Follow Paul to Follow CHRIST (2 Timothy 3:10-12)

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  1. We are to follow Paul’s teaching.
  • 3:10. Six of Paul’s letters include Timothy as a co-author (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon). In addition, there are two letters written to him (1 & 2 Timothy). Paul is not telling Timothy to follow his teaching so much as stating that he already does. Indeed, he does it carefully – it is the same word as in Luke 1:3.
  • e.g. 2 Cor.5:21. Timothy has followed this teaching. If you are saved, you too have followed it.
  1. We are to follow Paul’s conduct.
  • 3:10; note 1 Cor.11:1. Augustine: ‘Such is each one as is his love.’ He meant that we are what we love.
  • Gal.2:20; Rom.5:5; 2 Thess.1:3; Rom.9:3.
  1. We are to expect persecution.
  • 3:11. Paul is referring to episodes nearly twenty years before this letter, during Paul’s first missionary journey. See Acts 13:50; 14:1-6, 19. Hence Acts 14:22. Why use these examples? Timothy was from Lystra (Acts 16:1).
  • 3:12; Matt.5:11; John 15:18-20. One first year English Literature student at university student was informed in an education lecture: ‘Christian fundamentalism is the greatest challenge for teachers to overcome.’ Cultural Marxism is the opiate of the people.