Bible study Daily, explanation and encouragement - 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 1:3
Paul’s second letter to Timothy. There is a marked difference when we turn from 1 Timothy to 2 Timothy. The situation has clearly changed for the worse. He is no longer a free man making plans for the future, his mind filled with high expectations. Now he is a prisoner with no human hope. There is no prospect of final absolution, other than resignation to the inevitable death penalty. Yet there is no difference in the apostle’s spiritual resilience, for his indomitable spirit rises above what would otherwise have been a desperately dark mood. Paul’s faith is under greater test and proves to be entirely adequate. The letter is a farewell message from one who knows that death is very near.
Paul’s second letter to Timothy is full of encouragement, perhaps because young Timothy really needed it! Many scholars believe that Paul wrote this epistle shortly before his death, while he was facing a much harsher imprisonment than he had previously faced. For this reason, it is a very personal message from the elder apostle to his spiritual son. Paul’s instructions before he completed his earthly journey, so to speak.
I pray that you will apply the instructions and exhortations of 2 Timothy to your life so that when the time for the end of your earthly life draws near, you will be able to say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
2 Timothy 1:5
SINCERE FAITH - Perhaps this means that Grandmother Lois was the first member of the family to accept Christ as Savior and Lord, and that she was instrumental in leading the other members to accept the Christian faith. Or, as is more likely, Paul is referring to the attitude of faithfulness and religious devotion that had characterized Timothy's family for at least three generations, beginning in Judaism and reaching its fullness and development in the recognition of Christ Jesus as Messiah and Lord.
The faith that dwells in true believers is unfeigned; it is without hypocrisy; it is a faith that will endure to the end, steadfast in the face of trial.
The faith that was in Timothy was inherited from his mother Eunice and from the faith that was in his grandmother, and this was the reason for Paul's gratitude, and it should be ours whenever we find similar examples.
It is a comforting thing when children imitate the faith and holiness of their godly parents and follow in their footsteps. But it must be a sincere faith. How many people turn away from the gospel because they saw a hypocritical faith at home? In a country where there were many saints inside the church, the story was different at home. And not only at home, but everywhere, especially among unbelievers, people are watching us.
2 Timothy 1:7
We are not justified in assuming, as some do, that Timothy had been acting the part of a coward in his work at Ephesus, for which he is being rebuked. Indeed, Paul is gentle in his rebuke, not using the pronoun ‘you’ but ‘us’, as if he were including himself with Timothy. The task Timothy was called to do may have required qualities that were not innate to one of a calm disposition, but which must be developed if God’s work is to prosper. A spirit of holy boldness is the order of the day; a vigorous strength, a love that is of divine quality and origin, and a self-control that makes the spirit submissive to God, the ruler of the body.
Cowardice is the same as fear; it does not come from God; God gives us power, love, and a sound mind.
Fear will never stop coming against us. We must learn to do what God tells us, whether we are afraid or not. We must "do it even though we are afraid" if necessary, but that is what courage does; it feels the fear and does what must be done anyway!
We are not cowards because we are afraid. We are only cowards if we let fear rule our decisions.
2 Timothy 1:9
Verses 9 and 10 are a typical Pauline summary of the miracle of divine grace that God has revealed in the work of redemption in Christ: GOD HAS SAVED US AND CALLS US TO A HOLY CALLING, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE WHICH IS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD OF THE AGES. It is an accomplished fact that God HAS SAVED US. This is the secure position of the true Christian. Salvation in this sense is not transferred to the distant future, but is the believer’s present experience. Nevertheless, there is an increasing purpose in God’s mercy and a growth in grace that leads to a continual enrichment of that experience.
God has called us with a holy calling. This means more than a holiness that exists in name only or that is merely imputed to the believer by the supreme holiness of God; means that the believer is freed from his sins and the guilt and power that are in them. The calling of God is an experience and life that entails a complete consecration on the part of the believer and a complete inward cleansing on the part of God. But Paul warns immediately that this is not according to our works, for these are utterly unworthy. But it is according to God's own purpose and grace. The initiative in this matter is God's. It is He who awakens us from our death in sin and calls us to holiness; and it is through His intercessions by His Spirit that we accept Him - an acceptance that is made possible solely by His enabling grace. The miracle of human transformation is wholly of God, though our consent in complete freedom is essential to its accomplishment.
The old apostle left no inheritance; just scars. He did not gather up riches on earth, but he laid up rich treasure in heaven. He did not base his life on seeking personal comfort, but gave himself unreservedly so that the gospel could reach all Gentiles. Even enduring loneliness, abandonment, betrayal, deprivation and ingratitude at the end of his life, he did not close the curtains on his story with bitterness in his soul, but with a hymn of exaltation to Christ on his lips.
Another interesting thing in this text is that even suffering abandonment in prison, God raised Onesiphorus to visit and encourage him and not be ashamed of Paul for being imprisoned. In life, we must have friendships like Onesiphorus, who encourage us, cheer us up, lift us up. With these friends you must walk together and preserve. Friends who abandon you in times of sadness, struggle, need you must isolate from. But you think: "Ah! But I already have so few! Still have to leave some". Yes! Leave! Seek friendship with God, through prayer, have the glorious friendship of the Holy Spirit and in the right time God will raise up loyal friends for you.
2 Timothy 1:15-16
FALSE FRIENDS - Here Paul has painful and unhappy memories of sufferings caused by false friends: Phygelus and Hermogenes. It is evident that in the time of the apostle's extreme need, probably when he was imprisoned by the Romans, many from whom he had reason to expect friendship and assistance were content to cowardly abandon him to his fate. This abandonment does not mean that he had no courageous friends. Two men from whom he expected a measure of help were Phygelus and Hermogenes, who turned away from him. Paul is not reproving them, but informing them of what was already well known.
A TRUE FRIEND - In this context, the loyalty and care of Onesiphorus stand out in strong and vivid colors, and Paul expresses eternal gratitude to him for this. The faithful friendship and Christian brotherhood of this man revived the apostle many times.
Verse 17 shows the lengths to which Onesiphorus was willing to go to help Paul: WHEN HE ARRIVED IN ROME, HE SEARCHED FOR ME EAGERLY AND FOUND ME. Which may not have been without danger at the time of the persecution of Christians by the emperor. We can only imagine what it must have meant to the apostle, who was languishing in prison, to see a familiar and friendly face. There is something extremely moving when Paul declares that Onesiphorus SEARCHED FOR ME EAGERLY AND FOUND ME.
There is nothing more comforting than when we are in a situation where we can do nothing but wait, and someone takes an interest in our life to the point of looking for our address and visiting us, sometimes just offering a word of comfort in a hospital or something. In the world, people are always attentive and want to be around someone who has something to offer us. That is the world we live in. But there are those people who love us and care for us without expecting anything in return. These people have the true love of Christ for us. That kind of friend is worth cultivating.
MOTIVATING FOR THE MINISTRY!
MINISTRY IS SERVICE, and a "minister" of the gospel is primarily a servant of God, sharing his message boldly and courageously.
He honors the Word of God and defends it tirelessly, taking care to communicate its truth with absolute precision.
IT IS NOT AN EASY TASK, as the Word of God faces violent opposition.
Therefore, the “minister” of the Word of God learns that patience, resistance and hard work are necessary for success in his calling.
PREACH THE GOSPEL boldly without fear!
Recognize that the word of God is a priceless treasure. Do not let the enemy seduce you into (half) lies to please people.
FIX YOURSELF WITH THE TRUTH YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED.
Do not let the enemy corrupt you.
Become a servant committed to the Word of God!
Keep the model of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and charity that is in Christ Jesus.
Guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (2 Tim 1:13-14).
2 Timothy 2:3
In this chapter the apostle uses three analogies: the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. The military analogy is Paul’s favorite, not because he was a soldier, but because in the Roman Empire it was common to see soldiers.
Verse 4: No soldier allows himself to be involved in the affairs of civilian life, for if he did he could not please the officer who enlisted him.
When a man becomes a soldier, he is separated from the society with which he has been familiar all his life and introduced to a new and highly specialized community. He is stripped of his own clothing and clothed in government-issued equipment. His comings and goings are done only under orders or with express permission. He sleeps where he is told to sleep and eats what is given to him. In fact, his life is at the disposal of the government; if the occasion arises, he may be considered expendable for strategic reasons. This is the consecration of one enlisted for war; in every detail, we have a complete parallel to the life of a believer wholly given to Christ. The soldier cannot be discharged at any time, no matter how desirable it may be. He is not his own, but belongs to someone else.
The athlete does not win the prize unless he follows the rules (v.5) - The athlete has no chance of victory unless he obeys the preconditions; he must undergo the necessary training and follow a certain diet.
And the hard-working farmer must be the first to reap the fruits of his labor (v.6) - In order to reap the harvest, the farmer must exhaust himself in labor, preparing the land, sowing the seed, watching for drought and pestilence, until finally he enjoys the fruits of his labor.
With these analogies, Paul means one thing. For whether it is the soldier's expectation of obtaining final victory, the athlete's vision of receiving the crown, or the farmer's hope of reaping the harvest, EACH SUBMITS HIMSELF TO DISCIPLINE AND TOIL FOR THE SAKE OF THE GLORY THAT WILL COME.
2 Timothy 2:11-13
Of course, the apostle is not speaking of death by martyrdom. Paul speaks of dying with Christ in death to self and sin, which leads to new life in Christ. This death is symbolized in the rite of Christian baptism (Romans 6:3).
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. By suffering, Paul meant enduring suffering for Christ's sake, as he did. But the prospect of reigning with Christ more than compensates for the pain one has to endure.
If we deny Him, He will deny us; if we are unfaithful, He remains faithful; He cannot deny himself. If under the pressure of adversity a person denies Christ, his lack of faithfulness can only result in his own denial. Our Lord said as much in Matthew 10:33, "But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
2 Timothy 2:15
DO YOUR BEST TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED - or Take great pains to show yourself worthy of God's approval. This has to do with the hours spent in the kind of intellectual work that is indispensable to true ministerial success; but it also has to do with the attitude of untiring ardor that should characterize the minister's attitude toward his mission.
APPROVED TO GOD - is a reference to the final judgment, when Timothy will finally have to give an account. But whatever the exact message of the passage, it is clear that the apostle is concerned that God's Word be subjected to sound exegesis and its correct meaning be properly ascertained.
Handling the Word well is essential for a leader and for any self-respecting Christian.
2 Timothy 2:16
This instruction is identical to 1 Timothy 6:20, which is to turn a deaf ear to the empty, worldly chatter and contradictory ideas of so-called "knowledge."
Paul is again denouncing the false teachers who were stirring up dissension in the church at Ephesus. They were doing the work of Satan, and their feigned familiarity with hidden truth had the effect of desecrating it. Timothy’s course of action was to avoid such teachings.
No compromise can be made with error. Such babblings lead further and further away from Christian living and promote ungodly living.
2 Timothy 2:20-21
The Word instructs us to be sanctified and useful vessels for the Master’s use. These verses make it clear that to be consecrated is to be set apart for a specific use.
To God we are special treasures. According to His great plan, we are vessels that He has set apart for a special purpose. God wants to display His glory through us. He wants to use us to bring others to Himself. We are His representatives, His ambassadors here on earth. God makes His appeal to the world through us (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Even after we have dedicated ourselves to God, we should regularly consecrate ourselves to the true purpose of our lives, as Romans 12:1 recommends:"I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship".
It is not unreasonable for God to ask us to dedicate every aspect of our being to Him. In fact, this is what our spiritual worship and service really is. God no longer wants dead animal sacrifices as in the Old Testament. He wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him and for His purpose and use. Consecrate yourself to God, be set apart, and be ready for every good work.
It is said that a certain king of England was in need of a new coachman. Among several candidates for the post, only two were selected for a real interview. They were the best in the kingdom. The first, when questioned by the monarch regarding his abilities, said: - Majesty, I have unmatched skill to guide the 12 horses of the royal chariot. As proof I can demonstrate that I pass, at high speed, two feet from the edge of the precipice in the curves of the mountain at the exit of the palace.
The king was impressed, and asked the second coachman: - And you? How can you demonstrate your skill to me? And he replied to the king: - Majesty, whenever possible, I avoid going on very dangerous paths. I do not dare to go near the cliffs. As for this aforementioned curve, I prefer to take the road a little longer, at the foot of the mountain, and have a more peaceful and safe trip.
With this answer, the king chose the second as his new coachman. So also the apostle Paul advised his young son in the faith, Timothy, to avoid the danger of sinning: Flee, too, from the passions of youth (2 Tim 2:22). You do not play with danger. You do not play with sin. One does not play with questions of eternal life.
2 Timothy 2:22
The first phrase of the verse offers these translation options: "Turn away from the turbulent desires of youth"; "turn away from the fickle impulses of youth"; "flee from youthful passions".
Timothy, it seems, was approaching 40 years of age and had no need for such a warning. However, Satan is no respecter of persons, any more than God is. Because they occupy prominent positions in the church, God's leaders become targets of Satan; therefore, they need to be extra vigilant against satanic wiles. The apostle knew that the best defense against demonic attacks is to be properly prepared by God' Word.
FOLLOW RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, AND PEACE (v. 22), or pursue integrity. And in this zealous and Christian pursuit we must consider ourselves one with the faithful children of God, wherever they may be - one with those who, with a pure heart, call upon the Lord.
2 Timothy 2:24
There are people who live in anger. If something goes wrong or does not happen the way they wanted, they become filled with anger at everyone and everything.
But the apostle Paul teaches in 2 Timothy 2:24 that this should not be the case. The Lord's servants need to be kind and forbearing with everyone. No fighting in traffic,to hit it off, no complaining in line at the supermarket because it is taking too long. No complaining to people who sometimes are not to blame, who are simply following the orders they were given. We should be peacemakers, not people who create problems.
A true servant of the Lord Jesus should be like Him, that is, someone who did not wrangle or cry aloud (Matthew 12:19), who was a model of humility, gentleness, and kindness to everyone. No fighting or arguing.
People who fight and live in anger, even their family is afraid to leave the house for any place for fear of being embarrassed by the actions of the person who is always stressed and has little patience. The servant of the Lord must be gentle toward all, and by this show that he is subject to the ruling power of the Holy Spirit.
Using a list, Paul details the sinful attitudes of men that will characterize the final time: Men who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, etc. (2-4). The entire list is just one sentence. It is a sordid and depressing description of human sins. Sins of varying degrees of gravity are grouped together more or less indiscriminately, perhaps with the idea of showing that in God's eyes all sins are equally serious, whether sins of the flesh or of the spirit, whether committed against God or against our fellow man. These sins, common in the first century, also flourish to an alarming extent today. This is a clear indication that we are in the last days.
In verse 5 there is disturbing information: HOLDING THE FORM OF REÇIGION, BUT DENYING THE POWER OF IT. AVOID SUCH PEOPLE. It is indeed surprising that those guilty of such flagrant sins still find in formal religion a salve for their conscience. There are many ways of denying the efficacy of religion. The most subtle and deadly way is the willingness to live day by day without the presence of God's power in our religious life. This is the risk that faces many people who would blush with shame at the mere reading of the sordid list of sins that Paul enumerates.
2 Timothy 3:1-4
- We live in the midst of an ungrateful generation. It seems that the more people have, the less they are grateful.
- As believers, we are in the world, but we must strive not to be like that. The more people around us complain, the more we should express gratitude to God.
2 Timothy 3:12
Paul is convinced that there is no easy path for God’s children. Jesus declared that the cross would be inevitable for those who followed Him, and so it has always been. We can be Christians without suffering many inconveniences. But those who want to be genuine Christians must pay the inevitable price of suffering, even though they have the assurance of God’s liberating power.
Living in rebellion against God’s will and giving themselves over to the propagation of error will only result in increased misery: WHILE EVIL MEN AND IMPOSTROS WILL GO ON FROM BAD TO WORSE, DECEIVERS AND DECEIVED (v. 13). Those who allow themselves to be seduced by the errors of the Ephesian deceivers are doomed from bad to worse; they will deceive others and their condition will grow worse and worse until they are left in total spiritual blindness. Human experience surely confirms that this is the final destiny of those who reject Christ.
And it is not just the temptation of men, it is also the battle of Satan and the demons, who do everything to deceive the true Christian and one rebels against the Will of God. With Biblical texts such as the three temptations of Jesus (Matthew 4)..
BELIEVE THE WORD, PRAY THE WORD!
Only the Word is our source of faith. LITTLE OF THE WORD WITH LITTLE PRAYER IS DEATH TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE.
Too much of the word with little prayer breeds a sick life. Much prayer and little Word generates more life, but without constancy.
A GOOD MEASUREMENT OF WORD AND PRAYER EVERY DAY BRINGS A HEALTHY AND POWERFUL LIFE! Andrew Murray
Our entire prayer life must also be built upon the Word of God.
THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.
The Word is indestructible and immutable, because it is the eternal Word of God. People come and go, but THE WORD OF GOD REMAINS UNSHAKEABLE.
WE MUST KEEP READING THE WORD, BELIEVE THE WORD, OBEY THE WORD AND LIVE THE WORD.
The Word does not depend on our emotions or our intellectual understanding. The Word is above our intellect and emotions.
God bless you! God confirm his Word and His promises with an oath. BELIEVE! LOVE IT! AND PRAY!
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Paul apparently had the Old Testament in mind, for at the time he wrote this letter, the Old Testament documents were the Scriptures of the early church. Here the crucial word (INSPIRATION) literally means 'breathed by God from without in', that is, there is a divine quality to the Bible that distinguishes it from all human utterance. With the development of the New Testament canon alongside the Old Testament canon, it was natural and highly appropriate that this concept of inspiration should be attributed to these newer writings that developed within the context of the Christian church. John Wesley says that the Spirit of God not only inspired the people who wrote it, but continually inspires and supernaturally helps those who read it with fervent prayer. That is why it is so profitable for teaching, for instructing the ignorant, for rebuking or reproving or condemning those who are in error or sin, for correcting or restoring or rectifying that which is wrong, and for instructing or educating or training the children of God in all righteousness.
The true purpose of understanding the Bible is made clear in verse 17: THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. Paul is saying that no one is prepared to serve God adequately in the work of the ministry without a thorough knowledge of the Word of God. Whatever qualifications a person may have, he must have one as his main qualification — being a thorough and conscientious student of the inspired Word of God.
2 Timothy 4:2
Have you ever waited for the perfect time to share your faith with someone? The truth is that there may never be the perfect time to share, but it is important to be ready to seize every opportunity God gives you to share your faith and to proclaim and teach His Word. Pray that God will help you recognize each opportunity and give you boldness to share your experience of faith with others!
This determination shows us the sense of urgency that should characterize our preaching. We must provoke in all who hear us a willingness to respond in total obedience to the Word of God. Above all, the servant of God must have the grace of patience in his efforts to lead people to Christ and minister to them the teaching according to Christian truth.
2 Timothy 4:3
This verse reveals what Paul saw as a growing trend among those who reject the rigors of the Christian way: FOR THE TIME IS COMING WHEN PEOPLE WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND TEACHING. These words describe the situation that already existed in Timothy’s day. But the wicked always show a preference for the prophet who prophesies "what is pleasing to the sensitive ears of the client." We are reminded of the story of the unholy alliance between King Jehoshaphat and King Ahab. When the king of Judah felt uneasy about the optimistic predictions of Ahab’s prophets and asked for the opinion of at least one more prophet, Ahab grudgingly admitted that "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil" (2 Chr. 18:6-7). So, people today have ears that "itch" for pleasant and promising words. Their willingness to find someone who will tell them only what they want to hear is so great that they will generously reward anyone who gives up sound doctrine. Listeners of this type reject the TRUTH and prefer to hear lies.
2 Timothy 4:5
In this text, Paul gives Timothy some helpful instructions on how to handle his ministry. What he says is good advice for all of us. If we are temperate (steady, balanced), people will know they can depend on us. God can depend on us. No one needs to be surprised at how we are from one day to the next. There was a friend who would talk to people one day with joy and attention, and the next day someone else would go up to talk to him and when he saw us he turned his back and left. So it is hard to know when people like that are doing well and enjoying themselves.
When our unsaved friends see the serene and steadfast faith we have, they will be open to our testimony of the Gospel. Stability is a necessary characteristic in the life of every believer, a characteristic that brings personal blessings and peace, which attracts others with whom we can share our faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
I HAVE Fought THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH - Paul does not allow himself to be defeated or confused by the prospect that lies ahead. There is no regret in this testimony. The toils, sorrows and sufferings are forgotten in the certainty of a job well done. And the most sublime testimony of all is the phrase I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.
The Holy Spirit revealed from city to city that imprisonment and tribulations awaited him (Acts 20:23). Now he was in Rome and it is likely that he received a clear touch from the Spirit that there he should seal the truth with his blood, and he understands that this moment was approaching: I am already of being sacrificed (v.6).
He did not fear death, because he had the testimony of his conscience that by the grace of God he had, in some measure, lived up to the expectations of life's purpose. He had done his service. He kept the doctrines of the Gospel and never denied any of them.
Note, first, that the life of a Christian, but especially of a minister, is a fight and a race. The cause is good, and victory is certain if we continue faithful and courageous.
We must fight until the race is finished. We must not stop until we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).