April 24
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ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-INSPIRED
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
– 2 Timothy 3:10-17
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In this letter, Paul once again commends Timothy and the believers about their journey with him as a believer. He encourages Timothy by affirming him how he had been faithful in emulating him in all his teachings, in his conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance and persecutions and sufferings as well. In verse 12, he reminds them how different the life of a believer is as compared to the world. He reminds them that when they committed their lives to Jesus, they will definitely encounter persecutions. He actually expects them to embrace sufferings and persecution because it is inevitably a part of a Christian’s life. In verse 13, he differentiates the lives of those who choose to live godless lives. The result of this choice is more deceptions and a depraved mind.
In verse 14, Paul lovingly continues to affirm his spiritual son by recalling how godliness was taught to him since he was a child and in verse 15 talks about the Holy Scriptures that were responsible for his growth in wisdom and in his salvation. Earlier in his letter, he mentions the godly influences in Timothy’s life who are his mother and grandmother.
Verse 16 is bringing the purpose of Scripture to Timothy and all the believers. He says that all Scripture is inspired by God. In other words, everything in the Scripture comes from God himself. He explains the purpose of Scripture in a believer’s life: it is for teaching, for scolding, for discipline and correction, and for training in godliness and righteousness. It is necessary so that the believer will be fully able and equipped for every good work.
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REFLECTION
• How has Scripture been influential in your godly living?