2 Timothy 3:10-17 (NKJV) But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 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.
V10 “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance…” Timothy worked closely with Paul, so knew his life in public and private. It must have been very consistent, which is a testimony we all need, too. Timothy knew what Paul taught, his lifestyle, his purpose (reasons for ministering), faith (trusting in the Lord Jesus for all things), longsuffering (patience in trials with a good attitude), love (in deeds especially), and perseverance (in persecutions and imprisonment).
V11 “…persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.” Antioch (see Acts 13:50-51), Iconium (Acts 14:1-2 and Acts 14:5-6), and Lystra (Acts 14:19-21).
V12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” People hate God and His laws, worldview, lifestyle, and anyone who follows God’s ways. The Lord Jesus suffered and so do his followers (John 15:18-19). Suffering produces patience, perseverance, See James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3, and 2 Peter 1:5-7. Christian persecution also produces mutual comfort in believers: 2 Corinthians 1:3-6.
V13 “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Evil becomes unrestrained by government. The Greek word for “imposters” is (G1114) γόης goēs, which means a magician and here, in the sense of a deceiver with tricks. They might be redefinitions of words, clever philosophical arguments, force of personality (charisma), bribery, introducing stealth doctrines, etc. Not only do these evil people deceive and entice people, they become more deceived, too.
V14 “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them…” Note the repeated appeals to continue, remain faithful, etc. We are need this encouragement. The “from who you have learned” is referring to Paul, Timothy’s teacher and mentor.
V15 “…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.” The best place to start learning the Scriptures is from childhood. Parents and grandparents we have a responsibility to assist in all types of education especially spiritual.
V16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” All Scripture refers to the entire canon of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. The Greek word for “inspiration” is (G2315) θεόπνευστος theopneustos, which means God breathed. He breather life into the words as He did to Adam (Genesis 2:7, John 20:22, and 1 Corinthians 15:45). The Word of God is living for it is blessed by God and gives us spiritual food for our souls (Luke 4:4, Hebrews 4:12, and Psalm 119:130). Doctrine = teaching, the beliefs about God and His ways. Reproof = our correction as in perhaps we did or said something wrong or evil, and God convicts us of this error by stirring up our memories of a Bible verse (Psalm 32:1-3). Correction = our Christian walk might we not pleasing to God and when we read Scripture, we notice the difference is our life and what pleases God. Then, we will make changes in our life. Instruction = teaching us right from wrong (1 Kings 3:9 and Hebrews 5:14) and the will of God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 4;2, and Psalm 143:10).
V17 “…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” All believers need spiritual food from the Scriptures. We need to read and study it. We need to live it. We will be complete in knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and prudence.