2 Timothy 3:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

NIV: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

NASB: You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

CSB: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,

NLT: But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

KJV: But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

NKJV: But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

Paul offers Timothy words of wisdom, emphasizing that Timothy's calling and behavior have nothing to do with the acts of these evil men: "But as for you." Timothy was a faithful follower of Christ, well-known to Paul and to those he led. Paul offered three specific reasons for this encouragement. First, Timothy was to maintain faithfulness to the teachings he was already walking in. Timothy had learned the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5), as well as from Paul.

Second, he was to continue in what he had established clearly as his beliefs. Timothy had both learned God's truth and had believed the gospel. Both were important parts of Timothy's life and ministry. He had likely been led to faith in Christ by Paul in his hometown of Lystra (Acts 16:1), later following Paul as a fellow missionary before becoming the leader of the Christians in Ephesus. Third, Timothy had deep personal experience with the man from whom he had learned these truths. The prior verses were specifically meant to describe the various ways in which Timothy had seen evidence of Paul's own faith.

Paul had taught to Timothy the same gospel which he had received after his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9) and had learned from the apostles who had been with Christ (Galatians 1:18). Timothy had the advantage of personally learning the teachings of Christ from Paul and other early Christians prior to the completion of the New Testament writings.

Second Timothy 3:10–17 draws a strong contrast between the worldly, wicked behaviors of false teachers, and the conduct Timothy has seen from Paul. Not only has Timothy seen Paul's suffering for the sake of Christ first-hand, he has often experienced it alongside his friend, as well. This adds to the validity of Paul's teachings, which he strongly encourages Timothy to hold to. Above all, Timothy is to rely on the most secure, reliable, unchanging defense against error and false teaching: the ''God-breathed,'' inspired, written Scriptures.

Chapter 3 presents two sections with very different themes. In the first, Paul describes in detail the sins associated with apostasy: the abandonment of truth. Echoing the themes of prior chapters, Paul instructs Timothy to avoid not only these sins, but the people who participate in them. In the second section, Paul draws a contrast between these false teachers and his own example, as well as the faithful conduct of Timothy. Paul's capstone advice against false teaching and apostasy is the written word of God: the most powerful resource for any Christian leader.

In prior chapters, Paul has encouraged Timothy through an appeal to his lifelong spiritual heritage. He has also instructed Timothy to remain focused on the work of God, rather than pointless bickering. Here, Paul will present more warnings about the attitude of false teachers and those who reject God in favor of their own preferences. Just as he taught previously, Paul warns Timothy in no uncertain terms to avoid these behaviors and those who participate in them. This chapter is the high point of Paul's letter, leading to his final instructions to Timothy found in chapter 4.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.