From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 WEB

In the third chapter of Paul’s second evangelical epistle to Timothy, Paul describes the characteristics of humanity in the last days. He wrote in 2 Timothy 3:2-4, “For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good. WEB” 

Previously, Paul wrote of Timothy’s early exposure to the holy scriptures. He gained insight into the holy scriptures from his mother and grandmother. In 2 Timothy 1:5, we read of the faith in which Timothy was raised as Paul recalls, “the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, is in you also. WEB”

Scripture Comes From God

Paul’s reference to the holy scriptures that Timothy studied since early childhood directs his readers to focus on the importance of remaining rooted in God’s word and steadfast in the faith. All of the holy scriptures, both Old Testament and New Testament are useful for instruction in living a godly life. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. WEB”

With evil minded men attempting to corrupt the spiritual understanding of others, Paul directed Timothy’s focus to the foundational documents of our faith. It is the holy scriptures that prepared the world for the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the promised Messiah. As we read in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. WEB”

Yesterday’s Devotional: Perfecter of Faith