2 Timothy 3:14-15 14But you remain in the things you have learned and become sure of, knowing from whom you have learned, 15and that from childhood you have known the holy writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul shifts his focus from the imposters back to directly addressing Timothy with but you. Timothy must remain (mene) in the things he learned. The meaning of this verb, which can also be translated as “continue” or “abide,” and the present tense emphasize the need for Timothy to keep going in the same direction. This was his way of life, and he needed to continue in by keeping his focus.
Paul provides three major examples to guide Timothy in his ministry in Ephesus. The first was his own example through suffering. These verses introduce the second example of Timothy’s upbringing by a godly mother and grandmother (1:5). Timothy could find security and strength by looking to his past. Two stages are mentioned. First, he learned (emathes) by coming to an understanding and awareness of the gospel. The word used here forms the basis of “disciple” and describes learning about something, in this case, the truth of the gospel. Second, he became convinced (epistōthēs) of this truth. The word used here is a more intensive form of belief and assumes a deeper commitment. Timothy was already walking in the truth but needed to keep going by following the model of others.
Some of the greatest influences upon Timothy were his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, who were both believers. Paul mentions them by name in 1:5. The Bible does not say when or how they became Christians. By the time Paul met Timothy in Lystra (Acts 16:1), Timothy was already a believer. He was taught the holy writings as a child. These writings referred to the Jewish Bible, our Old Testament.
Paul next gives six ways Scripture is useful. First, it is able to make you wise for salvation. The primary purpose of Scripture is to show the way to eternal life. The earliest Christians believed Scripture spoke about the coming Messiah. Scripture makes wise by providing all the information we need about how to be saved (Romans 15:4).
Scripture shows that this salvation is through faith in Christ Jesus. The central theme of the Bible is that the only way to be saved is by trusting in God’s offer of grace. This grace has been revealed through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Believing in Jesus is the only way to be saved (Acts 2:21; 4:12). The Old Testament shows the need for the Messiah. It ends with the unsolved problem of a sinful human heart. The Old Testament also reveals God’s grace and plan of salvation. The missing link was how the problem of sin would be solved by God’s grace, which the New Testament reveals.
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