The Word, The Word, and Nothing But the Word

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2 Timothy 3:14
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

As the apostle Paul neared the end of his life and ministry he wrote to Timothy regarding the Word of God and what he must do to keep the truth alive. The first admonition Paul gave Timothy was to continue. Continue means to abide, to remain, or to await. STAY PUT on that which you have learned and believed. Timothy was also admonished to remember who had taught him the Word.

2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Paul reminded Timothy that since he was a child he had known the holy scriptures. It is the Word, the Word, and nothing but the Word of God that makes us wise unto salvation. The foundation of our believing in Christ Jesus is the Word of God. The foundation of that which we have learned and believed is the Word of God. We must STAY PUT on God's Word. See also: Holding Fast the Faithful Word

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God [God breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Continue in what you have been taught and believed. Remember who taught you. You have been taught God's Word. And God's Word comes from God! The next reminder is that the Word of God is "God breathed." The source of the Word is GOD.

The Word of God is profitable! It is profitable for doctrine. It tells us what we are to believe. It is profitable for reproof. It points out where we are believing wrongly. It proves us wrong. It is profitable for correction. It straightens us up when we are wrong. It rectifies us to right believing. It brings us back. The Word of God does it all. That is why we must stay put on the Word that we have learned and believed.

2 Timothy 3:17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The purpose of God's Word is that the man (or woman) of God may have all that they need to do good works. The Word of God makes us perfect - throughly perfected on the inside. The Word of God makes us furnished - throughly furnished unto all good works. The word "perfect" and the word "furnished" are from the same Greek root word. The Word of God fully outfits us for a perfect walk.

2 Timothy 4:1-2a
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Preach the word; . . .

You are fully outfitted with the Word of God you have been taught so PREACH THE WORD! This was not a simple suggestion. Paul charged Timothy before God and the Lord Jesus Christ. You have been given a great knowledge of God's Word. Now God expects you to stand on it and hold it forth to others.

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Timothy was reminded in great detail about the Word of God he had been taught. Then Paul wrote: "Preach the word!" "Be instant" means to stand near or be present. Timothy was to "be right there" with the word in every situation. If there was a well-timed opportunity he was to preach the word. When it was "not in season" or there was not a well-timed opportunity, he was still to be right there with God's word. In season or out of season "be there" with the word. Reprove: Again means to prove wrong with the word - to point out error. "Rebuke" is a stronger term that means to strongly admonish. It actually carries the meaning of exacting penalty for error. When people begin to move away from God's word the man of God is to reprove them. When they practice error and begin making doctrinal change to the word, the man of God is to rebuke and correct the error with God's Word.

The word of God is profitable for doctrine - so PREACH IT! The word of God is profitable for reproof - so REPROVE WITH THE WORD. The word of God is profitable for correction - so REBUKE WITH THE WORD. The word of God is profitable for instruction in right living - so EXHORT with all longsuffering and doctrine. Exhort means to call near to counsel, comfort, or encourage. It is the same word that is used by Jesus Christ in describing the holy spirit as "the Comforter." Longsuffering means "a long time before getting angry." We continue holding forth God's Word without getting angry even when others are deeply entrenched in error. We just keep presenting the doctrine of how to believe rightly.

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

The apostle Paul and Timothy had seen the word of God prevail in their day and time. They also saw believers turn away from the truth. When one who has known and believed the word stops listening to the doctrine, reproof and correction of the word, he (or she) gets to the point where they will not endure sound doctrine. They do not put up with truth - in fact they begin to stand against it. Then the word says they begin following after their own lusts. Lust can be understood as a desire for that which is forbidden. They no longer put up with (endure) sound doctrine. Instead, they follow after that which is forbidden or contrary to the word of God.

Then they begin to "heap to themselves teachers." The foundational word of God taught them is no longer enough. They bring in all kinds of teachers who have some "new" idea about the word of God. The word says they have "itching ears." They look for something to tickle their hearing - something new and different. This is the road down. Paul told Timothy to continue in the word of God and keep presenting the doctrine, reproof, and correction he had been taught. He also told him what to look for in those who would turn away from the truth. They would stand against sound doctrine. They would follow their own desire for that which was forbidden. They would bring in all kinds of teachers. They would be itching to hear some new thing.

2 Timothy 4:4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables.

Once a believer begins to stand against the word of God he has been taught and begins exploring all kinds of teachings with a desire for that which is contrary to the word of God he has been taught, the result is that he turns his hearing away from the truth and turns to myths, fables, and stories.

2 Timothy 4:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

WATCH OUT! Be sober. Keep your thinking locked in on the word of God and don't get intoxicated by the unbelief around you. Put up with the pressure. Keep holding forth God's Word and get people born again. Make full proof of your ministry.

Timothy, remember its the Word, the Word, and nothing but God's Word!