Paul is clear that the kinds of people we read about yesterday aren’t going anywhere (v 13). And the effects of those people on the lives of those who follow Jesus are, sadly, inevitable. Persecution is to be expected (v 12). Paul therefore urges Timothy to keep focused on scripture – on what he has learned from being an infant (vs 14,15), so that verse 17 is the result.

Two things occur to me. One is that it’s all scripture – not just the bits we like, but the bits that challenge or make us feel uncomfortable too. Of course, we need to approach the more difficult passages carefully and, if necessary, with help, but avoiding them isn’t helpful. 

The second is to think about what ‘every good work’ might actually be (v 17). We might really, really like what he calls us to, or the place he wants us in, or the people he puts us with. But sometimes we might not. Good works for God sometimes take us right out of our comfort zone, and scripture, in all its fullness and variety, helps us to be ready.

‘Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds … Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home’.¹

Rather than being led astray by these false teachers, Timothy must continue in the teachings of which he had become convinced. Jewish children were customarily taught the Law at an early age and they had to commit parts of it to memory. The Holy Scriptures (our Old Testament) were able to prepare him – they disciplined him in obedience to God and pointed forward to the coming Messiah, through whom salvation by faith would become available. Timothy was a first-generation Christian. 

A parent’s work is vital. At home and at church we must realise that teaching small children is an opportunity and a responsibility. Paul says, ‘Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord’.² Moses’ words in Deuteronomy (quoted above) tell us to teach children at all times – not just in family prayers or Sunday School, but throughout the day. Small children can be taught to say ‘Thank you, Jesus’ before their meals; to pray for their classmates, friends and teachers who are sick, and so on. Children are quick to learn if we teach them.

The whole Bible is God’s inspired Word: ‘All Scripture is God-breathed’ (v 16). The word used here is theopneustos, a combination of two other Greek words, theos (God) and pneo (breathe). This is one of the greatest texts in the New Testament. It means ‘breathed out’, in contrast with the breathing in of the breath of life when Adam was created.³ Because it is inspired and trustworthy, it is our standard for testing everything and our source of guidance for how to live. We need to read it regularly and a Bible guide can help. I have been reading Encounter with God for over 50 years and have introduced many to it. 

‘The best book to read is the Bible. If you read it every day it will help you on your way, the best book to read is the Bible.’⁴

¹ Deut 11:18,19  ² Eph 6:4  ³ Gen 2:7  ⁴ Anon, recorded by Colin Buchanan, ‘The Best Book to Read’