Topic: “Translation and Exegesis: 2 Timothy 3:10-17”

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Wider Context
2. Immediate Context
3. Structure
4. Text, Parsing, Syntactical, Textual Apparatus, Translations and Exegetical
Comments
5. Theological Themes
5.1. Persecution and Suffering
5.2. Deliverance and Salvation
5.3. Scripture and Inspiration
6. Evaluation and Conclusion

Bibliography

1
Introduction

Paul wrote to Timothy for encouragement and guidance. In 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Paul urges
Timothy to follow his example and teachings especially in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra and gives
further exhortations to Timothy to remain in what he has learned and use the scriptures in ministry.
Therefore, this paper deals with the text on the second Timothy 3:10-17, its parsing, syntactical,
textual apparatus, translations, and exegetical comments.

1. Wider Context

Paul did his last missionary journey from the Aegean to Rome and wrote 2 Timothy where he
was imprisoned again in Rome (2 Tim. 4:6-7).1 Paul was said to have been arrested and
imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28:16).2 This time, the circumstances are more intense and worrisome.
Paul was troubled over Timothy’s inability to combat the heresies coming from impostors. After
dealt with the issues of Timothy’s treatment of the opponents and their heresy in 2:14-3:9, ending
in a condemnation of the false teachers, Paul returns to address Timothy.3 Paul main concern for
Timohty was his continuance in the apostolic ministry, and it is the main concern of 2 Timothy
3:10-17, which has as its central imperative the word remain “But you remain in the things which
you have learned and convinced of having known from whom you learned…” Paul grounds this
call to continuance on two things – first, remembering the past (vv. 10-13) and, second, focusing
on the Scriptures (vv. 14-17).4

2. Immediate Context

In the wake of a lengthy section placing accent on false teachers (2:14-3:9), Paul now shifts
the focus to what Timothy knew and has received. The negative examples of the previous verses
are now replaced by good and positive examples, first the example of Paul himself. 5 Timoty has
observed Paul’s life (3:10-11). Timothy has had close acquaintance with Paul, so that he knows
from personal experience and observation what sort of person Paul is and what sort of life he has

1
E. E. Ellis, “Pastoral Letters”, in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, eds. Gerlad F. Hawthorne, Ralph P.
Martin and Daniel G Reid (Illinois: InterVarsity, 1993), 662.
2
William D. Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC (Michigan: Zondervan, 2000),146.
3
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles, 1497.
4
R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell, Preach the Word: 1-2 Timothy and Titus to Guard the Deposit, ed. R.
Kent Hughes (Illinois: Crossway, 2012), 294.
5
Robert W. Yarbrough, The Letters to Timothy and Titus: PNTC, ed. D. A. Carson (Michigan: Eerdmans,
2018), 417.

2
led as a servant of Christ.6 The exhortation about good examples to follow (3:10-17) is closely
related to examples of bad behaviors to avoid (2:16, 23; 3:5).7

3. Structure
a) Example of Paul (3:10-12)
b) Remain in What You Learned (3:14-15)
c) The Benefit of Scripture.8
4. Text, Parsing, Syntax, Textual Apparatus, Translation and Exegetical Comments

Verse 10, Su\ de\ parhkolou/qhsa/$ mou th=| didaskali/a|, th=| a)gwgh=|, th=| proqe/sei, th=| pi/stei, th=|
makroqumi/a,| th=| a)ga/ph|, th=| u(pomonh=,|

Parsing

parhkolou/qhsa/$: Aorist Active Indicative 2nd person Singular of parakolouqevw (to

accompany, to follow closely, characterized)

Translation: however, you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love,
endurance,

Verse 11, toi=$ diwgmoi=$, toi=$ paqh/masin, oi•a/ moi e)ge/neto e)n )Antioxei/a,| e)n )Ikoni/w|, e)n
Lu/stroi$, oi%ou$ diwgmou\$ u(ph/negka kai\ e)k pa/ntwn me e)rru/sato o( ku/rio$.

Parsing

e)ge/neto: Aorist middle indicative 3rd person singular of givnomai (to come into being, be born,
become, come about, happen)

u(ph/negka: Aorist Active Indicative 1st person singular of uJpofevro (to bear by being under, to
endure).

e)rru/sato: Aorist middle Indicative 3rd person singular of rJuvomai (to rescue, deliver)

6
Christopher R. Hutson, First and Second Timothy and Titus: Paideia Commentaries on the New
Testament (Michigan: Baker Academic, 2019), 191.
7
Jouette M. Bassler, 1Timothy 2 Timothy Titus: Abingdon New Testament Commentaries (Nashville:
Abingdon, 1996), 154-55.
8
Hutson, First and Second Timothy and Titus, 192-194.

3
Syntax: The relative pronouns are so called because they are relating to more than one clause.
Typically, they are “hinge” words in that they both refer back to an antecedent in the previous
clause and also function is some capacity in their own clause.9

Translation: persecutions, sufferings, which happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra; what

persecutions I endured and out of all the Lord delivered me.

Exegetical Comments (Vv. 10-11)

Paul presented as Timohty’s teacher in verses 10-11 and model of endurance.10 The phrase
“You however” contrasts Timothy and the following description of Paul’s life with that of the
opponents (3:1-9).11 It expresses that Paul wants Timothy’s attention that he should not be
intimidated by the opponents and problems mentioned in previous verses rather he should pursue
Paul’s teaching and example.12 Paul contrast Timothy with the false teachers by means of a twice-
repeated “however, you” (3:10, 14). Timothy has followed the Paul’s teachings and the various
aspects of Paul’s life,13 and Timothy’s association with Paul also includes Paul’s persecution and
deliverance (vv. 10-11). Paul lists nine things that Timothy followed, the first seven (teaching,
conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance) are singular and are principles or concepts.
The last two (in v. 11) are plural and give concrete examples of the seventh principle which shows
the need for Timothy to embrace suffering.14 “Persecution” occurs twice in this verse and is its
theme. The word is used specifically of religious persecution Paul reflects to his earliest
persecutions, on which Timothy presumably knew. Paul lists a series of geographical location -
Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra were towns in Asia Minor visited by Paul on his first missionary
journey (see Acts 13-14), and each town Paul’s preaching generated both positive response and
enraged opposition, including threatened or actual violence.15

In Antioch Paul was received well, but then Jews, “filled with envy, spoke against Paul’s
teachings, “contradicting and blaspheming,” until finally he and Barnabas were “expelled” from

9
Daniel B. Wallace, The Basic of New Testament Syntax: An Intermediate Greek Grammar (Michigan:
Zondervan, 2000), 149.
10
Hutson, First and Second Timothy and Titus, 192.
11
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 556.
12
Yarbrough, The Letters to Timothy and Titus, 418.
13
Donald Guthrie, The Pastoral Epistles: TNTC (Illinois: IVP Academic, 1990), 192.
14
George W. Knight III, The Pastoral Epistles: NIGTC (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1992), 591.
15
Thomas G. Long, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: A Theological Commentary on the Bible (Kentucky:
Westminster John Knox, 2016), 229-30.

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the area (Acts 13:45, 50). In neighboring Iconium they spent considerable time, but Jews and
Gentiles tried to stone them (Acts 14:2-6). In Lystra (Timothy’s hometown) Paul and Barnabas
were initially welcomed as gods, but eventually Paul’s enemies did stone him, dragging him out
of the city and leaving him for dead (Acts 14:19-20).16 Acts 16:1-3 relates that Timothy was from
this region and had good reputation in the Church (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy was raised in a
believing household (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). Form this it can be assumed that Timothy knew of Paul’s
earlier treatment in these cities, perhaps even having witnessed both the stoning and Paul’s
miraculous recovery (Acts 14:20).17 Paul suffering during these trying events have been the major
factor in influencing Timothy’s attachment with him, Paul does not focus only his own suffering
but also the Lord’s deliverances.18 Many have been perplexed by Paul’s going so far back even
before Timothy’s conversion to make this point.19 Paul begins with “teaching” what he teaches
he wants to contrast with the teaching of the false teachers. The teaching refers to the gospel and
attendant doctrinal and ethical developments in various community situations, and particularly
within the course of Pauline mission.20 Paul did not only emphasizes the persecutions and
sufferings that he has experienced, especially in his first missionary journey but he balances good
with the bad as he continues to encourage Timothy not only join with him in suffering for the
gospel (1:Tim 1:8) but to recognize God’s sovereign control of the situation (2 Tim. 2:19). The
Lord rescued Paul out of all these persecutions, and he will care for Timothy in Ephesus.21

Verse 12, kai\ pa/nte$ de\ oi( qe/lonte$ eu)sebw=$ zh=n e)n Xristw=| )Ihsou= diwxqh/sontai.

Parsing

qe/lonte$: Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural of qevlw (to will, wish, desire,
be willing, intend, design)

zh=n: Present Active Infinitive of zavw (to live, be alive)

16
Cornelius R. Stam, Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles of Paul the Apostle (Germantown: Berean
Bible Society, 1983), 170.
17
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 557.
18
Guthrie, The Pastoral Epistles: TNTC, 193.
19
Gordon D. Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus: New International Biblical Commentary (Massachusetts:
Hendrickson, 1984), 276-77.
20
Philip H. Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus: NICNT (Michigan: Eerdmans, 2006), 540.
21
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 559.

5
diwxqh/sontai: Future Passive Indicative 3rd person plural of diwvkw (to put to fight, pursue, by
implication on persecute)

Syntax: if the participle has the article, it must be either adjectival (proper) or substantival. The
translation is often the one who/the thing which with the participle then translated as a finite
verb.22

Translation: And now all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Verse 13, ponhroi\ de\ a&nqrwpoi kai\ go/hte$ proko/yousin e)pi\ to\ xei=ron planw=nte$ kai\
planw/menoi.

Parsing

proko/yousin: Future Active Indicative 3rd person plural of prokovptw (to advance, progress, to
grow)

planw=nte$: Present Participle Active Nominative Masculine Plural of planavw (to lead astray,
deceive, cause to wander)

planw/menoi: Present Middle or Passive participle Nominative Masculine Plural of planavw (to
lead astray, deceive, cause to wander)

Syntax: For a Present participle, this often involves ‘while’ or ‘as’.23

Translation: but evil men and deceivers will advance to worse, as they deceive and being
deceived.

Exegetical Comments (Vv. 12-13)

The verses 12-13 are companion sentences, the first word (v. 12) is another invitation for
Timothy to join Paul in suffering, with reminder that the suffering to which he is being called are
not unique to Paul and himself. It is otherwise with the false teachers, not only do they not live
godly lives, thus avoiding persecution, but they are evil men and imposters who will only go
from bad to worse and turn further away from a true godly life24 Verses 12-13 generalize the
truth of Paul’s experience of persecution and suffering, making it applicable to Timothy and all

22
Wallace, The Basic of New Testament Syntax, 270.
23
Jermy Duff, The Elements of New Testament Greek (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005), 85.
24
Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, 278.

6
Christians. Verse 12 discusses those who are in Christ Jesus, and verse 13 contrasts these with
evil people, thereby calling Timothy to suffer with Paul for the gospel (2 Tim. 1:8).25

The words “all who… will be persecuted” echo Jesus’ promise that following Him means
taking up one’s cross (Matt. 10:38; 16:24). They also repeat Paul’s conclusion from over a decade
earlier: We must go though many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22), words
perhaps uttered in Timothy’s hearing. In verses 12-13, the key words are “godly” and “evil” as
they contrast each other; Timothy is suffering because he is pursuing godliness, which stands in
contrast to the sinful world, specifically Ephesus. The opponents are not being persecuted
because they are pursuing evil.26 The real focus, of course, in not so much “Paul’s” own suffering,
nor the suffering of church leaders like Timothy, both of which have been stressed already, but
that all believers will suffer persecution.27 “And” connects Paul’s specific experience (v. 11) to
general theological truth (v. 12) “all who desire” describes Christians whose desire to live as a
godly life. Paul continues by defining these people as being in Christ Jesus “will be persecuted”
connects the persecution of Christians generally with that of Paul.28

V 14 Su\ de\ me/ne e)n oi•$ e&maqe$ kai\ e)pistw/qh$, ei)dw\$ para\ ti/nwn e&maqe$,

Parsing

me/ne: Present Active Imperative 2nd person Singular of mevnw (to remain, abide, stay, wait; with
acc: to wait for, await)

e&maqe$: Aorist Active Indicative 2nd person singular of manqavnw (to learn, to ascertain)

e)pistw/qh$: Aorist Passive Indicative 2nd person Singular of pistovw (to convince, establish, give
assurance)

ei)dw\$: Perfect Active Participle Nominative Masculine Singular of οἶδα (to know, aware, behold,
consider, perceive)

e&maqe$: Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Person Singular of manqavnw (to learn)

25
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 1508.
26
Yarbrough, The Letters to Timothy and Titus, 421.
27
Jay Twomey, The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries: Blackwell Bible Commentaries (Chichester,
Willey-Blackwell, 2009), 159.
28
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 560.

7
Syntax: – Emphatic use of the second person personal pronoun “you” which is needed because
the person and number are embedded in the verbal ending.29

παρά + Genitive= from30

Textual Variant: The UBS Committee gave the reading B which means the text is almost
certain. It further suggested three readings:

1st reading tivnwn - Genitive Masculine Plural of tiv"(who, which, what, why) is supported by
ancient Majuscules Manuscripts like Sinaiticus [4th century], Alexandrinus [5th century],
Ephraemi (corrected) [5th century]; Minuscules like manuscript 33 [9th century], 81 [1044];
lectionary 60 [1021]; the early versions like Latin (Verona) [5th century], Latin (Cambridge) [5th
century], Latin (Dresden) [9th century], and Latin Church Fathers like Hilary [367], Ambrosiaster
[after 384].

2nd reading tivno" – Genitive Singular of tiv"(who, which, what, why) is supported by Majuscule
Manuscripts like Ephraemi (successive corrected) [5th century], Bezae [5th century], Athos [9th or
10th century], Athens [10th century]; minuscule manuscripts like 6 [13th century], 104 [1087],
2200 [14th century], Byzantine manuscripts like Moscow [9th century], Paris [8th century];
majority of the selected lectionaries; Early versions like Latin (Dublin) [9th century], Latin
(Brescia) [6th century]; the Vulgate [4th and 5th centuries], Georgian [from the 5th century], the
Old Church Slavonic [from the 9th century]; the Greek Church Fathers like Chrysostom [407],
Theodore [428]; and Latin church fathers like Jerome [419/420], Pelagius [after 418], Augustine
[430].

3rd reading omit – lectionary 597 [10th century]

I support 1st reding since many authentic Manuscripts have supported along with UBS
Committee.

Translations: But you, remain in the things you (have) learned and were convinced, having
known from whom you learned,

29
Andreas J. Kostenberger, Benjamin L. Merkle, and Robert L. Plummer, Going Deeper with New
Testament Greek: An Intermediate Study of the Grammar and Syntax of the New Testament (Nashville: B&H, 2016),
244.
30
Benjamin L. Merkle, and Robert L. Plummer, Beginning with New Testament Greek (Nashville: B&H,
2020), 131.

8
Verse 15: kai\ o%ti a)po\ bre/fou$ [ta\] i(era\ gra/mmata oi‚da$, ta\ duna/mena/ se sofi/sai ei)$
swthri/an dia\ pi/stew$ th=$ e)n Xristw=| )Ihsou=.

Parsing

oi‚da$: Perfect Active Indicative 2nd Person Singular of οἶδα (be aware, behold, consider,
perceive)

duna/mena: Present Middle or Passive Participle Neuter Accusative Plural of duvnamai (to be
powerful, have power, to be able, can)

sofi/sai: Aorist Active Infinitive of sopivzw (to make wise, instruct; pass, to be skillfully
devised)

Syntax: This may well be a declarative o%ti clause “that”.31

διά + Genitive = through32

Translation:

And that you know (have known) sacred writings from childhood, being able to make you wise
for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Exegetical Comments Verses 14-15

In contrast to the deceiving opponents (v 13), Timothy is to remain steadfast in the gospel, the
gospel he learned in the past and the gospel that experience has taught him is true. Paul has called
Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel but to suffer willingly for the message of the God who
saves believers according to his own desires (2 Tim. 1:8-10). Paul’s earlier instructions to
Timothy to preach the gospel (1 Tim 4:13-16).33 “You have learned” clearly refers to the sound
teaching (1:13; 4:3), the gospel preserved and protected by the church as its tradition or “deposit”
(1:4; 1 Tim 6:20). The relative pronoun “Whom” is plural in most of the Greek manuscripts
giving rise to the suggestion that Eunice and Lois, Timothy’s mother, and grandmother, are
included in it (1:5). While the reference to his childhood (v. 15) supports this hypothesis.34

31
Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basic: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), 454.
32
Merkle and Plummer, Beginning with New Testament Greek, 131.
33
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 1515.
34
Bassler, 1Timothy 2 Timothy Titus, 157.

9
 Here Paul mentions another aspect of the family influence on Timothy. As a natural part of
life in a Jewish home the scriptures would have been read, and so, Timothy is reminded, from
childhood you know the sacred writings (3:15). When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy the New
Testament did not exist, and so the reference here is not to the Bible as we know it today, but the
books of the Hebrew Bibel, the “Old Testament”. Paul claims that these writings are able to make
you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Though the OT does not speak specifically
of Christ, it nevertheless points to Him and to the salvation that is available through faith in Him.
This is a common NT perspective.35

Verse 16: pa=sa grafh\ qeo/pneusto$ kai\ w)fe/limo$ pro\$ didaskali/an, pro\$ e)legmo/n, pro\$
e)pano/rqwsin, pro\$ paidei/an th\n e)n dikaiosu/nh|,

Translation: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for instruction, reproof, correction,
training in righteousness,

Verse 17: i%na a&rtio$ h@| o( tou= qeou= a&nqrwpo$, pro\$ pa=n e&rgon a)gaqo\n e)chrtisme/no$.

Parsing

h@:| Present Subjunctive Active 3rd Person Singular of eijmiv (I exist, I am)

e)chrtisme/no$: Perfect Middle or Passive Participle Nominative Masculine Singular of

ejcartivzw (to fit up, completely furnish, equip, furnish, supply, to accomplish, finish)

Syntax: i%na + Subjunctive = purpose clause, it should be translated as so that, in order that36

Translation: So that man of God may be complete, having been fully equipped for every good
work.

Exegetical Comments (Vv. 16-17)

“All Scripture is inspired by God”: through the centuries this verse has played a central role
in the church’s doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture. Paul affirms that Scripture’s divine origin:
All Scripture is inspired by God”, and that all Scripture is useful for all the tasks of his ministry.37

35
Graham Simpson, The Pastoral Epistles: 1-2 Timothy, Titus, An Exegetical and Contextual Commentary
(George Korah: Primalogue, 2012), 331.
36
Wallace, The Basic of New Testament Syntax, 206.
37
Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, 298.

10
Paul says scripture is profitable (3:16), and he then mentions four areas of profitable. First, it is
profitable for teaching. Second, it is profitable for reproof, for drawing attention to errors of
understating and wrong behavior. Third it is profitable for correction, for setting the one who has
gone wrong on the right path. And finally, it is profitable for training in righteousness, not only
for dealing with problems when they arise but as a guidebook to be used proactively to show the
right way to respond to God and walk in His way.38 Scripture comes from God and is true;
therefore it provides the content and direction necessary for Timothy, Christian leaders, and by
implication all Christians to be fully equipped, enable to do every good work, among which are
teaching, reproving, correcting and training in righteousness.39

5. Theological Themes
5.1. Persecutions and Suffering

Persecution is used specifically of religious persecution. Suffering in this context is suffering

due to persecution. The Lord rescued Paul out of all these persecutions. Paul points out that that
persecution is an essential element in the life of Christians. It is necessary and should come as no
surprise to Paul or Timothy.40 The second term, “suffering,” is broader in scope, but in one
dominant use still to be linked with suffering as a Christian (Rom. 8:18), which Paul again
associates closely with his personal experience and apostolic ministry.41 Paul assumes the role of
the OT righteous suffers and links his sufferings closely to the suffering of Jesus. The suffering
of the righteous and the Lord’s promise to vindicate them was already present in some Jewish
circles and was taken by the early Church in reference to Christ. Paul allows the theme to interpret
his apostolic ministry and extends it to explain the missiological dimension of the church’s
existence. Th fact is that the pattern of righteous suffering encompasses the whole community of
faith. Paul has implicated the entire church in suffering deserves consideration.42

5.2. Deliverance and Salvation

The idea of God delivering people out of trouble is common refrain in the OT, and caution is
urged at seeing any one verse as the source of Paul’s statement. The verb ῥύomai means “to

38
Knight III, The Pastoral Epistles: NIGTC, 604.
39
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 1534.
40
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 1506.
41
Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus: NICNT, 541.
42
Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus: NICNT, 544.

11
deliver, rescue,” It is always used in the NT with God//Christ as the agent of deliverance. Its
emphasis is not so much on salvation, although there can be some overlap, but on rescuing
someone from danger of some sort.43 Salvation refers either to the ongoing implications of
salvation in Timothy’s life or, more likely, to Timothy’s continual work as an evangelist, which
is the topic of Vv. 16-17. For Paul, salvation is by faith that is appropriated by those who are join
“in Christ”. The message of salvation begun in the OT has been fulfilled in the gospel, and this
is what Timothy is to preach (2 Tim 4:2).44

5.3. Scripture and Inspiration

The Greek word gραφή, which in this context might mean “a scripture” a specifically text
within the OT or possibly refers to collectively to “Scripture” as the whole of the OT scriptures.
Paul used the phrase “the Scripture says,” to introduce an OT citation. To use the same formula,
“the Scripture says,” of multiple passages suggests that Paul thinks of Scripture as a whole. 45
Timothy’s training in the Scriptures is an additional incentive (v. 15b). The Scriptures have the
ability or power to lead one to salvation, a power that stands in contrast with the impotence of
the false teachers (3:5).46

The word theophneustos (“inspired by God”) formed from the two words theos (“God”) and
pneo (“to blow, breath on”), does not occur elsewhere in the biblical writings but occurs only in
the Greek Bible, being found rarely in pre-Chrisitan literature. It has generally been translated
“inspired” (vulgate, inspired). The question is whether Paul is thinking of Scripture as a cohesive
whole (all) or as the sum of its parts (“every”). Some argue that “every” suggests that only some
portions of Scripture are inspired but this seems foreign to the text.47 This debate centers on the
fact that the phrase “inspired by God” can be either attributive, identifying which scripture is
meant (“All/every scripture inspired by God), or predicative, making an assertion about scripture
(all/every scripture is inspired by God…so). The first reading suggests that there are writings or
scripture or scripture texts that are not inspired; only the inspired ones are useful. The second
reading affirms the opposite: All Scripture or every scripture text is inspired and therefore

43
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 1508
44
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 1520.
45
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 1527.
46
Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus: NICNT, 553.
47
Mounce, Pastoral Epistles: WBC, 1523.

12
useful.48 The reformers and their followers are among the first in the western to develop theories
of biblical inspiration. The Biblical writers were “organs of the Holy Spirit,” to whom God
“dictated” the message of scripture without any admixture of innovation or error on the part of
those writers, is a strong statement of the theory of inspiration.49

6. Evaluation and Conclusion

Through this exegetical paper on Timothy 3:10-17, I would like to list out four things which
are noteworthy. First, Following the example of godly man who stood and appeared as a real model
for like Paul for Timothy. Paul encouraged Timohty that he has followed his teaching including
his lifestyles and suffering. Paul mentioned three places where he was persecuted and tells Timothy
that from sufferings, and persecutions Lord delivered him. Second, joining in suffering and
persecution for Christ is the fact of every godly Christian believer who desires to live a godly life,
they cannot even escape from it. Pual encouraged Timothy to join in suffering. It is not only
encouragement for Timothy, but it is also applicable for all who serves the Lord faithfully. And
when we suffer and face persecution the Lord will deliver us. Paul directly said that those who
desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted at the same time those who follow the
evil will grow from bad to worse. Third, remaining in the things what we are taught is the most
important part of Christian lives. In other word, we should not turn away from the gospel to other
false teachings. Paul urges Timothy to remained in the things what he has learned. Paul tells us
that Timothy had been learned from his childhood and that made him wise for salvation through
faith in Christ Jesus. Finally, it teaches that the uses of divine Scripture in our life and ministry.
Paul revealed the truth that all the scripture is inspired by God. Which is profitable for instruction,
reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. The Scripture which is inspired by God will
make complete and will equip for every good work.

In conclusion, following Christ is not easy where we go through persecution, suffering and
challenges from the false teachers and evil but as Paul had gone through it and experienced all of
those has set a good example that Timothy was empowered and encouraged which shows that we
must join in suffering and persecution for Christ Jesus, remain in what we have learned and using
the scripture in our ministry.

48
Bassler, 1Timothy 2 Timothy Titus, 158.
49
Twomey, The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries, 164.

13
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Nashville: Abingdon, 1996.
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Ellis, E. E. “Pastoral Letters.” In Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Edited by Gerlad F.
Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin and Daniel G Reid. Illinois: InterVarsity, 1993.

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Towner, Philip H. The Letters to Timothy and Titus: New International Commentary of New
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