The Need for Strength and Endurance

2 Timothy 2:1-13 NIV

2 Timothy 2:1–13 (NIV)

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,

we will also live with him;

if we endure,

we will also reign with him.

If we disown him,

he will also disown us;

if we are faithless,

he remains faithful,

for he cannot disown himself.

Background: Remember, Paul has been telling Timothy to be bold and to not be ashamed. He continues to do so in this chapter: “be strong” Verse 1, “join with me in suffering” verse 2, “soldier” in verses 2 and 23, “hardworking” Verse 6, “for which I am suffering” “chained” Verse 9, “I endure everything” Verse 10, “endure” Verse 12, “disown” Verse 12

Paul used examples of a solider, athlete, and farmer to communicate his message.

Verse 1 shows that Timothy was to be like Onesiphorus rather than the others in Asia.

Be Strong

“Keep on being powered by God”

“Though it is true that grace is the means by which we are saved and by which we are enabled to walk in God’s will, it is also true that same grace is the sphere in which all of Christian life is lived.” Gordon Fee

Endure

Endure hardship

Verse 3 “Join with me in suffering”

Lit. “to suffer together with someone”

“Join the ranks of those who bear suffering”

Endure for the lost to be saved

Verse 10

Paul endured for a purpose

Endure and be rewarded

Verse 6- promises a spiritual award from God

Verse 12

If you endure, you will reign with him

“Beyond warfare is victory, beyond athletic effort a prize, and beyond agricultural labor a crop.” Barrett

Closing: Regardless of Timothy’s strength endurance, God would not fail. Regardless of Paul’s chains, the gospel, God’s word could not be chained. Truth remains. A believer has a new life- from death to life. If someone disowns Christ and is ashamed of Him, He will disown them and be ashamed of Him. Heaven is real and so is hell. May we be strong and endure.