2 Timothy 3:10-17

In the section quoted at the end Paul tells Timothy to be different. Verses 10 and 14 both start, "But you ...". He is contrasting Timothy's behavior with those of the world around him. We who attempt to be intentional disciples will do the same.

I read in the commentary an illustration. When in a special boat used to traveling near the north pole one experiences high winds. The ice floes flow with the wind. But the captain pointing out an ice floe moving in another direction. The caption said, that is not a surface floe but an iceberg. The iceberg has a deep root of ice below the surface. It is being pushed by a deeper water current running against the surface current being pushed by the wind.

The surface current is like the surrounding culture. The iceberg is being pushed by the unseen deeper current. That is like the Holy Spirit of God. We do not want to be buffeted by the wind by inspired by the Holy Spirit. That will make us different in many ways and get us ridiculed at best, persecuted at worst.

2 TIMOTHY 3:10-17 [10]Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, [11]persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! [12]Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. [13]But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. [14]You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, [15]and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16]All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; [17]so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. NASB