2Tim. 2

 

1: Paul had just finished talking about the faithfulness of Onesiphorius and how was not ashamed of the Paul or the gospel.  So now he is telling Timothy you therefore my son be strong (strengthened) in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. The first thing I want to point out is that Grace is found in Christ. This means that salvation is found in Christ because Paul tells us in Eph 2:8 for by grace you have been saved through faith. Even better than that he comes right out says it in verse 10. Other things found in Christ (Eph. 1:3,7; Rom. 3:24,6:23,8:1; 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 3:26). What does the word of God teach us on how to get into Jesus where all these things are located Gal. 3:27, Rom.6:3.

 

The next question is how can Timothy be strong in the Grace or even better yet how can we today be strong in the Grace? 2Peter. 3:18 (Grow). James 1:22-25 (Doer of the word). Eph. 6:10-18 (whole armor, prayer).

 

Why was it so important Timothy be strong in the grace or why is it so important that we be strong in the Grace? If we are not actively growing in the grace the Paul warns us that it is possible to receive Grace in vain. 2Cor. 6:1-2. Look at Heb. 12:15. 1Peter 4:10-11 good stewards of his grace. Finally Gal. 5:4.

 

One last point I want you to consider that goes along with being in Christ is found in John 15:4-5. The only way we can produce fruit that is acceptable to God is to be in Christ Jesus to be attached to the life-giving vine. Lets say we have a Christian and good ole boy and they have almost identical good works.

  • They give to the needy
  • They love their family
  • They both follow the same moral codes
  • The Christian encourages others to be more Christ like and the Good ole boy encourages his friends to be more like him
  • They both look for ways they can serve their fellow man.

 

Does any of these good works or fruit produced by this good ole boy please God? No because he was not attached to the vine he was not laboring in the Lords vineyard.Mt. 20.

 

2: When Timothy was with Paul on his 2nd missionary journey and he heard Paul teach the gospel may times to different groups of people. It was this message that Paul wants Timothy to commit to faithful men. These faithful men need to be like Paul they need to be like Timothy men who would be willing to boldly proclaim the truth and nothing but the truth. In fact I like how one writer put it.

 

[In other words, men "...who not only have received the grace of God, and are true believers in Christ, but are men of great uprightness and integrity; who having the word of God, will speak it out boldly, and faithfully, and keep back nothing that is profitable, but declare the whole counsel of God, without any mixture or adulteration; for the Gospel being committed to their trust, they would become stewards, and of such it is required that they be faithful; and therefore this is mentioned as a necessary and requisite qualification in them..." (Gill).

 

This is the way God has set it up. We need more men and women in the church who are willing to learn how to become teachers. Every one of us should be both a student and a teacher. We should always be eager to learn more about Gods word so that we will know how to share what we learn with others. This is excellent scripture that shows that the word of God is not suppose to change based on how we feel or what the majority says. We are to go by what the word says and we are to pass these words down from generation to generation.

 

 

 

 

How we endure

3-7 2 Tim 2: 3-4. First he describes Christians as Soldiers. A soldier is one who will obey the orders of those who are over them. In war situation if the commanding officer tells them climb a mountain and wait that exactly what they are going to do. They will not allow other things to distract them because they want to please their commanders. This is the same for a Christian. We have become soldiers or Christ and we should be focused in only pleasing God by obeying his word and working for God so that we might win the spiritual battle against evil. If we allow ourselves to get distracted by worldly things we will never bring our fruit to maturity. Luke 8:14

 

Vrs 5 Here we have the example of an athlete who focuses on training so that he can properly compete in a  race. He knows that if he does not compete by the rules he will not receive the prize. We as Christians need to train everyday by reading our Bible and praying. We need to practice those things the bible tells us on how to live a Christian life. We know that we must run this race by the rules or we will  not receive our crown. We must go by what the word of God says and not add to it or take away from it. 1cor 9:24-27 See. Heb. 12:1-2 So we are to look unto Jesus with heaven as our goal.

 

Vrs 6 Here we see a hard working farmer and if he had not worked he wouldn’t have any fruit to partake of. This example is once again showing that if a Christian wants to be pleasing to God they will be a worker for the Lord. Many like to think all they have to do is believe in Jesus and they will be ok but these examples make it clear that a Christian must be a worker for the lord. Jesus said Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Serving the lord is a daily duty and if we truly love our master we will serve him. Paul lets us know that our labor for the lord is not in vain. 1Cor. 15:58 Paul felt confident that his labor was not in vain. 2Tim 4:7-8.

 

We need to be willing to suffer or endure like a soldier. Discipline ourselves like and athlete and work hard like farmers.  

 

Vr7 Paul wants Timothy take careful consideration of what Paul is writing him and his desire was that the Lord would give Timothy understanding in all things.

 

Vrs. 8-9

Christianity revolves around the fact that Christ was raised from dead. He was the seed of David Jer. 23:5-6. Paul suffered for this very reason. He was chained but not the word of God.

 

Vrs 10 Paul was willing endure all things for the elect (those who obeyed the gospel). 1Pet  4:16.

 

11-13 a great summary of how one becomes a Christian how they must remain faithful and how God never fails on his end. 11 is a good way to show baptism col. 2:20; 3:1-3, Rom. 6:3-8. 12 We must endure to the end Rev 2: 7,10 3:21. If we deny him he will deny us Mt. 10:33, 1John 2:23; 2Peter 2:1 swift destruction 

13 God is always faithful to us and never stops loving us Rom. 8:38-39. Jesus never changes Heb. 13:8

 

14 These things are in reference to what Paul had just wrote about enduring and holding to sound doctrine. Peter was concerned about this as well. 2Pet 3:1-2. We should never be someone who causes strife over issues that are not salvation issues or that really serve no purpose. Give example. 2Cor. 11:3.

 

15 Be eager be ready to study the word to show yourself approved of God. God wants us to grow and learn more about him every day 2Pet 3:18 so that we can rightly divide the word of truth. This has the idea of cutting straight. In other words don’t stray off to the right or to the left just go by what the word says.

 

16-18 We need to avoid profane or vain empty talk because it will lead people away from the truth.

 

19 Though people may lead other astray and some may fall from the truth nothing can change the foundation of truth found in Gods word. Mat 16:16-19, Heb. 12:28, Mt. 24:35.  Jesus knows those who are his. Jn 10:14. We were sealed with HS Eph. 1:13-14, Rom 8:16 bears witness we are children of God.

 

20-21 The great house here represents the church. Some are like the vessels of Gold those living righteous lives and some are like the wood and clay and bring dishonor to the church by the way they live unrighteous lives. If this unrighteous person will cleanse themselves either through obedience of the gospel or by repentance they to can become vessels of Gold.

 

22 Righteousness (doing what is right according to Gods will) Faith (putting your full trust in God ) Love (agape love this is the kind of love God had for us and we should have it for him and for your brothers and sister in Christ),  When we follow these steps it Peace with natural follow with those who call on the lord with a pure heart.

 

23 avoid disputes.

 

24-26 We must learn how to teach others without coming across that I am holy than you.