2 Timothy 3:10-17 (Extra question)

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From 2 Timothy, would you say that Paul put his own teaching on level with Old Testament Scripture? Why or why not?

1:11.  for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,
1:13-14.  Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
2:2. and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
3:10, You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
3:14, But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
3:16, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
 
Our answer is "yes". Because:

  •  Paul sees himself as an 'apostle' (c.f. 1:1). This carries the implication of spiritual authority. Jesus had commissioned Paul.

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.( 1 Cor 14:27-28)

In different places Paul has directed that his letters be read publicly (Col 4:16, 1 Th 5:27). He has claimed to be speaking in the name and authority of Christ (2 Cor 2:l7, 13:3,; Gal 4:14) and called his message 'the word of God' (1 Th 2:13). He claimed that his words were "not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit" (1 Cor 2:13)

  • He requires Timothy to follow/obey and transmit his teaching.

 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2 Pet 3:15-16)

It can be inferred that Paul's writings carry spiritual authority and are equivalent to Scripture.

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