Continue in Things You Have Learned 2 Timothy 3:14

Paul the apostle continued to give direction concerning the church in Ephesus to Timothy who was the young pastor located there. Timothy was Paul's “dearly beloved son” in the faith, and Paul's desire was for Timothy to be informed concerning heretical people whom Paul called, “evil men and seducers”. He knew these men “shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived”, and Paul's warning concerning them was not only going to help Timothy, but also to caution the church he pastored. In chapter three and verse fourteen of this final letter to Timothy, Paul exhorts him to “continue in the things which you have learned” where we read:

But continue in the things which you have learned

and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them;

The verse begins, “But continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of,...” Once again Paul employs the word, “But” which means “moreover, in addition and” “continue” or “remain, abide, tarry, sojourn and do not depart from” “in the things which” or “in what or that” “you have learned” which means “apprised of, increased in knowledge within, heard, were informed about by use and habit”. Paul added, “and have been assured of” which means “made faithful, firm, established, rendered trustworthy and are firmly persuaded of”. Timothy learned principles and ways from Paul the apostle, and he was established in them. Paul's exhortation for Timothy was to “remain, abide, tarry, sojourn and not depart from” his teachings.

The verse continues, “...knowing of whom you have learned them;” Paul went on to add, “knowing” or “perceiving, noticing, discerning and paying attention to” “of whom” or “from whom” “you have learned them” which means “apprised of, increased in knowledge within, heard, were informed about by use and habit”. Paul was Timothy's earthly instructor, and by the Holy Spirit of God Timothy learned the ways of God. He was not to depart from the roots of his learning.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we see the importance of the source of our doctrine and teaching. Ideas and philosophies come from various places, and when we consider Paul's previous warning concerning “evil men and seducers”, we understand why we should make considerable provision to assure our information is correct. We cannot afford to persuaded by false teachings and heresies, and our best path to avoiding them is to continue in the Bible which is God's word. Let us remember from whom we have learned, and let us not depart from God's ways, and should anyone present ideas and philosophies that are contradictory to the Bible, let us not only flee from them, but consider them as spiritual plague.

Next time Paul refers to how Timothy “from a child” has “known the holy scriptures”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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