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Second
Timothy 2:1-14
2:1
Thou
therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Paul
gives Timothy four pillars ("therefore") to build his grace-strength. 1) Not
being ashamed of Christ or Paul, 2) enduring persecution by the power of God (1:8), 3)
retaining the truth, 4) and being kept by the Holy Spirit (1:13). Because of these, any
child of God ("my son") can find the necessary strength through the unmerited
favor ("grace") of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore,
be strong in grace!
2:2
And
the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to
faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Paul
gives the necessary genealogy of truth. From Christ to Paul, from Paul to Timothy
(attested to by witnesses), from Timothy to faith men, and from faithful men to others.
Thus, through the historic churches, did the truth of God come down through the centuries. Yet, had Timothy broken the "chain" of
truth, other witnesses would have continued it. Therefore,
teach and trust others with the truth!
2:3
Thou
therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
The
old soldier tells the young soldier to suffer hardship with me ("endure
hardness"), but not as a soldier of Paul, but as a soldier of Jesus Christ. The Commander makes all the difference in warfare. And Timothy is not called to suffer hardship alone. Therefore,
suffer hardship with others in the cause of Christ!
2:4
No
man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him
who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
In
order to endure hardship in the cause of Christ, Timothy must realize; 1) This is a war,
2) it is easy to become enweaved, entangled in the business, occupation
("affairs") of the course of this life, 3) that the desire is not victory, but
the pleasing of his Master, and, 4) Timothy was enlisted, enrolled ("chosen") to
be a soldier (though we enlist, the Commander does the choosing). Here is the eternal contrast: entangled in this
life, or pleasing Christ. Therefore,
as a soldier, please Christ!
2:5
And
if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Paul
now gives an example of how to please Christ, the Commander, from the "games."
If
a man is going to contend in a particular contest ("strive for masteries"), and
seek to be crowned as the victor, he must contend ("strive") under the laws of
that contest.
Therefore,
to be a soldier for Christ is to be obedient to Christ!
2:6
The
husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Paul
now gives an example of the benefits of obedience. The one that is the toiling tiller of
the soil or worker of the earth becomes, by common wisdom and consent, the first to share
in ("partaker") the increase/harvest ("fruits"). Therefore
the fruits of the Christian life goes to those who are obedient soldiers for Christ!
2:7
Consider
what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Paul
tells Timothy to carefully consider, to put his mind on what was just said concerning
serving Christ. With mediation will come understanding from the Lord, in all things. Therefore,
by careful consideration, determine beforehand the demands and rewards of serving Christ!
2:8
Remember
that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
As
you bring to mind the demands of Christ and the warfare ahead, remember that you serve a
still risen Saviour/Master who was the promised son of king David; all according to my
message/good news ("gospel"). Therefore,
here is the motivation and security for the soldier--we serve a risen Commander!
2:9
Wherein
I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
But,
least Timothy you think the reward is before the hardship, because of my message/gospel
("wherein"), I suffer hardship ("trouble"), even as a criminal
("evil doer"), and even including being fettered/chained ("bonds"). To run lawfully
before Christ is to run
unlawfully
before the world. But, in contrast to my situation, the Word of God is not
fettered/chained. Therefore,
first the hardship, then the victory!
2:10
Therefore
I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which
is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Because
Jesus Christ is a risen Master, and the Gospel cannot be chained (though I can be), I
stand fast, continue, and bear up under sufferings ("endure") for the Nation of
Israel's sakes. Here is the ultimate purpose
in being a soldier; that others may obtain the [one and only] deliverance
("salvation"), starting with the Jews, which is found in Christ Jesus now and
shared with Christ Jesus in eternal glory (the full manifestation of everything). Therefore,
endure all things for the salvation of others!
2:11
It
is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
Paul
now sums up the truth of our warfare in these four conditions, all assumed to be true:
1.
Since
we are dead (separated from the world unto Christ), we shall also live (be joined, have
life) to Him.
2:12
If
we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
2.
Since
we endure ("suffer") with Him, we shall also reign in conjunction with Him.
3. If (since)
we prove Him false to Himself ("deny Him") (a thing that Christ cannot be), He
will prove us false.
2:13
If
we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
4. If (since)
we put no confidence in ("believe not"), yet Christ stays ("abides")
worthy of confidence ("faithful"). Christ
cannot prove false to Himself.
Therefore,
we are dead, we endure, we remain true, and we keep our confidence in Jesus Christ. The four marks of the spiritual soldier who seeks
to please Christ.
2:14
Of
these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not
about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Paul
tells Timothy to remember the D.B.R. of Jesus Christ as a foundation of service. Then he tells him to remember the reason for
suffering is the salvation of souls. Then he reminds Timothy of his duty as a pastor, to
commit these truths to faithful men, admonishing solemnly, charging earnestly, declaring
fully ("charging") to men and before the Lord, that they are to war, but not to
war about words ("strive about words"). This
is of no profit to the warrior, and no profit to the hearers as it only overthrows, upsets
("subverting") them. We are not to
upset men, but convict men! Therefore,
it is the duty of the soldier of Christ to properly proclaim the Word of God so that it
will convince men!
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