The sermon preached by the Rev. W. Irwin, member of the TBS General Committee at the 193^rd Annual General Meeting Saturday 21 September 2024 Edited for publication.

‘But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and deprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works’ (2 Timothy 3.13–17).

In the 193 years since the founding of the Trinitarian Bible Society in 1831, we may reasonably assume that some brother has taken at least part of this text and preached it at one of the Annual General Meetings. This is because in the closing section here of 2 Timothy 3, the focus is squarely upon the Word of God, and it is this God-given, Divinely inspired book that is at the centre and the core of all of the activities of the TBS. I want you to see what the Scriptures say or reveal about themselves, and the impact that they have in this world.

The abandonment of Holy Scripture: 2 Timothy 3.13

Turning to verse 13 to begin with, I want you to note the abandonment of Holy Scripture: ‘But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived’. Where is there a reference to the Word of God in this thirteenth verse? If you actually stop and think about what Paul is saying here, you will see that he is simply telling us what happens when men abandon the teaching of Holy Scripture. Note the transition from godly living in verse 12 to evil living in verse 13. You will notice that there is a change in character and conduct set before us in these two verses. In verse 12 we read of those that ‘live godly in Christ Jesus’, and then in verse 13 we come to ‘evil men and seducers’ who ‘wax worse and worse’. As we examine this thirteenth verse, we encounter a sobering description of what occurs when men and women forsake and abandon the teaching of God’s Holy Word. We are given a very clear picture of the character and the conduct of those who abandoned truth.

Observe how these men are depicted. Paul, speaking here by inspiration, gives us good insight into the conduct and character of these evil men. They are depicted as depraved men; they are termed here ‘evil men’, which refers to individuals who surpass the general depravity that is in all humans. Their actions go beyond the norm, echoing the evil even in the days of Noah. These are not isolated cases, or just some individuals; instead they are spoken of here in the plural: ‘evil men’, men who oppose the Truth of God.

Those who are abandoning or would abandon the Truth of God are not only depicted as depraved men, they are also depicted as devilish men. They are spoken of here as being seducers, which is one of the characteristics of the devil himself: we will all know the Biblical record of how Satan came to Eve in the garden and seduced her to believe the lie. People can be persuaded to believe lies just as Eve herself was, and the seductions of these evil people in our day sadly continue to draw away men and women from God’s Holy Book.

They are also depicted as degenerating men. Scripture says they ‘wax worse and worse’. I have not termed them degenerate men, though they are certainly that, but instead that they are degenerating men. They progressively move from bad to worse in a downward trajectory away from truth, holiness, and righteousness.

They are also depicted as deceptive men. Paul tells us they are ‘deceiving, and being deceived’. These individuals both deceive others, and they themselves are deceived; we might say they are ‘deceived deceivers’. What a tragedy. It’s a tragic cycle: deceived themselves and leading many others into their deception and delusion. Paul in Romans 1.25 speaks of those ‘who changed the truth of God into a lie’. That was a deception of immense proportions. Can there be a bigger deception than that, to change truth into a lie? But is that not what you and I are seeing, certainly in Western society today?

For a more detailed picture of what this abandonment of Scripture looks like read 2 Timothy 3.2–5. In these verses Paul lists nineteen characteristics of those who abandoned the Word and the Truth of God. Time doesn’t permit that we look at the whole list, but as the first one Paul says ‘men shall be lovers of their own selves’ (2 Timothy 3.2). While this is not a sin we hear spoken about much, it is still a sin. Men are indeed lovers of their own selves. We are living in a generation that is very much in love with themselves. This self-centeredness is amplified by social media which has become a hallmark of our day and age. Has there ever been a generation that is so much in love with themselves? ‘Who is like me? Let me post lots of photographs on Instagram of me having breakfast so people will know all about me’.

Look at these other eighteen characteristics listed, and you will be enlightened about what happens when Scripture is forsaken and abandoned. Why is there all this depraved, devilish, degenerating, and deceptive behaviour in our society today? The simple answer is because men have abandoned Holy Scripture.

The adherence to Holy Scripture: 2 Timothy 3.14

The fourteenth verse of our text reads ‘But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them’. I want you to observe here the adherence to Holy Scripture by drawing your attention to the word ‘continue’. Paul says to Timothy, ‘But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned’. It is as if he is saying, ‘Timothy, I want you to adhere. I want you to stand fast by Holy Scripture’. When initially preparing this sermon I was going to begin my message at verse 14, but then I noticed that verse 14 begins with ‘but’, a conjunction. As a conjunction it connects this verse with the verse that goes before, so there’s a connection with verse 13. However, the ‘but’ also introduces a contrast. Paul has already reminded Timothy of those who have abandoned the truth and would lead others to abandon it. But then he comes with this very personal and powerful word—an apostolic command—and he says to this young man, ‘But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned’. He is simply saying, ‘Timothy, you’ve got to take a different line. You have got to go in the opposite direction to those who have forsaken the Word of God’.

As men abandon truth we are to hold fast and continue in the truth. Not forsaking it, instead we are to cling to it. The more men and women would depart from it, the Word of God here is calling us, as Christians, to continue in the Word. In fact, it’s not just a recommendation, it’s a command. In the light of the abandonment of Scripture and its teaching, Paul is saying to Timothy, ‘Timothy, your personal duty before God is to adhere to the teaching and the truth of the Word of God. In your ministry you will encounter those who will seek to abandon a Scriptural position, but you Timothy, continue. Stand fast’.

Timothy was a young man, and this is a word to a young person which is still applicable to young people today: continue adhering to the principles, the practices, and the truth of the Word of God, irrespective of what others might do. This is a personal duty. It was spoken singly and particularly to Timothy, ‘Timothy, others may be going this way, but this is your duty’. And that is the duty of all of us: to firmly adhere to the truth and the teaching of this Holy Book.

Sometimes we may look at young people and worry that they are drifting. That may be the case in some instances. But it’s not only young people that can drift away from a Biblical position, principles, or priorities. Older people can do it as well. In fact, the history of the church of Jesus Christ is sadly sullied by men and women who have started out well, adhering to the truth, but as the years have gone by they have loosened their hold on truth and may have even lost their grip on it entirely.

This is not the first time in this epistle that Paul exhorted Timothy to adhere to the truth. In 2 Timothy 1.13 he said, ‘Hold fast the form of sound words’. That is an exhortation that comes to us all today, to ‘hold fast’. The book of Hebrews encourages believers not to waver in their profession despite being put under pressure to loosen their adherence to apostolic and inspired teaching and depart from Scripture. Satan is still using that ploy today. Therefore it is all the more important for you and me, men and women, young or old, to take this command of God to heart today and to adhere firmly to God’s precious and Holy Truth.

The prophet Daniel was a man that was put under pressure in Babylon to play loose with the Word of God. Daniel 1.8 says, ‘Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defi le himself with the portion of the king’s meat’. May it be our determination and purpose that by the grace, help, and strength of God we will hold firm to His precious and Holy Word.

The acquaintance with Holy Scripture: 2 Timothy 3.15

The fifteenth verse highlights Timothy’s acquaintance and early exposure with the Scriptures and their profound impact on his life: ‘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’. By means of the Scriptures and the blessing of God upon His Own Word, Timothy was brought to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to experience the salvation that is only to be found in Him.

From an early age Timothy was exposed to God’s Word, and learned it. He was a young man, who even as a child was learned in the truth of Holy Scripture. He was not just merely acquainted with the Scriptures, but he was, as we know from subsequent testimony, acquainted with the Saviour that these Scriptures present to us. The word ‘child’ here refers to a very young child; it could even refer to an infant. This means that Timothy’s familiarity with Holy Scripture began at a very early age. The same word is used to describe our Saviour or to refer to Him when He was yet a babe in the manger, and is also translated as ‘infant’ in Luke 18.15 to describe the children brought to Jesus.

There are a couple of deductions we can draw from this. Firstly, children need to be exposed to Scripture. Paul’s example with Timothy emphasises the importance of exposing children to the Scriptures. Parents should introduce their little ones to God’s Word at the earliest possible opportunity, both in the home and in the public gatherings of God’s people for worship. Early exposure to Scripture lays a foundation for faith and for understanding.

We can also glean that children need to be educated from and in the Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3.14–15 make a considerable emphasis upon a Biblical or Christian education: ‘But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures’. There is an emphasis upon Timothy having learned the Scriptures from a very early age. Timothy was one who was conversant with Scripture. He knew what the Bible was about: he knew its message, and knew the truths that were presented to him. He was also convinced of the Scriptures because it tells us he was to continue in the things which he had learned and had been ‘assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them’ (2 Timothy 3.14). Timothy had a deep conviction that the Scriptures were undoubtedly and clearly the Word of God. They were to be relied upon; they were truth. ‘God is not a man, that he should lie’ (Numbers 23.19). Therefore Timothy was able to be assured that what he had was the Word of the living God.

Furthermore, we can see from the text that Timothy was converted through the Scriptures. They made him ‘wise unto salvation’. In all the work of the Trinitarian Bible Society, our aim ultimately, is the glory of God through the salvation of precious souls. On the back page of the Quarterly Record the aims of the Society are written, and the third one is ‘To be instrumental in bringing light and life, through the Gospel of Christ, to those who are lost in sin and in the darkness of false religion and unbelief’.

The Society’s ultimate goal is to bring light and life through the Gospel of Christ to those who are lost in sin and darkness. This mission hinges upon making God’s Word accessible through faithful and reliable translations of the Scriptures. From Genesis to Revelation the Scriptures point us to Christ. We must not just merely know the Scriptures, but know the Saviour that they present to us.

The authority of Holy Scripture: 2 Timothy 3.16

We can observe the authority of Holy Scripture in the opening clause of the next verse of our text: ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God’ (2 Timothy 3.16). In this verse Paul very clearly declares the Divine origin and authority of the Scriptures: their authority derives from God Himself. They are not just what Paul wrote, or what Moses says, or what the church teaches. They are the Word of God. Although we may speak of them as the writings of Moses, or of Paul, or of Peter, we know that they are in fact the very words of God Himself.

Firstly, consider the source of this inspiration. The phrase, ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God’ emphasises to us very clearly that the Scriptures originate from God Himself. The term inspiration more literally can be understood of as ‘God breathed’ or ‘breathed out from God’. This means that the human authors were guided infallibly and inerrantly by the Holy Spirit of God. Our Bible doesn’t come from human authority, it comes from the highest authority possible.

Part of the procedure in establishing laws in the United Kingdom is that those laws have to pass through the House of Lords, which gives them authority. Our Bible comes from an even higher authority; it comes from the Lord of lords and King of kings. It carries the highest possible authority because it comes from Heaven, from the very mouth of God. I think Isaiah recognised that when he said, ‘The LORD is our lawgiver’ (Isaiah 33.22).

Secondly, consider the script of this inspiration. The Lord has given us an inspired book, and the very word ‘scripture’ carries some significance for us in this matter. It derives from the Latin word ‘scribere’, meaning ‘to write’. This is the source of the English words scribble, script, scribe, and manuscript. In other words, it’s referring to a written text. And that is exactly what is being conveyed here: God has given us His Word, but He has given it to us in a script, in a book, in a written form. This is a most valuable and precious thing for all of us to have, certainly for our whole world ever to possess: God‘s Word in a book that we can take and read and learn what God would have us know about Himself, about the way of salvation. We have a treasure; we have a book like none other! We have a book of which we can say, like David when he spoke of Goliath’s sword, ‘There is none like that: give it me’ (1 Samuel 21.9). May we be most deeply thankful that God in His goodness has given us a book with His will, with His words.

Thirdly, consider the scope of this inspiration. How much of Scripture is inspired? Our text leaves us in absolutely no doubt. It tells us ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God’. This means that every part of it—the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and twenty-seven books of the New Testament—are all equally inspired, and as a consequence they are therefore authoritative. John Burgon eloquently describes the Bible’s Divine nature when he says,

The Bible is none other than the voice of Him that sitteth upon the throne! Every book of it, every chapter of it, every verse of it, every word of it, every syllable of it, is a direct utterance of the Most High. Well spake the Holy Ghost by the mouth of the many blessed men who wrote it. The Bible is none other than the Word of God, not some part of it more, some part of it less, but all alike, the utterance of Him who sitteth upon the throne, absolute, faultless, honouring, supreme.¹

And Burgon was absolutely right: what a treasure the Lord has given us, the Holy Scriptures in a book that we can read and learn and love.

The adequacy of Holy Scripture: 2 Timothy 3.16–17

‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness’ (2 Timothy 3.16), for the purpose that ‘the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works’ (2 Timothy 3.17). Here Paul is emphasising the profound adequacy of Holy Scripture. All Scripture is profitable.

Paul is talking about two things in these verses. He’s talking about the adequacy of Scripture, but he’s particularly speaking about the sufficiency and the suitability of Scripture. The Holy Scripture simply stated gives us everything we need: provides us with all that we need to know about God, about the way of salvation. It meets every spiritual requirement that the sinner or saint might ever need. It provides all the teaching, censures, warnings, and the instruction to make us complete and mature Christians. It is wholly adequate for every spiritual need that your soul or mine might ever have.

Firstly, consider the adequacy of the Scripture in the saving of sinners. The Scriptures point us to one Person—Christ—and our need of Him, and of our need of salvation in Him. Even the law, which shouts forth our condemnation, points us to Christ as the Saviour; as Paul says, ‘the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ’ (Galatians 3.24). O the adequacy of the Holy Scriptures in saving sinners!

Secondly, consider the adequacy of the Scripture in sanctifying sinners. When God saves a sinner, what does He do? He doesn’t cease to work; rather He continues a work in His people. And by the blessing of God upon His Word, He works through His Word so that we might have the nature or the character of a man of God. This is a Holy Book. The Psalmist said concerning God’s Word in Psalm 12.6, ‘The words of the LORD are pure words’. Our text itself calls the Scripture the ‘holy scriptures’. By the blessing of God they make us a holy, sanctified people. The Lord Jesus Christ in John 17.17 prayed, ‘Sanctify them through thy truth’. God will always work out the sanctification of His people through His Word, by the application of it by His Spirit.

Thirdly, consider the adequacy of the Scripture in schooling Christians. This book, we are told, is ‘profitable … for instruction in righteousness’ (2 Timothy 3.16). Do you want to know how to live godly so that God’s Name and grace may be glorified? This book, the Bible, will give you the answer. One theologian wrote, ‘God has given to the world one organically complete revelation adapted to all, sufficient for all, provided for all. And from this one completed revelation, He requires each to draw his whole spiritual sustenance’.² That is what we have in this book, a book that more than meets your spiritual requirements.

Conclusion

That statement in the New Hampshire Confession of Faith is true which says, ‘We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction, that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter’.³ TBS, with your support and with the blessing of Almighty God, will continue on in this great work in publishing and in proclaiming the Holy Scriptures in print and in the pulpit. Let us continue to publish God’s Holy Word in faithful translations. Let us present it to the peoples of this world so that they too may be led to experience the salvation that is found in our wonderful Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Through your help, and with the blessing of God, we can reach many with the message of salvation.

I trust that God will bless His Word to you, and also to the millions who have or who will yet receive a copy of the Word of God, this inspired Book. May the Lord help us to continue in this work, ‘For the Glory of God and the Increase of His Kingdom through the circulation of Protestant or uncorrupted versions of the Word of God’. Amen.