2 Timothy, Chapter 2
© Copyright 2001 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

2 Timothy 2: 1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul continues his display of affection for Timothy by writing, "Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

How does one do that?

First, let me offer an alternative translation.

"Therefore, my son, be invigorated, energized, and strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

Why would I make that small change?

We cannot be strong in grace because we have nothing to do with the giving or continuance of grace.

Grace is a gift independent of the moral strength of the recipient.

However, knowing that God's grace shall not be withdrawn from us is spiritually invigorating.

God invigorates and energizes physically and spiritually us through His power.

2 Timothy 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 goes on with his instruction to Timothy.

"Entrust to faithful men the things, which you have heard about me from many witnesses. So that, who will be able to teach others also."

Timothy had been a witness to many things Paul taught, but he had no doubt heard many more things.

He was commissioned to teach what he knew to others so that they may in turn teach others.

Education is a wonderful thing.

The cycle is this: Others teach us so that we may teach others, and that they, in turn, may teach others.

Timothy had not only sat at Paul's feet as was the educational custom of that day, but he knew others that had the same opportunity.

Each generation teaches another generation.

Paul was calling upon Timothy to distribute the accumulated knowledge of his experiences and those of others.

His accumulated knowledge consisted no only of theory, but also of practical knowledge in the power of Christ.

Unless theory is put into practice it is of little value.

2 Timothy 2:3-4
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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.

Paul told Timothy to "endure hardness," or suffer hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

We too are soldiers for Christ.

We should be willing to shoulder the responsibility to tell others about God' love as expressed through Christ Jesus.

If we do that we shall meet opposition.

Even in America, a nation that prides itself on the freedom to cast votes for elected officials, we discourage active duty military from engaging in political affairs and being entangled in social controversy.

2 Timothy 2: 5-6
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

The Greek word translated "masteries" is where we get the English word athletics.

In his writing, Paul often makes reference to athletics.

Here Paul is saying that if a person wished to train for an athletic competition, he does not win unless he competes legitimately.

He says that one does not win by defrauding another.

What does that have to do with Christianity?

I fear that many pretenders are now living in the midst of the Church.

They are trying to reap the benefits of God's love without being chosen.

Let me tell you a story.

In the Bible (Matthew 22) there is a story of a king that invited his friends to a wedding.

Each in turn made an excuse and declined the invitation.

Then, the King sent his servants to bring those many that were not originally invited to come to the wedding. You have no doubt heard the story.

The wedding was a marvelous success because of so many attended.

However, there is something at the end of that story that is seldom used in a sermon.

Let's look at section.

Matthew 22:11-14
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

The king came to see all that had been admitted to the feast.

He saw one man that had come in but failed to get the proper attire.

The attire was given for the asking.

It was not denied to those that ask.

Yet, here was one who wanted to eat at the feast, but was not willing to ask for the proper attire.

That one man represents a multitude of parishioners in today's Church.

Christ Jesus said, "You must be born again!"

He did not mean that to be an option.

The “invitation” given to the disciples, “Follow me!”

Was not an invitation!

It was a command!

In turn, we too are commanded!

And yet, thousands of supposed Christians are opposed to being born again.

They may attend Church, but they are not followers of Christ.

God does not deny those that sincerely ask.

However, He does not give to those that refuse to ask!

Paul then moves from athletics to agriculture.

Those that teach the gospel are sharecroppers with Christ.

A sharecropper rightfully receives his fair share from what he grows.

That is how he/she lives.

Christian Ministry is a spiritual job that should be rewarded with material gain---it's just that simple!

Any Church that does not adequately provide for its minister needs to close its doors.

The term "adequately" is determined by mutual agreement between the minister and the parishioners.

On the other side, ministers that only seek material wealth need to get a 9-5 job and quit fooling the Church.

They may be ordained by a denomination, but they are not men or women of God.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Paul then gives the secret to Bible study.

He reminds Timothy to meditate on what he has said, and the Lord will give understanding.

How often do you read the Bible without taking time to meditate upon what you read?

I fear most of us do it that way, and the results are a weak and unknowledgeable Church.

I recently read of a poll in which fully one third of freshmen at a "religious" (Christian) college in America could not identify Matthew as an Apostle.

Just because a person is born in America, many assume him/her to be a Christian.

That person may belong to the American Heathen Denomination, and need not be a follower of Christ.

2 Timothy 2: 8-9
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Paul reminds Timothy, and those that would read this letter that Jesus Christ is a descendent of King David, and that He had risen from the dead according to the gospel Paul preached.

Do you know that most heathen in America believe in the resurrection of Jesus?

Let me be bold!

It is my opinion that most Orthodox Jews believe in the resurrection of Jesus, but due to peer pressure will not publicly admit it!

Many years ago, I was watching an Orthodox Jewish TV program.

The rabbi referred to the time "the Messiah RETURNS."

Was it a slip of the tongue or spoken from the heart?

Orthodox Judaism believes in two Messiahs.

Ha Messhiach ben Joseph, the suffering servant of Isaiah, and Ha Messhiach ben David, the conquering King.

Jesus Christ came as the suffering servant.

Christ Jesus shall return as the conquering King.

Jesus' earthly father was "Joseph."

Friends, we are not discussing rocket science.

Jesus was from the lineage of David.

One day, all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:26).

Because he preached the GOOD NEWS and people wanted to hear the bad news,

Paul suffered many indignities.

If you take the words of life to a lost world, you too shall suffer.

When we take the gospel to the lost world, be reminded that "the word of God is not bound."

Indeed it cannot be bound, and our freedom is found in the freedom of the word of God.

2 Timothy 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.

For the sake of the gospel and those chosen to believe the Truth Paul endured all those indignities.

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Those that do not believe in or practice evangelism are doing injustice to the gospel.

God appointed us to carry the gospel to others just as others carried it to us.

It is my private opinion that those who do not engage in some form of evangelism are NOT Christians at all, but just social pretenders.

2 Timothy 2:11-13
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

What Paul is writing to Timothy is completely trustworthy.

And that trustworthy statement is this: If we died with Christ, we shall live, co-exist, and continue in life with Him.

The Greek text indicates that we shall live in complete co-existence with Christ Jesus.

Do you understand the power that shall be delegated to the siblings of Christ in the ages to come?

Paul goes on, if we suffer patiently, remain faithful under misfortunes and trials, and continue firm we shall also reign with Him.

"We shall reign with Him" implies that we shall have great honor and humanly unknowable joy as we reign with Christ.

However, Paul was a Jew and Jewish Biblical writers almost always add a negative side to anything they write.

In this case, he writes that if we deny Christ by disregarding his offer of life, He will, in turn, deny us in the next.

This ruling is a reward.

Our endurance does not affect our salvation, because our salvation is not based in us but in Christ.

The endurance spoken of here affects our rewards in Christ.

Now back to the good stuff.

The Greek text says that if we do not believe, His faithfulness abides because He cannot deny Himself.

It is impossible to teach the fullness of that statement without coming into conflict with mainstream, orthodox Christianity.

I guess that I cannot let this go without a thought or two.

Our faith is not saving faith. Christ's faith is!

Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

The Hebrew indicates that our righteousness is similar to soiled clothing.

We are not party to a covenant!  Instead, we are the result of a covenant!

The Old Covenant did not work because it was between God and man, and man cannot fulfill his portion of the covenant!

The New Covenant is between God the Father and God the Son!

The faithfulness of man is not an issue!

We have life due to the faithfulness of God the Son, Christ Jesus!

When we become unfaithful, He remains faithful, because He cannot deny Himself!

Psalms 2:7-8
7
 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

 

In Ps 2:8, God the Father promises to give the heathen to His Son, He promises the Goyim to Him!

 

You and I are the Goyim, the heathen Gentiles promised to Christ Jesus, the Son of God!

 

Our righteousness is not the issue, His is!

*Go back and re-read the section dealing with the man who went to the wedding without the proper clothing (vv. 5-6).

Our faith is useless in gaining salvation.

We must learn to rely on Christ.

Salvation is by grace though faith plus nothing.

It is the work of God!

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

It is Christ's faith working in us that brings us salvation!

2 Timothy 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 that he has reminded his charges and should keep on reminding them not to fuss about words.

Such disagreements are of little value, and according to the Greek text, they cause apostasy among the hearers---those that give them credence.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This verse contains one of the more frequently used phrases in Christianity that is also is, perhaps, the least understood.

Paul says "study," be persistent in the word so that you might present yourself "approved unto God," a person of integrity before God.

The Greek word translated "approved" indicates a person that has stood the test of time in dealings with God.

It was used in relation to honest moneychangers.

We should be workmen who need not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We should accurately teach the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:16-17a
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17a And their word will eat as doth a canker:

We are to "shun," or avoid profane and vain babblings.

In the English, the meaning is not clearly expressed.

We are not to take part in those exchanges.

Instead we are to be a disinterested "by stander," or turn our backs on such.

The Greek word translated "profane" speaks of common, or ungodly communication.

"Vain babblings" points to fruitless discussions.

Such fruitless debate will drive us toward, or beat us into submission to wickedness.

The value of these Greek words used goes far beyond what I have presented.

Such unfruitful talk will eat away at our faithfulness to God as a "canker," an open ulcerous gangrene infection that gnaws away at the flesh.

It is not a pretty picture.

2 Timothy 2:17b-18
17b of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Hymenaeus and Philetus were two such that participated in such exchanges, and it led them into spiritual error.

Many have followed them into like error of false teaching.

The specific error they proclaimed was that the resurrection had already happened.

That teaching upset many of the babes in the faith.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Did that mean that they and the "upset ones," or those with overthrown faith were lost again?

Absolutely not!

What is this foundation?

Ephesians 2:19-20
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

The Foundation or substructure is built first.

The Apostles and prophets were called first.

Then, the rest of us.

Christ is the cornerstone.

It is from the Cornerstone that the rest of the building gains its direction and purpose.

The temple of God is being built in relation to the Cornerstone.

Notice that the foundation has a seal.

That seal is the Holy Spirit.

He keeps all Building materials safe from harm.

Many will intimate that we are not sealed that we may fall from grace at the slightest hint of indiscretion.

Let me be blunt.

That is a satanic lie!

Those that want to crucify Christ Jesus afresh on an hourly basis are among some of the more religious folks in the world.

However, they are not Christians.

Christians do not doubt Christ's saving power.

Paul goes on the tell Timothy, "The Lord, Christ Jesus knows those that are his."

We were not called and appointed by happenstance.

Christ Jesus knows what he is doing.

We have been called into a freedom that most people cannot understand.

Romans 8:1-2
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

That is beyond all mental gymnastics and may only be absorbed spiritually be the called-out ones at the times of their calling.

Prior to their call to freedom even the called-out ones cannot understand.

Because we are called and appointed, we should join with the Holy Spirit in its rejection of sin.

Sin and its resulting death are no longer our destiny.

We have been called and appointed to liberty and life IN Christ Jesus.

There is another foundation that holds up the Church.

That foundation is the basis for Christian doctrine.

Hebrews 6:1-2
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal [eonian] judgment.

To write adequately about these would take a book.

Instead, let me recommend a book by Carl Langlois, Foundations I © Dr. Carl A. Langlois 1988, 1993.

You make obtain a copy by writing to him.

Present Truth Ministries, Inc.
Southeastern Office
POB 211113
Augusta, GA 30917

2 Timothy 2: 20-24
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

He then tells Timothy that in a large, well-furnished home there are not only formal place settings and dishes, but also common dishes and utensils.

Some are for special occasions.

Some are for "every day" use.

If any person cleanses him/herself from these things, he/she will be a vessel for honor, and thereby useful to the Master.

But, how does a person cleanse him/herself?

If you believe in Christ you have been cleansed.

However, Satan believes and trembles in un-cleansed fear.

Belief and obedience work together.

True belief brings on obedience!

Jesus gave us the answer when he said,

Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

Belief without obedience is rejection of Christ.

Too many supposed Christians think that Christianity carries with it no responsibility.

Indeed it does, and all true believers are obedient to Christ, pretenders are not.

Pretenders when confronted with obedience will cry, "Legalism!"

If you are truly led by the Holy Spirit, you shall be led into obedience.

The Holy Spirit does not lead us into disobedience.

Such a notion is contrary to all in the father and the Son!

It is also contrary to Paul’s teaching.

Ephesians 2:10---For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Have you ever watched a cable TV shopping program?

The other day one of the personalities was selling a "simulated" gem.

It was not fake or imitation.

It was "simulated."

All too often those sitting in a Church sanctuary are "simulated" Christians.

Paul then counsels Timothy to flee from youthful lusts.

He told Timothy to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Timothy is to avoid moron-ish and uneducated debate that do nothing but produce combative situations.

Perhaps we should follow that advice.

The fact is that the Lord's servants must not be contentious.

We should be mild mannered toward all, and able to teach mercifulness because we have received mercy.

2 Timothy 2:25-26
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

We are to teach those that are living in opposition to Christ, because God may call them out of darkness into the light of Jesus.

Notice that verse 25 says, "will give them repentance."

It is God that gives us the desire and ability to repent of our sins.

Our "free will" has nothing to do with His decision to lead us into the light.

Verse 26 says, "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."

The Greek text indicates that they may return to sobriety from the seductions of the devil into which all men have fallen.

The last part of verse 26 is demanding of our understanding of God's plan.

It refers to those "who are taken captive by him at his will."

Your human will cannot withstand Satan's will.

If given the choice between good and evil, unrepentant men will always choose evil.

One controversy is in the phrase "by him at his will."

It seems to be straight forward, but look again.

It seems that both "him" and "his" refer to Satan until you put it in the context of verse 25, "if God peradventure will give them repentance."

This may be confusing.

If we are not at a specific time called into God’s protective will, does that mean that we are subject to Satan because of God’s will?

God calls us out of darkness!

We do not and cannot, by our own free will, decide to walk into the light of Christ.

Repentance is given!

It is not appropriated.

The only way to avoid falling victim to Satan is to be called into God's protective will.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not, nor can they be subject to Satan's demented will.

In Christ we have been freed from a satanic destiny.

The point is this, perhaps the phrase should be interpreted "who are taken captive by him at His (God’s) will."

Again, that is controversial.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

And, I might add, until the Son makes you free, you shall remain a slave to Satan.

Chapter 3
Main Index