Second Timothy Chapter 2:1-13 2 Timothy 2:1-13 “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; 12If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself�
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2:1 “Therefore”: “Then, therefore, accordingly, consequently, these things being so” (Thayer p. 463). With these opening words Paul once again turns to Timothy with further exhortations. In view of the unfaithfulness of some and the faithful example of others (1:15ff), Timothy is to strengthen himself. “Paul now sets before Timothy the duties of personal strengthening (2:1), of transmitting the truth (2:2), and of steadfastly enduring for the gospel (2:3-13)” (Hiebert p. 51). 2:1 “My son”: (2:1; 1 Timothy 1:2). 2:1 “Be strong”: To receive and increase in strength. The tense is present and denotes a continuing experience, “thus expressing a continuous and growing consolidation of character” (Hiebert p. 51). “In the grace”: This grace is either the sphere or the source of such strength. The term “grace” can stand for spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6), or it can refer to simply the Christian religion (1 Peter 5:12). Such grace does not come automatically, for Timothy is exhorted to strengthen himself. This strength comes from putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10 “be strong in the Lord”), which includes such things as personal Bible study and prayer. “That is in Christ Jesus”: “Such grace is available only in Christ Jesus, that is, as one stays true to Jesus” (Reese p. 455). Paul had already noted that all spiritual blessings are found in a relationship with Christ (Ephesians 1:3). In addition, remember that Jesus spoke of Himself as the vine and we are the branches (John 15:1ff). True spiritual nourishment is only found in Christ. 2:2 “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses”: One means of personal strengthening is to teach others. “It is also true that transmitting to others the truths which have embedded themselves in our own hearts and lives 2
constitutes a means of personal strengthening” (Hiebert p. 52). What Timothy had heard from Paul was the gospel (1:13; 3:10), the sound doctrine. Observe the expression “many witnesses”, “there is not the slightest ground for holding that the apostles had any esoteric doctrines which were privately communicated to their successors” (p. 52). Timothy was not allowed to develop his own theology and neither was he at liberty to teach anything he wanted, rather he was to accurately pass on God’s truth without subtraction or addition (2 Timothy 4:2). 2:2 “Entrust these to faithful men”: Paul knew that the things revealed through Him by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:3-5) were the words of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and thus it was a message that was authoritative for all men and one of permanent significance. “Entrust”: To entrust something to someone for safekeeping, to commit to one’s charge. “Faithful”: Worthy of trust, men that can be relied upon, dependable, and reliable. “Men who, under no temptation would betray the deposit committed to them” (Reese p. 456). Which means that not every Christian should be encouraged to teach (James 3:1). Only reliable and dependable members should be trained. “Men”: The term here is anthropos and applies to any human being, male or female. There is a need also for reliable women among God’s people to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5) and children. This training takes place within the confines of the local congregation (1 Timothy 3:15). The local congregation can train the next generation of teachers and preachers. This verse is not talking about “ordination services”, but rather the training of future teachers and preachers. One becomes a teacher or preacher not by some human ceremony but by being equipped and being able to teach God’s word. Neither is this verse talking about “apostolic succession”, that is, Timothy was Paul’s successor 3
and others would succeed Timothy in that office. Timothy was not an apostle and the apostles did not have any successors. 2:2 “Who will be able to teach others also”: They may not be fully able when they are first being trained, but they will have the ability with the proper teaching. The term “able” means “fit, appropriate, competent, and qualified” (Arndt p. 374). Again, let it be noted that we should not be encouraging every young man to preach. We must select men who are reliable, dependable, willing to put in the time, and men who have the ability to pass on the truth to others in a clear and logical fashion.
The Soldier 2:3 “Suffer hardship with me”: This statement reminds Timothy “that he is not alone in the battle, there are others who are enduring with him” (Hiebert p. 54). Suffering for the gospel is a continuing theme in this letter (1:8; 2:9; 3:12; 4:5). “As a good soldier of Christ Jesus”: Christians are often compared to soldiers in the Scriptures (Romans 6:13; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 Peter 2:11). Such terminology should remind us that we are not playing a game, rather being a Christian places one in the midst of a spiritual battle against evil. We are not to be passive spectators in this contest, but we are to be active participants. The “good” soldier would be the noble, courageous or excellent soldier. “He would make a bad soldier, who, at his enlistment, should make it a condition that he should be permitted to sleep on a bed of down, and always be well clothed and fed, and never exposed to peril, or compelled to pursue a wearisome march” (Reese p. 458). Let us remember that the soldier must be willing to endure “the rigors of arduous campaigns” (p. 458), as well as putting family and friends second (Luke 14:26) and being always
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willing to lay down one’s life for the cause. First and foremost, the good soldier must be willing to endure hardship. “Soldiers often endure great privations. Taken from their homes and friends; exposed to cold, or heat, or storms, or fatiguing marches; sustained on coarse fare, or almost destitute of food, they are often compelled to endure as much as the human frame can bear, and often, indeed, sink, under their burdens, and die” (Barnes ). 2:4 “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life”: The Roman soldier was expected to keep one thing in view, and only one, the service to his commander. While on active duty the Roman soldier was not to be entwined in business pursuits or civilian life. This does not mean that the preacher like Timothy could not also work, for Paul himself made tents for a living when necessary (Acts 18:1ff). Rather, “he is to avoid absorption in it, or complications in connection with it, such as may divert him in spirit” (Hiebert p. 55). As with any Christian, the secular activities in the world should never divert one’s attention away from serving God (Matthew 13:22). Jesus Himself taught the necessity of removing any entanglements (Luke 9:57-62), see also Hebrews 12:1ff. Anything which hinders one’s service to Christ must be removed. In addition, whatever one does, like making tents, should never remove him from the goal of spreading the gospel, but rather help him to pursuing it. 2:4 “So that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier”: The constant goal is to always please God (2 Corinthians 5:9). “The warfare of the Christian soldier requires the same concentration of purpose as that of the earthly warrior” (P.P. 5
Comm. p. 19). Thus Timothy must make sure that all other pursuits, even family and business, never become a hampering entanglement. “Only the preacher whose loyalty and devotion are pre-eminently to the person and work of Jesus Christ can please their commander. The soldier’s will is absorbed in the will of the commander” (Reese pp. 459-460).
The Athlete 2:5 “Also”: Another illustration. “If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules”: Paul now draws another figure from the well-known athletic contests in the Grecian games. “These games had captured the interests of all Greece and were as popular with the common people as baseball is in America. The crowning, the goal in all the effort put forth, could be won only if he had contended lawfully, according to all the rules of the game, both for the preliminary training and the actual contest. No infringement of the rules was condoned” (Hiebert p. 56). Therefore, the “rules” or “doctrine” is extremely important. One will not end up saved unless they obey what Jesus taught (Matthew 7:21-23). Therefore, the preacher must not feel that he is above or exempt from following the Bible in any area. One of the traps that many biblical scholars fall into is that they start feeling that they are over the bible instead of under it. “Mere effort is not sufficient. It is possible to spend much effort in Christian service, and yet be disqualified for the crown (1 Corinthians 9:27)” (Kent pp. 268269). This verse certainly answers the question about all the seemingly well-meaning religious people in the world who appear to be working really hard but who do not hold to the sound doctrine. Mere effort does not save! One must compete according to the 6
rules, and one cannot make up their own rules . Remember, the rules concern not only the game itself, but also the months of training leading up to it.
The Farmer 2:6 “The hard-working farmer”: That is the farmer who labors and struggles with wearisome toil. This should remind us that Christianity involves a tremendous amount of labor as well (John 4:38; Romans 16:6,12; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Revelation 2:3). “Ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops”: The farmer must work, sow first before he can reap anything. The reward is only given after hard work. The expression, “receive his share of the crops” has various interpretations. Some feel it refers to financial support, others believe that the preacher who labors will himself benefit from the joy of a work well done, from the gratitude of those whose lives he has helped, and from seeing people grow and mature (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). 2:7 “Consider what I say”: “Think of the condition of the soldier, and the principles on which he is enlisted; think of the aspirant for the crown in the Grecian games; think of the farmer, patiently toiling in the prospect of a distant harvest; and then go to your work with a similar spirit” (Barnes). In addition, think about how all these people work so hard and suffer for inferior rewards, can Timothy do any less for an eternal reward? Note the word “consider”. How many of our problems would be solved, such as a lack of motivation or zeal, if we simply took the time to “think”. 2:7 “For the Lord will give you understanding in everything”: We should remember that this “understanding” is not effortless or think that it simply falls from the sky. True understanding comes by “considering”, reflecting upon God’s word (Psalm 19; 119), 7
reading the Scriptures (Ephesians 3:3-5), with a good and honest heart (Matthew 13:23). The verse reveals that a careful consideration and mediation upon God’s truths will answer a host of questions and open up all sorts of insights into life. Please note that spiritual teachableness (James 1:21) is far more essential than sheer mental capacity.
The Supreme Example: Jesus Christ 2:8 “Remember Jesus Christ”: Jesus is the supreme example of suffering hardship for the sake of the gospel (Hebrews 12:2-3; 1 Peter 1:21-25; Philippians 2:5-11). “Risen from the dead”: The Jesus he remembers is a risen, victorious Savior! If Timothy endures he shall share this victory (2:12). Once again we encounter the theme that “hardship, struggle, discipline, labor all must precede the enjoyment of reward” (Kent p. 271). “Descendant of David”: The long promised Messiah was to be of the lineage of King David (Acts 13:23; Galatians 3:16; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6). “According to my gospel”: (Romans 2:16; 16:25). “It is in full accord or harmony with the Gospel which had been entrusted to Paul and which he ceaselessly proclaimed” (Hiebert p. 59). 2:9 “For which”: That is, for which gospel (1:8,12). “I suffer hardship”: Paul does not demand of Timothy something that he is unwilling to do himself. “Even to imprisonment as a criminal”: That is, by the secular authorities Paul was viewed as a criminal or evildoer—as some had viewed Jesus. This seems to indicate that this imprisonment was harsh and that Paul was being treated, not with compassion, but as a common criminal. “Indicates that he is suffering the utmost shame and disgrace as a criminal of the most
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shameful and disgraceful kind” (Hiebert p. 59). See Acts 17:6; 22:22; 24:5. 2:9 “But the word of God is not imprisoned”: Yes a messenger of the gospel can be bound, but the message itself cannot be imprisoned, isolated or contained. I know that we are at times frustrated concerning how error can spread, but let us remember that truth spreads as well. The gospel is a powerful message (Romans 1:16) that no man or empire can stop. In spite of persecution, people will still obey the gospel. Paul is in prison, but he can still talk to his guard. 2:10 “For this reason”: Because the word of God remains unimprisoned and “no hardship is considered too great when the blessing of those who are the chosen of God is involved” (Reese p. 466). “I endure”: A word that means to bear up bravely and calmly, to stand one’s ground and hold out. “Endurance means more than not complaining, more than bearing up under adversity; it means carrying on despite all the obstacles that are put in the way” (Reese p. 467). “All things”: That is all obstacles and adversities that come from preaching the gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11). “For the sake of those who are chosen”: Carefully note that the “chosen” are not a group of people chosen for salvation against their will and thus are unable to lose their salvation. In this very chapter we have examples of Christians who have left the faith (1:15). Jesus noted that everyone is called by the gospel (Mark 16:15), but few chosen (Matthew 22:14), because few accept the call. This is not a once-saved-alwayssaved type of “election”, for the Christian has an obligation to make this election “sure” (2 Peter 1:10), through a life of faithfulness.
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2:10 “So that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory”: Once again salvation is only in Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). “Paul views his own sufferings and hardships simply as part of the price he gladly pays to give people the opportunity to hear and obey. Paul was committed to enduring suffering if that was what was required so that others might hear and believe” (Reese p. 467). Do we love others this much that we are willing to suffer so that others might be saved? There are people who will respond to the gospel if only we will be out teaching (Acts 18:10). 2:10 “Obtain”: “Although man is unable to earn salvation, this is another passage of Scripture that indicates man must do something to accept or attain or obtain salvation” (Reese p. 467). 2:11 “It is a trustworthy statement”: A statement that can be relied upon (1 Timothy 3:1). “Truth of weighty significance and worthy of the fullest confidence” (Hiebert p. 61). 2:11 “For if we died with Him”: The term “died” is an aorist tense, indicating an act in the past. Notice the term “with”, the term means to die together with. In baptism we died with Christ (Romans 6:4-8). Here is another verse that stresses the importance of baptism, for we cannot live with Christ unless we first die with Him. “We will also live with Him”: (Romans 6:8; Colossians 2:12-13). The reason that Timothy and Paul could face such suffering is because they had already in the past died with Christ and they therefore did not view their lives as being their own (Galatians 2:20). 2:12 “If we endure”: Observe the word “if”. Our salvation is conditional. We have a choice whether or not we die with Christ
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in baptism and we also have a choice whether or not we remain faithful. The term “endure” is in the present tense. 2:12 “We will also reign with Him”: (Revelation 2:10; 3:21; 21:7; Romans 8:17; Luke 19:11f). 2:12 “If we deny Him, He also will deny us”: Matthew 10:33; Luke 12:9; Revelation 2:13; 3:8. 2:13 “If we are faithless”: Which means that Christians can become faithless. “He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself”: To remain as one is. Jesus does not change, Jesus does not change His expectations or laws even if His professed people change. “Christ will never depart from that solemn word, which pledges Him, at the last day, to own those who have owned Him, and to deny those who have denied Him” (Hiebert p. 64). “For He cannot deny Himself”: Jesus cannot be false to His own nature, nor to His word of promise. Conclusion: Jesus will not alter His word in order to save people who are unfaithful (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 John 9). Yet the good news is that Jesus will keep all His promises. The Christian can confidently follow the Scriptures and know that God will reward him or her.
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