Bible Study 2 Timothy 2: 1-26

 

A Commentary of the Book of 2 Timothy

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study 2 Timothy 2: 1-26

Text:

Remember Jesus Christ

2 You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Understand what I say, for the Lord will give you insight in everything.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, 9 [a]for which I endure hardship even to chains as a criminal. But the word of God has not been chained. 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 It is a trustworthy saying:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

12 

If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we will deny Him, He also will deny us;

13 

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Accurately Handle the Word of Truth

14 Remind them of these things, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid godless and empty chatter, for [b]it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their word will spread like [c]gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The [d]Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the [e]Lord is to depart from wickedness.”

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce [f]quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s slave must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may give them repentance leading to the full knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive [g]by him to do his will.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

Paul begins with the first figure of speech “You therefore, my child.” Timothy was not the physical son of Paul. However,  he was his spiritual son and had been converted to the faith under his ministry. “Be strong in the grace” is good advice. If you think that you can grit your teeth and go out and live the Christian life on your own, you’re in for a great disappointment. If you feel that you can follow a few little rules or some clever gimmicks to make you a mature Christian, then you have fallen into a subtle trap of legalism. Paul knew that the key to salvation and living a Christian life was found in the grace of God. Let us remember as well.

Verse 2: “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Paul wants Timothy to know that his duties included finding others to be faithful to preach the gospel. Paul was greatly concerned about the future. He wondered, just as we do when we approach the end of our ministry, if other men will come along who will preach and teach the Word of God. To use a modern expression, he wanted to have a downline of faithful Christians that would teach what he taught.

Verse 3: “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Paul was clear that the Christian life was one of hardship like a soldier. This is a good analogy. To be a soldier you must go through basic training. This can be 14 weeks or more depending on the branch of the military you joined. A good soldier knows that he must always be ready to lay down his life to protect his country. In the same way, we are to always be ready to die for Lord Jesus Christ. After basic training you would enter different schools depending what your assignment was in the military. 

Verse 4: “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”

The Lord Jesus Chruist that no one could serve two masters. In the same manner, a soldier’s loyalty is to the nation he has sworn to protect and defend. When I was sworn into the United States Marine Corps, I had to publicly swear with my right hand raised that “I would support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The soldier for Christ has sworn allegiance to Him and will die to protect His cause and purpose. Just as you can have no cowards in the military, there are to be no cowards in The Lord’s Army.

Verse 5: “And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

Now Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete. An athlete must train hard and consistently. Moreover, the athlete must play by the rules. In every contest regardless of the sport, if you cheat you will be disqualified. In the same way, to live as a Christian means you will play by the rules. You are saved by grace through faith and salvation is 100% of the Lord. However, the Christian life requires effort on your part. Who you were is not who you are when you are in Christ. We want to win the prize of heaven and we will as we walk daily having the Holy Spirit sanctify us (make us holy) every week, day, hour and minute. There is no time off when you are a Christian.

Verse 6: “The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.”

Next, Paul compares the Christian life to being a farmer. The farmer sows his seed and waters the ground and then there is the harvest. In the same way, the Christian sows the Word of God. After the Word is preached, then comes the harvest. There are no shortcuts. This is a reason why I question (better yet, don’t believe) reports of Muslims seeing “Jesus” in a dream and there becoming believers. I don’t believe Paul would believe them either. People get saved after the Word of God has been preached to them. The Holy Spirit applies the Word to the sinner’s heart and brings conviction leading to salvation. 

Verse 7: “Understand what I say, for the Lord will give you insight in everything.”

This verse teaches that the Christian walk is a cooperative effort between the believer and the Lord working together. The Lord God is Sovereign (all powerful and in charge of everything)  but in His Providence (working the details of life weaving them together to accomplish His purposes), He uses secondary causes  (you, me, events of life) to bring about His will. Paul is telling Timothy that the Lord will give the insight he needs when he needs it.

Verse 8: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel,”

The faithful Christian will always lead his message with the Lord Jesus Christ. There are no gimmicks. The message is Christ crucified, Christ buried, Christ resurrected from the dead, Christ ascending to heaven and Christ coming again. Paul called this message, “my gospel.” Paul was willing to die (and he did) for the cause of Christ. May we be as faithful. 

Verse 9: “or which (literally “in which”) I endure hardship even to chains as a criminal. But the word of God has not been chained.”

While Paul was bound, the Word of God was not. With the Roman empire trying to silence Paul, it could not. As long as we remain faithful to the gospel, God’s Word will spread far and wide. We do not exist as a ministry to just do good things for others (although that may be commendable), our singular purpose is to preach the Word of God, without compromise, to a lost and dying world. We are to preach the Word of God as it is, to men as they are. Preach what the Word says, not what you want it to say.

Verse 10: “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”

Paul is preaching for God’s elect. The elect are the ones that will respond to the gospel message. No one knows who the elect are, so we preach the Word to everyone without discrimination. Do not bypass the adulterer, the homosexual, etc., but rather preach the Word without discrimination to all. Be ready to suffer in doing so, but that is our calling as well. 

Verse 11: “It is a trustworthy saying: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;”

When do we die with Christ? You die with Him when you are born again. His death becomes your death. Your life is with Him. This is a “trustworthy saying” which means it is a guarantee. We can have no fear of physical death because we have already died with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 12: “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we will deny Him, He also will deny us;”

Believers who persevere give evidence of the genuineness of their faith. The opposite is also true. If you deny Christ He will deny you, i.e. He never knew you. True faith never stands alone. True faith is a working faith. 

Verse 13: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”

This verse refers to a lack of genuine saving faith, not to weak or struggling faith. Unbelievers will ultimately deny Christ because their faith was not genuine. Christ remains faithful to save all those who repent and have faith in Him. Otherwise, Christ would be denying Himself and that is something He will never do.

Verse 14: “Remind them of these things, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.”

As Christians, we need to focus on the gospel message which focuses on the Lord Jesus Christ. We may differ on nonessentials, e.g. end times theology or method of baptism, but still remain in fellowship with each other. Disputing about words leads to division and a lack of unity. As we are unified in Christ and focus on the fundamental principles of the faith, we will live lives with intentionality and purpose. That will bring glory to His Name.

Verse 15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

The believer is to study the Word of God with the same diligence he would do working for a secular employer. When working a job, you have set times to present yourself and you are to work hard for your employer. In the same way, we need set times to study God’s Word. “Accurately handling the word of truth” means to interpret according to context. It is never good to “cherry pick” verses without context and create a meaning that would never have been understood by the original authors. “Cherry picking” is prevalent in the charismatic church as well as denominations that create unBiblical dress codes and prohibitions. 

Verse 16: “But avoid godless and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,”

Your words will impact your actions. Paul is warning that we are to avoid godless and empty talk. This kind of talk has no spiritual value. For years I have suggested that you listen to what people are talking about just before church services begin. You can’t go from talking about the latest sporting event to immediately being in the correct frame of mind to worship the Lord, preach, or teach the Bible. Putting the verse in a positive manner, it would read: “Embrace godly conversation and meaningful talk.”

Verse 17: “ and their word will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,”

The word translated “gangrene” could also be translated as cancer. Cancer can spread very quickly and destroy the body leading to death. Hymenaeus and Philetus are identified as guilty of this type of behavior and should be considered apostates.

Verse 18: “who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.”

Paul describes the apostasy identified in the previous verse. On that day, there were some who were teaching that the resurrection had already taken place, which meant that those still living had missed it. You can imagine the confusion that such a teaching could create and fear. 

Verse 19: “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to depart from wickedness.”

The firm foundation is most likely the church which cannot be defeated. The LORD “knows” references an intimate knowledge of the believer as opposed to simple awareness. Those that call themselves “Christians” will live a life in pursuit of holiness. That walk on the “highway of holiness” will not embrace, support, or condone sin. 

Verse 20: “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor.”

In these verses a believer is pictured as a vessel. If a vessel is to be usable, it must be clean. If you were thirsty and you had two cups. One was beautiful but dirty, but the other one was cracked a little but clean. Which would  you choose? Of course, you would choose the clean one. God will choose those that desire holiness and seek to live clean lives. He is not looking for the beautiful, He is looking for the clean.

Verse 21: “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.”

While our initial cleansing in salvation is 100% of the Lord, sanctification is a joint effort between man and the Holy Spirit. The believer must use effort to cleanse himself walking in our fallen world. When he does, he becomes a vessel of honor ready to work for the Lord. Our God does not seek the beautiful, but rather the clean. The cleansing in sanctification (being set aside for God’s purposes) is a daily activity not ending until we leave this world.

Verse 22: “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

“Youthful lusts” includes not merely illicit sexual desires, but also such lusts as pride, desire for wealth and power, jealousy, self-assertiveness, and having an argumentative spirit. While one flees from the lusts, he chases “righteousness, faith, love, and peace.” We are to have “pure hearts” which means that such a state is possible. At salvation, we receive a new heart and that new heart is pure and undefiled. That is the promise of the New Covenant.

Verse 23: “But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.”

Over the years, I have had several people ask me questions about things not covered in the Scriptures. These types of questions lead to “foolish and ignorant speculations.” My standard answer is that if the topic is not covered by the Scriptures then God did not think it necessary for us to know. They are the secret things that belong to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 29: 29) Don’t speculate about things God didn’t tell us. Focus on the things He did tell us.

Verse 24: “And the Lord’s slave must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,”

One of the reasons I like the Legacy translation is that it consistently translates the Greek word doulos as slave and not bondservant or servant. A servant can have many masters, but a slave only one. The slave is so committed to his master that he is at his beckon call. Paul used the word doulos because he wanted to show how someone 100% sold out for Christ would act. The slave would be like his master. As the Lord Jesus Christ was not quarrelsome and was kind when He was wronged, so must be His disciples. This is not about praying a prayer or joining the church, but rather a complete surrender to his Master.

Verse 25: “with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may give them repentance leading to the full knowledge of the truth,”

Paul makes clear where repentance originates. While it is man’s responsibility to repent, he cannot do so until God gives the gift of repentance. In an unsaved state, man will not repent on his own. However, when God gives the sinner repentance, the sinner will act on it. The Lord’s slave must be gentle with those he corrects. We are to preach the Word and be comforted that the Holy Spirit will apply the truth of the Word to the sinner’s heart. Repentance is the door the sinner passes through to be justified. 

Verse 26: “and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

Satan has the unsaved sinner captive. In his own power, he is powerless to be saved. The word translated “come to their senses” is literally the word “awaken.” The sinner needs to be awakened from his spiritual slumber through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and respond in repentance. When he does, he will be set free from the captivity of Satan. Many unsaved religionists have a little religion but he always lacks repentance. There has been no spiritual transformation in his life. Our ministry has been called an awakening ministry because we preach the Word of God without compromise calling on sinners to repent.