grow you up.

:17 That the man of God may be perfect,

perfect – artios – fitted; complete, perfect; specially adapted

God wants us to be equipped with exactly what we need for what’s up ahead. It happens through His Word.

:17 thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

thoroughly furnished – exartizo – to complete, finish; to furnish perfectly; accomplish

God has good deeds for us. It’s His Word that gets us ready and makes us useful. Continue in God’s Word.

Introduction

As we mentioned last week, this is Paul’s last letter before being executed by Nero. There’s a passion in what he writes to his dear friend Timothy.

:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

hast fully known – parakoloutheo – to follow after; so to follow one as to be always at his side; to follow close, accompany. Perfect tense, past action with results continuing.

doctrine – didaskalia – teaching, instruction

manner of life – agoge – a leading; conduct; way or course of life

purpose – prothesis – a setting forth of a thing, placing of it in view; a purpose

faith – pistis – faith; fidelity, faithfulness

longsuffering – makrothumia – patience, endurance, steadfastness, perseverance; slowness in avenging wrongs; patience with difficult people.

charity – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

patience – hupomone – in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

:11 Persecutions, afflictions,

persecutions – diogmos – persecution

afflictions – pathema – that which one suffers or has suffered

:11 which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra;

It was on Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas that he faced persecution at these three cities in Asia Minor. Iconium is about 70 miles south of Antioch. Lystra is about 20 miles further south of Iconium.

Antioch –

In Acts 13:44-52, we read of Paul being used to preach to multitudes in the city of Antioch. But some of the unbelieving Jews became envious of Paul’s popularity, and they had him run out of town.

Iconium –

In Acts 14:1-6, we read of Paul moving south to Iconium, where Paul was again threatened by unbelieving Jews. They threatened to stone him, and he left town.

Lystra –

This was Timothy’s home town, but Timothy was just a kid at the time. He wasn’t yet acquainted with Paul.

This may be the first time that Timothy and his family became exposed to Paul, but because of what Paul says here, it’s possible that Timothy’s family may have even seen or heard Paul in Antioch.

It won’t be until Acts 16:1-3 that Paul meets young Timothy in Derbe and Lystra on his second missionary journey with Silas. Timothy would join Paul and become his disciple.

But it seems that Paul’s example to Timothy may have started before Acts 16.

:11 what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

I endured – hupophero – to bear by being under, bear up (a thing placed on one’s shoulders); to bear patiently, to endure

delivered – rhoumai – to draw to one’s self, to rescue, to deliver

Lesson

Timothy is watching

You may be aware that others are watching your life. We usually hope that they will see all the good things happening to us and watching us being blessed by God.

But I kind of wonder if the things that really will catch the eye of the Timothy who is watching me is not how blessed I can be, but how I handle the tough times, the persecution, the suffering.

I would dare to think that how I handle the tough times will be the greatest thing to impact others.

Will I demonstrate “longsuffering, charity, patience”, even when I’m in the fire?

Timothy is watching.

:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

will – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; to take delight in, have pleasure

godly – eusebos – piously, godly

live – zao – to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead); to enjoy real life; metaph. to be in full vigour; to be fresh, strong, efficient

shall suffer persecution – dioko – to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; in any way whatever to harass, trouble; to be mistreated

Lesson

Living right brings trouble

We have this notion that if we want to live in a way that pleases God, that life ought to be better and easier. But it seems that in reality, just the opposite is true.

Heavy persecution

We really don’t know what this is all about.

Illustration

Deciding to serve Jesus

When you make a decision to serve the Lord, don’t be surprised when you have a bad week. Expect it.

The enemy will try his hardest to discourage you any time that you take a stand for Jesus. Expect it.

:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse …

evil – poneros – full of labours, annoyances, hardships; bad, of a bad nature or condition; in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad

seducers – goes – a wailer, a howler; a juggler, enchanter (because incantations used to be uttered in a kind of howl); a deceiver, imposter

shall wax – prokopto – to beat forward; to lengthen out by hammering (as a smith forges metals); metaph. to promote, forward, further; to go forward, advance, proceed; metaph. to increase, make progress

worse – cheiron – worse; comparative of kakos (“bad”)

deceiving – planao – to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way; metaph. to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive

Don’t be discouraged when you see evil people prospering. It will get even worse.

continue – meno – to remain, abide

learned – manthano – to learn, be appraised

hast been assured of – pistoo – to make faithful, render trustworthy; to be firmly persuaded of; to be assured of

:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,

child – brephos – an unborn child, embryo, a fetus; a new-born child, an infant, a babe

Timothy had been taught about the Lord from an early age. Paul mentions his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice being the ones that knew the Lord first. It is most likely that they raised Timothy to know the Lord.

holy – hieros – sacred, consecrated to the deity, pertaining to God

scriptures – gramma – a letter; any writing, a document or record; the sacred writings (of the OT)

Lesson

Children can know

Kids may not always get all the Bible facts right …

Illustration

" K I D' S B I B L E B L O O P E R S " (true)

In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so He took the Sabbath off. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.

David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought with the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times. Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

Just because kids may not always get some of the facts right, they are able to know Jesus.

That’s part of what our Children’s Ministry is all about, to be a part of helping your kids to know Jesus better.

:15 which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

are able – dunamai – to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; to be able to do something; to be capable, strong and powerful

make … wise – sophizo – to make wise, teach; to become wise, to have understanding

Lesson

The gospel

It starts with the Scriptures, knowing what they say about salvation.

If you want to understand salvation better, you need to read the Scriptures. I’d encourage you to start with the gospel of John.

delivered

live

evil

seducers

shall wax

worse

deceiving

learned

hast been assured of

holy

scriptures

are able

make … wise

Stoner concludes that the odds of any man that might have lived down to the present time fulfilling all eight of these prophecies are 1 in 10¹⁷. That's a one with seventeen zeroes after it!

in righteousness