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What Does 2 Timothy 3:10 Mean?
2 Timothy 3:10-11
As the elect of God, we must put on or clothe ourselves with longsuffering. By doing this in unity as a church, we rid ourselves of, or at least dramatically reduce, friction. To be loving and effective, a minister must correct, rebuke, and encourage with longsuffering.
Martin G. Collins
Longsuffering
2 Timothy 3:10-12
Paul had himself found Timothy, taking him with him in his travels. In a way, Timothy had grown up under the wing of the apostle Paul. So, when he says that Timothy had followed his manner of life and doctrine, he really had for quite a while. He was Paul's protégé. He is warning him: "You've seen what I've gone through, and you are following in my footsteps. You're going to face these things too—not only the good things, but also the bad. This is just part and parcel of the job."
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Itching Ears
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Paul found Timothy and took him along in his travels, so Timothy essentially grew up under the apostle's wing as his protégé. Having followed Paul's manner of life and doctrine for quite a while, Timothy is warned that he will face the same things Paul endured, both good and bad, as part of the job. The teaching in verse 10 becomes direct and forceful regarding Timothy's responsibility. Paul points Timothy back to where he learned the truth, through Paul himself, because false teachers were infiltrating the church with doctrines differing from those the apostles taught. This problem worsened over time; thirty years later, John built much of I John around this same concern, reminding people where they got the truth.