Bible Commentaries
2 Timothy 3

Verses 1-9

The Character of Men in the Last Days - The vices listed in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 are clearly given by Paul as examples of those who have been taken captive by Satan’s will (2 Timothy 2:26). Because they have resisted the truth and embraced a lie, such people will be given over to a reprobate mind as described in Romans 1:16-31 and exhibit these vices. Another way to say it is that they have waxed worse and worse (2 Timothy 3:13).

2 Timothy 3:13, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

In 2 Timothy 3:8 Paul gives the example of Jannes and Jambres who withstood Moses as he proclaimed the truth. Although such people seek after knowledge, they are never able to find the truth (2 Timothy 3:6-7). Instead, they walk deeper and deeper into darkness and sin. The seeds of righteousness that are sown on the earth will grow and increase until the Kingdom of God covers the earth. The seeds of wickedness have also been sown, and the times will grow more difficult because these seeds of unrighteousness will also bear tremendous fruit, and wickedness will abound more and more, leading the world into the Great Tribulation Period. This seven-year period of judgment will come upon the world because God in Heaven will no longer allow mankind to continue in such depths of sin.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 Timothy 3:1 Word Study on “perilous” Strong says the Greek word “perilous” ( χαλεπο ́ ς ) (G5467) means, “difficult, dangerous,” and it implies, “fierce.” It is used two times in the New Testament, the second use being found in Matthew 8:28.

Matthew 8:28, “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce , so that no man might pass by that way.”

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:2 “covetous” Illustration - Delilah coveted the silver and deceived Samson.

Judges 16:5-6, “And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silve r. And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.”

2 Timothy 3:2 “boasters, proud” Comments - Pride is in the heart of man (Luke 1:51). We know that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So, boasters, or braggarts, are those who are proud in heart when they speak.

Luke 1:51, “He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.”

2 Timothy 3:2 “unthankful” - Word Study on “unthankful” Strong says the Greek word “unthankful” ( αχα ́ ριστος ) (884) means, “thankless, ungrateful.” It is made of the negative particle ( α ) and ( χαρι ́ ζομαι ) (G5483), which means, “to grant a favour, gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue.”

2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2 Timothy 3:3 Word Study on “trucebreakers” Strong says the Greek word “trucebreakers” ( ἄσπονδος ) (G786) literally means, “without libation,” and figuratively, “truceless.” The ASV reads, “implacable.”

2 Timothy 3:3 Word Study on “fierce” Strong says the Greek word “fierce” ( ἀνήμερος ) (G434) means, “savage.”

Comments The idea of fierce people describes wicked murderers and serial killers.

2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2 Timothy 3:4 “Traitors” Illustration - Delilah betrayed Samson.

Judges 16:5-6, “And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.”

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness” 2 Timothy 3:1-4 describes a society without virtues and full of vices; yet, this society will maintain a form of religion.

2 Timothy 3:5 Comments - Godliness will produce a manifested power from God in the life of a believer. Such evil men will claim to be godly but have no divine attributes to support such claims. We often attribute this statement to those who people who deny the gifts and operations of the Holy Spirit in signs and miracles as being relevant today. Jack Hayford notes that this phrase “denying the power thereof” also refers to the power of the Gospel to inflict judgment in the Church in order to purge out sin. He believes that this is the more important issue being discussed within the context of this epistle, which deals with Church order and discipline to maintain that order. In the last days there will be Church leaders who will move in the gifts, but who refuse correction when they are in sin. The Gospel has the power to convict, heal and restore backsliders into the fold. However, many will deny this aspect of the Gospel and continue in their sins. [21]

[21] Jack Hayford, “Sermon,” Joyce Meyer Ministries Minister’s Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.

2 Timothy 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2 Timothy 3:6 “led away with divers lusts” - Comments - The phrase “led away with divers lusts refers to these silly women who are mentioned in this verse, since the participle “led away” is in the accusative case, matching “women.”

2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:7 Comments - These Greek participle in 2 Timothy 3:7 “learning” and the phrase “never able” refer to the “silly women” of the previous verse. Today, more is known about this and that than at any other time in history, yet few people are seeking knowledge about God and His Word.

2 Timothy 3:6-7 Comments - Silly Women - The description of silly women in 2 Timothy 3:6-7. shows them burdened by sin and led about by various lusts (2 Timothy 3:6), always learning, never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:7)

2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

2 Timothy 3:8 “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses” Comments - The Greek phrase όν τρόπον is translated in the single English word “as.” This phrase means, “in the manner in which.” Thus, “in the same manner in which Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses...” 2 Timothy 3:8 tells us that there will be deceivers in the last days working miracles and operating in witchcraft just as these two magicians did during the time of Moses. In what manner did they withstand Moses? Ancient Jewish tradition tells us that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses copying the miracles of his in (1) turning their rods into serpents (Exodus 7:11), (2) turning water into blood (Exodus 7:22), and (3) causing frogs to come up on the land (Exodus 8:7).

Exodus 7:11, “Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.”

Exodus 7:22, “And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.”

Exodus 8:7, “And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.”

The only place in the Old or New Testaments where the names Jannes and Jambres are used is found in 2 Timothy 3:8. We know from the context that this refers to the magicians that stood before Moses, when he appeared before Pharaoh (see Exodus 7:11).

Exodus 7:11, “Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.”

These two names originated in ancient Jewish writings outside the Sacred Scriptures, being found in the tradition of the Talmudists and Rabbis. F. F. Bruce tells us that these two names are mentioned in The Targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel On the Pentateuch (see Exodus 1:15; Exodus 7:11, Numbers 22:22) as well as in the Babylonian Talmud ( Menachoth 85a) and in other rabbinical literature, which identifies them as Balaam’s two sons. Bruce goes on to tell us that one of the documents discovered with the Dead Sea Scrolls, called “the Zadokite Work, a Qumran document of about 100 B.C., speaks of ‘Jannes and his brother’ as being raised up by Belial when Moses and Aaron were raised up by the ‘Prince of Lights’”. [22] The TWOT gives additional references where these two names appear in Jewish literature. [23]

[22] F. F. Bruce, The Books and the Parchments (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1963), 257-8.

[23] See The Babylonian Talmud, Tract Menachoth, 85a; Ex. r., 7 on 7:11; Tract Menachoth, 85a; Ex. r., 9 on 7:12, Yalkut Shim’oni on Exodus 2:15, No. 168, Yalkut Shim’oni on Exodus 14:24, No. 235, Midrash ויושׁע , loc. cit.; Tanch. כי תשׁא , 15 on Exodus 32:0. See Gerhard Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, eds., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vols. 5-9, vol. 10 compiled by Ronald Pitkin, (electronic ed.) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), 3:193.

“And Pharoh told that he, being asleep, had seen in his dream, and, behold, all the land of Mizraim was placed in one scale of a balance, and a lamb, the young of a sheep, was ill the other scale; and the scale with the lamb in it overweighed. Forthwith he sent and called all the magicians of Mizraim, and imparted to them his dream. Immediately Jannis and Jambres, the chief of the magicians, opened their mouth and answered Pharoh? A certain child is about to be born in the congregation of Israel, by whose hand will be destruction to all the land of Mizraim.” ( Targum of Jonathan, on Exodus 1:15) [24]

[24] J. W. Etheridge, ed., The Targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee (London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1862).

( וקרא לחוד פרעה לחכימייא ולחרשייא ועבדו לחוד הינון יניס וימבריס חרשין דבמצרים בלחשי קוסמיהון היכדין ) ( Targum of Jonathan, on Exodus 7:11) [25]

[25] Stephen A. Kaufman, ed., Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon, in Targum Pseudo-Jonathan to the Pentateuch (Jerusalem: Hebrew Union College, 2005 [electronic edition]), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), Exodus 7:11.

“And Bileam, arose in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. [JERUSALEM. And Bileam arose in the morning, and made ready his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.] But the anger of the Lord was provoked, because he would go (that he might) curse them; and the angel of the Lord stood in the way to be an adversary to him. But he sat upon his ass, and his two young men, Jannes and Jambres, were with him.” ( Targum of Jonathan, on Numbers 22:22) [26]

[26] J. W. Etheridge, ed., The Targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee (London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1862).

“All [offerings] must be offered from the choicest produce, etc. Johana and Mamre said to Moshe, ‘Wouldst thou carry straw to Hafaraim?’ He answered them, ‘There is a common saying. “Bring herbs to Herbtown.”’” ( Talmud, Tract Menachoth, 85a) [27]

[27] Greg Killian, The Oral Law (Lacey, Washington: The Watchman) [on-line]; accessed 25 February 2009; available from http://www.betemunah.org/orallaw.html; Internet.

In his writing The Defense of Apuleius, Lucius Apuleius (A.D. 123-170) makes a reference to Moses and Jannes.

“Although I might, with the greatest justice, make use of these arguments, still, I spare you them; nor do I deem it enough to have abundantly proved my innocence on all the points on which you accuse me, and to have never allowed the slightest suspicion even of the practice of magic to attach to me. Only consider what a degree of confidence in my own innocence I display, and what supreme contempt of you [my accusers], when I say that if even the slightest ground shall appear why I should have coveted this match with Pudentilla for the sake of any advantage to myself, if you shall prove the most trifling gain to me thereby, then may I be held to be a Phrynondas, a Damigeron, a Moses, a Jannes, an Apollonius, or even Dardanus himself, or any one else, who, since the days of Zoroaster and Ostanes, has been celebrated among magicians.” [28]

[28] The Defense of Apuleius, in The Works of Apuleius (London: William Clowes and Sons, 1878), 336-7.

Origen (A.D. 185-254), in his commentary on Matthew 27:9, states that there was an apocryphal book--not yet rediscovered--called “The Book of Jannes and Jambres.” Origen says that Paul is quoting from this lost book here in 2 Timothy 3:8. [29] Origen also mentions these two individuals in his work Against Celsus.

[29] “Orig. on Matthew 27:9 (only in the Lat. translation: Item quod ait: “Sicut Iamnes et Mambres restiterunt Moysi,” non invenitur in publicis Iibris, sed in libro secreto qui suprascribitur liber lamnes et Mambres).” Gerhard Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, eds., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vols. 5-9, vol. 10 compiled by Ronald Pitkin, (electronic ed.) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), 3:193.

“He [Celsus] relates also the account respecting Moses, and Jannes, and Jambres.” (Origen, Against Celsus, 4.51) [30]

[30] Origen, in A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, American edition, vol. 4: Fathers of the Third Century: Tertullian, Part Fourth; Minucius Felix; Commodian; Origen, Parts First and Second, eds. Henry Wace and Philip Schaff (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, Grand Rapids; Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997 [electronic edition]), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2009).

The TWOT says, “Pope Gelasius [d. 496] in his Decretum De Libris Recipiendis et Non Recipiendis also mentions an apocryphal Book of Jannes and Jambres ( Iiber qui appellatur Paenitentia Jamne et Mambre apocryphus)” [Line 303, ed. E. v. Dobschütz, TU, 3. Reihe, 8, 4 (1912), 12] [31]

[31] Gerhard Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, eds., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vols. 5-9, vol. 10 compiled by Ronald Pitkin, (electronic ed.) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), 3:193.

2 Timothy 3:8 Comments - Paul’s illustration from the Old Testament of the resistance that Moses encountered from the magicians of Pharaoh in 2 Timothy 3:8 alludes to the resist that Paul the apostle faces with Alexander the coppersmith, which he will mention in 2 Timothy 4:14-15.

2 Timothy 4:14-15, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.”

2 Timothy 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

2 Timothy 3:9 “for their folly shall be manifest unto all men” Comments How often we read in the media of a leader, whether in government, business or church, who has a moral failure after years of folly.

2 Timothy 3:9 “as theirs also was” Comments The personal pronoun “theirs” refers to Jannes and Jambres. Their folly was revealed. How? Note Exodus 8:18-19. Jannes and Jambres tried to copy the fourth plague of Moses, but could not. They confessed that the plague was of God.

Exodus 8:18-19, “And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.”

Verses 1-17

Paul Explains Timothy’s Spiritual Journey to Those in Divine Service - After giving Timothy a warm greeting (2 Timothy 1:1-2) Paul immediately begins to exhort Timothy to fulfill his divine calling while using himself as an example of a faithful minister of Christ Jesus. He does this by basing his exhortation and charges upon the spiritual journey that every minister of God must complete. This spiritual journey begins with the foreknowledge of God the Father, justification through Jesus Christ the Son, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit that will one day bring us into glory in Heaven. Timothy’s spiritual journey began before his birth with the foreknowledge of God the Father, who called him, saved him and imparted into him spiritual gives that must be stirred up (2 Timothy 1:3-18). Paul then exhorts him to be strong in the Lord in order to deliver sound doctrines to faithful men (2 Timothy 2:1-14). Paul next reflects upon Timothy’s divine calling from the perspective of being a faithful servant of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:15-26). Paul then reflects upon the part of the journey called perseverance, in which Timothy is exhorted to continue in what he has been taught (2 Timothy 3:1-17). Finally, Paul focuses upon the future glorification that awaits every faithful minister when they enter into Heaven. Based upon this future hope Timothy is exhorted to preach the Word in all seasons (2 Timothy 4:1-8).

Thus, Paul begins this charge to Timothy by having him look back on the faithfulness of his mother and grandmother in training him up in the Holy Scriptures. Paul will conclude by having him look towards eternity as he describes the crown of righteousness for those who are faithful. Thus, Paul draws a broader picture of Timothy’s life in which his temporal earth-life is but a moment.

Outline - Note the proposed outline:

1. Justification by Faith thru Divine Foreknowledge 2 Timothy 1:3-18

2. Sanctification by Holy Spirit: Indoctrination 2 Timothy 2:1-14

3. Sanctification by Holy Spirit: Divine Service 2 Timothy 2:15-26

4. Sanctification by Holy Spirit: Perseverance 2 Timothy 3:1-17

5. Glorification 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Analogies of a Minister of Christ - Note the illustrations used by Paul to Timothy in this passage of Scripture: the soldier (2 Timothy 2:3), an athlete (2 Timothy 2:5), the husbandman (2 Timothy 2:6), the workman (2 Timothy 2:15), a vessel (2 Timothy 2:21), a servant (2 Timothy 2:24).

Verses 10-12

Paul’s Example of Perseverance Amidst Hardships In 2 Timothy 3:10-12 Paul gives himself as an example of a faithful servant of God who has endured hardships.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

2 Timothy 3:10 “But thou hast fully known my doctrine” - Comments As we consider what doctrine Paul the apostle delivered unto Timothy to hold fast to, we ask what were these words, and are they recorded anywhere. We need look no further than the nine Pauline Church Epistles to find the doctrines of the New Testament Church that Paul laid down in writing.

2 Timothy 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

2 Timothy 3:11 “out of them all the Lord delivered me” Scripture References - Note a similar verse:

Psalms 34:18, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12 Scripture References - Note other confirming Scriptures:

Psalms 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”

1 Peter 5:9, “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

Verses 13-17

Paul Exhorts Timothy to Follow His Example of Perseverance In 2 Timothy 3:13-17 Paul exhorts Timothy to follow his own example and persevere in his ministry.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:13 Comments - From the time that Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin has been taking root and growing in this earth. Therefore, the world has progressively become more and more evil throughout the centuries. We see this progress when Jesus spoke of the signs of the last days when the Son of Man will come. He described the earth as excessively wicked and corrupt (Mark 13:8).

Mark 13:8, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15 Comments - In 2 Timothy 3:15 Paul explains that the early Church found their initial understand of Christ redemptive work from the Old Testament, until the canon of the New Testament was written and distributed to the churches.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” Comments - The Lord gave the Old Testament prophets messages that were word for word: (Jeremiah 1:9, Isaiah 51:16). Messages from God in the Old Testament and New Testament could have been given word for word, just as the gifts of prophecy, tongues and interpretation of tongues are done today.

Isaiah 51:16, “And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.”

Jeremiah 1:9, “Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.”

Scriptural inspiration of both Old and New Testament is testified in the Bible:

Confirmation of the Old Testament Scriptures - Throughout the Old Testament, prophets used the phrase, “Thus saith the Lord,” testifying to the inspiration of the prophecy.

2 Chronicles 20:14-17, “Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you , Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.”

Note other confirmations of the Old Testament Scriptures:

Exodus 24:4, “And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.”

2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.”

1 Chronicles 28:19, “All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.”

Nehemiah 9:30, “Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.”

Psalms 119:89, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”

The phrase “Word of God” occurs over 4000 times in Old Testament, with each use testifying to the inspiration of Scriptures. Note some of these verses about the Word of God:

Psalms 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure , making wise the simple.”

Psalms 119:89, “ For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven .”

Proverbs 30:5, “ Every word of God is pure : he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

Matthew 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .”

Matthew 5:18, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled .”

John 10:35, “If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken ;”

Jesus testified to the inspiration of the Psalms:

Matthew 22:43, “He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,”

Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that every word of the Old Testament Scriptures would come to pass.

Matthew 5:17-18, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Jesus gave testimony to the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures in other places:

Luke 1:70, “As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:”

John 10:35, “If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;”

John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Paul calls this passage in Deuteronomy “the scripture”:

1 Timothy 5:18, “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

Deuteronomy 25:4, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.”

Hebrews 1:1-2, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”

Peter testified to the inspiration of Scriptures:

2 Peter 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.”

Confirmation of the New Testament Scriptures:

John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

1 Corinthians 2:12-13, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

1 Corinthians 7:10, “And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:”

1 Corinthians 7:40, “But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.”

1 Corinthians 14:37, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”

Paul calls the passage in the Gospel of Luke “the scripture” in 1 Timothy 5:18:

1 Timothy 5:18, “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

Luke 10:7, “And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.”

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Peter equals Paul’s writing to other divinely inspired Scriptures:

2 Peter 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

2 Timothy 3:16 “and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” Comments - These terms could be in a progression:

1. Doctrine Learning the Bible.

2. Reproof Conviction of sin.

3. Correction - Correcting our lives to line up with the Word of God.

4. Instruction in righteousness - Beginning to walk according to Bible doctrine.

As we read the Holy Scriptures, the Spirit of God quickens these verses to us as a “rhema” word for our present situations, giving us wisdom and specific instructions for specific situations. On many occasions, a Scripture has been quickened to me in a particular situation, and given me insight as to how to respond at that time in my spiritual journey.

2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Comments - The Inspiration of Scriptures 2 Timothy 2:16-17 is the clearest statement in the Scriptures declaring its divine inspiration, one of the Bible’s key divine attributes.

Comments - The Scriptures as Our Handbook - The Bible is our “Job Manual,” showing us how to conduct our duties as servant of God. If we lay aside “the Manual,” we will not be able to do our job correctly. For example, when a man is hired for a job, he does not just start working in an unfamiliar environment. He is taught and instructed, and many times he is given a job manual. If the newly hired employee does not study hard and pay attention, he may hang on to the job barely without excelling, or even be fired because he is very slothful. So it is when we become a Christian.