Continuing steadfast in scripture (3:10-17)

Having addressed the negative example of the false teachers, Paul now turned to positive influences for Timothy to follow in his ministry: the example of Paul himself (vs 10-13) and the guidance of the Holy Scripture (vs 14-17).
as in 1:8-14, Paul reminded Timothy of His own example as a minister. No one knew Paul better than Timothy. He knew Paul's teaching, his manner of life, his faith in Christ, the resolute purpose with which he pursued his witness, his patience and endurance even through the worst of trails. from the time of Timothy's conversion, during the course of Paul's first mission, Paul's young co-worker had been familiar with the apostle's suffering- at Antioch (Acts 13:50) an at Iconium (Acts 14:2-6). Timothy may well have personally witnessed the stoning of Paul which took place at Timothy's native town of Lystra (Acts 14:19-20). Timothy Knew how Paul had been delivered from those trails.Paul now reminded him that he too could expect persecution but that he could also expect God's protection. He went on to tell Timothy of a major reality that faces all God's servants. Sometimes the false and the wicked seem to flourish while true servants suffer (vs 12-13). In the end, however, the false will fail (vs9) while God will rescue those who are truly his (vs11).
In verses 14-17 Paul pointed to the most important guide of all for Timothy as he sought to be a servant of Christ- the Scripture. Timothy knew the Word of God. He had learned the Scriptures at his mother's knee (vs 15). Paul had in mind the Old Testament, which Timothy had learned from his pious Jewish mother and grandmother; the New Testament did not yet exist as a canon of Scripture. Everything he said about Scripture, however, is certainly applicable to the totality of God's word, both old and new covenants. The sacred Scripture is inspired, "God-breathed," spoken through humans by the word of God (2 Pet 1:19-21). Paul, however, was not primarily interested in convincing Timothy of the scripture's inspiration; Timothy already believed in that. Paul was most concerned to challenge Timothy with the Scripture's usefulness. It was his indispensable tool as a minister- for teaching, for confronting error, for straightening out those who strayed, for instruction in the standards of God. If Timothy was to do the good work of a minister, he had to be thoroughly equipped in the Word.