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PAUL’S LETTERS TO TIMOTHY

Loyalty to Christ

2 Timothy 2:1-13

 

Introduction

In this first section of Chapter 2, Paul continues his words of encouragement to Timothy, reminding him of the source of all power - Christ. He describes the Christian warfare by three figures: the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. In that same power, Paul also endured, suffered and… Would win.

The permanence of the Gospel - verses 1 and 2

Timothy has to be powerful in the work God gave him - with the power from the "grace" of Christ. This word "grace" includes the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, given through faith in Christ.

The apostolic teachings received by Timothy also had to be transmitted by him to faithful men (who would not change them) and competent (able to teach them to others). Clearly, believers who, like Timothy, had heard the preaching of Paul could communicate them to others in the measure of their memory and capacity. However, since the death of that generation, we have the apostolic doctrine further confirmed in the New Testament books. Woe to him who teaches as "apostolic" or "Christian" that which does not match the doctrine of the New Testament!

Discipline and reward – verses 3 to 7

There will be unpleasant or difficult things in Christian service, if done satisfactorily. This service is described by three comparisons:

1. The soldier (v. 4). Once enlisted, the loyal soldier leaves entirely the business, attractions and responsibilities of civil life; he applies himself only to military duties and exercises and everything connected with success in war. He seeks promotion and strives to please his superiors. For the Christian, "the affairs of this life" mean pleasures, wealth and occupations that prevent or hinder the spiritual life received when he converted to Christ, his Lord.

2. The athlete (v. 5). Here it refers to the Greek and Roman games - gymnastics, running, boxing, and fighting between gladiators. The games were organized, as the national sports of today, with rules, judges and awards. The victors were treated almost like war heroes (like today), but they had to strictly obey the rules of the game in which they participated and would also have to train vigorously to keep in good condition.
   
   In the same way, the servant of God must walk according to the rules (the teachings of the Bible) and should always remain in a spiritual condition apt to win the fight against Satan. All this would be through much prayer, constant Bible study and careful discipline in general pleasures and customs.

3. The farmer (v. 6). Please note: “the farmer who WORKS” – not he who only stays by the side watching others work - or stays at home in fear of rain! ... the service of Christ is real work, like that of the farmer in the field - and the fruit takes its own time;  but when it appears, then there is satisfaction and joy for the worker. What a joy to see a converted soul, after much prayer, visits, talks, opposition and sometimes enemies!
   
   Let us work, then - the land can be rocky, misleading, full of thorns, but it will ultimately yield its fruit and then we will participate with joy!

Such comparisons are apt, and deserve careful consideration from the servant of the Lord, Who will give him the wisdom necessary to achieve a satisfactory and fruitful work l (v. 7).

The Gospel – verses 8 to 10

"My gospel" - so Paul calls it; he does not mean that he himself is the inventor of the Gospel, nor that he is the first or the only one to preach it. "My gospel" means the message that he personally received from the Lord - as the other apostles - to announce to the world (see Luke 24:45-49, Acts 1:8, 9:6, 13:2, 22:21 ; 23:11 - 26:15-18). The main subject of the Gospel is Jesus Christ, the true Messiah and King of the Jews, who rose from the dead. This preaching brought "suffering" to Paul and even imprisonment as a criminal. However, they could not "lock up" the Gospel (many have wanted to do this up to today!) and Paul suffered every trial patiently so that "the chosen" might hear and be saved by faith in Christ.

The Faithful Saying – verses 11 to 13

This "faithful saying" (see 1 Timothy 1:15) contains four conditions and for consequences from them:

1. "If we died with Christ" - that is an exact repetition of Romans 6:8 where the apostle shows the significance of baptism (immersion) of the new believer: "dead in Christ" and "raised with Him" to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). Being sincere in our profession of faith in Christ, our spiritual life in Him is assured.

2. "If we endure" - that is, if we won the persecutions and hardships of this life, not only will be saved, as we shall also reign with Christ in glory. See Romans 8:17.

3. "If we deny Him" - see the words of the Lord in Matthew 10:33. This word does not refer to an exceptional moment of denial (like Peter), but to a life of constant denial and disobedience to Christ, in spite of a profession of being a Christian. Such "Christians" will hear the terrible sentence: “I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23).

4. "If we are faithless" - that is "disloyal" in our service (as Mark in Acts 13) or "unbelievers" about certain teachings (like the disciples in Luke 24:25). In any case, the Lord will not be unfaithful, He will fulfil His word: the disloyal servant will suffer discipline in this life, or loss of reward at the Judgement Seat of Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:10) and the doubting, for not understanding some truth, will not lose its realization today. A son is a son always and forever (Galatians 3:26-27). Let us be faithful to Christ in all!

 

Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 
5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 
6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 
7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 

9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 
10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 

11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 
12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

2 Timothy chapter 2, verses 1 to 13