It Starts Small

God’s Word provides detailed explanation of Heavenly wisdom, which leads to godliness, or earthy demonic wisdom which leads to corruption.

¹⁰ But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, ¹¹ along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured—and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. ¹² In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, ¹⁵ and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

At the start of Chapter 3, Paul transitions from the ungodly actions of evil people and false teachers to his own godly life and its influence on Timothy. We will cover the first part of chapter 3 down the road when we work through scripture concerning ungodly behaviors.

There are seven characteristics presented in verse 8. These are specific areas in which Timothy has closely observed Paul’s teachings. These support the reality of Paul’s beliefs and are meant to be imitated by Timothy and us. This reveals the harmony of the rest of the New Testament and the connection between beliefs and actions that James writes about:

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?

James 2:14

The word followed in verses 10 and 11 have a very clear meaning. In the Greek is parēkolouthēsas which means “to observe closely, to follow, to imitate, or to examine in depth.” Paul is telling Timothy, you have personal knowledge of my example, have studied me closely, and have accompanied me in these in the past. Paul will also punctuate each of the following items with the Greek term tē, meaning “the:” as in “the teaching, the conduct, the aim of life…”

First: Timothy followed Paul’s teaching. Paul and Timothy were in ministry together (See acts 16) and Paul wrote to Timothy twice. Are we closely following the teachings of Jesus? Are we apply His teachings to every aspect of our lives?

Second: Timothy followed Paul’s conduct and actions. Paul calls Timothy the true child of faith (1 Timothy 1:2). Are we surrounding ourselves with godly people who are the example of godliness in conduct and actions? Are we apply all of Jesus to our attitude, behaviors, and in every aspect of life?

Third: Timothy followed Paul’s goal in life. Paul was a person of purpose who had a focus on the gospel. Timothy strove to follow God and to spread the gospel of hope and truth. Are we pursuing the same goal as Paul? IN all things are we displaying our faith to others in how we speak, act, and behave? Are we living an example of a life that would cause others to want what we have?

Fourth: Timothy followed Paul’s faith. This is a general phrase here that could encompass both salvation and ongoing faithfulness as a believer. Are we following God faithfully? Have we surrendered to His calling and anointing in our lives or are we just keeping a seat warm on Sunday morning?

Fifth: Timothy followed in patience. Paul constantly spoke about the virtue of a believer with patience.

²⁵ Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:25

Are we willing to wait upon the Lord? Or have we given up and are walking in our own way, will and purpose.

Sixth: Timothy followed love. This is a key topic in Paul’s writings. This is most famously explained in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Paul says that while these characteristics are wonderful in the sight of God, none of them matter if you do not have love. Love is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13) Are we motivated by love for the one true God and for others or are we bitter hate filled people?

Finally: Timothy followed steadfastness or perseverance. Timothy had endured much, just as Paul had throughout his ministry. I heard a preacher say, a faith that can not be tested is no faith at all. We are going to have trials, storms, and temptations, but it for our good. Have you given up or are you still on the narrow road?

In Pisidia Antioch, religious opponents stirred up persecution to chase Paul out of the city (Acts 13:50–51). Lystra was even worse; Paul was stoned until the crowd thought he was dead, and then dumped outside of the city (Acts 14:19). Timothy was from Lystra and may have witnessed this event (Acts 16:1). It was here that Timothy joined Paul and became a missionary with him.

Timothy “followed” Paul. Timothy has both direct personal knowledge, and experience, with these things. He knows he can trust Paul’s message, because he has seen Paul act out the very things he is teaching others. Verse 11 adds that Timothy also had close association with Paul’s persecution in places like Antioch, Lystra, and Iconium.

Regardless of the problems, Paul could say “the Lord rescued me.”

DO you need the Lord’s rescue today?

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If you are following along in the Journal, the back pages have a table of Heavenly Wisdom vs. Corrupted Wisdom. Today’s scripture is in the first block under the column Heavenly Wisdom. If you get stuck, you can visit this page and see my example.

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