Highlighted Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Introduction:

In Paul’s second extant letter to his beloved Timothy, the passage of 3:10-4:5 records Paul’s final charge to Timothy. Calling on Timothy’s trust of Paul’s ministry and character (3:10-13), the role of his mother and grandmother in his knowledge of the Gospel (3:14-15), and the divine nature and power of Scripture (3:15-3:17), Paul commissions Timothy to fulfill his ministry as a harbinger of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ (4:1-5). This is Paul’s great last words for his disciple, knowing his own death was coming soon (4:6). These essential commissioning words of Paul can be seen as the core of pastoral responsibilities for Timothy and for all pastors since. 

Ancient Context:

This charge to Timothy is delivered in “view of [Christ’s] appearing and his kingdom.” While Paul saw his own life about to end, he still holds that Christ will come quickly. This was the mindset for much of the early Church. The paraousia (or second “appearing”) of Christ was on the horizon and Timothy was charged to take the baton for the next leg of the relay race Paul had begun in Christ (4:7).

Key Words and Phrases:

2 Tim. 3:15 – ἱερὰ γράμματα – Paul commands Timothy to remember the “Holy Scripture” he was raised immersed in. This phrase, found here without an article, should be seen as referring to the scriptures of the Hebrew Bible. The plural adjective hiera often describes someone or something of a sacred or consecrated nature or purpose. This use of word hieros only describes “writings” (grammata) here in 2 Timothy 3:15, while it is more common to describe the Temple (Matt. 4:5) or priests of the Temple (1 Cor. 9:13, translated “those who serve in the Temple”). Most importantly, both Paul and Timothy as Jews would have understood this phrase to mean the Torah, writings, and prophets of the Old Testament.

2 Tim. 3:16 – θεόπνευστος – This compound descriptor (translated “God-breathed” by most translations) of “every Scripture/writing” (πᾶσα γραφὴ) is foundational for our appreciation of the divine inspiration of the Bible. In particular, the Old Testament should never be seen as lesser Scriptures or less divine in its heritage (e.g., Marcionism). Every word of Scripture not only originates from God, but does exactly what God’s breath has done since the beginning, it animates the inanimate (Gen. 2:7). The new life of Christ is now available through faith by the same breath of God in His Word (2 Tim. 3:15).

Key Words and Phrases:

While some have been called into full-time, occupational ministry, this charge in 2 Tim. 3:14-4:5 could easily be seen as a universal charge to all believers. While many Christians may not assume they are called into full-time ministry, God’s Word is available to be used for the good works of God’s kingdom (3:17) and is not reserved to only be used by “professional” evangelists. Every man, woman, and child in the faith should see themselves as commissioned by the same voice that animated their own hearts, continuing the lineage of the ministry of whoever first shared the Gospel with them. To do so is to realize the “holy priesthood” united under the same consecrated, holy (hiera) Word of God (1 Pet. 2:4-5).

Prayer of Invocation:

“Blessed Lord, you have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning—grant us that we may in such a way hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that by patience and comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” Book of Common Prayer, 1552

Prayer of Adoration:

“Your words and ways are

Perfect
Sure
Right
Clear

Your words and ways are
Pure
True
Righteous
Every one

Their value, beyond price
Their goodness, beyond delight
Their counsel, enduring blessing

Place in me a longing
To desire them
Become them
Every one”

Words and Ways © 2021 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com

Prayer of Confession:

“Please give us mercy, Oh Lord, for how we have misused your word. We ignore it, discredit it, weaponize it, and commandeer it to prop ourselves up. Instead, please make us humble, bring us low, so that we can encounter the mystery of your grace in the Scriptures. Strip us of our securities in ourselves that we would pursue you more fervently. We come you in silent confession.” Time of silent reflection and confession…

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

Assurance of Pardon:

The good news is that Christ calls us to new life and enables us to begin again and again and again and again.

Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.

People: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

As Jesus healed the afflicted and restored those who have died, he also forgives our sins and gives us new life.

Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.

People: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!