Paul begins Chapter Two with an endearing word to Timothy by stating: “You then, my son (my child), be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” He desired that his beloved son in the faith be empowered with strength that was not of his own rather it issued from the divine gift of grace found only in Christ. We are to be strong in His mighty, all-achieving power. Paul tells us in Ephesians:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
And again in Philippians:
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Our strength is derived from our union with Jesus and is supercharged by our daily communion with Jesus. There is a fountain of grace in Him. In the midst of all hardship and suffering we are to look in the right place and to the right person – Christ. Christians who make an eternal difference in this world are those who have learned to rely on God’s strength, not their own.
David Livingstone once commented on all the work Spurgeon was able to accomplish in a typical day and asked the prince of preachers how he could do it all. Spurgeon responded: “You have forgotten, there are two of us.” God’s work in God’s way will never lack God’s supply – never.
“You are able to walk Jesus strong because of who He is and what He has already done. He is our confidence. His strength is our strategy. Our job is to live the warrior boots life of centered, steadied conviction and confidence and walk in His power and authority until this world ends.” Lisa Whittle
“All work is sacred work for the child of the King. There is to be no difference between the secular and the sacred. The believer brings the glory of God and the sweet aroma of Jesus to every job – every encounter - working wholeheartedly as unto the Lord – not for man - through the achieving power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. All jobs from motherhood to medical to janitorial to legal to businessman to student to server to whatever – makes no difference the “what” rather the motivation behind why we do what we do which is to bring God all glory. It is His desire for us to work and take care of His world – just as He told Adam before the fall – and bring the Good News to others in our spheres through both our actions and words. This is for our ultimate good btw, satisfying both heart and soul. We live our lives for an audience of One and our goal is to hear a ‘well done good and faithful servant.’” BHY
Timothy had been privy to hearing Paul address scores of diverse audiences with the essence of his message never changing. What Timothy heard was what Timothy was now to speak. I love the apostle’s words to us in 1 Corinthians:
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 1 Corinthians 1:17-19 (NIV)
Now it was Timothy’s time up to bat. Paul was desirous that his protégé would in turn entrust the precious Gospel to other reliable men qualified themselves to teach others. This has come to be called “the ministry of multiplication” or “disciple to disciple”. All down through the history of the church this is the way God’s Truth has been made known. One generation receives the Truth, is led to believe in the Lord Jesus, that generation passes the Word of Truth on to the next generation, and so it has been through the centuries. And upon us rests this same responsibility. That which we have received is not for ourselves alone. We are to put the Gospel into safe hands. Our duty in life is to be faithful to this responsibility. It is the Deuteronomy “Shema’ principle which always begins at home – which is our first priority and then subsequently flows out to those in our spheres:
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV)
Think about Paul’s message which went from a hole in the ground in Rome to us now – roughly two thousand years later! This happened as faithful men and women put into practice what Paul taught Timothy. They did not let the Gospel die with their watch.
In discipling others, the love of Jesus keeps making eternal ripples. It is so wild seeing the miracle of Godly “offspring” sprouting forth from the love shown by those who are in Christ Jesus through His power. A thing of wonder and awe that He chooses to use such cracked clay pots for His glory. We should thank God for His many graces and blessings. Jesus holding our hands and our hearts through it all.
Timothy himself had benefitted from this in his own life and now it was his time to pour out. Paul desires for him to be prepared for what he will face.
In verse three Paul begins to present a list of several distinct aspects necessary for the Christian ministry/walk. All convey the idea of work, discipline, endurance, and even suffering. The path of witnessing for Christ may be a very hard one. Christ has not called us to a life of ease rather a life of endurance. God has never promised His children a trouble-free life in this world. Indeed, quite the opposite and He desires for us to be prepared.
Considering that, the mentor once again called his protégé to share in his hardship or suffering. The wording literally meaning “to suffer hardship with someone” for the sake of Christ. Jesus Himself states:
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)
Paul begins his list of distinct aspects with “a good soldier,” “an athlete,” and a “hardworking farmer” as illustrations to emphasize his point. These images clearly sense the intense nature of Christian ministry. It is not a walk in the park. It is work. It requires effort. It is war. Military images were common in Paul’s thought, no doubt because the word pictures were familiar to his readers. A Roman soldier’s single-minded purpose, rigorous discipline, and unquestioning obedience to his commanding officer combine to make the figure of a soldier an apt one for a servant of the Gospel. A true soldier must be separated from the affairs of this world – not entangled by them. We are to please the One who enlisted us.
“The love of worldly possessions entangles the soul and keeps it from flying to God.” Augustine
Next, Paul likens the faithful believer to an athlete as a man striving for mastery. First of all, in every sport one must compete according to the rules of the game if they are to receive the victory “crown”. Many Christians want God’s blessings on their lives apart from playing by his “rules” or revealed will. This is not to earn salvation which is the free gift of God rather the desire for the believer to walk in godliness in accordance with God’s Word. Our lives are to be governed by the Bible. If athletes can train and compete for trophies and the applause of man by sticking strenuously to the rules how much more so should we train and pour out for that which is eternal and the applause of the One Who gave all for us? I am reminded of the apostle’s words in 1 Corinthians – indeed, he practiced what he preached:
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
The final image is that of a farmer. The language puts the emphasis on the word hardworking in contrast to idle lazy workers. Farmers cannot take any shortcuts either. They must toil every day. If the farmer does not plow, he will not reap. Paul tells Timothy to keep plowing. Unlike the military and the athletes, the farmer’s job is not very glorious or exciting. The farmer is not applauded by fans or civilians. To be sure, there are no press conferences when he bales hay! Yet, the diligence which Paul has described in each case has its reward. The farmer gets to enjoy some of the fruit fruits of his labor. There are tremendous blessings involved in watching people grow in holiness, seeing skeptics converted, and watching mission projects develop. We are to “keep plowing”.
The three illustrations have in common the point that success is achieved through discipline, hard work, single mindedness and always of course the power of God. Paul desired for Timothy to reflect on what he was writing, confident that God would give him insight to his instructions.
Paul now points to Jesus the Hero of the Gospel as the ultimate example of endurance leading to success. Hebrews tells us:
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
Believers are never to lose sight of Jesus. He is our ultimate Example. The human memory is notoriously fickle. Over and over again Israel suffered from spiritual memory loss which led them down a pitiful path of unfaithfulness and idolatry. Certainly, there are many occasions in which the church and her leaders have forgotten whose people they are and whose mission they have joined. We are to remember Whose we are and Whom we serve. Christ is to be central and preeminent in our thoughts, lives and our actions. He is to be our motivation for what we do what we do. A lofty vision of the person and work of Christ, will keep us in the war, in the game, and on the farm.
Paul affirmed Christ’s person as fully divine – risen from the dead – and fully human – descended from David. He also affirmed His work - He died in our place for our sins, He rose from the grave, He conquered our enemies, and now He sits at the Father’s right-hand interceding for us! It was for this Hero of the Gospel that Paul was suffering to the point of “being bound like a criminal. Paul endured suffering with this vision of Christ. With every move as he wrote or dictated this letter, the clinking iron reminded him that he was chained like a criminal (literally an evildoer). Yet, states the apostle, God’s Word is not chained – praise Jesus! Scripture states of Scripture:
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV)
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Psalm 119:89-90 (NIV)
“His Word cannot be falsified, disqualified, modified or nullified. His Word cannot be distorted or inverted or reinvented or demerited or interpreted away. His Word is beauty, it is wooing, and it will all be accomplished absolutely. The debate of the day may change, the crisis may change, the screaming headlines of the genuinely horrifying may change — but, in the entire heaving cosmos, this remains unchangeable, unstoppable, undaunted: The Word of God. His Word is absolute and resolute and it will remain until time concludes. God’s Word is more permanent than any words written in granite — or in headlines or campaign slogans or PR statements or press releases or laws. Mountain rock is fleetingly temporary compared to the forever permanence of the Rock of His Word. Culture cannot shape it and society cannot silence it and scarred people cannot help but be wooed by it, healed by it, held by it. And the Lover of the letter, He soothes: ‘The mountains may pass away, but my truth will not pass away, the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever, and though the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you.’” Ann Voskamp
Opponents my chain the messengers, but the Sovereign Christ will make sure they cannot chain the message. Further, Paul adds that it was because of this Gospel he would endure all things for the sake of the elect so that they too may obtain salvation reminding me of his words in Philippians:
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:14-18 (NIV)
The Gospel of election did not make Paul’s preaching of the Gospel unnecessary, rather it made it essential! God has ordained that people find salvation in Christ by means of a Gospel presentation. Some people will believe if we will faithfully share the Gospel albeit this may require varying degrees of our suffering. Yet we suffer that they may experience “eternal glory” as well.
Next, Paul quotes a popular saying of his time, which reinforces the idea that all believers must endure hardship. He writes two pairs of sayings. The first two relate to those who endure faithfully; the second two describe those who are unfaithful.
In the first two the idea of dying with Him to live with Him most likely refers to dying to self as we take up our cross to follow Jesus. Jesus tells us in all four Gospels Luke stating it this way:
23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)
In order to truly live, believers must die. This view certainly fits the context in which Paul was telling Timothy to lay down his comfort for Christ and His Gospel. But not just Timothy. All believers are called to a life of dying. Further, if we endure we will also reign with Him. In the first couplet the focus is on the contrast between death and life, the second couplet contrasts suffering and glorification. Those saints who endure will one-day reign with Him. Revelation states:
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:21 (NIV)
John’s words are reminiscent of Paul’s in Philippians describing Jesus’ suffering and exaltation:
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:4-11 (NIV)
The last set of couplets are not favorable (to say the least) as they describe the awful picture of denying Christ. The first statement seems to echo the teaching of Jesus. We find in Scripture, again in Luke, Jesus stating:
26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26 (NIV)
Jesus also says in Matthew:
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33 (NIV)
Sober Words from our Master’s lips to be sure. This speaks of those who merely profess Christ temporarily. Instead of identifying with Christ, the apostate finally dissociates himself with Christ. The last couplet speaks not of the apostate but of the believer who has proven himself unfaithful. Christ cannot disown Himself therefore He will not deny even unprofitable members of His own body. True children of God cannot become something other than true children of God, even when disobedient and weak. Christ’s faithfulness to true believers is not contingent on their faithfulness to Him. God cannot act contrary to His nature. He is faithful. The significance of these couplets could hardly have been lost on Timothy. Jesus speaks of the true believer in John:
27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30 (NIV)
Also, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians:
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)
The wording is indicative that disobedient and weak children will be saved as a “burning stick snatched from a fire”.
Paul now proceeds with three more distinct aspects necessary for the Christian walk/ministry: the unashamed workman, the clean vessel and the Lord’s servant. He begins this next section with the charge for Timothy to remind his hearers not to quarrel about words which is of less than no value because it also ruins those who listen to the vain babbling. Remember what Paul wrote to the Philippians:
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)
Timothy was to teach what he had heard Paul teach. Stick with the pure milk of the Truth – sound doctrine not personal opinions. We are commissioned with the task of reminding people over and over of God’s Word. As Vince Lombardi once quipped when asked the reason for his great success: “I go over the basics, and I go over the basics, and I go over the basics.” And as Winston Churchill once said: “Never give up. Never, never, never.” We are not to stray from the Truth and we are to go over the basics of the gospel – over and over and over – and we are to never give up in this endeavor.
The workman approved by God skillfully handles His Word. The word choice of “approved” actually means someone who has passed the test. Indeed, wherever you find a neglected Bible you will also find a fruitless life. It is unacceptable to merely quarrel over words using human reasoning. Take it back to the Bible. Also, the Bible teacher who abandons Scripture as the primary source of instruction will end up damaging people and creating division. This is because once a teacher leaves biblical revelation for human speculation the final court of authority has been removed. People fight over all sorts of issues if they have no common source of authority for evaluating experiences, opinions, and traditions. Truth is not relative.
It is also important to note that Word work is hard work. We must be diligent in our study of the Truth. The Lord always rewards such diligence. The child of the King is to do their best to be certain to meet God’s approval. Faithful believers keep the goal of godliness, not godlessness before them. God’s Word changes us from the inside out. When we are a changed people we will be influencers for the good through His power for His glory. FYI – the Truth of Scripture is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit that indwells every believer. Pray for wisdom each time you study the Word asking the Holy Spirit to bring the Truth to light to you. Further, we so often worry about man’s approval yet sadly, seldom consider God’s. Scripture is clear that shame of God’s disapproval awaits those who mishandle His Word. Obviously, shame before God is far worse than shame before man.
Paul next advises against godless chatter which advances ungodliness like gangrene. Such godless chatter contrasts with the Word of Truth. The medical image here is striking. Participating with those who engage in such profane speculations will only, quite literally, “give their words a feeding place like gangrene”. The false teaching will spread like gangrene which is decay of tissue in a part of the body where the blood supply is blocked due to an injury or disease. The decay spreads continually bringing death so too erroneous teaching will slowly eat through individuals and the body of Christ. Paul states, they must be amputated. Paul cites an example of this in Hymenaeus and Philetus who had wandered away from the Truth. Separation from known evil is mandatory. We are commanded to depart from iniquity or lawlessness, to depart from self-will, and this includes all forms of ungodliness and worldliness. “Come out and be clean”, God says.
Paul shouts in our ears today: there is a true path and a false path; there is a mark you can hit, or you can miss; there is truth that can nourish and there is falsehood that kills. When we turn from the Word to human theories, which are just profane and vain babblings, they will increase into more ungodliness. Experience proves that no man’s life will be in the right who refuses the truth of the Word. As believers we are to stay on the path of truth revealed in the Word and avoid all despair. Paul reminds us that God’s solid foundation stands firmly secure – a rock that cannot be moved. God alone knows the hearts of all people. He knows who His true people are even though we may be duped. As destructive as false teaching is, it will never ultimately devastate the church.
Interestingly as well, many today question “Is it wrong to do this? Is it wrong to do that?” That is not the right question for the believer to ask. Rather we should inquire “Is this something that is profitable? Is this something that will help to make my Lord more precious to me? To others? Will this draw me closer to Him? Will this strengthen my soul?” Every Christian should have the desire to please the Lord Jesus Christ. True Christian living is subjection to His will.
Paul now turns our attention in the closing verses to two more aspects necessary for the believer’s walk – a vessel for the display of the glory of God; and second, as the servant of the Lord. These images describe the lifestyle of responsible believers. The illustration is simple enough. Households are filled with utensils – some for honorable use and some for dishonorable use. The Master uses the honorable vessels for special occasions and the dishonorable vessels for menial tasks which are even sometimes thrown away with their contents. God desires for every Christian to be a display of His glory. Therefore, we are to be ready for the Master’s use prepared for every good work. Every vessel must be purged, individually cleansed, and so made fit for His use. Clean vessels flee from all that is not Christlike. Isaiah states God desires:
To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
God’s condition for usefulness is not so much skillfulness but holiness. Spurgeon said, “But let a man once become really holy, even though he has but the slenderest possible ability, and he will be a fitter instrument in God’s hand than the man of gigantic accomplishments who is not obedient to the divine will, or clean and pure in the sight of the Lord God Almighty.”
Regarding the pursuit of holiness, Scottish Pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne writes:
“I know you will apply hard to German, but do not forget the culture of the inner man – I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his saber clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with greatest care. Remember you are God’s sword, His instrument – I trust, a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
Lastly, Paul tells us to flee evil desires and pursue righteousness and holiness. As we have stated before, we fall into sin, but holiness must be a pursuit. We are to avoid all pretenses of evil having nothing to do with stupid arguments which produce quarrels rather we are to be kind to all, willing to learn, and able to endure offense. We must gently instruct those who oppose us hoping that God will grant them repentance and lead them to a knowledge of the truth. The goal is always remedial, not punitive, when dealing with brethren. The purpose must always be to edify Christ’s body, not to tear it down. Thus, when believers fall into false teaching they must be treated with gentleness and Christian love.
When we seek to help others in the snares of Satan, our great desire is to see people turn from sin to Christ laying down their false beliefs for the Truth of the Gospel. Because when one knows the Truth the Truth truly will set them free. We help others to freedom by showing and sharing with them this precious Truth. Let us so manifest Christ in our lives that we will make the Truth attractive to those who do not know Him.
“Let us see that we keep God before our eyes; that we walk in His ways and seek to please and glorify Him in everything, great and small. Depend upon it, God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” Hudson Taylor
“Don’t slack off seeking, striving, and praying for the very same things that we exhort unconverted people to strive for, and a degree of which you have had in conversion. Thus pray that your eyes may be opened, that you may receive sight, that you may know yourself and be brought to God’s feet, and that you may see the glory of God and Christ, may be raised from the dead, and have the love of Christ shed abroad in your heart. Those that have most of these things still need to pray for them; for there so much blindness and hardness and pride and death remaining that they still need to have that work of God upon them, further to enlighten and enliven them. This will be a further bringing out of darkness into God’s marvelous light, and a kind of new conversion…” Jonathan Edwards, Advice to Young Converts.
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.
