2 Timothy Devotion

This blog found its beginning while I was in seminary at Southwestern in Fort Worth. When I started there, my understanding of the nature of Scripture was not very good. As I came to understand, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” But as I began to grow and understand what God’s Word is, this little phrase embedded in chapter 2 struck me in the most profound way–the word is not imprisoned!

So much so that I named the blog after this amazing statement. I left SWBTS with the understanding that God’s Word was just that…God’s Word. For God to say was for the Bible to say. For the Bible to say was for God to say. The simple reason the Word cannot be imprisoned is because God cannot be imprisoned. If the nature of Scripture were anything less, then it could most certainly be shut up. I mean, our word can be shut up. Only God’s Word is unbound. No cage can contain it. The thickness or height of any wall cannot stop it. That’s very encouraging!

I think it is ironic and somewhat hilarious that 2 Timothy, the prison letters from Paul could not be imprisoned. Paul was locked up but God’s Word could not be locked up. These letters, which we hold to be Scripture, left the prison and accomplished and is still accomplishing its purposes!

Indeed, what follows this profound truth is the source of Paul’s perseverance. He endured all things through the truth of God’s Word and he was certain that whether or not he remained imprisoned that the Word was never imprisoned. And the Word…the Gospel…indeed Jesus/the Word himself was going forth saving his people to obtain salvation and eternal glory!

The Scriptures were the source by which Timothy’s mother and grandmother had been led to faith as well as Timothy himself. The Scriptures are the source from which Timothy is to teach, remember, remind, and preach. They’re all he’s got! They are enough! Why?

(2 Tim. 3:16-17) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

• What do you think and believe about God’s word?
• Is it the very Word of God, Himself?
• Does it have ultimate authority over you?
• Do you regard it as sufficient?
• Can it be stopped?
• Is it able to teach, reprove, correct, train in righteousness so that you will be equipped for every good work?
• Should other words…your word be preached?
• Is God’s Word trustworthy?
• At the end of all things, what will still be standing?

(1 Pet. 1:23-25) ...since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.