It seems that here we are in 2025 and we are reading instructions dated 2,000 years ago and yet they are so relevant to us. How much we need to take heed of what Paul says to Timothy.
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3 v 14-17)
Timothy is urged to hold fast to what he has learned, not because it’s trendy or popular, but because of its source and his own experience of its truth.
Notice Paul’s emphasis on relationship: “you know those from whom you learned it.” Faith isn’t just about abstract doctrine; it’s rooted in the testimony of trustworthy people. For Timothy, this included his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5), as well as Paul himself.
Who did you learn the Bible from? I heard someone declare that they love people more than they care about what the Bible says. Who said it? A preacher! This is the threat to us today. It was the same for Timothy’s generation. Hold on and don’t change what you have learnt was the instruction from Paul.
The Greek word literally means “breathed out by God.” It’s not that human authors were passive instruments, but that God’s Spirit worked through them so completely that the result is both fully human and fully divine in origin.
The word “all” is emphatic, not just some portions, not just the parts that seem immediately relevant or palatable, but all of Scripture carries this divine authority. This includes difficult passages, historical narratives, poetic books, and prophetic literature.
Paul outlines four key ways Scripture serves believers:
Teaching : It establishes the doctrinal framework for faith.
Rebuking: It confronts us with truth that may be uncomfortable but necessary.
Correcting Scripture helps realign our thinking and behaviour with God’s standards.
Training in righteousness: Like a coach training an athlete, Scripture develops spiritual maturity over time.
Scripture doesn’t just give us information; it transforms us into people capable of representing God effectively in the world.
There’s no area of Christian service or moral living for which Scripture fails to provide adequate preparation. This doesn’t mean it gives specific instructions for every situation, but it provides the principles, wisdom, and spiritual formation needed to navigate any challenge faithfully.
Missions Paul 