Verses 1-2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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.
The way the early Church spread the Gospel was by the teaching of one man at a time who would then teach other men. These men would in turn teach the Gospel to their wives and children. There were no formal schools like the Bible colleges and seminaries of today, and the Gospel was spread to the entire known world by the Apostles, chiefly the Apostle Paul through all the churches he started and through the “word of mouth” approach. The key words in verse 2 above is “faithful men”. Many people hear preaching and teaching from Scripture but never receive it and share it faithfully with others.
Verses 3-4 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.
The Greek word translated as “hardness” is “kakopatheo” and it means to suffer evils, hardships and troubles, or to be afflicted. The Christian believer, whether a pastor, evangelist, or congregational member, is at war with the powers of darkness of this world. Satan and his fallen angels/devils take this war seriously and attack believers at every opportunity in an attempt to ruin their Christian witness and to get them to sin against the God they serve. Just like any soldier in a physical war, things are going to be difficult in the Christian walk. Just as the soldier in the natural world cannot allow himself to be distracted when on a mission as it might cost him his life or the life of his men, Christian believers cannot allow themselves to be distracted by the world around them as it can cost them their spiritual life and the spiritual life of those around them. The physical soldier wants to obey the commands of his superiors and the Christian soldier should want to obey the commands of his/her superior, the LORD Jesus Christ.
Verse 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
This verse is in the context of a contest. If a man contends for a prize in a competition or a contest, he cannot receive the winner’s prize if he does not follow the rules of the game and be honest and fair. Likewise, there are God’s rules of conduct when in ministry and the believer must abide by these rules of conduct, one of them being to expect trials and suffering for the sake of the Gospel.
Verse 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Just as a farmer growing a crop or a housewife growing a backyard garden should expect to enjoy the fruits of their labor, the believer serving the LORD in ministry should expect to enjoy the results of his/her ministry. Some of the fruits of ministry are leading people to the LORD and watching them grow spiritually, preaching and teaching so that God’s people develop a better understanding of the Kingdom and of the character of the God they serve, and the many blessings God bestows upon His servants such as answers to prayers and the supernatural peace from God that passes all understanding. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Verses 7-9 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 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.
The Apostle Paul’s admonition to consider what he says is for all Christian believer’s today. Since this apostle wrote most of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost/Spirit, the Church cannot know how to conduct itself or how to live righteously in an unrighteous world without his written words. When he refers to “according to my gospel”, the Apostle Paul means that his report of what God had him teach, preach, and write is true. As a result of the truth he preached, taught and wrote, he was persecuted and thrown in prison. But even in prison, he could not be silenced. He wrote epistles and they were carried abroad by faithful friends and co-workers in the ministry of Jesus Christ. God’s word never changes and it will never be bound or pass away. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35
Application: Because God’s word cannot pass away, Satan has had to try and destroy it, and he has done so by creating all the evil, false bible versions that have infiltrated the Church so that the power of the Gospel has been diminished. Most churches no longer have the Word of God. Versions that have removed the last chapter of the book of Mark and that have changed the words to be gender neutral, and so forth cannot fight the evil spirits and free mankind from sin, death and Hell. Only those people who adhere to a non-copyrighted version have the Word. All copyrighted versions are the words of men and not of God. What are you, the reader using?
Verses 10-13 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. 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.
The Apostle Paul was the ultimate spiritual soldier. The hardships and persecution he endured would have caused most people to quit the ministry and retire to the shores of the Sea of Galilee for the quiet life! But as the good soldier he was, he pushed on because there was always another chosen vessel who needed to hear the Gospel message and receive forgiveness of sins and salvation and eternal life. The Apostle Paul was always thinking of others and not of himself. He is the example that the Christian believer should try to emulate. He died to himself daily and put the LORD and the ministry first, and as a result he lived in and by the Spirit of Jesus and received eternal life when he was murdered and martyred. He is now reigning with Jesus in Heaven and will be one of the first people this writer wishes to meet when arriving and dwelling in Heaven.
Verse 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.
Timothy is to remind the Christian believers that which the Apostle Paul is writing about so that there are no pointless arguments or discussions regarding empty and trifling matters. To engage in non-productive verbal encounters will in no way help those listening, especially if they are new believers.
Verse 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Application: A believer needs to know what he/she is talking about before debating Scripture with others and to gain knowledge, work needs to occur. Studying takes time and effort and most people calling themselves Christian do not want to put in the work to truly understand Scripture and to understand their God. They expect to get all the information they need from their church attendance once a week for an hour or so and to be fed by their pastor instead of digging into the Word and asking the Holy Ghost/Spirit to show them what He would have them understand from a particular Bible passage. This is interesting in that if an individual wishes to be a professional, they will spent countless time and money investing in their career. Yet they fail to invest time or effort in the very thing that will help them live a victorious life in this sin filled world and to live forever in the world to come.
The Greek word translated as “dividing” is “orthotomeo” and it means to proceed on straights paths, hold a straight course, doing right, to handle aright, or to teach the truth directly and correctly. If believers do not deviate from the truth of the Gospel and teach this truth correctly, they will never be ashamed before God or before their fellow believers.
Verses 16-18 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: 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.
The Greek word translated as “shun” is “periistemi” and it means to avoid. The Greek word translated as “profane” is “bebelos” and it means unhallowed, common, or ungodly. The Greek word translated as “vain babblings” is “kenophonia” and it means the empty discussion of useless matters. Gossip is one form of vain babblings, and it can spread rapidly through a congregation, much like cancer can spread rapidly through a body of flesh, resulting in spiritual illness and even death of that church. Again the Apostle Paul mentions Hymenaeus (1 Timothy 1:20) as an example to Timothy.
Application: Based on verse 18 above, it would seem that there has always been Scripture twisting and erroneous teachings about end time events which has caused some people to lose faith in the Word of God. The Left Behind books series is a fine example of false teaching along the lines of that of Hymenaeus and Philetus. The basis of these stories is that the Christians were taken to Heaven and the rest of the people left behind had a second chance at repentance and salvation. The Bible doesn’t teach this, but many of those people who have not studied God’s word to show themselves approved believed these books and still do today. Therefore, they cannot discern the signs of the times. Indeed, concerning the truth they have erred. False teachings about the last days abound in churches today, and so the Christian believer needs to beware and be wise.
Verse 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.
The Greek word translated as “foundation” is “themelios” and it is used metaphorically to mean the beginnings, the first principals, and God’s system of truth. God does not change and neither does His Word. The Greek word translated as “seal” is “sphragis” and it means that by which anything is confirmed, proved, or authenticated. So what are these seals? The fact that God knows who is His child and who is not, and that those people claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ should be known by their lack of engaging in unrighteousness.
Verses 20-21 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.
What determines a vessel of honour and one of dishonour? It is the contents of the vessel. In the natural in any house there will be vessels or containers of some kind that are reserved for guests and/or for serving good food and drink, and there will be the dog’s bowl or cat’s dish which are also vessels. These vessels are usually kept clean and well cared for. And then there are vessels or containers that are for things less lovely such as a garbage can or a soap dish which usually are not kept as clean. All are necessary and useful, but some are valued more than others. The Greek word translated as “vessels” is skeuos” and it means an implement, household utensils, domestic gear, and metaphorically it means a man of quality, a chosen instrument, or the physical body. The Apostle Paul is using the word metaphorically to refer to people. So he says that “if a man therefore purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour. . .” and the “these” is referring to verse 14 above where he commands Timothy, “Of these things put them in remembrance. . .”. The list of things is as follows: do not engage in pointless discussions or arguments, study the Word, avoid vain babblings, and depart from iniquity. Then the believer will be a vessel of honour unto the LORD and the LORD will be able to use the believer in ministry in His kingdom.
Verse 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Young people are prone to lusts as presented by Satan and the corrupt world in which they live. The Greek word translated as “lusts” is “epithumia” and it means desire, craving longing, and a desire for what is forbidden. It was true in Timothy’s day and it is just as true today. Just a brief look at the drug culture will support this premise. Living a righteous life will prevent becoming entangled in the lusts of the flesh and the lusts encouraged by media and a fallen world.
Verses 23-26 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, 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. (2 Timothy 2)
Application: What does it mean “those that oppose themselves”? All unbelievers are opposing themselves. They are placing themselves in opposition to the Gospel and to God, and in so doing, they are condemning themselves to Hell. God doesn’t have to condemn them as He set up laws with consequences and their failure to abide by those laws has the penalty of spiritual death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:3 So the unbeliever’s argument that a loving God would not condemn a man to Hell is basically correct as the unbeliever does the condemning by rejecting God and His Word. Notice that the Apostle Paul says, “that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil. . .”. This again shows that the responsibility for eternal salvation either in Heaven or in Hell is that of the man or woman who chooses to repent or not to repent.