2 Timothy Walk-Through (An overview)
By Pr. Michael W. Wilson
1 Timothy = the
Description of the Ministry
2 Timothy = the
Description of the Minister
1:1 To Paul, “apostleship”
meant several things:
· His apostleship was an honor
– to be chosen by God was a great honor. But every Christian should regard
himself as God-chosen.
· His apostleship was a
responsibility – God chose him because He had a job for Paul to do, to be an
agent and an instrument.
· His apostleship was a
message to be shared – he had a moral obligation to share the Good News with
others.
1:2 To Timothy, my beloved
son (child)
· It is a pleasure and
privilege to give physical life.
· There is even greater joy
in spiritual parenthood.
· Paul writes to strengthen
Timothy for his task in Ephesus. Timothy was young and new in the ministry, so
Paul wrote to remind him of several things:
1:3-4 Paul reminds Timothy
of his own belief and confidence in him. Timothy did not want to let Paul down.
There is no greater inspiration than to feel that someone really believes in
us.
1:5 Paul reminds Timothy
of his family heritage and tradition. This serves as a motivating factor
because we do not want to bring dishonor on our family.
1:6 Paul reminds Timothy
of his being set apart to the work of the ministry accompanied by a public
service with the laying on of hands. In part, the reputation of those who laid
hands on him is also at stake.
1:7 Paul reminds Timothy
of the qualities that a Christian leader should possess and display:
· Courage = it takes courage
to be a real Christian in these days.
· Power = to deal with new
things and situations, power to stand firm amid the problems, power to retain
faith amid the sorrow.
· Love = love for the
brethren. The Christian leader must love his people.
· Self-discipline = This is
a difficult word to translate. Self-control, like the discipline necessary to
keep us from being swept away or running away from a frightening situation.
This quality is very necessary in a leader.
1:8 A challenge to endure
afflictions in the ministry: “Do not be ashamed.”
· Shame makes us hang our
head and look guilty.
· Shame is a heavy weight to
carry on our conscience.
· Shame makes us back away
from people.
· N.B. imprisonment and
crucifixion bring shame normally; but to suffer and to be imprisoned for a just
cause is an honor.
1:9 God saved us and called
us with a holy calling. What does that mean?
· Not according to our works
(thank goodness!)
· But, according to His own purpose
and grace.
1:10 God’s purpose and
God’s grace are revealed in Christ.
1:11 The Gospel – Paul was
appointed:
· A Preacher, or herald
(Greek: κῆρυξ, kérux) – see 1 Timothy
2:7
o
The
herald was the servant who brought a message from the king.
o
An
emissary sent out by an army to offer or request terms of truce and peace.
o
The
servant of a merchantman hired to go to the street to shout his wares and
invite people to buy.
· An Apostle = One
sent out with a message and with authority to proclaim that
message. N.B. the mouthpiece is only significant as an instrument or a channel.
· A Teacher = An
ongoing task (cf. Matt. 28:19-20). This role is harder than that of the
evangelist because it requires more time and personal commitment (cf. Paul’s
prayer in Colossians 1:9-12).
1:12 “Therefore, I suffer these
things.”
· What things? (cf. 2
Corinthians 11:23-28)
· But I am not ashamed!
(cf. Romans 1:16)
· For I know Christ
(Phil. 3:8-10) and He is the One taking care of me.
· Note: “entrusted” = a
deposit committed to someone’s trust.
1:13 KEY VERSE. Therefore,
with this confidence and assurance… “Retain the standard.”
· Hold on to firmly (James 1:8) to the sound
words and wise teachings and godly example of Paul.
1:14 Guard (or safeguard)
the trust that God has placed in Timothy’s hands. The Holy Spirit is the one
who works in us to enable us to do this.
· “Treasure,” or good
deposit. This is a sacred trust, a question of honor.
o
We
entrust ourselves to God.
o
He
entrusts to us the Gospel to be proclaimed. (cf. 1 Tim.6:20; 2 Cor. 4:7)
2:1 “You therefore, my
son…” [Pay special attention to the imperatives.]
· “Strengthen yourself” or
“be strong” in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (instrumental case)
· Or “find your strength in
the grace” – cf. Deut. 31:6-7; Joshua 16-9
2:2 The Chain of Teaching
· 2 elements:
1. The reception of
the Christian faith = the Christian’s privilege
2. The transmission of
the Christian faith = the Christian’s responsibility
· “…the things which you
have heard from me” = sound words, cf. 1:13
o
To
hear is important. Reception depends on this.
· “among many witnesses” =
Confirmation by the testimony of others. Again, reception depends on this.
· “entrust to [or transmit
to, or deposit with]” =
o
“faithful
men” = believing, loyal, reliable men
o
“capable
men” = capable of teaching others. They are part of an unbroken chain of
teachers. If fact, every Christian should see himself as a link between two
generations.
2:3-6 Paul’s 3 Figures
that show the Christian’s relationship to his ministry
1. The good Soldier (vs. 3-4). N.B. Paul uses
the same three figures in 2 Cor. 9:6-7, 24-27.
· “suffer the afflictions” –
without fleeing, without complaining
o
Concentrated
on service
o
Conditioned
to obedience
o
Conditioned
to sacrifice and willing to lay down his life for the sake of others
o
Conditioned
to loyalty
· “does not entangle himself
in the affairs of everyday life”
· “seeks to please the one
who enlisted him”
· N.B. “fight a good
campaign” 1 Tim. 1:18
· “fellow soldiers” Philemon
2, Philippians 2:25
2. The Athlete (vs. 5). = a professional,
not an amateur. Paul is thinking about a professional wrestler in the
Greco-Roman Games.
· He does not compete as a
hobby, but as a profession and he concentrates everything on the fight
· This involves discipline,
concentration, self-denial, training, self-control, diet, hours for sleep, etc.
· “obedience to the rules” =
The Christian fighter fights, but with love and compassion, not using force, or
trickery, being honest and transparent.
3. The Farmer (vs. 6) – Notice the
characteristics
· He must work first,
and then wait to see the fruit
o
Results
do not appear from one day to the next. Patience is required.
o
The
teaching is like seed
· “hard-working farmer” = he
becomes exhausted in the work, because it is difficult!
· He must be ready to work
at any hour. Farmers do not have schedules or vacations.
· He has the right to reap
and to enjoy the blessings of the harvest. The farmer who raises strawberries
should have the sweetest and the best.
N.B. In these 3 Figures
(soldier, athlete, farmer) all three have one vision, and they are
sustained by one hope.
1. The soldier dreams about
the final victory.
2. The athlete dreams about
the victor’s crown.
3. The farmer dreams about a
bountiful harvest.
All three invest
themselves, looking forward to a better future. The same should be true for all
of us. We struggle and we fight looking forward to that day when Jesus will
say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
2:7 “Consider what I say”
2:8
· “Remember Jesus Christ”
o
He
rose from the dead
o
Descendent
of David
ü = True humanity
ü = Genealogy of the Messiah
ü = His sovereign authority
· “according to my Gospel” =
association and identification (cf. Rom. 2:16; 16:25; 1 Tim.1:11; 1 Cor. 15:1;
Gal. 1:11)
2:9 The Gospel “for which
I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal” – BUT, the Word of God is
not a prisoner. It is still powerful, alive, and able to penetrate.
· MY GOSPEL verse 8
· I SUFFER verse 9
· I ENDURE verse 10
2:10 “for this reason” =
the Word is not imprisoned. Paul willingly suffered for the sake of the
“chosen,” those who will be saved (Calvinism).
· Paul gladly suffered so
that others could come to know Jesus and be brought into a living, saving
relationship in Christ. No hardship was too hard if it meant accomplishing that
goal.
2:11-13 An Early Church
hymn?
· 4 statements about us (2
positive, 2 negative)
· 4 statements about God
2:14 N.B. the imperatives
· Remind them = believers
· The Gnostics always loved
word games and double meanings, but this clouds truth and confuses people.
· We are not out to win
debates but to win souls.
2:15
· “Be diligent” = work at
it, concentrate on it, make it a priority
· “present” = as in present
yourself for military service or work
· “yourself” = God does not
drag you in kicking and screaming
· “approved” = one who has
stood the test (literally), tested, purified, and fit for service
o
As
gold purified and cleansed in the fire; silver sterling
o
Money
that is proven genuine
o
A
stone that has been cut and tested and is fit to be placed in a building
· “need not to be ashamed” =
Therefore, from this it is evident that any other kind of Christian ought to
be ashamed.
· “handling accurately =
literally “cut rightly”
o
Used
of driving a straight road across country
o
Used
of ploughing a straight furrow across a field
o
Used
of cutting a perfectly square stone to use for building
o
Therefore,
the Christian goes straight through the truth without getting side-tracked or
leaving negative evidence behind him, fitting all the pieces together.
2:16 cf. Positive
progress vs negative progress
· “make progress” =
literally cut down the front. This vivid phrase means to chop down anything in
the way, removing all obstacles from the road so that straight and
uninterrupted progress is possible.
2:17-18 Current example
2:19
· “Nevertheless” = it does
not matter what anyone does, the firm foundation of God stands, meaning the
Church and her body of truth.
o
Cf.
1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:20-22
· “having this seal” like a
sign over the door. It identifies the ownership or the name brand.
o
The
Church of Jesus Christ: He owns it; and it carries His name.
2:20 “in a great house” =
the Church
· There are vessels of various
materials for various uses: gold, silver, wood, ceramic
· There are vessels of
varying honour or dishonour. E.g. an earthenware or ceramic vase
may be the prize possession of its owner, while he uses a sterling silver
spittoon with gold handles.
· You may be a simple,
normal person tremendously used by God.
· Or, you may be a
tremendously talented natural leader who is totally self-centred and useless
for God.
2:21 “these things”
· Verse 4 entanglements with
the world
· Verse 14 wrangling about
words
· Verse 16 worldly and empty
chatter
· Verse 18 going astray from
the truth
· N.B. all of us can be vessels
of honour. This depends on 4 factors: (2 = God’s part; 2 = our part):
o
Cleansing
o
Sanctification
o
Usefulness
= we can make ourselves useful
o
Preparation
= we can choose to prepare ourselves to serve
2:22
· “flee” – from youthful
lusts (Greek ἐπιθυμία, epithumia) = passions,
strong desires; i.e. passions associated with youth. For example:
o
Sexual
passions expressed in an illicit way
o
Acting
without considering consequences
o
Speaking
without considering the hurt that words can cause
o
Impatience
with seeing changes coming so slowly
o
Intolerance
of others’ opinions and viewpoints
o
A
love of disputes and arguments
o
A
love of novelty and condemning a thing simply because it is old
· “pursue after” (Notice
that these are Fruit of the Spirit – Gal. 5:22-23)
o
Righteousness
= Right + Just (both towards men and God)
o
Faith
o
Love
= Christlike, sacrificial, authentic love which seeks the highest good for
others
o
Peace
= with both God and man
· “with those” = in company
with, cf. Psalm 1
· “pure heart” – cf. 1
Timothy 1:5
2:23 “refuse stupid”
= (Greek word μωρός, móros), meaning “dull, flat, stupid, useless,” and which
gives us the words moron and moronic. A paraphrase could be, “Refuse
to get involved in stupid arguments and moronic controversies because they only
cause more quarrels.” (e.g. appropriate clothing in church, raising hands
or not, which instruments can be used in the worship service, and styles of
worship)
2:24
· “not quarrelsome” =
relates to v. 23. Means argumentative, a verbal Mike Tyson fighter
· “kindly to all” = even
when you must criticize to correct a fault
· “apt, able to teach” = 1.
Knows the truth; 2. Is able to communicate it; 3. Both by word and by godly
example
· “patient when wronged” =
like Jesus, able to accept insults and injury
· “correcting people with
gentleness” = like the hand of a surgeon cutting out a cancer, with courage yet
seeking not to cause unnecessary pain.
2:25 “leading to the
knowledge of the truth”
· Cf. 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Tim. 3:7
· Christ IS the TRUTH
2:26 “captive by the
devil” = cf. Eph. 2:1-4
3:1-9 Illustration of men
held in the snare of the devil (cf. verse 26).
3:10 “You have been my
disciple” = You have followed alongside in 3 areas: Duties, Qualities, and
Experiences.
· In Duties
o
Teaching
– first-hand knowledge
o
Training
– conduct
· In Qualities
o
Purpose
= aim in life
o
Faith
= that God’s commands are binding and His promises true
o
Patience
(Greek work μακροθυμία, makrothumía = literally
long-suffering) = Patient with people
o
Love
o
Perseverance
(Greek word ὑπομονή, hypomonḗ
= literally to remain under) = to bear up under the load of what people are and
what they pile on us
· In Experiences
o
Persecutions
– stoning, insults, etc.
o
Sufferings
– cold, sickness, hunger, etc.
§ E.g. Acts 13:50 they were
driven out of Antioch of Pisidia
§ 14:5-6 they fled from
Iconium to avoid getting lynched
§ 14:19 Paul was stoned and
left for dead
3:12 “all who desire to live
godly”
· 1 Thess. 3:4
· Acts 14:22
· Matt. 5:10
3:13 Evil boomerangs on
the evil man
· N.B. the downward trend
3:14 The character and
witness of the teacher are important.
3:15 From childhood you
have known the sacred writings.
· Notice that the OT is
evangelistic also (cf. Acts 8:35; Luke 24:27)
3:16-17 Scripture serves
to:
· Teach = intellectual food
· Reprove = cf. John 16:8 –
The Scripture is the Spirit’s instrument of conviction.
· Correct è leading to improvement
· Train in righteousness,
always with an outward perspective so that…
o
The
man of God may be adequate (speaks of character)
o
The
man of God may be equipped (speaks of skills)
4:1 “I solemnly charge you
in the presence of God the Father, and the Son…” = I lay a responsibility on
you by 3 things:
· By the Judge of the living
and the dead
o
2
Corinthians 5:9-11a
o
1
Corinthians 3:9-13
· By His appearing – as
returning Conqueror
o
Greek
word epiphaneia = ascension to the throne of a Roman Emperor
o
His
arrival or appearance in any town
§ Everything must be in
perfect order, clean. Therefore, do everything in such a way that things will
be perfectly in order for Christ’s appearing.
· By His Kingdom – We serve
the King of kings
o
We
are His heralds and are here to prepare people for His coming reign when all
the kings of the earth will turn over their power and authority to Him.
4:2
· (1) “Preach the Word”
o
With
urgency
o
With
compassion
o
With
clarity
· (2) “be ready in season
and out of season” – like runner on the blocks (Rom. 1:15); like basketball in
the black district.
o
=
be persistent; “take or make your opportunity”
§ Col. 4:2-6
§ Eph. 6:19-20
§ 1 Peter 3:15
· (3) “reprove” = convict,
convince (i.e. make the sinner aware of his sin)
o
The
HS uses the Word to convict the heart of sin, righteousness, and judgment (cf.
John 16:8)
· (4) “rebuke” = to charge;
to lay a value to their account; a demand for restitution where the error is
pointed out.
o
E.g.
John the Baptist accusing Herod to his face and demanding that he repent
o
Confronting
sin with a warning in order to save a brother from spiritual disaster, such as
in the case of Nathan, the prophet, confronting David in 2 Sam. 12:1-14
· (5) “exhort” = encourage,
build up (especially needed after reproof and rebuke)
o
Strengthen
the person, never growing weary with their weakness and failures
· “With great (all) patience
and instruction (i.e. explanation)” = this is the framework from which
to reprove, rebuke, ad exhort. If it is not done with patience and the purpose
of instructing the efforts will fall flat.
4:3-4 “Sophists”
· They taught for pay
· They competed for
customers
· They gathered disciples
unto themselves
4:5
· “be sober” = steady and
controlled, self-contained. Christians need stability in this crazy unbalanced
world.
· “endure hardship”
· “do the work of an
evangelist” = bring good news
· “fulfil your ministry” =
complete the job
4:6-8
· “drink offering” = At the
end of a Roman meal the host poured out a “libation” to the gods
o
In
essence Paul is saying: “The day is ended, the work is done, it is time to
depart, and my life must be poured out as a sacrifice to God.”
o
Paul,
like Jesus, gladly laid down his life
· “departure” = Greek word analusis
used in many colorful scenarios:
o
To
unyoke an animal from a cart or plough
o
To
loosen ropes or fetters from a prisoner
o
To
loosen tent ropes in preparation for moving camp
o
To
untie mooring lines of a ship
