Chapter 2
Be Strengthened in Christ Jesus
2:1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Paul is once again encouraging Timothy to teach. He tells him that he has heard Paul teach on several occasions to faithful men who are now able to teach as well. He is saying that it’s time to receive strength from the grace that is in Jesus, since the gospel message of receiving undeserved salvation is true (fact not fiction), it’s time to step into the battle and be willing to suffer as a good soldier of Jesus. I can’t say I know what Timothy thought when he read the word ’suffering’ but for most readers I am sure they want to say something like, “Wait! What? Suffering? Who said anything about suffering?” Paul did! And he certainly knew the meaning of the word! To briefly illustrate what an effective teacher, evangelist, or any other kingdom worker would expect to encounter, Paul uses three careers as metaphors to illustrate.
2:4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
The term soldier implies a military which is an organized and trained group of people whose primary mission is to defend their nation or fight during a conflict with other nations. As such, soldiers are not to be involved in local civilian issues, they have a hierarchy of their own and soldiers are trained to obey only their commanding officer. Paul being someone who knew a lot about spiritual warfare (see Ephesian 6:10-20), he understood that the battles believers face are from an invisible enemy and as such require significant discipline to remain focused so that the enemy doesn’t distract them from accomplishing what needs to be accomplished. Paul next notes that an athlete will not receive an award for cheating. If they don’t follow the rules they are disqualified from winning. Athletes know that they must persevere and press on until the competition is over, no shortcuts allowed! The third comparison Paul uses is a hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of what he produces. This can also be interpreted that workers of the kingdom of God deserve to be recompensed for their labor. We see that each of these illustrations emphasized something to strive for, be it discipline in the rank and file of a military, the perseverance of an athlete, or the hard-work of a farmer, they all involve some form of suffering from effort applied. But the good news is that the pain and suffering will one day fade away because of what Jesus did for us!
Paul asks Timothy to think over what he just wrote, as being active for God is not an occasional commitment but an “all-in” effort. He acknowledges that there may be some questions especially when that commitment involves engaging unbelievers, as Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth,“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16, ESV) Essentially Paul is telling Timothy that he has the mind of Christ as, “the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Timothy 2:7b, ESV) Which is also true for all believers, God is a God of clarity not confusion. Still have questions? James would remind us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5, ESV)
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
Paul brings Timothy (and us) back to reality, if a believer is striving, regardless of why, we need to remember Jesus! Paul reminds us that Jesus rose from the dead, and since He is the offspring of David, He is the promised Anointed One, the Messiah, just as Paul has been preaching. The good news that he has been willing to suffer for, as illustrated by the fact that he was currently bound in chains. Paul then proclaims, “But the word of God is not bound!” The gospel message will never be bound, although the devil will continually try.
2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.
Understanding that there will be the need for perseverance and suffering, Paul is willing to endure everything for the sake of the elect (Greek eklektous, chosen, selected). Note that Paul is saying “for the sake of the elect,” referring to all believers, those that already believe in Jesus and those that will believe in the future, instead of just ‘for’ those who are currently Christians. So that the elect may obtain salvation through Jesus (see Romans 10:13-17). Paul then proclaims the following statement to be trustworthy (Greek pistos, worthy of belief, confident): “If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” (2 Timothy 211b-13, NLT) Paul lists two conditions: if we die with Him and if we endure hardship, then we will reign with Him (see 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10). Paul discusses in detail our death to sin and being alive in Jesus in Romans 6:1-14 which can be summarized in the fourteenth verse, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (ESV) When we die with Him, having accepting Him as our Savior, we will live with Him in eternity. When we endure this life (see 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 4:5; 2 Corinthians 10:18) as believers we will also one day reign with Him. But if we deny and reject Jesus as our Savior He will deny us that eternity with Him. If we have no faith, He is faithful to His promise, as He cannot deny who He is, being perfect, and since perfection requires justice He is a just God. Therefore, sin needs to either be punished or atoned. Since only Jesus can provide atonement for our sins, denying Him is eternal damnation (see Romans 6:23). Just as Jesus Himself said, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18, ESV)
Be a Worker Approved by God
2:14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
Sometimes when a subject is unclear in Scripture the translator selects words that they believe best fits the text. This is true here with the word ‘them’ in this verse, the ’them’ here refers to those being taught. To remind them of what things? That the last thirteen verses in this chapter need to be taught (and at times retaught) as the wrong decision can lead to condemnation. In addition, Paul instructs Timothy to charge them before God to not quarrel about words, which can also result in them making a wrong decision. Plus, arguing in front of others can confuse or even disinterest otherwise attentive listeners. It is interesting to note that the Greek word translated here as ‘ruins’ is katastrophē which means “turning upside down,” therefore in context would mean overturning one’s belief in Jesus, which would make this a real catastrophe!
2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
I hesitated momentarily before writing this, especially after expounding not to quarrel over words above, but the next word is too important, it needs to be fully understood, and that word is spoudason, an aorist tense imperative verb, meaning to do your best at all times for God. Do what? To present ourselves to God as one approved, which Paul defines as someone who needs not be ashamed as they have correctly handled the Word of God, the word of truth (see also Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5). As pointed out in verse seven above, God will give us understanding in everything. Do you believe the Bible or man’s interpretation of the Bible? As believers who seek to present themselves to God as being approved by Him, we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal and discern the truth as we make the effort to continually learn the Bible. We need to know, grow, and go for Him.
2:16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
Paul again warns to avoid irreverent babble (see 1 Timothy 6:10) that it will push people away from Jesus instead of towards Him. What does irreverent babble sound like? Well to begin with, too many extraneous words, like those ads online that babble on wasting time saying the same thing repeatedly until you have invested so much time to you either give in or move on. They sound important but have no substance. False teachers are no different, they use words to distract that minimize the truth using claims that are based on lies (can also be partial truths) but seemingly answer your issue or problem in life. Then after you are ‘hooked’, the truth, if there was any, is discarded. Paul compares this disinformation to gangrene (Greek gangreaina, referring to the disease that will eventually kill a person, from the Greek word that means to devour) as it spreads by devouring the truth which then ultimately ends in condemnation.
Paul identifies two false teachers, Hymenaeus and Philetus, who apparently once believed the truth, but now were claiming that the resurrection had already occurred. Paul doesn’t provide details regarding their claim other than the fact that it was upsetting to some, leaving their faith unsettled. He responds with two statements that are either quotations from unknown sources or derived from multiple references, but that doesn’t take away the power or accuracy of the claim. Paul says “God’s firm foundation stands,” in other words, immovable, bearing His seal that states the truth that He knows everyone of His people (see Numbers 26:5; Nahum 1:7; John 10:14, 27; 1 Corinthians 8:3) and all those who belong to Him are to turn from unrighteousness (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, see also 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Philippians 1:6), away from sin.
2:20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
In several of his epistles Paul has used the metaphor of some form of vessel to represent people (see Romans 9:21; 2 Corinthians 4:7) which can apply to our bodies ‘containing’ our spirit/soul as well as for believers who also contain the Holy Spirit. Here Paul calls our attention to a great house where one can find a variety of vessels. Some made of gold and silver, while others are made of wood or clay. He then notes that some of these vessels have an honorable use and some dishonorable. Now understanding that the great house that he is referring to as the church at large, and that if anyone cleanses themselves, as instructed in the last half of verse nineteen above, being a follower of Jesus (one who we might call a disciple), being not just hearers of the Word of God, but doers (see also James 1:22-25), they will become a vessel for honorable use. Set apart as holy for use by the Master of the house for the work of His kingdom. Sadly, this implies that there are some in the church that are not clean and holy, those that are not obedient and are not submissive to God and His Word, and typically are not willing to serve. While the idea of some dishonorable vessels being in the church might be distasteful to a few believers, we should remember Jesus’ words regarding not recognizing those who thought they were saved (see Matthew 13:24-30; 25:31-46).
2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Paul’s answer to avoid unrighteousness requires multiple steps, first stay away from any youthful lusts and passions. Then pursue doing right, have faith in Jesus, love God and have a heart for the lost, and seek peace along with others who call on Jesus from a pure heart. A true follower of Jesus understands that they need to run from sin towards righteousness, even though saved, sin can still affect one’s closeness and fellowship with God.
2:23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
Paul adds that a believer should avoid ignorant controversies and speculations (see also 1 Timothy 1:3-6; 4:7). He calls them foolish (Greek mōras, from where we get the English word ‘moron’ from, that being morally worthless, stupid), as these conversations are not only pointless they can start fights. Today it’s hard to stay clear of theological theories, conspiracies, speculations, and presuppositions. While the desire to respond may be alluring, Paul says a worker approved by God should know when it’s best to just walk away.
2:24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Topping off his list of attributes of a servant of God, Paul adds that they must not be quarrelsome (Greek machesthai, to strive either physically or with words) but instead be kind to everyone. They should be willing and able to teach and patiently endure evil (note he did not say tolerate evil or false teaching, he is addressing being patient while being challenged). That instead of getting angry they should correct anyone who opposes the truth with gentleness. If they are presented with the truth of God’s Word, Paul says they may come to their senses and escape Satan’s snare, who had previously captured them to do his will, not God’s. These verses remind us that as a believer we need to know the Bible well enough to teach it to others and correct any erroneous interpretations. Plus, it is advisable to pray before (and during) any presentation or confrontation.