1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules. 6 The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Good News, 9 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones' sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 This saying is faithful: "For if we died with him, we will also live with him. 12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can't deny himself." 14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don't argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. 15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. 16 But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 17 and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. 19 However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness." 20 Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. 21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 24 The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
This chapter, 2 Tim. 2, is made up of various exhortations and encouragements to duty. The apostle exhorts Timothy to be strong in the Christian graces 2-Timothy 2:1; to commit the great trust which he had received to faithful men 2-Timothy 2:2; to endure hardships like a good soldier 2-Timothy 2:3-7, and refers him:
(a) to the case of one who goes to war, whose great business it is to please him in whose service he is 2-Timothy 2:4;
(b) to the case of one who strives for a crown at the games 2-Timothy 2:5, and,
(c) to the husbandman who looks onward for the reward of his labor; 2-Timothy 2:6.
He then, in order to encourage him to be patient in enduring the trials to which he would be exposed, refers him.
(a) to the certainty of the truth of that religion in whose cause he would suffer 2-Timothy 2:8;
(b) to his own case, reminding him how much he had endured in that cause 2-Timothy 2:9-10;
(c) to the fact that our sufferings here will be crowned with certain glory hereafter 2-Timothy 2:11-12; and,
(d) to the assurance that the Lord Jesus will be faithful to all his promises to his people; 2-Timothy 2:13.
These things the apostle then exhorts him to press upon the hearts of others, that they might not waste their time in unprofitable pursuits, but might engage in the same great and arduous struggle for securing the reward; 2-Timothy 2:14. He then exhorts Timothy to study to perform his duties in such a way that he would not be ashamed and to avoid the unimportant strifes which were then raging; and to enforce this, he refers to a real case with which Timothy was acquainted - that of Hymeneus and Philetus, who, by unprofitable speculations, had been led to deny a fundamental doctrine of religion; 2-Timothy 2:15-18. Yet, Paul says, he should not be discouraged because some had been led into dangerous errors. The foundation of God remained firm. Those that were truly his were known, and would not apostatize; 2-Timothy 2:19. In illustration of this, and to show that it was to be expected that all would not honor religion, the apostle refers to a house in which there were all sorts of vessels, some to honor and some to dishonor, and says that, if any one would endeavor to free himself from all that was base and impure, he would be a vessel meet for the use of the Master; 2-Timothy 2:20-21. To accomplish this, he gives Timothy various directions respecting his conduct. He was to flee from youthful lusts; he was to follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace; he was to avoid foolish questions; he was to be an example of gentleness and meekness, and he was patiently to instruct those that were of a different character; 2-Timothy 2:22-26.
He exhorts Timothy to constancy, fidelity, and courage; and to acquit himself as a true soldier of Jesus Christ; and patiently expect the fruit of his labors, 2-Timothy 2:1-7. What the apostle's doctrine was relative to Christ, 2-Timothy 2:8. He mentions his own sufferings and consolations, 2-Timothy 2:9-13. What Timothy is to preach, how he is to acquit himself, and what he is to shun, 2-Timothy 2:14-16. Of Hymeneus and Philetus, and their errors, 2-Timothy 2:17, 2-Timothy 2:18. Of the foundation of God, and its security, 2-Timothy 2:19. The simile of a great house and its utensils, 2-Timothy 2:20, 2-Timothy 2:21. Timothy is to avoid youthful lusts, and foolish and unlearned questions, 2-Timothy 2:22, 2-Timothy 2:23. How he is to act in reference to false teachers, 2-Timothy 2:24-26.
INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY 2
In this chapter the apostle continues his exhortations to Timothy, with respect both to his office and his conversation, and closes with the character of a minister of the Gospel. The apostle having exhorted Timothy, in the former chapter, to abide by the Gospel, notwithstanding whatsoever he might suffer for it, here points out to him that grace and strength in Christ, which he would have him have recourse unto, to enable him to discharge his duty, 2Ti 2:1 and that the Gospel might continue, he advises him to take care of a succession, and to commit the Gospel preached by him to others, whose qualifications for it are faithfulness and aptitude to teach, 2Ti 2:2 and in order to animate him to labour diligently in the Gospel, and suffer cheerfully for it, he observes to him that he was a soldier, and must endure hardships, and not indulge to the ease and pleasures of life; was a runner in a race, and therefore must strive before he received the crown; and was as an husbandman that must first labour before he partakes of the fruit: which things he would have him seriously consider; and desires that the Lord would give him understanding in them, 2-Timothy 2:3, and then with the same view, to encourage him to suffer for the Gospel of Christ, he puts him in mind of the incarnation and resurrection of Christ, as a summary of the Gospel, and a specimen of what he had heard of him, 2-Timothy 2:8 and instances in his own sufferings for it, the nature, use, and end of them, by way of example and imitation, 2-Timothy 2:9, and for the same purpose mentions several useful sayings and pithy sentences, as true and, to be depended on, 2-Timothy 2:11 which he would have Timothy put his hearers in mind of, and especially those to whom he committed the Gospel to preach; charging them, in a solemn manner, not to strive about words, which is not only unprofitable, but hurtful, 2-Timothy 2:14 and with respect to himself, he exhorts him to diligence and study, in interpreting and explaining the word of God, that so he might be approved unto God, and not be ashamed before men, 2-Timothy 2:15 and on the contrary, to avoid false doctrines, as being profane, empty, and mere babble; and as tending to greater impiety; and as being dangerous and threatening, like the spreading canker; of which he gives instances in Hymenaeus and Philetus, 2-Timothy 2:16 whose error was, that the resurrection was already past; and succeeded in the spreading of it, to the subversion of the faith of some, 2-Timothy 2:18. However, for the comfort of real believers, it is observed, that notwithstanding such errors, and the success of them, the foundation stands sure; God has a certain knowledge of his own people, and will keep them; and therefore it becomes such who either call on the name, or are called by the name of Christ, to depart from such evil doctrines, 2-Timothy 2:19 and that such things happening in the world, and in churches, should not be thought strange, the apostle illustrates the case by a simile of a great house, which has vessels of all sorts in it, and for different uses and purposes, 2-Timothy 2:21. Wherefore, to conclude his exhortations to Timothy, he advises him to flee those lusts which are incident to youth; to follow things that are good, and to avoid foolish and unlearned questions, which tend to strife, 2-Timothy 2:22 which leads him on to give the character of a servant of the Lord, or a preacher of the Gospel; that he must not strive, but be gentle, patient, and meek, in instructing adversaries; for which he should have an aptness; and is encouraged to act this part, from the consideration of success under a divine blessing; namely, bringing such persons to repentance, and to own the truth, and the recovery of them out of the snare of the devil, 2-Timothy 2:24.
(2-Timothy 2:1-7) The apostle exhorts Timothy to persevere with diligence, like a soldier, a combatant, and a husbandman.
(2-Timothy 2:8-13) Encouraging him by assurances of a happy end of his faithfulness.
(2-Timothy 2:14-21) Warnings to shun vain babblings and dangerous errors.
(2-Timothy 2:22-26) Charges to flee youthful lusts, and to minister with zeal against error, but with meekness of spirit.
SUMMARY.--Training Other Evangelists. Warring as a Good Soldier. Suffering with Christ. Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth. Purity of Life.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.