Make Thee Wise Unto Salvation Through Faith?

2nd Tim. 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

:14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

[15] 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.

[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The word “salvation” has different definitions based upon the context and application of what is being taught. And in the context of 2nd Timothy chapter 3, The salvation mentioned here it's not referring to salvation from the debt and penalty of sin against the man, but rather it is a unique salvation that gives the Saint salvation unto being perfect, as the man of God. And this perfection is done by the holy scriptures, this perfecting is being done within the Saint by “that which is perfect.” The “wiles of the devil” begins to ‘ramp up’ the attack against the son who now desires to “live godly.” And Satan’s “evil men and seducers” consist of one form of attack against the son who now desires to live godly. And notice in verse 13 Paul says, “BUT evil men and seducers shall wax worse,” it seems as though one of Satan’s responses to the son now living godly is that his ministers would cause opposition to the Ministry, and persecute those who desire to live godly. This is where the knowledge of the will of God in all wisdom and Spiritual understanding and being perfect will “save” the son from the effects of these things, whereby he can be “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

2nd Tim.2:7] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

[8] Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

[9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

And notice Paul says that he suffers trouble as a evil doer, Paul is receiving persecution, he is being attacked by the policy of evil because he is living godly, this means he is walking and laboring in the likeness of Christ. And Christ himself was hated by the men of this world, and So are those who are also being conformed to the image of this son of God. There is salvation found in the word of God to give the son strength and godly peace and godly comfort when he is persecuted by the policy of evil. Paul teaches Timothy that he too can receive the salvation found in the scriptures which is able to save him from the policy of evil, and those that hears him as well.

1st Tim.4:15] Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

[16] Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

1st Tim. 3:6] Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

And as we see in the verses above, being a “novice” could cause those who are ignorant to the will of God to “fall into the condemnation of the devil.” And the Saint needs salvation from the lack of understanding of the will of God, and this is accomplished by being “wise unto salvation” through the truth of scripture. And because all scripture is ‘profitable’ unto the son to be “perfect,” there is a “evil” and ‘deceitful’ way of the adversary and his ministers to teach from “all scripture,” but have a desire to teach “another gospel, which is not another.” And our Father knows the “wiles of the devil” to “be like the Most high,” and the ‘plan’ that he has as the “prince of the power of the air” to have the men of this world to follow his “course,” and not God’s will. And as we can see in the verses below, there are some who could be “taken captive” by the devil because; instead of “acknowledging of the truth,” they are some who reject godly edifying, and by doing so, they “oppose themselves.” But notice the “salvation” from being caught in the devil’s “snare,” Paul says, “that they may RECOVER themselves.” And when someone ‘recovers themselves,’ they save themselves from something. And this particular salvation is accomplished by their acknowledgement to the scripture in truth, and taking heed unto their ungodly thinking that caused them to be caught in the snare of the devil to begin with.

2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Rod Jones