2 Timothy Chapter 2
2Ti 2:1 My child, find your source of strength in the kindness of Christ Jesus.
This expresses the apostle's tender affection for Timothy, to engage his attention to the advice he was about to give him; which is, that since he had received the true grace of God, and unfeigned faith dwelt in him; and since he had such gifts, qualifying him for the work of the ministry; and since so good a thing as the glorious Gospel of the blessed God was committed to his trust; and since there were so many who had departed from it, and so few that abode by it, he would have him find his strength grace, or kindness “that comes through the union with Christ Jesus (Will)”
While Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, God preserved it for us. We too, are to find our strength “through our union with Christ Jesus”
Is Jesus our strength? Or do we find our strength in numbers (others who believe just like us?)
2Ti 2:2 You've heard my message, and it's been confirmed by many witnesses. Entrust this message to faithful individuals who will be competent to teach others.
Those doctrines which I (Paul) have preached the most publicly, and which many persons can attest.
who — Greek, “(persons) such as shall be competent to teach (them to) others also.” Thus the way is prepared for instilling the duty of faithful endurance (2Ti_2:3-13). You should consider as a motive to endurance, that you have not only to keep the deposit for yourself, but to transmit it unimpaired to others, who in their turn shall fulfil the same office. This is so far from supporting oral tradition now that it rather teaches how precarious a mode of preserving revealed truth it was, depending, as it did, on the trustworthiness of each individual in the chain of succession; and how thankful we ought to be that God Himself has given the written Word, which is exempt from such risk.
Are your teachers “faithful” and “competent (able, trustworthy, capable) to teach others”?
Just as Timothy was instructed to carefully choose those he put into leadership roles in the Church, we too have that charge when we vote for brothers among us to do the same. Paul had already explained all of the qualifications of elders and deacons in 1 Timothy.
When we vote for elders and deacons—do we take into careful consideration the admonitions of the Apostle Paul on the subject? Or do we vote for brothers because we like them or they are our friends, or because they have been in the position of teacher for so long, we just can’t “find our strength in Jesus” to not vote for them because they no longer meet the qualifications?
No one said it was going to be easy—that is why we have to find our “strength in our union with Jesus Christ.”
2Ti 2:3 Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:4 Whoever serves in the military doesn't get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer.
Soldier, 2Ti_2:1-4 : There is grace enough in Jesus for every need, but we must avail ourselves of it. We can expect nothing less than hardship, since life is a battlefield. Our one aim should be to please Him who chose us to be soldiers. In order to be all that he would have us be, we must avoid entangling ourselves in the conditions around us. We must resemble a garrison in the town where it is quartered, and from which it may at any hour be summoned away. The less encumbered we are, the more easily shall we be able to execute the least command of our Great Captain. How high an honor it is to be enrolled among His soldiers!
As a good soldier -- Representing the Christian of the cross; foregoing the rights and privileges of the present time. Having a soldierly bearing, as a proper representative of the King; battling against Satan.
Not merely outwardly loyal, but having the full spirit of the cause; not ashamed of the garment of Christ's righteousness. Assisting and setting an example to the other soldiers.
Some of a Christian's greatest difficulties are right in his own person; the chief battle is with himself.
Unless we are willing to learn lessons through experience and to endure hardness, we shall not be prepared to enter the eternal glory.
The true soldier does not debate his cause. He is rightly supposed to have settled upon its justice and righteousness before he enlisted to serve it--he is ready to spend all and be all spent in its defense. Using the term soldier to represent the Christian has a great deal of meaning because there is a war going on here on earth.
These commentaries we chose for these verses have some very hard saying in them and we need to ask them of ourselves.
Are we joining the Apostle Paul in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus?
Are we so mixed up with non-military activities (like partying, politics, work, sports, socializing, or hobbies, or living the good life” that we forget that we sacrificed all of these things when we gave our “all” to God through Christ Jesus?
What are you doing to keep yourselves free from activities or lifestyles that keep us from being “good soldiers of Christ”?
2Ti 2:5 Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules.
And if a man also strive for masteries,.... In the Olympic games, by running, wrestling, leaping, &c.
yet is he not crowned; with a corruptible, fading crown, a crown made of herbs and leaves of trees, as parsley, laurel, &c.
except he strive lawfully; according to the laws and rules fixed for those exercises; so no man that calls himself a Christian, minister, or any other, can expect the crown of life, the prize of the high calling of God, except he runs the race set before him, in the right way; looking to Christ, the mark, pressing through all difficulties, towards the prize, and holds on and out unto the end.
Do you know what the rules are for your Christian race?
Are you striving to obey them?
2Ti 2:6 A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops.
The husbandman that laboureth,.... In manuring his ground, in ploughing, in sowing, in weeding, in reaping, &c.
must be first partaker of the fruits; of his labour, before others; and the design may be to observe that the ministers of the word ought first to be partakers of the grace of God, the fruits of the Spirit, and of the Gospel, and rightly and spiritually understand it, before they preach it to others; or that such who labour in the word and doctrine, ought in the first place to be taken care of, and have a sufficient maintenance provided for them, 1Co_9:7 or that as they shall have in the first place some seals and fruits of their ministry, in the conversion of souls, so they shall shine in the kingdom of heaven as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever. Though the words may be rendered, and which seems more agreeable to the context, and to the apostle's argument, "the husbandman must first labour before he partakes of the fruits"; so a minister of the Gospel must first labour, and endure hardships in this life, before he sits down in the kingdom of heaven, and takes his rest, and enjoys the crown of glory, which fades not away, which the chief Shepherd shall give unto him.
The work of the farmer is not a glorious work, its dirty, hard and backbreaking for not much earthly or monetary payout. In a way, it’s a job of service. Service to the plants or service to the animals that are under your care.
Do you get the hay full of old Johnson grass and sticks because its cheap or do you spend the extra money to get good quality hay so that your animals do not struggle over winter? What are you getting fed in your church?
Do you go out several times a day in winter to chop ice so that the animals have access to water? Water is a picture of blessings as well as Truth—is your source of Truth and blessings frozen, or can you freely drink?
Do you shovel snow so that the chickens can come out of the coop? Are you stuck inside of an organization that doesn’t allow freedom of movement? Stuck inside where its cramped, dark and stinky, or can you get a breath of fresh air?
2Ti 2:7 Understand what I'm saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
Consider what I say (In the KJV),.... The advice given by the apostle to Timothy, to be strong in the grace of Christ; to commit the doctrines of the Gospel to faithful and able men; and to endure hardness for the sake of it: as also the characters which he bore as a soldier, a runner in a race, or a wrestler, and an husbandman or farmer; and therefore must not expect ease and rest, but war, difficulties, toil, and labour; and likewise under what titles Christ was to be regarded; as his General, and Captain of salvation, that commanded him.
By putting him upon the consideration of these things, he suggests, that they were matters of moment and importance, and would be of great use to him in assisting and encouraging his faith, amidst all trials and exercises; and whereas they were expressed in figurative terms, taken from the soldier, the runner in a race, and the husbandman, they might not at first view be so easy to be understood; and therefore he would have him think of them, and meditate upon them, and weigh them in his mind; as well as he would not have him take things upon trust from him, but examine them whether they were right or not; though he doubted not but that they would be found to be agreeable to the standard of truth: wherefore he prays as follows,
and the Lord give thee understanding in all things; in all the above things, and in all others; in all the doctrines and mysteries of grace, and in all the rules of conduct in life. No man has of himself an understanding in spiritual things; this is the gift of God; and where it is given there is need of an increase of it, and always of such a prayer for it..
2Ti 2:8 Always think about Jesus Christ. He was brought back to life and is a descendant of David. This is the Good News that I tell others.
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David,.... This is said either as an encouragement to suffer hardness in the cause of Christ; since he, who though he was of the seed of David, of the blood royal, and heir to his crown, yet suffered and died; and whereas he rose again from the dead, those who suffer for his sake shall rise also, and live and reign with him forever: or of the things which Timothy had heard of the apostle; for this, with what follows, is a summary of them: Christ being of the seed of David, according to the flesh, or human nature; shows that he was really come in the flesh, and was truly man; and that he assumed human nature with all its frailties and infirmities, excepting sin, and was, like David, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefs; and it includes his whole life, and his righteousness, and obedience to the law of works, and points him out as the true Messiah, who was well known to the Jews by the name of the son of David. And now the apostle puts Timothy in mind, that he
was raised from the dead; which implies that he died; and so includes all the doctrines relating to his death; as that he died to make reconciliation, atonement, and satisfaction for the sins of his people by ransoming Father Adam, and to procure peace for them, and the full remission of all their iniquities; and to obtain redemption for them, from sin, Satan, the law, and its curses; as well as it expresses his resurrection from the dead, for their justification: and this being his first step to glory, has connected with it his ascension to heaven, session at the right hand of God, intercession for the saints, and his second coming to judgment; and is therefore particularly mentioned, because it is an article so comprehensive, and is a fundamental one, and of the greatest importance to faith, and was what was struck at in those times: the apostle adds,
according to my Gospel; the doctrine of the Gospel, and which he calls his, not because he was the author, or the subject of it; for in these respects it is the Gospel of God, and of Christ; but because it was committed to him, and he was entrusted with it, and fully and faithfully preached it; and in distinction from another Gospel, that of the false teachers; and agreeably to this doctrine, which the apostle everywhere taught, Christ was raised from the dead.
How often do you think about Jesus, who he is and what he accomplished?
How often do you share it with others?
2Ti 2:9 I'm suffering disgrace for spreading this Good News. I have even been put into prison like a criminal. However, God's word is not imprisoned.
Wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer,.... As a malefactor, as if guilty of some capital crime; an enemy to the law of Moses, a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition everywhere, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, Act_24:5. The Ethiopic version renders it, "as a thief". The "trouble" he suffered were reproaches, persecutions, whipping, beating, stoning, imprisonment: for he adds, for he was now a prisoner, and in chains; nor was it the first time, he was in prisons frequent; and all this for the sake of the Gospel, which he preached, concerning the death, and resurrection of Christ:
but the word of God is not bound; for the apostle, while a prisoner at Rome, had the liberty of dwelling by himself, in his own hired house, though held in chains, and guarded by a soldier, and of receiving his friends, and of preaching the Gospel to as many as would come to hear him, Act_28:16 as well as of sending letters to the churches; for several of his epistles were written by him when a prisoner, as those to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians; and this to Timothy, and also that to Philemon: so that the Gospel was not restrained, or the apostle restrained from publishing it, both by word of mouth, and by writing; which was a great support to him under his troubles. Moreover, the Gospel was the more spread through the bonds of the apostle, and met with great success; it became known in Caesar's palace, and was the means of the conversion of some of his household; and many of the brethren, through his bonds, became bolder to preach the Gospel of Christ; so that it had a free course, and was glorified: and sometimes so it is, that persecution is a means of the greater spread of the Gospel; which was an effect that followed upon the persecution raised against the church at Jerusalem, upon the death of Stephen, Act_8:1. And indeed, when God opens an effectual door, none can shut it, though there be many adversaries; and when he gives the word a commission, there is no stopping it; when it comes in power, it bears down all before it; it cannot be fettered and bound by men, though men may be fettered and bound for the sake of it.
What can we take from the Apostle Paul’s example and apply to our lives?
Can we still be a witness for God when we are suffering for His sake?
It was Paul’s preaching that got him in trouble—are we preaching or witnessing enough?
2Ti 2:10 For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive salvation from Christ Jesus with glory that lasts forever.
Therefore I endure all things for the elects' sakes,.... and on their account is the Gospel sent, preached, and published to the world; for their sakes are ministers fitted and qualified for their work, and have their mission and commission to perform it, and suffer what they do in the execution of it; and since it was for the sake of such, whom God had loved and chosen, that the apostle endured all his reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions, he was the more cheerful under them; and the consideration of it was a support unto him:
That they may also obtain the salvation, ... - Their salvation, though they, were elected, could not be secured without proper efforts. The meaning of the apostle here is, that he was willing to suffer if he might save others; and any one ought to be willing to suffer in order to secure the salvation of the elect - for it was an object for which the Redeemer was willing to lay down his life.
The Apostle Paul endured all the torments of prison and abuse to spread the Word, looking for those whom the Lord is calling. What do you endure to spread the Word?
2Ti 2:11 This is a statement that can be trusted: If we have died with him, we will live with him.
It is a faithful saying,.... This may refer either to what goes before, that all things, all reproaches and sufferings, through the ministration of the Gospel, are endured for the elects' sake; and that shall certainly obtain salvation in Christ, and eternal glory, to which they are predestinated: or to what follows, which being of moment and importance, and difficult to be believed, as that death led to life, and sufferings were the way to the kingdom; the apostle prefaces it in this manner, affirming the truth of it, that it was sure and certain, and to be believed, and depended on as such.
For if we be dead with him; This, may be understood of the saints dying for Christ's sake, and the Gospel, whereby they are conformed unto him, and feel the fellowship of his sufferings, and so may be said to be dead with him: and such may assure themselves of the truth of what follows,
we shall also live with him; as many as were crucified with Christ, and buried with him and though they die, and for his sake, they shall rise again; and because he lives, they shall live also, even a life of glory. And this is part of the faithful saying, and to be believed, and is believed by the saints: see Rom_6:8.
In what ways are you “dead with him”?
Does this mean to merely give up the things of the world, or does it have more to do with our activity for Christ?
2Ti 2:12 If we endure, we will rule with him. If we disown him, he will disown us.
If we suffer,.... With him, with Christ, as in Rom_8:17. And such being called by grace, and having made a profession of Christ, they suffer shame and reproach, loss of credit and reputation, and sometimes loss of goods, and corporeal punishment, and even death itself: but though they do, and if they should, they may be satisfied of the truth of this,
we shall also reign with him; they reign with him in the kingdom we all pray for.
if we deny him, he also will deny us: there is a denying of Christ in words; so it is denied by the Jews that Christ is come in the flesh, and that Jesus is the Messiah; and some that have bore the Christian name, though very unworthily, have real humanity, proper sonship, and the efficacy of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, for pardon, justification, and atonement: and there is a denying of him in works; so some that profess to know him, and do own him, yet in works deny him; their conversation is not becoming their profession of him; they have the form of godliness, but deny the power of it: there is a secret and silent denying of him, when men are ashamed of him, and do not confess him; and there is an open denying of him, by such who set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh throughout the earth; and there is a total denying of him, a thorough apostasy, and from which there is no recovery; and if there be any such apostates among those who have named the name of Christ, he will deny them, he will not own them for his another day; he will set them at his left hand; he will declare he knows them not, and will banish them from his presence for evermore. This is another branch of the faithful saying; this will certainly be the case; Christ himself has said it, Mat_10:33.
Does your life reflect, enduring or suffering with Christ or denying him?
What will you do to change your life to conform to this condition?
2Ti 2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful because he cannot be untrue to himself.
I’m not sure this is the best rendition of this verse, let’s look others.
(DRB) If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he cannot deny himself.
(BBE) If we are without faith, still he keeps faith, for he will never be untrue to himself.
(MKJV) If we do not believe Him, yet He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
(YLT) if we are not stedfast, he remaineth stedfast; to deny himself he is not able.
This cannot mean that, if we live in sin, he will certainly save us, as if he had made any promise to the elect, or formed any purpose that He would save them; whatever might be their conduct; because:
(1) He had just said that if we deny him he will deny us; and,
(2) There is no such promise in the Bible, and no such purpose has been formed. The promise is, that be that is a believer shall be saved, and there is no purpose to save any but such as lead holy lives. The meaning must be, that if we are unbelieving and unfaithful, Christ will remain true to his word, and we cannot hope to be saved.
He cannot deny himself - Implying that it would be a denial of his very nature to save those who are unfaithful. He is holy; and how can he save one who is unholy? His very nature is purity; and how can he save one who has no purity? Let no one, then, suppose that, because he is consecrated his life to the Lord “been saved”, he is safe, if he lives in sin. The electing purpose of God is only for those who lead righteous lives.
Are we living a life that denies Christ?
If we are not out there preaching the Word like Paul, is that a form of denying Christ?
Do we think we are so special that God will overlook our lack of desire to serve Him?
2Ti 2:14 Remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of God not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn't do any good but only destroys those who are listening.
(Weymouth) Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of the hearers.
(Williams) Keep on reminding men of these things. Solemnly charge them before God to stop petty debating, which does no good at all but brings destruction on those who hear it.
that they strive not about words — rather, “strive with words”: “not to have a (mere) war of words” (2Ti_2:23, 2Ti_2:24; 1Ti_6:4) where the most vital matters are at stake (2Ti_2:17, 2Ti_2:18; Act_18:15).
to no profit — not qualifying “words”; but Greek neuter, in apposition with “strive in words,” “(a thing tending) to no profit,” literally, “profitable for nothing”; the opposite of “meet for the master’s use” (2Ti_2:21).
to the subverting — sure to subvert (overturn, overthrowing, ruin, destroy) the hearers: the opposite of “edifying” (building up) (2Co_13:10).
What are some things you quarrel about?
Do you find yourself drawn to debates on topics that are not fundamental and cause bad feelings amongst the brethren?
Do you always feel you need to be right or vindicated for a thought on something? Do you pick and choose your battles or is everything a battle?
Note: This is not about having a discussion about differences, say in prophetic understanding, but it goes beyond that—this is not an open dialogue, but a fighting or debating.
2Ti 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn't ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.
Study to show thyself approved unto God (In the KJV),.... Not unto men, as pleasing them; for such who study to please men, are not the servants of Christ; and sometimes those that are approved to and by men, are disapproved of by God and Christ: but unto God, showing all fidelity and uprightness; speaking out the Gospel openly, and freely, with all sincerity, as in the sight of God; commending themselves to Him, and to every man's conscience, by manifestation of the truth; and such will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" another day.
A workman that needeth not to be ashamed; the ministry of the word is a work, and it is a good work; and those that perform it aright are worthy of honor and esteem; and it requires industry, diligence, and application, and for which no man is sufficient without the grace of God; and those who are employed in it are workmen, workers together with God, and laborer’s in his vineyard: and such who are faithful and diligent ones, "need not to be ashamed"; such do not cause shame, neither in themselves nor in others, as false teachers do, who foam out their own shame, and as negligent ministers of the word, and such whose lives are not in harmony with the doctrines they preach.
rightly dividing, or "cutting"
the word of truth; that is, the Scriptures of truth, Dan_10:21 which come from the God of truth, are concerning Christ, who is the truth: to divide the word, is not merely to divide the text into its proper parts, though care should be taken that this be done aright.
Ministers of the Gospel are stewards, and who, when wise and faithful, give to everyone of the household their portion of meat in due season. The ministers of the Gospel are to distribute the spiritual food of the word to babes in Christ, and to grown Christians, according to their capacities, and suitable to their cases and circumstances, dividing to everyone what is proper for him: in short, one that divides the word of truth rightly, is, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, one that "rightly handles"; or, as the Syriac version, that "rightly preaches the word of truth"; who gives the true sense of Scripture, does not pervert and wrest it, and take from it, or add to it; who points out the truth in it, and shows unto men the way of salvation, and plainly and faithfully preaches the Gospel contained in it, without keeping back anything that is profitable, but declares the whole counsel of God.
Study is necessary; it requires great care that a man take heed to himself, and to his doctrine; and great industry, diligence, and application, and much reading, meditation, and prayer.
Are you working on your character?
Are you studying God’s Word?
When you witness or teach others—do you only tell the good parts of the Word (to please men), or only the Vengeance of God and warnings (to keep men in fear), or all of it? Do you know all of it? If not, why not?
2Ti 2:16 Avoid pointless discussions. People who pay attention to these pointless discussions will become more ungodly,
If we have consecrated all to God, our time is not our own; and consequently we have none to spare for the investigation of theories built upon any other foundation than that laid down in the Bible.
And vain babblings -- Close students of the divine Word are prepared to quickly detect error, even though it lurk behind a very plausible semblance of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings,.... The ministry of false teachers is mere babbling; a voice, and nothing else; a sound of words, but no solid matter in them; great swelling words of vanity, like large bubbles of water, look big, and make a great noise, but have nothing in them; contain nothing but vain, empty, idle, and trifling stuff; what is unprofitable and unedifying. And all such wicked and empty prate, and babbling, is to be shunned, avoided, and discouraged, refused, and rejected; and, as much as can be, a stop should be put to it, both by ministers and hearers of the word.
For they will increase unto more ungodliness meaning either that such babblings, if used and encouraged, will grow more and more profane and wicked; or the persons that use them, the unruly and vain talkers, will grow more daring, bold; and impudent, will wax worse and worse, and from one error will proceed to another, for such seldom stop; and having abused one passage of Scripture, will go on to attack another, and will not cease, till they have wrested the whole Scripture to their own destruction, and that of others.
We all at some time or another get involved in “pointless discussions”, What are some ways we can avoid these discussions or get ourselves out to them once we are in them?
The commentators above link the “vain babblings” to false doctrines. What are some of these false doctrines? In what way do they lead to one becoming more ungodly?
2Ti 2:17 and what they say will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that.
And their word will eat as doth a cancer,.... Or "gangrene", which gnaws and feeds upon the flesh, inflames and mortifies as it goes, and spreads swiftly, and endangers the whole body; and is therefore to be speedily taken notice of, and stopped. It is better rendered "gangrene", as in the marginal reading, than "cancer".
"The word "gangrene" is Greek (g), and is derived from the Greek word γραω, γραινω, "manduco", "consumo", I eat, I consume. The "gangrene" is a disease in the flesh of the part which it corrupts, consumes, and turns black, spreading and seizing itself of the adjoining parts, and is rarely cured without amputation.
And so the errors and heresies of false teachers spread, and feed upon the souls of men, and eat up the vitals of religion, or what seemed to be such, and even destroy the very form of godliness; and bring destruction and death, wherever they come; and when they get into Christian churches, threaten the ruin of them; and therefore are to be opposed in time, and those infected with them to be cut off.
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; these were some of the principal among the false teachers, the chief authors and spreaders of error and heresy: the former of these is mentioned before in 1Ti_1:20 along with Alexander, as guilty of blasphemy, and as delivered up to Satan for it. Philetus is a Greek name as well as the other, though it is sometimes found in Roman inscriptions (h): it is very likely that these were both in Asia, and probably in Ephesus, or near to it, since the apostle mentions them by name to Timothy, that he might beware of them.
It is the duty of teachers to defend the hearers by defending the truth. It is also our responsibility to understand the Truth.
Do you know what you believe and why you believe it?
If someone asks you the reason of the hope within you—can you give it to them?
2Ti 2:18 They have abandoned the truth. They are destroying the faith of others by saying that people who have died have already come back to life.
Who concerning the truth have erred,.... That is, the two persons just mentioned (Hymenaeus and Philetus); they fell from the truth, wandered and departed from it; they did not keep to the Scriptures of truth, but deviated from them; they missed that mark, and went astray into gross errors and mistakes; rejected the Gospel, the word of truth, in general, and particularly in
saying, that the resurrection is past already; and no other is to be expected; or that there was no future resurrection of the dead in the Last Days as promised.
and overthrow the faith of some; the Ethiopic version reads, "of many".
What is the resurrection talked about in the Bible?
Do you believe it is past, present or future? Why?
What is the “first resurrection”, and who does it include?
If there is a “first resurrection”, then there must be a second—what is that resurrection?
2Ti 2:19 In spite of all that, God's people have a solid foundation. These words are engraved on it: "The Lord knows those who belong to him," and "Whoever worships the Lord must give up doing wrong."
That faith, which is the faith of God's elect, is of the operation of God, and is the gift of His grace, and of which Christ is the author and finisher, is firm and immovable as a foundation; it is solid and substantial; it is the substance of things hoped for; and it is permanent and abiding; it stands sure, being supported by the power of God.
The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is here meant, which was said to be past by the above false teachers; which is a fundamental doctrine of the Gospel, without which the preaching of it is vain, and faith is vain; and which is a doctrine of God, of pure revelation; and this will be effected by His power: this stands sure upon the testimony of the patriarchs, prophets, and of Christ, and his apostles; upon the sure word and writings both of the Old and New Testament.
The Lord Jesus knows who are his distinctly and perfectly; nor will He lose them, but will raise it up at the last day. He also knows those who are not His, those who are merely deceived tares.
"They shall be mine, saith the Lord." (Mal_3:17)
"The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous." (Psa_1:6)
"He calleth his own sheep by name." (Joh_10:3)
The foundation of God -- The ransom provided. The Word of the Lord.
and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ; "or of the Lord", that is, whoever either are called by the name of Christ, or Christians, or whoever call upon his name: let them depart from iniquity; both from doctrinal iniquity, the errors and heresies of the above false teachers, which increased to ungodliness, and ate as a gangrene, and were the subversion of the faith of some; and from all practical iniquity, which those men, and their followers, especially the Gnostics, were guilty of; and, generally speaking, when men make shipwreck of faith, they put away a good conscience
Are you standing on the firm foundation?
Are you actively departing from iniquity and doing wrong?
Do you see the dangers of not correcting your behavior as well as not removing bad doctrines? Or do you think that doesn’t apply to you?
2Ti 2:20 In a large house there are not only objects made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some objects are honored when they are used; others aren't.
This simile the apostle makes use of, to show that it need not seem strange, nor should it be distressing to anyone's mind, to hear that men of such wicked principles and practices should be in the church of God, who are before mentioned; since in every great house or palace, the house of a nobleman, or palace of a king, there is a variety of vessels of different matter, and for different uses, and some are lowly, despicable, and dishonorable; and so it is in the church of God: for by this great house, in the application of the simile, is not meant the world, as some think; yet it is no startling thing to any man, that there should be bad men in it; rather the wonder is, that there should be any good; but by this house is meant the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth, 1Ti_3:15; see Gill on 1Ti_3:15.
There are not only vessels of gold and of silver; persons who are members of the visible church, who are comparable to gold and silver, for their worth and value, and preciousness in the sight of Christ, who accounts them his jewels, and peculiar treasure; and for their excellency and usefulness in the church, by reason of those differing gifts bestowed upon them; and for their lustre and purity, both of doctrine and of life; and for their solidity and duration. They picture the Little Flock and Great Multitude respectively.
but also of wood, and of earth (clay): there are others in a visible church state, who are like to dry wood, destitute of the grace of God, and are fit matter for Satan to work upon, and by them raise and increase the flames of contention and division, and will be fit fuel for everlasting burnings; and there are others who are sensual, and carnal, and worldly, who mind earth, and earthly things, and have no spirituality, nor spiritual mindedness in them:
and some to honor; who are designed for honorable service, and behave honorably, and are worthy of honor in the church; are honorable officers, or members in it; and are to the honor of Christ, and the Gospel; and shall at last enjoy honor, glory, immortality, and eternal life.
And some to dishonor; who are to the disreputation of the church, the dishonor of religion, and scandal of the Gospel; by them God is dishonored, His ways evil spoken of, His doctrines blasphemed, and His name reproached; and who are themselves dishonorable among men now, and will be covered with shame and everlasting contempt hereafter.
Are you a gold and silver vessel of honor to the Lord?
Or, are you a wood and clay vessel of dishonor?
What changes do you need to make in your life to become more of a vessel of honor?
2Ti 2:21 Those who stop associating with dishonorable people will be honored. They will be set apart for the master's use, prepared to do good things.
That is, if a man clears himself, and keeps himself clear from such men as Hymenaeus and Philetus, who are comparable to wooden and earthen vessels, and are dishonorable ones; if he shuns their defiling company, and polluting principles; if he keeps clear of their heresies, and is not carried away with the errors of these wicked men, and is not drawn aside by them into immoral practices, but stands fast in the faith, and departs from iniquity:
he shall be a vessel unto honour; he will be made manifest, and appear to be a vessel chosen to honor; and will be an honorable member of the church here, and will be honored by Christ hereafter:he will appear to be one that is set apart (sanctified) by God the Father, and whose sins are purged away by the blood of Christ, and who is sanctified internally by the Spirit of God; for external holiness springs from internal holiness, and is, an evidence of it:
and meet for the master's use: the use and service of Christ, who is the master of the house; either for the ministry of the word, the administration of ordinances, or for some service or another, which he calls him to, and employs him in.
And prepared unto every good work; which the natural man is not; he is not capable of performing good works; he is not prepared for them, nor ready at them; but a true believer, one that is regenerated, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, he is created in Christ Jesus unto good works; and has in the performing of them right principles, aims, and ends, as well as a supply of grace, by which he is enabled to do them.
Who do you hang out with?
Do you enjoy the company of those who are more worldly minded because they are funny and fun to be with?
Do you enjoy the company of those who like to talk about the Lord and His Word?
Do you hang out with your TV or a “good book” or games? Or do you spend time studying the Word of God?
Think about where you like to spend your free time and evaluate where you stand with God and what you need to change or adjust in your life.
2Ti 2:23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels.
(BBE) And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.
(ESV) Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
(Weymouth) But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels;
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,.... The word “unlearned,” here, means “trifling; that which does not tend to edification; stupid.” Such as have no solid wisdom in them, and are foreign from the Gospel, the wisdom of God, and are not useful and unedifying; such ought to be avoided, publicly and privately; they should not be started in the public ministry, nor attended to in private conversation; as being unworthy of the notice of a minister of the Gospel wise and learned, and useless to the church, and to his hearers.
Knowing that they do gender strife; about words, and contentions, which break the peace of churches, and hinder the progress of the Gospel.
How often do you get caught up in debating topics that in the end make no difference?
Are you one that continually brings up contentions? Or controversies?
Are you one that will take part in trying to set one straight who continually brings up controversies?
What are some of the stupid or foolish arguments that seem to come up in your fellowship?
2Ti 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong.
By "the servant of the Lord" is not meant any believer in common, but a minister of the word, as Timothy was; such an one ought not to strive about words to no profit, about mere words, and in a litigious, quarrelsome manner, and for mastery and not truth; though he may, and ought to strive for the faith of the Gospel; this is praiseworthy in him:
but be gentle unto all men; not only to troubled minds, and wounded consciences, by supplying them with the precious promises and truths of the Gospel; and to backsliders, by restoring them in a spirit of meekness; but even to those who contradict the truth, and themselves, by mild and kind instructions. Let the sword of the spirit do all the cutting.
Apt to teach, To have the teaching ability--able to present the message in a way that will be assimilable to the minds of others, making it clear, plain and logical. To showing a willingness to instruct the ignorant and obstinate, and making use of abilities given for that purpose, notwithstanding all discouragements; for it follows,
patient, or "bearing evil"; not only the infirmities of weak brethren in the church, and the reproaches and persecutions of profane men in the world; but also the contradictions and oppositions of the adversaries of truth, so as not to be irritated and provoked, or to be discouraged, and desist from the defense of the Gospel.
Does this verse describe your Bible Study teacher?
Does it describe you?
2Ti 2:25 He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth.
In meekness -- Not in bitterness, nor in wrath, nor with sarcasm. Not in a combative spirit or with a show of gratification over the defeat of others. Without strife. When presenting the truth, never assume an air of superiority, nor manifest haughtiness. Put character and principle first, then patience, gentleness, meekness.
Instructing -- Teaching. Correcting. If the truth is attacked and honest souls are in danger of being stumbled, we must, "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." (Jud_1:3) One should never lose his head--the more cool, calm, and self-composed we are when opposed, the better we can defend the message we bear.
A change of mind upon conviction, and such as issues in a free and sincere confession, and acknowledgment of the truth before opposed; and such a change is the gift of God: it is He that opens the eyes of the understanding, and works conviction in the mind, and leads into all truth, as it is in Jesus; and induces men to repent of their errors, confess their mistakes, and own the truth; even as repentance of evil practices is not owing to the power of men, nor to the bare influence of means, but to the powerful grace of God, it being a grant from Him.
Are your ministers gentle or controlling?
When you have a different view on a teaching, are you pushy? Or do you bring it up with meekness of heart, that if you are wrong in your views and are shown to be wrong, that you will change your thinking?
2Ti 2:26 Then they might come back to their senses and God will free them from the devil's snare so that they can do his will.
Or "awake", and come to themselves, and appear to be sober, and in their right mind: the metaphor is taken from drunken men, who are overcharged, and are not in their senses, and being stupified fall asleep; and like these are persons intoxicated with errors and heresies, who when their minds are enlightened, and they are convinced of their evil tenets, repent of them, come to themselves, and acknowledge the truth, and so escape
out of the snare of the devil; for as carnal lusts and pleasures are the snares and nets, in which Satan, who may be compared to a fowler, catches some; so errors and heresies are those with which he ensnares others: "who are taken captive", or "alive",
by him at his will; such are taken in his nets and snares, as creatures are taken alive, by fowlers, and huntsmen; and they are held fast, and become his captives, and his slaves, and do his will, being led by him to whatsoever he pleases; he works powerfully in them, and they readily comply with him, and obey his lusts.
When you are witnessing or teaching to others who are in error or estranged with God. Do you consider that Satan has them trapped where they are?
Do you consider that the Lord is giving you a great opportunity to free one from the grasp of Satan?
Note: Most of the study material comes from Gill’s commentary, with supplements from Russell, Clarke and others.
This expresses the apostle's tender affection for Timothy, to engage his attention to the advice he was about to give him; which is, that since he had received the true grace of God, and unfeigned faith dwelt in him; and since he had such gifts, qualifying him for the work of the ministry; and since so good a thing as the glorious Gospel of the blessed God was committed to his trust; and since there were so many who had departed from it, and so few that abode by it, he would have him find his strength grace, or kindness “that comes through the union with Christ Jesus (Will)”
While Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, God preserved it for us. We too, are to find our strength “through our union with Christ Jesus”
Is Jesus our strength? Or do we find our strength in numbers (others who believe just like us?)
2Ti 2:2 You've heard my message, and it's been confirmed by many witnesses. Entrust this message to faithful individuals who will be competent to teach others.
Those doctrines which I (Paul) have preached the most publicly, and which many persons can attest.
who — Greek, “(persons) such as shall be competent to teach (them to) others also.” Thus the way is prepared for instilling the duty of faithful endurance (2Ti_2:3-13). You should consider as a motive to endurance, that you have not only to keep the deposit for yourself, but to transmit it unimpaired to others, who in their turn shall fulfil the same office. This is so far from supporting oral tradition now that it rather teaches how precarious a mode of preserving revealed truth it was, depending, as it did, on the trustworthiness of each individual in the chain of succession; and how thankful we ought to be that God Himself has given the written Word, which is exempt from such risk.
Are your teachers “faithful” and “competent (able, trustworthy, capable) to teach others”?
Just as Timothy was instructed to carefully choose those he put into leadership roles in the Church, we too have that charge when we vote for brothers among us to do the same. Paul had already explained all of the qualifications of elders and deacons in 1 Timothy.
When we vote for elders and deacons—do we take into careful consideration the admonitions of the Apostle Paul on the subject? Or do we vote for brothers because we like them or they are our friends, or because they have been in the position of teacher for so long, we just can’t “find our strength in Jesus” to not vote for them because they no longer meet the qualifications?
No one said it was going to be easy—that is why we have to find our “strength in our union with Jesus Christ.”
2Ti 2:3 Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:4 Whoever serves in the military doesn't get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer.
Soldier, 2Ti_2:1-4 : There is grace enough in Jesus for every need, but we must avail ourselves of it. We can expect nothing less than hardship, since life is a battlefield. Our one aim should be to please Him who chose us to be soldiers. In order to be all that he would have us be, we must avoid entangling ourselves in the conditions around us. We must resemble a garrison in the town where it is quartered, and from which it may at any hour be summoned away. The less encumbered we are, the more easily shall we be able to execute the least command of our Great Captain. How high an honor it is to be enrolled among His soldiers!
As a good soldier -- Representing the Christian of the cross; foregoing the rights and privileges of the present time. Having a soldierly bearing, as a proper representative of the King; battling against Satan.
Not merely outwardly loyal, but having the full spirit of the cause; not ashamed of the garment of Christ's righteousness. Assisting and setting an example to the other soldiers.
Some of a Christian's greatest difficulties are right in his own person; the chief battle is with himself.
Unless we are willing to learn lessons through experience and to endure hardness, we shall not be prepared to enter the eternal glory.
The true soldier does not debate his cause. He is rightly supposed to have settled upon its justice and righteousness before he enlisted to serve it--he is ready to spend all and be all spent in its defense. Using the term soldier to represent the Christian has a great deal of meaning because there is a war going on here on earth.
These commentaries we chose for these verses have some very hard saying in them and we need to ask them of ourselves.
Are we joining the Apostle Paul in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus?
Are we so mixed up with non-military activities (like partying, politics, work, sports, socializing, or hobbies, or living the good life” that we forget that we sacrificed all of these things when we gave our “all” to God through Christ Jesus?
What are you doing to keep yourselves free from activities or lifestyles that keep us from being “good soldiers of Christ”?
2Ti 2:5 Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules.
And if a man also strive for masteries,.... In the Olympic games, by running, wrestling, leaping, &c.
yet is he not crowned; with a corruptible, fading crown, a crown made of herbs and leaves of trees, as parsley, laurel, &c.
except he strive lawfully; according to the laws and rules fixed for those exercises; so no man that calls himself a Christian, minister, or any other, can expect the crown of life, the prize of the high calling of God, except he runs the race set before him, in the right way; looking to Christ, the mark, pressing through all difficulties, towards the prize, and holds on and out unto the end.
Do you know what the rules are for your Christian race?
Are you striving to obey them?
2Ti 2:6 A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops.
The husbandman that laboureth,.... In manuring his ground, in ploughing, in sowing, in weeding, in reaping, &c.
must be first partaker of the fruits; of his labour, before others; and the design may be to observe that the ministers of the word ought first to be partakers of the grace of God, the fruits of the Spirit, and of the Gospel, and rightly and spiritually understand it, before they preach it to others; or that such who labour in the word and doctrine, ought in the first place to be taken care of, and have a sufficient maintenance provided for them, 1Co_9:7 or that as they shall have in the first place some seals and fruits of their ministry, in the conversion of souls, so they shall shine in the kingdom of heaven as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever. Though the words may be rendered, and which seems more agreeable to the context, and to the apostle's argument, "the husbandman must first labour before he partakes of the fruits"; so a minister of the Gospel must first labour, and endure hardships in this life, before he sits down in the kingdom of heaven, and takes his rest, and enjoys the crown of glory, which fades not away, which the chief Shepherd shall give unto him.
The work of the farmer is not a glorious work, its dirty, hard and backbreaking for not much earthly or monetary payout. In a way, it’s a job of service. Service to the plants or service to the animals that are under your care.
Do you get the hay full of old Johnson grass and sticks because its cheap or do you spend the extra money to get good quality hay so that your animals do not struggle over winter? What are you getting fed in your church?
Do you go out several times a day in winter to chop ice so that the animals have access to water? Water is a picture of blessings as well as Truth—is your source of Truth and blessings frozen, or can you freely drink?
Do you shovel snow so that the chickens can come out of the coop? Are you stuck inside of an organization that doesn’t allow freedom of movement? Stuck inside where its cramped, dark and stinky, or can you get a breath of fresh air?
2Ti 2:7 Understand what I'm saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
Consider what I say (In the KJV),.... The advice given by the apostle to Timothy, to be strong in the grace of Christ; to commit the doctrines of the Gospel to faithful and able men; and to endure hardness for the sake of it: as also the characters which he bore as a soldier, a runner in a race, or a wrestler, and an husbandman or farmer; and therefore must not expect ease and rest, but war, difficulties, toil, and labour; and likewise under what titles Christ was to be regarded; as his General, and Captain of salvation, that commanded him.
By putting him upon the consideration of these things, he suggests, that they were matters of moment and importance, and would be of great use to him in assisting and encouraging his faith, amidst all trials and exercises; and whereas they were expressed in figurative terms, taken from the soldier, the runner in a race, and the husbandman, they might not at first view be so easy to be understood; and therefore he would have him think of them, and meditate upon them, and weigh them in his mind; as well as he would not have him take things upon trust from him, but examine them whether they were right or not; though he doubted not but that they would be found to be agreeable to the standard of truth: wherefore he prays as follows,
and the Lord give thee understanding in all things; in all the above things, and in all others; in all the doctrines and mysteries of grace, and in all the rules of conduct in life. No man has of himself an understanding in spiritual things; this is the gift of God; and where it is given there is need of an increase of it, and always of such a prayer for it..
2Ti 2:8 Always think about Jesus Christ. He was brought back to life and is a descendant of David. This is the Good News that I tell others.
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David,.... This is said either as an encouragement to suffer hardness in the cause of Christ; since he, who though he was of the seed of David, of the blood royal, and heir to his crown, yet suffered and died; and whereas he rose again from the dead, those who suffer for his sake shall rise also, and live and reign with him forever: or of the things which Timothy had heard of the apostle; for this, with what follows, is a summary of them: Christ being of the seed of David, according to the flesh, or human nature; shows that he was really come in the flesh, and was truly man; and that he assumed human nature with all its frailties and infirmities, excepting sin, and was, like David, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefs; and it includes his whole life, and his righteousness, and obedience to the law of works, and points him out as the true Messiah, who was well known to the Jews by the name of the son of David. And now the apostle puts Timothy in mind, that he
was raised from the dead; which implies that he died; and so includes all the doctrines relating to his death; as that he died to make reconciliation, atonement, and satisfaction for the sins of his people by ransoming Father Adam, and to procure peace for them, and the full remission of all their iniquities; and to obtain redemption for them, from sin, Satan, the law, and its curses; as well as it expresses his resurrection from the dead, for their justification: and this being his first step to glory, has connected with it his ascension to heaven, session at the right hand of God, intercession for the saints, and his second coming to judgment; and is therefore particularly mentioned, because it is an article so comprehensive, and is a fundamental one, and of the greatest importance to faith, and was what was struck at in those times: the apostle adds,
according to my Gospel; the doctrine of the Gospel, and which he calls his, not because he was the author, or the subject of it; for in these respects it is the Gospel of God, and of Christ; but because it was committed to him, and he was entrusted with it, and fully and faithfully preached it; and in distinction from another Gospel, that of the false teachers; and agreeably to this doctrine, which the apostle everywhere taught, Christ was raised from the dead.
How often do you think about Jesus, who he is and what he accomplished?
How often do you share it with others?
2Ti 2:9 I'm suffering disgrace for spreading this Good News. I have even been put into prison like a criminal. However, God's word is not imprisoned.
Wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer,.... As a malefactor, as if guilty of some capital crime; an enemy to the law of Moses, a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition everywhere, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, Act_24:5. The Ethiopic version renders it, "as a thief". The "trouble" he suffered were reproaches, persecutions, whipping, beating, stoning, imprisonment: for he adds, for he was now a prisoner, and in chains; nor was it the first time, he was in prisons frequent; and all this for the sake of the Gospel, which he preached, concerning the death, and resurrection of Christ:
but the word of God is not bound; for the apostle, while a prisoner at Rome, had the liberty of dwelling by himself, in his own hired house, though held in chains, and guarded by a soldier, and of receiving his friends, and of preaching the Gospel to as many as would come to hear him, Act_28:16 as well as of sending letters to the churches; for several of his epistles were written by him when a prisoner, as those to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians; and this to Timothy, and also that to Philemon: so that the Gospel was not restrained, or the apostle restrained from publishing it, both by word of mouth, and by writing; which was a great support to him under his troubles. Moreover, the Gospel was the more spread through the bonds of the apostle, and met with great success; it became known in Caesar's palace, and was the means of the conversion of some of his household; and many of the brethren, through his bonds, became bolder to preach the Gospel of Christ; so that it had a free course, and was glorified: and sometimes so it is, that persecution is a means of the greater spread of the Gospel; which was an effect that followed upon the persecution raised against the church at Jerusalem, upon the death of Stephen, Act_8:1. And indeed, when God opens an effectual door, none can shut it, though there be many adversaries; and when he gives the word a commission, there is no stopping it; when it comes in power, it bears down all before it; it cannot be fettered and bound by men, though men may be fettered and bound for the sake of it.
What can we take from the Apostle Paul’s example and apply to our lives?
Can we still be a witness for God when we are suffering for His sake?
It was Paul’s preaching that got him in trouble—are we preaching or witnessing enough?
2Ti 2:10 For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive salvation from Christ Jesus with glory that lasts forever.
Therefore I endure all things for the elects' sakes,.... and on their account is the Gospel sent, preached, and published to the world; for their sakes are ministers fitted and qualified for their work, and have their mission and commission to perform it, and suffer what they do in the execution of it; and since it was for the sake of such, whom God had loved and chosen, that the apostle endured all his reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions, he was the more cheerful under them; and the consideration of it was a support unto him:
That they may also obtain the salvation, ... - Their salvation, though they, were elected, could not be secured without proper efforts. The meaning of the apostle here is, that he was willing to suffer if he might save others; and any one ought to be willing to suffer in order to secure the salvation of the elect - for it was an object for which the Redeemer was willing to lay down his life.
The Apostle Paul endured all the torments of prison and abuse to spread the Word, looking for those whom the Lord is calling. What do you endure to spread the Word?
2Ti 2:11 This is a statement that can be trusted: If we have died with him, we will live with him.
It is a faithful saying,.... This may refer either to what goes before, that all things, all reproaches and sufferings, through the ministration of the Gospel, are endured for the elects' sake; and that shall certainly obtain salvation in Christ, and eternal glory, to which they are predestinated: or to what follows, which being of moment and importance, and difficult to be believed, as that death led to life, and sufferings were the way to the kingdom; the apostle prefaces it in this manner, affirming the truth of it, that it was sure and certain, and to be believed, and depended on as such.
For if we be dead with him; This, may be understood of the saints dying for Christ's sake, and the Gospel, whereby they are conformed unto him, and feel the fellowship of his sufferings, and so may be said to be dead with him: and such may assure themselves of the truth of what follows,
we shall also live with him; as many as were crucified with Christ, and buried with him and though they die, and for his sake, they shall rise again; and because he lives, they shall live also, even a life of glory. And this is part of the faithful saying, and to be believed, and is believed by the saints: see Rom_6:8.
In what ways are you “dead with him”?
Does this mean to merely give up the things of the world, or does it have more to do with our activity for Christ?
2Ti 2:12 If we endure, we will rule with him. If we disown him, he will disown us.
If we suffer,.... With him, with Christ, as in Rom_8:17. And such being called by grace, and having made a profession of Christ, they suffer shame and reproach, loss of credit and reputation, and sometimes loss of goods, and corporeal punishment, and even death itself: but though they do, and if they should, they may be satisfied of the truth of this,
we shall also reign with him; they reign with him in the kingdom we all pray for.
if we deny him, he also will deny us: there is a denying of Christ in words; so it is denied by the Jews that Christ is come in the flesh, and that Jesus is the Messiah; and some that have bore the Christian name, though very unworthily, have real humanity, proper sonship, and the efficacy of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, for pardon, justification, and atonement: and there is a denying of him in works; so some that profess to know him, and do own him, yet in works deny him; their conversation is not becoming their profession of him; they have the form of godliness, but deny the power of it: there is a secret and silent denying of him, when men are ashamed of him, and do not confess him; and there is an open denying of him, by such who set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh throughout the earth; and there is a total denying of him, a thorough apostasy, and from which there is no recovery; and if there be any such apostates among those who have named the name of Christ, he will deny them, he will not own them for his another day; he will set them at his left hand; he will declare he knows them not, and will banish them from his presence for evermore. This is another branch of the faithful saying; this will certainly be the case; Christ himself has said it, Mat_10:33.
Does your life reflect, enduring or suffering with Christ or denying him?
What will you do to change your life to conform to this condition?
2Ti 2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful because he cannot be untrue to himself.
I’m not sure this is the best rendition of this verse, let’s look others.
(DRB) If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he cannot deny himself.
(BBE) If we are without faith, still he keeps faith, for he will never be untrue to himself.
(MKJV) If we do not believe Him, yet He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
(YLT) if we are not stedfast, he remaineth stedfast; to deny himself he is not able.
This cannot mean that, if we live in sin, he will certainly save us, as if he had made any promise to the elect, or formed any purpose that He would save them; whatever might be their conduct; because:
(1) He had just said that if we deny him he will deny us; and,
(2) There is no such promise in the Bible, and no such purpose has been formed. The promise is, that be that is a believer shall be saved, and there is no purpose to save any but such as lead holy lives. The meaning must be, that if we are unbelieving and unfaithful, Christ will remain true to his word, and we cannot hope to be saved.
He cannot deny himself - Implying that it would be a denial of his very nature to save those who are unfaithful. He is holy; and how can he save one who is unholy? His very nature is purity; and how can he save one who has no purity? Let no one, then, suppose that, because he is consecrated his life to the Lord “been saved”, he is safe, if he lives in sin. The electing purpose of God is only for those who lead righteous lives.
Are we living a life that denies Christ?
If we are not out there preaching the Word like Paul, is that a form of denying Christ?
Do we think we are so special that God will overlook our lack of desire to serve Him?
2Ti 2:14 Remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of God not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn't do any good but only destroys those who are listening.
(Weymouth) Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of the hearers.
(Williams) Keep on reminding men of these things. Solemnly charge them before God to stop petty debating, which does no good at all but brings destruction on those who hear it.
that they strive not about words — rather, “strive with words”: “not to have a (mere) war of words” (2Ti_2:23, 2Ti_2:24; 1Ti_6:4) where the most vital matters are at stake (2Ti_2:17, 2Ti_2:18; Act_18:15).
to no profit — not qualifying “words”; but Greek neuter, in apposition with “strive in words,” “(a thing tending) to no profit,” literally, “profitable for nothing”; the opposite of “meet for the master’s use” (2Ti_2:21).
to the subverting — sure to subvert (overturn, overthrowing, ruin, destroy) the hearers: the opposite of “edifying” (building up) (2Co_13:10).
What are some things you quarrel about?
Do you find yourself drawn to debates on topics that are not fundamental and cause bad feelings amongst the brethren?
Do you always feel you need to be right or vindicated for a thought on something? Do you pick and choose your battles or is everything a battle?
Note: This is not about having a discussion about differences, say in prophetic understanding, but it goes beyond that—this is not an open dialogue, but a fighting or debating.
2Ti 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn't ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.
Study to show thyself approved unto God (In the KJV),.... Not unto men, as pleasing them; for such who study to please men, are not the servants of Christ; and sometimes those that are approved to and by men, are disapproved of by God and Christ: but unto God, showing all fidelity and uprightness; speaking out the Gospel openly, and freely, with all sincerity, as in the sight of God; commending themselves to Him, and to every man's conscience, by manifestation of the truth; and such will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" another day.
A workman that needeth not to be ashamed; the ministry of the word is a work, and it is a good work; and those that perform it aright are worthy of honor and esteem; and it requires industry, diligence, and application, and for which no man is sufficient without the grace of God; and those who are employed in it are workmen, workers together with God, and laborer’s in his vineyard: and such who are faithful and diligent ones, "need not to be ashamed"; such do not cause shame, neither in themselves nor in others, as false teachers do, who foam out their own shame, and as negligent ministers of the word, and such whose lives are not in harmony with the doctrines they preach.
rightly dividing, or "cutting"
the word of truth; that is, the Scriptures of truth, Dan_10:21 which come from the God of truth, are concerning Christ, who is the truth: to divide the word, is not merely to divide the text into its proper parts, though care should be taken that this be done aright.
Ministers of the Gospel are stewards, and who, when wise and faithful, give to everyone of the household their portion of meat in due season. The ministers of the Gospel are to distribute the spiritual food of the word to babes in Christ, and to grown Christians, according to their capacities, and suitable to their cases and circumstances, dividing to everyone what is proper for him: in short, one that divides the word of truth rightly, is, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, one that "rightly handles"; or, as the Syriac version, that "rightly preaches the word of truth"; who gives the true sense of Scripture, does not pervert and wrest it, and take from it, or add to it; who points out the truth in it, and shows unto men the way of salvation, and plainly and faithfully preaches the Gospel contained in it, without keeping back anything that is profitable, but declares the whole counsel of God.
Study is necessary; it requires great care that a man take heed to himself, and to his doctrine; and great industry, diligence, and application, and much reading, meditation, and prayer.
Are you working on your character?
Are you studying God’s Word?
When you witness or teach others—do you only tell the good parts of the Word (to please men), or only the Vengeance of God and warnings (to keep men in fear), or all of it? Do you know all of it? If not, why not?
2Ti 2:16 Avoid pointless discussions. People who pay attention to these pointless discussions will become more ungodly,
If we have consecrated all to God, our time is not our own; and consequently we have none to spare for the investigation of theories built upon any other foundation than that laid down in the Bible.
And vain babblings -- Close students of the divine Word are prepared to quickly detect error, even though it lurk behind a very plausible semblance of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings,.... The ministry of false teachers is mere babbling; a voice, and nothing else; a sound of words, but no solid matter in them; great swelling words of vanity, like large bubbles of water, look big, and make a great noise, but have nothing in them; contain nothing but vain, empty, idle, and trifling stuff; what is unprofitable and unedifying. And all such wicked and empty prate, and babbling, is to be shunned, avoided, and discouraged, refused, and rejected; and, as much as can be, a stop should be put to it, both by ministers and hearers of the word.
For they will increase unto more ungodliness meaning either that such babblings, if used and encouraged, will grow more and more profane and wicked; or the persons that use them, the unruly and vain talkers, will grow more daring, bold; and impudent, will wax worse and worse, and from one error will proceed to another, for such seldom stop; and having abused one passage of Scripture, will go on to attack another, and will not cease, till they have wrested the whole Scripture to their own destruction, and that of others.
We all at some time or another get involved in “pointless discussions”, What are some ways we can avoid these discussions or get ourselves out to them once we are in them?
The commentators above link the “vain babblings” to false doctrines. What are some of these false doctrines? In what way do they lead to one becoming more ungodly?
2Ti 2:17 and what they say will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that.
And their word will eat as doth a cancer,.... Or "gangrene", which gnaws and feeds upon the flesh, inflames and mortifies as it goes, and spreads swiftly, and endangers the whole body; and is therefore to be speedily taken notice of, and stopped. It is better rendered "gangrene", as in the marginal reading, than "cancer".
"The word "gangrene" is Greek (g), and is derived from the Greek word γραω, γραινω, "manduco", "consumo", I eat, I consume. The "gangrene" is a disease in the flesh of the part which it corrupts, consumes, and turns black, spreading and seizing itself of the adjoining parts, and is rarely cured without amputation.
And so the errors and heresies of false teachers spread, and feed upon the souls of men, and eat up the vitals of religion, or what seemed to be such, and even destroy the very form of godliness; and bring destruction and death, wherever they come; and when they get into Christian churches, threaten the ruin of them; and therefore are to be opposed in time, and those infected with them to be cut off.
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; these were some of the principal among the false teachers, the chief authors and spreaders of error and heresy: the former of these is mentioned before in 1Ti_1:20 along with Alexander, as guilty of blasphemy, and as delivered up to Satan for it. Philetus is a Greek name as well as the other, though it is sometimes found in Roman inscriptions (h): it is very likely that these were both in Asia, and probably in Ephesus, or near to it, since the apostle mentions them by name to Timothy, that he might beware of them.
It is the duty of teachers to defend the hearers by defending the truth. It is also our responsibility to understand the Truth.
Do you know what you believe and why you believe it?
If someone asks you the reason of the hope within you—can you give it to them?
2Ti 2:18 They have abandoned the truth. They are destroying the faith of others by saying that people who have died have already come back to life.
Who concerning the truth have erred,.... That is, the two persons just mentioned (Hymenaeus and Philetus); they fell from the truth, wandered and departed from it; they did not keep to the Scriptures of truth, but deviated from them; they missed that mark, and went astray into gross errors and mistakes; rejected the Gospel, the word of truth, in general, and particularly in
saying, that the resurrection is past already; and no other is to be expected; or that there was no future resurrection of the dead in the Last Days as promised.
and overthrow the faith of some; the Ethiopic version reads, "of many".
What is the resurrection talked about in the Bible?
Do you believe it is past, present or future? Why?
What is the “first resurrection”, and who does it include?
If there is a “first resurrection”, then there must be a second—what is that resurrection?
2Ti 2:19 In spite of all that, God's people have a solid foundation. These words are engraved on it: "The Lord knows those who belong to him," and "Whoever worships the Lord must give up doing wrong."
That faith, which is the faith of God's elect, is of the operation of God, and is the gift of His grace, and of which Christ is the author and finisher, is firm and immovable as a foundation; it is solid and substantial; it is the substance of things hoped for; and it is permanent and abiding; it stands sure, being supported by the power of God.
The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is here meant, which was said to be past by the above false teachers; which is a fundamental doctrine of the Gospel, without which the preaching of it is vain, and faith is vain; and which is a doctrine of God, of pure revelation; and this will be effected by His power: this stands sure upon the testimony of the patriarchs, prophets, and of Christ, and his apostles; upon the sure word and writings both of the Old and New Testament.
The Lord Jesus knows who are his distinctly and perfectly; nor will He lose them, but will raise it up at the last day. He also knows those who are not His, those who are merely deceived tares.
"They shall be mine, saith the Lord." (Mal_3:17)
"The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous." (Psa_1:6)
"He calleth his own sheep by name." (Joh_10:3)
The foundation of God -- The ransom provided. The Word of the Lord.
and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ; "or of the Lord", that is, whoever either are called by the name of Christ, or Christians, or whoever call upon his name: let them depart from iniquity; both from doctrinal iniquity, the errors and heresies of the above false teachers, which increased to ungodliness, and ate as a gangrene, and were the subversion of the faith of some; and from all practical iniquity, which those men, and their followers, especially the Gnostics, were guilty of; and, generally speaking, when men make shipwreck of faith, they put away a good conscience
Are you standing on the firm foundation?
Are you actively departing from iniquity and doing wrong?
Do you see the dangers of not correcting your behavior as well as not removing bad doctrines? Or do you think that doesn’t apply to you?
2Ti 2:20 In a large house there are not only objects made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some objects are honored when they are used; others aren't.
This simile the apostle makes use of, to show that it need not seem strange, nor should it be distressing to anyone's mind, to hear that men of such wicked principles and practices should be in the church of God, who are before mentioned; since in every great house or palace, the house of a nobleman, or palace of a king, there is a variety of vessels of different matter, and for different uses, and some are lowly, despicable, and dishonorable; and so it is in the church of God: for by this great house, in the application of the simile, is not meant the world, as some think; yet it is no startling thing to any man, that there should be bad men in it; rather the wonder is, that there should be any good; but by this house is meant the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth, 1Ti_3:15; see Gill on 1Ti_3:15.
There are not only vessels of gold and of silver; persons who are members of the visible church, who are comparable to gold and silver, for their worth and value, and preciousness in the sight of Christ, who accounts them his jewels, and peculiar treasure; and for their excellency and usefulness in the church, by reason of those differing gifts bestowed upon them; and for their lustre and purity, both of doctrine and of life; and for their solidity and duration. They picture the Little Flock and Great Multitude respectively.
but also of wood, and of earth (clay): there are others in a visible church state, who are like to dry wood, destitute of the grace of God, and are fit matter for Satan to work upon, and by them raise and increase the flames of contention and division, and will be fit fuel for everlasting burnings; and there are others who are sensual, and carnal, and worldly, who mind earth, and earthly things, and have no spirituality, nor spiritual mindedness in them:
and some to honor; who are designed for honorable service, and behave honorably, and are worthy of honor in the church; are honorable officers, or members in it; and are to the honor of Christ, and the Gospel; and shall at last enjoy honor, glory, immortality, and eternal life.
And some to dishonor; who are to the disreputation of the church, the dishonor of religion, and scandal of the Gospel; by them God is dishonored, His ways evil spoken of, His doctrines blasphemed, and His name reproached; and who are themselves dishonorable among men now, and will be covered with shame and everlasting contempt hereafter.
Are you a gold and silver vessel of honor to the Lord?
Or, are you a wood and clay vessel of dishonor?
What changes do you need to make in your life to become more of a vessel of honor?
2Ti 2:21 Those who stop associating with dishonorable people will be honored. They will be set apart for the master's use, prepared to do good things.
That is, if a man clears himself, and keeps himself clear from such men as Hymenaeus and Philetus, who are comparable to wooden and earthen vessels, and are dishonorable ones; if he shuns their defiling company, and polluting principles; if he keeps clear of their heresies, and is not carried away with the errors of these wicked men, and is not drawn aside by them into immoral practices, but stands fast in the faith, and departs from iniquity:
he shall be a vessel unto honour; he will be made manifest, and appear to be a vessel chosen to honor; and will be an honorable member of the church here, and will be honored by Christ hereafter:he will appear to be one that is set apart (sanctified) by God the Father, and whose sins are purged away by the blood of Christ, and who is sanctified internally by the Spirit of God; for external holiness springs from internal holiness, and is, an evidence of it:
and meet for the master's use: the use and service of Christ, who is the master of the house; either for the ministry of the word, the administration of ordinances, or for some service or another, which he calls him to, and employs him in.
And prepared unto every good work; which the natural man is not; he is not capable of performing good works; he is not prepared for them, nor ready at them; but a true believer, one that is regenerated, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, he is created in Christ Jesus unto good works; and has in the performing of them right principles, aims, and ends, as well as a supply of grace, by which he is enabled to do them.
Who do you hang out with?
Do you enjoy the company of those who are more worldly minded because they are funny and fun to be with?
Do you enjoy the company of those who like to talk about the Lord and His Word?
Do you hang out with your TV or a “good book” or games? Or do you spend time studying the Word of God?
Think about where you like to spend your free time and evaluate where you stand with God and what you need to change or adjust in your life.
2Ti 2:23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels.
(BBE) And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.
(ESV) Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
(Weymouth) But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels;
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,.... The word “unlearned,” here, means “trifling; that which does not tend to edification; stupid.” Such as have no solid wisdom in them, and are foreign from the Gospel, the wisdom of God, and are not useful and unedifying; such ought to be avoided, publicly and privately; they should not be started in the public ministry, nor attended to in private conversation; as being unworthy of the notice of a minister of the Gospel wise and learned, and useless to the church, and to his hearers.
Knowing that they do gender strife; about words, and contentions, which break the peace of churches, and hinder the progress of the Gospel.
How often do you get caught up in debating topics that in the end make no difference?
Are you one that continually brings up contentions? Or controversies?
Are you one that will take part in trying to set one straight who continually brings up controversies?
What are some of the stupid or foolish arguments that seem to come up in your fellowship?
2Ti 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong.
By "the servant of the Lord" is not meant any believer in common, but a minister of the word, as Timothy was; such an one ought not to strive about words to no profit, about mere words, and in a litigious, quarrelsome manner, and for mastery and not truth; though he may, and ought to strive for the faith of the Gospel; this is praiseworthy in him:
but be gentle unto all men; not only to troubled minds, and wounded consciences, by supplying them with the precious promises and truths of the Gospel; and to backsliders, by restoring them in a spirit of meekness; but even to those who contradict the truth, and themselves, by mild and kind instructions. Let the sword of the spirit do all the cutting.
Apt to teach, To have the teaching ability--able to present the message in a way that will be assimilable to the minds of others, making it clear, plain and logical. To showing a willingness to instruct the ignorant and obstinate, and making use of abilities given for that purpose, notwithstanding all discouragements; for it follows,
patient, or "bearing evil"; not only the infirmities of weak brethren in the church, and the reproaches and persecutions of profane men in the world; but also the contradictions and oppositions of the adversaries of truth, so as not to be irritated and provoked, or to be discouraged, and desist from the defense of the Gospel.
Does this verse describe your Bible Study teacher?
Does it describe you?
2Ti 2:25 He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth.
In meekness -- Not in bitterness, nor in wrath, nor with sarcasm. Not in a combative spirit or with a show of gratification over the defeat of others. Without strife. When presenting the truth, never assume an air of superiority, nor manifest haughtiness. Put character and principle first, then patience, gentleness, meekness.
Instructing -- Teaching. Correcting. If the truth is attacked and honest souls are in danger of being stumbled, we must, "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." (Jud_1:3) One should never lose his head--the more cool, calm, and self-composed we are when opposed, the better we can defend the message we bear.
A change of mind upon conviction, and such as issues in a free and sincere confession, and acknowledgment of the truth before opposed; and such a change is the gift of God: it is He that opens the eyes of the understanding, and works conviction in the mind, and leads into all truth, as it is in Jesus; and induces men to repent of their errors, confess their mistakes, and own the truth; even as repentance of evil practices is not owing to the power of men, nor to the bare influence of means, but to the powerful grace of God, it being a grant from Him.
Are your ministers gentle or controlling?
When you have a different view on a teaching, are you pushy? Or do you bring it up with meekness of heart, that if you are wrong in your views and are shown to be wrong, that you will change your thinking?
2Ti 2:26 Then they might come back to their senses and God will free them from the devil's snare so that they can do his will.
Or "awake", and come to themselves, and appear to be sober, and in their right mind: the metaphor is taken from drunken men, who are overcharged, and are not in their senses, and being stupified fall asleep; and like these are persons intoxicated with errors and heresies, who when their minds are enlightened, and they are convinced of their evil tenets, repent of them, come to themselves, and acknowledge the truth, and so escape
out of the snare of the devil; for as carnal lusts and pleasures are the snares and nets, in which Satan, who may be compared to a fowler, catches some; so errors and heresies are those with which he ensnares others: "who are taken captive", or "alive",
by him at his will; such are taken in his nets and snares, as creatures are taken alive, by fowlers, and huntsmen; and they are held fast, and become his captives, and his slaves, and do his will, being led by him to whatsoever he pleases; he works powerfully in them, and they readily comply with him, and obey his lusts.
When you are witnessing or teaching to others who are in error or estranged with God. Do you consider that Satan has them trapped where they are?
Do you consider that the Lord is giving you a great opportunity to free one from the grasp of Satan?
Note: Most of the study material comes from Gill’s commentary, with supplements from Russell, Clarke and others.
