Be Strong - 2 Timothy 2:1–26

Introduction (2 Timothy 2:1–26)

Biblical History

We are in the historical setting of the ending of the Apostolic witnesses in teaching and writings.

Some of the Apostles were martyred by this time or about to be. Many started to travel in different areas of the Roman empire.

1 and 2 Timothy

Paul writes 1st and 2nd Timothy to Timothy as encouragement and instructions in dealing with the church and false teachers.

1 Timothy 1:3–7 (ESV)

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

2 Timothy

This is the the last Letter of Paul in the Scriptures. He is writing to Timothy who is the leader in the church of Ephesus. Timothy is dealing with false teachers that are influencing the church to follow their teaching.

2 Timothy 2 - Paul is telling Timothy to be strong in the Grace of God in Christ as a way of life, Leadership, and correction.

Be Strong in Christ

Be Strong in the Word

Be Strong in Godly Character.

Be Strong in Christ. (2 Timothy 2:1-13)

Strengthened in Christ (2:1)

2 Timothy 2:1 (ESV)

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Strengthened

“② to become able to function or do something, become strong; ⓑ usually of inner or moral strength.” (Arndt, William et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 333. Print.)

“to be enabled — to be or become rendered (more) capable or able for some task.” (Brannan, Rick, ed. Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament 2020: n. pag. Print. Lexham Research Lexicons.)

Grace

“③ practical application of goodwill, (a sign of) favor, gracious deed/gift, benefaction; ⓑ on the part of God and Christ; the context will show whether the emphasis is upon the possession of divine favor as a source of blessings for the believer, or upon a store of favor that is dispensed, or a favored status (i.e. standing in God’s favor) that is brought about, or a gracious deed wrought by God in Christ, or a gracious work that grows fr. more to more (by Christ’s gracious deed); 2:21; 5:4; Col 1:6; 2 Ti 2:1; Hb 12:15; 13:9; 1 Pt 1:10, 13; 3:7” (Arndt, William et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 1079–1080. Print.)

We are strengthened to accomplish God’s will through the empowering and gift of God’s Grace through Jesus Christ.

Strengthened to teach others (2:2)

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Entrust to faithful men

Entrust - “③ to entrust for safekeeping, give over, entrust, commend. ⓐ entrust something to someone . For safekeeping or transmission to others.” (Arndt, William et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 772. Print.)

Faithful - “① pertaining to being worthy of belief or trust, trustworthy, faithful, dependable, inspiring trust/faith. A reliable persons.” (Arndt, William et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 820. Print.)

F - Faithful, A - Available, T - Teachable

We need to be Faithful, Available, and Teachable

We need to find and entrust people who are Faithful, Available, and Teachable.

We have been entrusted with the teachings/wisdom of God that we are to pass on to others. We need to be strengthened by God’s grace to do this.

Strengthened to endure suffering (2:3-7)

Suffering (3)

2 Timothy 2:3 (ESV)

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Share in the suffering

“to undergo the same type of suffering as others do—‘to join in suffering, to assume one’s share of suffering, to suffer together.’” (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996: 285. Print.) “to suffer together v. — to suffer along with another or others.” (Biblical Sense) Suffering with Christ and other Believers.

Philippians 1:29–30 (ESV)

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

1 Peter 2:20–23 (ESV)

20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Illustration (4-6)

2 Timothy 2:4–6 (ESV)

4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Soldier - Share in Suffering as a Faithful soldier seeking to please his Commander. "to be single-minded in his devotion to the interests and concerns of Jesus Christ.” (Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.)

Athlete - Share in Suffering as a Faithful athlete committed to the Instructions of the Game. (Honor Christ by doing things His way)

Farmer - Share in Suffering as a hard working Farmer and receive the spoils of Faithful service. (God rewards faithfulness)

Understanding (7)

2 Timothy 2:7 (ESV)

7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

We are strengthened by the Grace of God to endure the sufferings in this world as faithful servants of Christ.

Strengthened to preach the gospel (2:8-12)

Suffering for the Gospel (2:8-10)

2 Timothy 2:8–10 (ESV)

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Paul is suffering for preaching the gospel of Christ. Although Paul is in chains, the Gospel is not.

Paul endures all the suffering because he knows that people will receive the message and trust in Christ. They will obtain Salvation in Christ and receive with Christ eternal glory.

Trustworthy Saying (11-13)

2 Timothy 2:11–13 (ESV)

11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have 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— for he cannot deny himself.

We need to be strengthened by God’s grace to faithfully steward the teaching and gospel of Christ and endure the sufferings in this world. (2 Tim 2:1-13)

Be Strong in the Word. (2 Timothy 2:14-19)

Rightly handle the Word (2:14-15)

Remind them of these things (2:14)

2 Timothy 2:14 (ESV)

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

Present yourself to God as one approved… (2:15)

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Present yourself as one Approved

Present - “to present (formal) v. — to formally present something or someone to a superior.” (Biblical Sense)

Approved - “accepted adj. — generally approved or compelling recognition; especially as proven genuine.” (Biblical Sense)

Not Ashamed - “pertaining to having no reason or need for being ashamed or feeling disgrace—‘unashamed, not feeling disgrace.” (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996: 309. Print.)

Rightly handling God’s Word

“to analyze correctly ⇔ cut straight v. — to interpret or analyze properly (perhaps by making appropriate distinctions); conceived of as cutting something in a straight line.” (Biblical Sense)

It is important to have a method of studying the Bible to know we are striving to accurately understanding the Message.

Start and continue with prayer to God for help with understanding.

Come to the Word With Humility and a teachable spirit.

Use a system of Study to help you read, understand and challenge the Word and Teachings. (Hermeneutics)

Understanding the Bible takes hard work and diligence.

“to give accurate instruction—‘to teach correctly, to expound rightly.’” (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996: 414. Print.)

Paul is writing to Timothy about addressing the false teachers that have entered the church. This will take due diligence in studying the Word to understand it and teach/challenge these false teachings.

This is the same charge to all Church leaders and teachers. The world is full of false/deceptive teaching and the church leaders need to do prayerful study of the Word in order to rightly handle and teach the word. The need to study accurately is not for teachers only, but all of us so we can understand/know God better and deal with false teachers.

Encouragement to Timothy and Church Leaders to work diligently to handle God’s word accurately so we can correctly instruct others. This is in contrast to the false teachers that are teaching falsehood to the church.

This leads into Paul’s next instruction to reject false teaching.

Reject false words (2:16-18)

2 Timothy 2:16–17a (ESV)

16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17a and their talk will spread like gangrene.

Irreverent Babble (2:16-17a)

Irreverent Babble is contrary to sound teaching in this context.

Irreverent - profane adjs. — characterized by violating the sacred character of someone or something (like a place, object, or institution). (Biblical Sense) “① pertaining to being accessible to everyone and therefore devoid of real significance, pointless, worthless: κενοφωνίαι pointless and empty talk, frivolous talk.” (Arndt, William et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 173. Print.)

Babble - talk which lacks significant content—‘foolish talk, empty talk.’ τὰς δὲ βεβήλους κενοφωνίας περιί̈στασο ‘keep away from godless, foolish talk’ 2 Tm 2:16. ‘Foolish talk’ may often be expressed as ‘to talk the way fools talk’ or ‘to talk with a smirk on the face.’” (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996: 431. Print.)

Irreverent Babble will spread and lead people to ungodliness.

Ungodliness - to live in a manner contrary to proper religious beliefs and practice—‘to live in an ungodly manner, godlessness.’ (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996: 532. Print.)

Gangrene - the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply); if not treated will continue to eat away at tissue until the eventual death of the patient. (Biblical Sense)

Irreverent Babble, if not dealt with by a Church leader accurately handling and teaching the Scriptures, will spread throughout the church causing godlessness behavior and death.

Current Examples (2:17b-18)

2 Timothy 2:17b–18 (ESV)

17b Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

God’s firm foundation (2:19)

2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV)

19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

God’s Firm Foundation - The foundation may here be the church as a whole, or the Ephesian community in particular, or the truth of God, or the deposit of faith. (Guthrie, Donald. Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 14. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1990. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.)

“But. In spite of the work of evildoers and evil teachers, God’s firm foundation (probably meaning the elect members of the church; see v. 10) still stands firm. bearing this seal. The twofold inscription that follows emphasizes (1) divine sovereignty (preserving) and (2) human responsibility (persevering). While some believers may have apostatized (v. 18), Paul finds assurance in the fact that God knows those who are his. At the same time, those who claim to be the Lord’s must demonstrate this as they depart from iniquity.” (Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008. Print.)

Be Strong in godly living. (2 Timothy 2:20-26)

Set apart (2:20-21)

2 Timothy 2:20–21 (ESV)

20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Set apart as Holy

“to be sanctified v. — to be or become as dedicated to God; either in distinction, in devotion, or in moral purity.” (Biblical Sense)

“to dedicate to the service of and to loyalty to deity—‘to consecrate, consecration, to dedicate to God, dedication.’” (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996: 537. Print.)

Cleans yourself from the Dishonorable (sinful practices), we become honorable vessels for use.

Useful to the Master…ready for good work

God will use those who commit their lives to the service of the Lord. This will involve a dedication to Him and His Word with the obedience to them.

Flee sinful passions (2:22-23)

2 Timothy 2:22–23 (ESV)

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

Flee — Pursue (22)

flee - ③ to keep from doing something by avoiding it because of its potential damage, flee from, avoid, shun (Arndt, William et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 1052. Print.)

Youthful Passions - to have a strong desire to do or secure someth., desire, long for. (Arndt, William et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 371. Print.)

Sinful passions we have that lead us away from God into sinful living. Temptations that we are more susceptible to.

Tempted in an area that we are weak in. I get tempted in areas of sin that I am more likely to fall to.

Coaches watching game film. Satan knows our game film and will attack our weaknesses.

Not only does Satan know our weaknesses, but we know our weaknesses. Paul is saying that Timothy, Church leaders, and, by extension, all Christians should flee the temptation and sinful passions.

Pursue - ④ to follow in haste in order to find something, run after, pursue; ⓑ fig. pursue, strive for, seek after, aspire to something (Arndt, William et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 254. Print.)

“righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Godly character with others that are pursuing Godly character also.

Avoid controversies (23)

Foolish - pertaining to being extremely unwise and foolish—‘unwise, foolish, fool.’ (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996: 386. Print.) Ignorant - uneducated adj. — uneducated in general (lacking knowledge or cultural traditions). (Brannan, Rick, ed. Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament 2020: n. pag. Print. Lexham Research Lexicons.)

Godly Character (2:24-26)

Live godly character (2:24-25a)

2 Timothy 2:24–25a (ESV)

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.

False teachers (2:25b-26)

2 Timothy 2:25b–26 (ESV)

25b God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Paul is addressing Timothy and How his teaching and godly character may cause the false teachers or those influenced by them may repent and return to the Lord.

Lessons for Timothy and the Church

We need to be strengthened by God’s grace to faithfully steward the teaching and gospel of Christ and endure the sufferings in this world.

We need to be strengthened by God’s grace to faithfully study and understand His word and teach it to others.

We need to be strengthened by God’s grace to live the godly character that God desires and will influence others.

Benediction

1 Timothy 6:11–16 (ESV)

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.