This second epistle to Timothy was written from a dungeon cell – dark, dank and dismal. The Apostle Paul is awaiting his execution in an underground chamber in Rome’s Mamertine prison. We can just picture this war-torn apostle alone and cold yet not without hope nor wallowing in self-pity. Rather, we find this man of God focusing on encouraging his dear son in the faith. Writing a last message, if you will, to one who was so dear to his heart. This is a grand example for us to follow as well. It does the soul no good to wallow and feel sorry for oneself. We always help ourselves by helping others.
“Paying attention to hearts — is the only way to spend your life well.” Ann Voskamp
Regarding Paul’s prison cell Ironside writes:
“If you visit the city of Rome today you can see that dungeon. You can go down into it, and as you look around at those bare walls and gaze up at the ceiling, where there is just a little hole in the center from which food was dropped down to Paul and water passed through in some kind of vessel, you get an idea of the suffering that he must have endured. There is no window whatsoever through which to look to the outside world. A river passes underneath, and there is a cleft in the floor where you can look down and see the water running. It must have been cold and damp in there at all times of the year, particularly in the winter. As I stood there I had some little realization of what it must have meant for God’s servants in early days to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word of God. Surely in comparison the lines have fallen unto us in pleasant places.”
There is always something so tender about one’s last message especially from one whom we have learned to love. How we thank God for Paul’s ministry which continues to minister to us today. As we read this epistle we shall find again and again that it is a triumphant message, though it came from a dungeon cell. The great outstanding theme of the letter is the importance of faithfulness to Christ even in the midst of our suffering and tribulation.
As in 1 Timothy, Paul begins this second letter by stating his apostleship of Christ Jesus by the determination of God (Who decreed and willed it) according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. To be sure, wherever Jesus is there is life and life to the fullest measure. Jesus Himself states in John:
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)
10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)
As Paul awaited death, he knew there was the promise of life for those who are in Christ Jesus. The gospel gives life because at the heart of its message is the God-man, Jesus Christ, Who Himself is life. The gospel is like water; man did not invent it, and man cannot live without it. Therefore, faithful servants of Jesus are to take this water to thirsty men and women and give them a drink. Are we faithful in this endeavor?
God calls us by His will and shapes us by His grace. Paul did not volunteer for the job of apostle, he was summoned to it! He did not make a career move. He was “appointed”. Paul describes his calling with pronounced awareness of God’s sovereign grace and divine will. 1 Timothy 1:12 states:
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
It is important to note that God did not shape Paul into a gospel-centered leader apart from Paul’s own spiritual sweat. The apostle was a worker; he writes that he “worked more than any of them.” But Paul’s work was preceded by God’s work of calling him, and Paul’s work was made possible by the enabling grace of God:
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV)
We who trust in Christ Jesus, not too dissimilar to the apostle Paul, are called by God to Himself by His own will and pleasure. By His power He enables us to live faithfully before Him for His glory. Yet, many of us go around - often unprepared - seeking to discern where God wants to use us – jumping from here to there. My friend Donna says get your gifts ready and God will use them! Fervently pray that God would fan your gifts into flames - so to speak – with His power for His glory. I have found this to be true in my own life. His will is not something we muster up. Scripture states:
9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” -- 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-11 (NIV)
When we offer ourselves to God in worship and do not conform to the pattern of the world rather renew our minds daily on God’s perfect Word, we will be able to test and approve what God’s good and pleasing and perfect will is. Our responsibility is to be readied vessels for His bidding – purging iniquity as the Spirit brings it to light and keeping our accounts short – always simply doing the next right thing. Like us, Timothy was still a work in progress and Paul was eager to encourage him. Paul tells us in Romans 12:
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Paul adds “Grace, mercy and peace” to the introduction of his letter which simply equates to the love of God and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Next Paul turns our attention to his thankfulness to God - whom he served with a clear conscience - for Timothy by constantly remembering him in his prayers. A clear conscience indicates Paul was guiltless not sinless. As all believers, He was robed in the righteousness of Christ yet we daily come to Jesus in repentance – keeping our accounts short - for continual cleansing by the living water. As King David states:
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:1-2, 7 (NIV)
God had cleansed Paul’s guilty heart from an evil conscience through the work of Christ as Hebrews tells us:
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
Paul put into practice what he preached as he stated he prayed continually night and day with a constant remembrance of Timothy. He writes in 1 Thessalonians:
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
“If we are consistent men and women who take God at His word, who believe that prayer changes things, who will pray without ceasing, who will not lose heart at our praying, who day after day will pray no matter what seems to be happening around us, who keep trusting God, then there will come a time when God will say, ‘I can answer that believer's prayer because that's a person who can handle the answer.’” David Jeremiah
“Prayer is that mightiest of all weapons that created natures can wield.” Martin Luther
“We err when we judge our prayers solely by what we can see happening around us. Prayer is a matter of faith. Prayer is taking God at His word. Prayer is understanding God's promise that if we pray, He will work. And we must keep on praying even when we cannot see what He is doing. We do not see into the world in which God lives, but He definitely sees into ours.” David Jeremiah
Paul writes, how with tears he longed to see his beloved son in the faith so that he may be filled with joy. Paul had invested in Timothy as his mentor and cared deeply for him. He had helped him in his calling, character, competency and courage urging him to pursue godliness, endurance, love, and other Christlike qualities. Paul had poured his life out like a drink offering for his son in the faith and he missed him greatly. When we are alone in desperate situations don’t we long to see those who are dear to our hearts? To be encouraged with their presence, to be comforted with their love? Paul here demonstrates this longing to us.
Paul then addresses the blessing of a godly heritage. To be sure, grace is not inherited. Every individual has to be born again, no matter how pious and devoted his parents may have been. But on the other hand, it is a great thing to have a godly heritage, to have parents who have known and loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Timothy not only had the privilege of a godly mentor in Paul, he also had the gift of a godly mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois). These ladies had a sincere faith and, like Paul, had poured into Timothy. We should never undervalue the enormous blessing of believing parents. And be ever grateful for them. Our gratitude should cause us to flesh out what was passed on to us as well. Yet, we are also reminded of how every child must do his or her own believing. Timothy had had the blessing of a Christian mentor, mother and grandmother, but he still had to believe for himself.
This is a heads up for parents of wee ones as well. Having children is a wonderful gift from God. But with this gift comes great responsibility. Are we teaching our kids the Scriptures? Do they see in us a “sincere faith” in Christ? One cannot overstate the importance of living out the Christian life before watching children (and I do mean watching!!). Explain to your kids that you are in this together. You will make mistakes too and so be quick to repent and keep short accounts. We want to be able to say to our kids sincerely, follow me as I seek to follow Christ. They desperately need to see Christ fleshed out as many in our day espouse Him but sadly few truly seek to walk as He walked – to their own harm. We are never safer and more satisfied than being in the center of His will, mature and fully assured.
6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Paul next encourages Timothy to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in him. God always equips His servants to fulfill their ministry by granting them spiritual power and giftings. It is encouraging to remember that God gives His people the authority and enablement to carry out their assignments! Judging by the context Timothy was not a spiritual rock. He appears to have been physically weak, personally timid and relatively young. But, thankfully, God delights in using the weak and the ordinary in order to demonstrate His mighty power. He continually uses cracked clay pots so that there is no doubt that only He can receive the glory:
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Jesus also tells us apart from Him (His Spirit indwelling) we can do nothing of eternal value.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
Paul also reminded Timothy of his personal responsibilities in becoming a gospel-centered leader. The gifting of the Spirit not only encourages us and inspires worship, but it also inspires hard work. Paul encouraged Timothy to develop and use his gifts as well as maintain spiritual discipline. Paul urged Timothy to keep the fire ablaze by exercising his gifts passionately. God gave Timothy gifts to be used and developed. There is no room for sluggishness in the Christian life for any believer. Rest? Yes. But laziness, passiveness, and timidity should not characterize the follower of Jesus. I love Jim Elliot’s prayer:
“God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.” Jim Elliot
Paul also addresses Timothy’s shyness and weaknesses and reminds him that his fear did not come from God – and neither does ours. What comes from, God is a “spirit” of power and love and self-discipline. Boldness, not cowardice, is a mark of the Spirit’s work in believers:
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NIV)
As God would have it, the object of Timothy’s fear remains unclear which helps us to understand and appreciate that God desires to take away all our fears. Isaiah tells us:
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Paul essentially tells Timothy, “in your fear, remember that God is with you, in you, and for you; His Spirit produces the power you need to endure and the love you need to minister. Be disciplined. Be diligent. Be brave, for God is with you.” He tells us the exact same thing. Remember, we are to fight fear with the promises of God. The Spirit of God empowering the people of God is sufficient to accomplish the mission of God. God has given us spiritual gifts to execute our ministries and Spiritual power to enable our ministries. We do not need to be afraid of others, no matter how great the persecution may be and how great the hatred. Jesus tells us:
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” John 15:18-20 (NIV)
To overcome Timothy’s timidity Paul tells him we are not to be ashamed of the gospel. Our witness is about Christ. We are not commending an idea or a society but a Savior. Yet there will always be cross mockers. We need to embrace the passion of Polycarp, who refused to renounce Christ in the face of impending martyrdom. He said:
“Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury; how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”
Our generation (as all of them seem to) have all kinds of conflicting and competing ideologies. One of the more prevalent worldviews is described as “moralistic, therapeutic deism”. This is the belief that if people “do good,” “feel good”, and ‘believe in a god” (one who created the universe but is not really involved in the affairs of life), then there is a heavenly future awaiting them. The idea that we are actually “bad” and in need of a Savior is viewed as ignorant, primitive, or simply foolish. Other worldviews have emerged, such as the new atheism. This militant brand of atheism rejects not just God but even rejects a respect for belief in God. Further, the continued growth of other world religions, many of which are hostile toward Christ followers, makes Paul’s charge to timothy in verse 8 all the more relevant. Jesus warns us:
38 “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38 (NIV)
Jesus tells us many will mock both His Person and His Words – we are not to be surprised at this.
“Consider Christ. He was of a meek and quiet spirit, and of a most long-suffering behavior…He was very much the object of bitter contempt and reproach, and slights and despised as of but little account. Though he as the Lord of glory, yet he was set at naught, and rejected…He was the object of the spit and malice and bitter reviling of the very ones he came to save…He was called a deceiver of people, and oftentimes he was said to be mad, and possessed with the devil…He was charged with being a wicked blasphemer, and one that deserved death on that account. They hated him with morbid hatred, and wished he was dead, and from time to time tried to murder him…His life was an annoyance to them, and they hated him so they could not bear that he should live… Yet Christ meekly bored all these injuries without resentment or one word of reproach, and with heavenly quietness of spirit pass through them all…On the contrary, he prayed for his murderers, that they might be forgiven, even when they were nailing him to the cross; and not only prayed for them, but pleaded in their behalf with His Father, that they knew not what they were doing.” Jonathan Edwards
Paul was not looking for the approval of man. And, btw, neither should we be. He identified himself as Christ’s prisoner and lived his life out for the audience of One. He was not in chains to earn the popular praise of men but rather to honor the Savior through obedience to God’s perfect will. He writes in Romans:
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)
He also writes in Philippians his life goal which is so worthy of emulation:
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Philippians 3:12-15 (NIV)
Why should anybody be ashamed of the gospel? It answers every question concerning sin and its remedy that the mind of man can possible raise. God has opened up His heart to men in the gospel. It is His message concerning His blessed Son and the salvation He has wrought out for all who believe. Paul wants Timothy to know that he had something of which he never needed to be ashamed of as he went forth in Christ’s name, telling how God has given His only begotten Son up to death on the cross that all who put their trust in Him might be redeemed from sin’s guilt and power.
Paul found Christ to be more desirable, enjoyable, and beautiful than anything else. I wonder, do we esteem our Lord as rightly? Christ was worth everything to Paul. He was definitely a “one thing necessary” person as Jesus talked about Mary who sat at His feet. Even dying was gain for him though living was ever purposeful and fruitful. Death would only be the beginning because Christ brought us life and immortality. He states in Philippians:
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:21-26 (NIV)
Paul tells us next that we are called to a holy life. Not from anything we have done rather because of God’s own purpose and grace. There are indications that when one is really controlled by the Holy Spirit of God, these things will be made manifest in the life. There will be power over sin. There will be power as we go out to win others to Christ. There will be power as we preach the gospel. There will be love for all men. The Spirit of God will not lead us into fanaticism. Rather, when the Holy Spirit controls a life there will be a soundness of mind, a gladness of heart, a peaceful spirit. We will serve God in a reasonable and intelligent way. Christ Himself is our example. A holy life is the evidence of our salvation. Believer’s do a great deal of harm to God’s Name and Reputation when we cast off Truth and walk in the ways of the world. If you claim faith – live it – through His power for His glory for our good. God saves us to sanctify us – he calls us to holiness. God will never be your debtor either. You simply cannot out-give Him.
Paul was appointed a herald – just as we are – of the Gospel. Remember, God saves people through, not apart from, the proclamation of the Good News. We are to shine the Gospel light in this dark world. Paul tells us in Romans:
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
“A people without understanding”, Hosea states, “will come to ruin.” We must be faithful in speaking both boldly and courageously. God has opened up His heart to men in the Gospel. It is His message concerning His blessed Son and the salvation He has wrought out for all who believe. Yet it was because of his faithfulness that Paul was in prison. Don’t be surprised when troubles come. BTW, troubles come to non-believes as well. Peter tells us:
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:12-14 (NIV)
Religious people find God useful, but cross-bearing disciples find Him beautiful. We can endure suffering when we see what Paul saw. Paul was not being carried to heaven on a bed of down and doubtful will we be! He was in prison. He was enduring much hardship. He was suffering for Christ’s name’s sake who gave Himself for lost mankind. And in order that he might carry that Gospel to the world, Paul had given up all his earthly ambitions – considering them but rubbish. He had given himself wholly to this one purpose of carrying the message from nation to nation, from people to people, from city to city.
Paul states he is not ashamed of his present position because he knew, that he knew that he knew on Whom he believed. Notice that he did not say “I know what I have believed” as it is one thing to know what he believed – which of course he did – but rather “I know Whom I have believed”. Paul knew the Lord Jesus would guard all that Paul had entrusted to him on that great day. His reward was coming and he knew it. Paul lived with heaven in his eyes and earth under his feet and that is exactly how God desires for all of us to live.
The Apostle Paul had committed his very soul to the Lord, and he knew that God would not let him down. He lived and breathed and walked in God’s love. That is why he was able to say in Romans:
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Paul encourages his timid Timothy to follow his example of teaching – keep it as a pattern with faith and love in Christ Jesus. In 1 Corinthians Paul also writes:
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
Oh that we would be able to say that or even seek to be able to say that! It really does matter how we live our lives!
Paul greatly desired for Timothy to guard the Truth that had been entrusted to him. It was a good deposit and he was to guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit. Many in Asia had turned away from the pure milk of God’s Truth and is was a great grief to the Apostle. The Truth needed to be guarded from the false teachers permeating their midst just as in every generation. False teachers (Phygelus and Hermogenes) had come in and turned the saints away from the full Gospel message that Paul had taught them, and they had repudiated him, no longer recognizing him as an Apostle of Christ.
“We may see the evangelical faith, the faith of the Gospel, everywhere spoken against, and the apostolic message of the New Testament ridiculed. We may have to watch an increasing apostasy in the church, as our generation abandons the faith of its fathers. Do not be afraid! God will never allow the light of the Gospel to be finally extinguished. True, he has committed it to us, frail and fallible creatures. He has placed His treasure in brittle, earthenware vessels. And we must play our part in guarding and defending the Truth. Nevertheless, in entrusting the deposit to our hands, He has not taken His own hands off it.” John Stott
Lastly, Paul illustrates what unashamed, sacrificial service looks like through the life of Onesiphorus. Leaving us to question which example we are more alike – Phygelus and Hermogenes who are ashamed of the Gospel of Onesiphorus who works hard to refresh others. The first were quick to flee when faithful obedience and boldness were required while Onesiphorus the loyal and faithful servant with much effort seeks to encourage. It was as if Onesiphorus was unafraid to say: “I am not ashamed to stand by that prisoner in the dungeon and state that we are friends. That he and I stand for the same things. That he and I serve the same Master.” He boldly identified himself with the prisoner of the Lord. How his presence must have encouraged Paul during this time. The people who minister to you most are those who are willing to stand by you when the scoffers of faith are attacking. May we be that loving and caring. Placing ourselves in others shoes, breathing life into their dry and weary bones. May we never be ashamed of His high calling on our lives.
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.
