2Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have
become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known
the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through
faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, 17 so
that all God's people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ
Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and
his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and
encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound
doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a
great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from
the truth and turn aside to myths. 5
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an
evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
This
will be our last week in St. Paul's letters to his protégé Timothy. As has been
frequently the case, there are several potential streams herein for our
consideration.
For
instance, vss 14 & 15 are a wonderfully self-contained unit. But as for you, continue in what you
have learned...the word 'continue' is often translated as 'remain.' It's
the same Greek word used in the Gospels when Jesus talks about the branch
needing to remain in the vine in order to bear fruit, and thus, our need to
remain in Him (see Jn 15). Paul now hooks this idea of remaining/continuing to
the catechesis of the New Testament Church. Continue in what you have learned... well, what Timothy has
learned is the 'didache'... the doctrines of the faith--which, according to vs
15 have their root and origin in the Holy Scriptures. And, these doctrines are
able to make him wise--not just in some temporal sense, though this is true,...
but more importantly wise unto salvation. Note especially how vs 15 ends... a
wisdom that leads to salvation is firmly grounded in Jesus as the Messiah. Over
an over again the Bible presents this truth: Salvation can be found in no one
else. Throughout the whole world, no
other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved (Acts
4:12) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through (Jn 14:6).
Then, vss 16-17 offer another
wonderful stream, the role and importance of Scripture in the life of the
believer. I particularly like the way the TNIV translates theopneustos from the Greek. It transliterates it. In other words,
the old KJV version reads: All scripture
is inspired by God… but what does that mean? The works of
Shakespeare, many would say, are ‘inspired.’ A particularly timely decision is
often said to be ‘inspired.’ But what is Paul saying in 2Timothy? Literally the
Greek compound-word theopneustos means “GOD-BREATHED.” So, as I explain to the
confirmation kids, there are many writers who had a hand in the production of
the Bible, but there is only one author: GOD. This goes to both the uniqueness
and the authority of Scripture. It is unique in that it is unlike any other
book of writings; it alone is God-breathed. And because of this fact, it holds
a position of authority unlike anything else. When we pick it up; when we open
its pages, we hear the voice of God
himself speaking to us.
Then
finally, vss 2-4 of chapter 4 represent a concise stream of thought… the charge
to Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season (iow, when it’s
convenient AND inconvenient, etc.) and the reality/warning that this will not
always be well received. For the time will come when people will not put up with
sound doctrine, vs 3. I honestly wonder
how much of this was ‘prophecy’ on the part of Paul vs how much was just plain
ol’ intuition regarding human nature. This stuff, after all, does get old doesn’t
it? Hearing the truth about God’s law and our own inability to measure up
perfectly.. and hearing the news that God forgives us for the sake of His Son’s
death on the cross… that stuff is passé isn’t it? Isn’t it time that we find
something else to talk about in church? Shouldn’t we concentrate rather on the power
of human potential? Shouldn’t we focus our energy instead on creating an
environment where people are encouraged to do their best, etc. etc.? This is
all part of ‘itchy ear syndrome’… a desire to stop hearing so much about law
and gospel, and a desire to focus on other things.
To
be sure, as the believer lives his/her life in the world the Bible tells us
that society will be a better place
as a result. As the believer lives his/her life in the world the Bible tells us
that human potential will have a greater chance to thrive than under any other
circumstances. As the believer lives his/her life in the world social justice
issues will be tackled. This stuff
happens because the Spirit of God is active in the life of the believer with
the mission to renew God’s creation. That’s what happens in the life of the
believer as she/he lives in the world. But these good works should never
displace the true focus of the community at worship. There the task remains
always the same: preach sound doctrine in season and out of season.
Cheers,
TM
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