Exhortation to Persevere
In this chapter Paul uses seven figures of speech to describe a disciple of Christ who’s striving to serve the Lord and win the crown.1. A SON -- should follow Paul’s example and teach others, so those can teach others -- verses 1-2.
2. A SOLDIER -- is to "endure hardness" or hardships and avoid the entanglements of the world--to please the One who made him a soldier -- verses 3-4.
3. AN ATHLETE -- he is to contend for the reward. He is to abide by the rules -- verse 5.
4. A FARMER -- must labor before he partakes of the fruit -- verse 6.
5. A STUDENT -- must correctly teach and properly handle the Word of God -- verse 15.
6. A VESSEL -- a vessel must be clean to be usable -- verses 20-21.
7. A SERVANT -- a disciple is a servant, gentle, apt to teach, patient -- verse 24.
The truths of this chapter may be viewed in the following order:
1. The spiritual condition necessary to discern and take God's path for us amidst the failure of Christen-dom (verses 1-13).
2. A brief outline of the course of the evil that has led to the corruption of Christendom (verses 14-18).
3. The resource of the godly and the path of God for the individual in the midst of the ruin (verses 19-22).
4. The spirit in which to meet those who raise opposition to God's path (verses 23-26).
In the original Greek, this chapter begins with two significant words, sew oun (You, therefore). By placing "you" at the beginning of the sentence, Paul is emphasizing Timothy's responsibility. Just as Lois and Eunice passed the faith on to Timothy, so Timothy must pass his faith on to the next generation. As Paul reminded Timothy of the things he had learned (2:8), so Timothy must remind others (2:14). Timothy is to pass the torch by committing himself to men who have proven faithful and by instilling the truths of the faith in them. They, in turn, are to teach these truths to others. "Therefore" is probably referring back to more than just the immediate preceding verses (15-18); rather it seems to include all of what was said in chapter 1. In light of Paul's own example (1:1,11,12),-Timothy's sincere faith (1:5), his personal responsibilities (1:6-8, 13, 14), the greatness of the gospel (9, 10) and the responses of contrasting Christians (1:15-18); Timothy is to fulfill 2:1,2.
(1) Timothy, my dear son, be *strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.
• *strong: He can only be strong with the power of the Holy Spirit:
o When Peter said he’d die for Christ rather than to deny him, he was strong in his own strength and he failed; had he been strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, he would have kept his standing better.
o 2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
o Ephesians 6:10: A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
o 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2) You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now *teach these **truths to other ***trustworthy people who will be able to ****pass them on to others.
• *teach: Everywhere you go, people are observing what you do and they're listening to the words that come out of your mouth. There’s a paper weight on my desk at work with the words “Wherever you go, preach Christ and if necessary, use words”. So you're teaching a mes-sage in two ways: By what you "say" & by what you "do". The question is: "What messages are your words and conduct getting across to others?"
• **truths: 2 Timothy 1:14: Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
• ***trustworthy people (faithful people). That is, people who will pass on the truth without alter-ation.
• ****pass them on: Paul is concerned not about his dying but that the true gospel be continued to be taught and spread by people like Timothy who would not corrupt it. We cannot pass on some-thing which we don't possess. Timothy was to pass on the things which Paul had poured into him. Paul discovered long ago that the most effective way to expand the reach of the gospel was to invest deliberately and personally in younger disciples. Although he preached to crowds, he always traveled with a small team. He wasn't a one-man show. He shared his life with people such as Timothy, Silas, Phoebe, Lydia, Luke, Priscilla and Aquilla—and they became spiritual giants. This is commonly called “The Timothy Principle”, the best example of which is Richard Daw-son’s “The Navigators” group.
(3) Endure suffering along with me, as a good *soldier of Christ Jesus.
• Most manuscripts begin verse 3 with "therefore."
(4) Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
• *soldiers: Paul does not suggest that we are not to attend to the affairs of this life, or that we are necessarily called to give up our earthly business. In other Scriptures, he refutes such a thought, for he definitely instructs us to work with our hands to provide things honest. But, he warns us against allowing the affairs of this life so to occupy our time, absorb our energies, and so wholly engage our minds, that we become entangled as in a net, and are no longer free to carry out the Lord's will. The good soldier of Jesus Christ is one who seeks, not to please himself, or even oth-ers, but first and foremost to please the One who has chosen him to be a soldier. Remember that Paul was chained to a soldier even as he wrote this! As a Christian, you should not get involved in things that will stop you from keeping your spiritual priorities straight.
• Ephesians 6:12-13: For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-4: We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
(5) And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
• Paul often drew upon the world of athletics for illustrations of the Christian life, mentioning track and field (1 Corinthians 9:12), boxing (1 Corinthians 9:26) and wrestling (Ephesians 6:12).
• The primary RESPONSIBILITY in view here is to "compete according to the rules" (nomimos athlese). He must KNOW and OBEY the rules. The life of an athlete was very rigorous in ancient Rome and he underwent severe training just to compete in the various events. All contestants were obliged to undergo intense preparation and training for 10-12 months prior to the competition. This excerpt from Epictetus is instructive in this regard. “Would you be a victor in the Olympic games? So in good truth would I, for it is a glorious thing; but pray consider what must go before and what may follow, and so precede to the attempt. You must then live by rule, eat what will be disagreeable, refrain from delicacies; you must oblige yourself to constant exercise at the appointed hour, in heat and cold. You must abstain from wine and cold liquor; in a word, you must be as submissive to all the directions of your master as to those of a physician."
• For us, however, the reward will be a crown which is "imperishable," and does not fade with the passing of time. (1 Corinthians 9:25) It is also a crown which comes not from human judges, but from the King of kings and Lord of lords. No earthly crown or trophy can possibly come close to matching the value of this heavenly crown.
• He is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules: The point is clear. An athlete can't make up the rules as he pleases; he must compete according to the rules if he wants to receive the crown. Too many Christians think they are "competing" for God, but they make up their own rules, thinking they have a special arrangement with God. For some people, their special ar-rangement goes something like this: "I know this is sin, but God understands, so I'll just keep go-ing in this sin."
• So in the spiritual sphere, the crown will not be given for great activity, nor for the amount of ser-vice, but for faithfulness in service. The crown is given to the one who strives lawfully.
• In the ancient world these included requirements for training as well as rules for the competition itself.
(6) And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
• Unlike the soldier and the athlete, there is nothing glamorous about the farmer's work. It is often tedious and boring and often unexciting.
• The emphasis of this verse is found in the word "hard-working" (kapiao). This particular word differs from the other Greek words for "work" in that is speaks of working until one is exhausted (Reinecker). The ministry of sowing and harvesting in God's fields will bring us to the point of exhaustion time and again. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, the laborers were called on to bear "the burden and the heat of the day." (Matthew 20:12) While the farmer is toiling, he sees little results from his efforts. But the day comes when his hard work is rewarded when he reaps the harvest. So it will be for all faithful laborers who have sown and harvested in God's fields. Some planted and some watered, but "The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work." (1 Corin-thians 3:5-8).
• William Barclay has summarized these illustrations well in his words: "One thing remains in all three pictures. The soldier is upheld by the thought of final victory. The athlete is upheld by the vision of the crown. The husbandman is upheld by the hope of the harvest. Each submits to the discipline and the toil for the sake of the glory which shall be. It is so with the Christian. The Christian struggle is not without a goal; it is always going somewhere. The Christian can be certain that after the effort of the Christian life, there comes the joy of heaven; and the greater the struggle, the greater the JOY.
• The faithful servant waits to hear the "Well done" of the One he seeks to please, to receive the crown after striving lawfully, and to partake of the fruits after having labored.
• Paul has just laid out three illustrations of the Christian life - a soldier, and athlete, and a farmer. Each of these three occupations must have great perseverance if they will succeed.
o The solider who stops fighting before the battle is finished will never see victory.
o The athlete who stops running before the race is over will never wear the gold medal.
o The farmer who stops working before the harvest is complete will never see the fruit of his crops.
(7) Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
• "Think about" means to "perceive clearly in your mind, understand fully, carefully consider these things, ponder and think on these things." And then, apply them to your own life!
(8) Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.
• Here, in 2 Timothy, Paul is seeking to uplift a discouraged young Pastor. And in 2:8-13 he does this by bringing to his attention 4 important things that will help any discouraged Christian not to get side-tracked as he finds himself under fire at the Frontlines of the Greatest Spiritual Battle this fallen World will ever know. These 4 important things to remember are:
1. REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
2. REMEMBER THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD,
3. REMEMBER OUR PRIMARY REASON FOR BEING HERE, and
4. REMEMBER HOW GOD RICHLY REWARDS TRUE FAITHFULNESS.
• Hebrews 12:2: We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…
(9) And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.
• Go ahead; burn it, ban it, mock it, distort it, ignore it - but the word of God will still stand forever. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8). Yet, if there is any sense in which the word is bound, it is bound when it is abandoned by its very friends! When pulpits sound more like self-help books than proclaimers of God's word; when Scripture is used sparingly like a spice in a message, instead of being the core of it, pastors them-selves are making the word bound! Remember that Yale, Princeton and many other of our nation’s colleges and universities were at one time seminaries teaching God’s Word – but no longer. John Wesley would be pretty upset if he saw and heard what is now preached in the Methodist churches that he founded.
• Since in Rome, Paul was considered the chief exponent of the Word of God, Satan and man no doubt supposed that in confining him, they would also confine the truth he proclaimed; but it went forth even from his prison; prisoners were converted by it, and even soldiers; and it spread abroad in every direction, and just as effectively as if it had been favorably used.
(10) So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
• Verses 11-13 contain a further installment in Paul’s declaration of the gospel for which he is in chains. Jesus is the Christ (2:8), the promised Messiah, Who was crushed for our sins (see Isaiah 52:13—53:12). He is the One Who was raised from the dead (2:8), which assures us of our resur-rection and rewards (2:11-13). It was Christ that Paul preached, and it was for this preaching that he suffered imprisonment. He did so for those who were chosen for salvation, knowing that they will obtain salvation and eternal glory (2:9-10). The words of verses 11-13 are perhaps the words of a hymn, and they speak of this glory.
(11) This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him.
(12) If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
• Does this mean that a Christian can lose his or her salvation? Too many verses tell us that this cannot be the case. What, then, is this verse saying? All believers have died with Christ, and they have also been raised to new life in Him (Romans 6:1-11). Thus, those who have died with Christ have the assurance that they will also live with Him. This assumes the perseverance of the saints, which is reinforced by verse 12a: “If we endure, we will also reign with him.” Christians are those who have died and risen from the dead in Christ, and because they are Christians they will endure. Even in times of suffering this gives us the assurance that we will also reign with Him when He returns to establish His kingdom. The second half of the hymn turns to a word of warning for all those who are not true believers. If someone denies Him, our Lord will deny them (Luke 12:8-9). The term “denies,” found in Luke 12:9, employs the same verb that Paul uses in 2 Timothy 2:12b. The one who “denies” Christ is the one who does not believe.
• The second thing to consider is the literary structure of the quote. It is quite common in Hebrew literature to see things arranged around a chiasm. It is possibly the case in this passage. And thus we have the following:
a. For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.
b. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;
b1. If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
a1. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
• Line “a” deals with the issue of eternal life. It is clear that if one has died with Christ, eternal life is his. This first statement is in the aorist which taken in context with the next two tenses, which are present and future, must point to a past event in Paul’s and Timothy’s lives. The death must therefore refer to their positional death with Christ.
o Line “b” deals with their present situation. This is in the present tense which points to their present circumstances. They were enduring suffer-ing. If they continued to endure, they would reign with Christ. Reigning is different than living eternally and refers to receipt of rewards and a superior quality of eternal life. This concept can be supported by pas-sages like 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Peter 1:11; 2 Corinthians. 5:9-10; Romans 14:10. This then is the motivation: eternal rewards, not eternal life.
o Line “b1” uses the future tense and thus looks to a future possibility in which Paul and Timothy might, in their human weakness, deny Christ. If that were to happen, Christ would certainly deny them something. Here is where the debate centers. But because line “b1” is paired with and contrasted to line “b” in the chiasm, the thing denied must be re-wards and the superior quality of life.
• Line “a1” returns to the topic of eternal life and to the assurance that this eter-nal life is theirs. Thus Paul says that Christ will remain faithful even though we do not endure.
• It must be noted that lines “b” and “b1” deal with the same issue and lines “a” and “a1” deal with a different issue. To include “b1” and “a1” as being more closely related than “b” and “b1” is to misunderstand Paul’s logic and the logic of the Hebrew mind.
• Furthermore, it is characteristic of the chiasm that the center holds the main idea, and so it is in this periscope which is concerning rewards. Thus, under-standing the use of the chiastic structure, and taking into consideration the con-text of giving Timothy further motivation for endurance, helps the reader un-derstand that Paul is explaining that eternal rewards can be earned. And con-sequently our eternal position is secure, it is the eternal rewards which are at stake.
(13) If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
• The term which is rendered “unfaithful” in 2:13 is found 8 times in the New Testament. The term is used to describe the disciples “unbelief” with reference to Jesus’ resurrection (Mark 16:11; Luke 24:11, 41). In the other texts, excluding 2 Timothy 2:13, the term is used to depict the unbe-lief of the lost. The meaning in all cases is unbelief (whether in Christ as Savior, or in Christ’s resurrection); the term is never used of unfaithfulness, or of a lapse in faith (as we see, for exam-ple, in our Lord’s disciples). The last half of verse 12 and verse 13 refer to the same people – un-believers.
• Paul’s words in verse 13 are clearly conveyed in another Pauline passage: Romans 3:3-4: True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.” In the con-text in Romans, Paul has just shown that the Jews failed to live up to the law that they professed to esteem and uphold (Romans 2:17-29). The question he raises is this: “If the Jews have refused to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, does this mean that God’s promises are null and void?” “Does Israel’s lack of faith undermine and nullify the faithfulness of God?” Paul’s answer is very clear. “No!” Israel’s unbelief does not, in any way, undermine God’s covenant promises, or His faith-fulness to these promises. God will show Himself true, even if all men prove to be liars (which they are). This is precisely the point Paul is making in 2 Timothy 2:13. Men who deny the Sav-ior will be denied by the Savior; they won’t get into heaven. Put differently, even though men don’t believe in Him, God will still remain faithful to Himself, and to His promises (and these promises include the threat of eternal torment, as well as His promises of blessing).
• The essence of this hymn is to stress the outcome of one’s faith or unbelief. Those who are saved and who endure in their faith (as Paul has exhorted Timothy to do) are assured of eternal life and a place of honor and authority in His kingdom (2:11-12a). Unbelievers who deny the Savior are assured of rejection; they will have no part in the kingdom (2:12b-13). These two destinies take place after the resurrection of the dead, the very thing the false teachers seek to deny in one way or another (see 1 Corinthians 15:12; 2 Timothy 2:18).
(14) Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
• In verses 14-19 of chapter 2, Paul contrasts the sound doctrine Timothy is to proclaim with the false teaching of the deceivers.
(15) Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive *his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who *correctly explains the word of truth.
• *his approval: Never compromise receiving His approval by seeking the approval of others. If everyone disapproves of me and He is the only one who does approve, what more do I need? Timothy was possibly trying to win the approval of all he led and taught and may have been dis-couraged because some rejected him.
• **correctly explains: "Handling accurately" (lit. cutting straight) is a figure that paints a picture of a workman who is careful and accurate in his work. The Greek word (orthotomounta) elsewhere describes a tentmaker who makes straight rather than wavy cuts in his material. It pictures a builder who lays bricks in straight rows and a farmer who plows a straight furrow. The way a minister of the gospel presents the Word of God was of primary importance to Paul, and it should be to us. The Greek word ergaten (workman) stresses the laborious nature of the task rather than the skill needed to perform it.
(16) Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
• Profane talk leads to ungodly walk.
(17) This kind of talk spreads like *cancer, as in the case of **Hymenaeus and Philetus.
• *cancer: The word here for "cancer" (gangraina) is the word that our English word "gangrene" comes from. The metaphor here is very striking. Gangrene is a disease which "breeds death" and its only remedy is amputation.
• **Hymenaeus and Philetus: 1 Timothy 1:20: Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God. These are examples of those who do not correctly explain the Word.
(18) They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
• They did not deny the resurrection, but they put a corrupt interpretation upon that true doctrine, saying that the resurrection was past already, that what Christ spoke concerning the resurrection was to be understood mystically and by way of allegory, that it must be meant of a spiritual resurrection only. If there be no resurrection of the dead, nor future state, no recompence of our services and sufferings in another world, we are of men the most miserable, 1 Corinthians 15:19.
• In Corinth the denial of the resurrection by some was a matter of grave concern to the apostle (1 Corinthians 15:12, 33, 34). But, 2 Timothy is written much later, with most of the New Testament having been written and Christianity established as the pure truth of God. Consequently, such denial is even more serious now, for it is a turning from the truth once delivered; and the believer must decidedly separate from this type of error. Though the names Hymenaeus and Philetus have lovely meanings ("a wedding song") and ("beloved") the men themselves possibly attractive, pleasant characters, yet their error must be absolutely refused. If the resurrection is past, then there is no more suffering for Christ and with Christ, no more tes-timony of the faith in an adverse world, no more warfare against the forces of evil. This false doctrine was designed to settle souls down at ease in the world: the faith of some was overthrown: they were robbed of their proper direct relationship with the Living God.
(19) But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
• It may be a great comfort to us that the unbelief of men cannot make the promise of God of no ef-fect.
• Numbers 16:5: Then he said to Korah and his followers, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show us who belongs to him and who is holy. The Lord will allow only those whom he selects to enter his own presence.
• Isaiah 52:11: Get out! Get out and leave your captivity, where everything you touch is unclean. Get out of there and purify yourselves, you who carry home the sacred objects of the Lord.
(20) In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
(21) If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
• Paul is saying that the true believer must be characterized by purity in life, while the unbeliever will be evident by impurity. To give a biblical example, Pharaoh was a “common” vessel. Moses, on the other hand, was a clean vessel (clean, not perfect). God used Pharaoh to glorify Himself through his unbelief and rebellion, while He used Moses to glorify Himself through obedience. Moses was a vessel to honor; Pharaoh a vessel to dishonor.
• In verses 22-26, Paul further clarifies what he means by being a vessel of honor. It means the avoidance of youthful passions and the pursuit of godliness (2:22). It means maintaining a pure heart and living in peace with others. This is in stark contrast with the false teachers who love to argue. The honorable vessel avoids senseless controversies because he knows where they lead – to fights (2:23). Instead, the Lord’s servant is to be characterized by a peaceable spirit, even when engaging those who hold and promote false doctrine:
(22) Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
• Timothy is urged here to flee those lusts which have an especially strong pull during the earlier years of life -- "youthful" (neoterikas). Timothy was probably around 36-37 years of age, and a man was still considered "youthful" until age 40 (Irenaeus). Some of these lusts described by Paul elsewhere would include FORNICATION 1 Corinthians 6:18; IDOLATRY 1 Corinthians 10:14; and LOVE OF MONEY I Timothy 6:11.
• Here, the Lord is telling us to "flee" what the sinful nature loves with a passion to do. The Greek term for "run" or “flee” here is "phuego" from which we get the word "fugitive". And "fugitive" is what the Christian is when it comes to his relationship with his old sinful nature: he's running away from it. It's not a once and for all "break", from the flesh. It's a constant running so he won't become its prisoner again. Paul is actually saying here, "Continually discipline yourself to run away from "the evil desires of youth." "The evil desires of youth" include much more than sensual desires. They refer to the basic sinful desires that seem to be at their prime during young adult-hood: Pride, Selfishness, Greed, immorality, adultery, criticism, jealousy, envy, complaining, discontentment and everything else that is common to natural man yet contrary to God's will. God says, "Run from it as if you were running away from a life-threatening plague!"
• Running away from some thing bad is not enough. When you flee from wrong, you must run "toward" what is good. And here God gives 5 good things you should pursue, which boil down to a godly lifestyle.
(23) Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
• Those who advanced the arguments considered themselves wise and learned; but Paul calls them foolish and ignorant. The mischief of these is that they gender strifes, that they breed debates and quarrels among Christians and ministers.
(24) A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
(25) Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
(26) Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
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NOTE:
Unless otherwise noted, the scripture version used is the New Living Translation.
Sources and References are on-line at:
http://2timothy-study.blogspot.com/2011/03/2-timothy-references.html
