WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
Notes
Transcript
Friends let me pose a question to you this morning - What is your purpose?
People may not read the Bible for many reasons, including:
Busyness
People may say they're too busy, but they may still have time to read the Bible.
Discomfort
The Bible may make people uncomfortable before it comforts them. For example, people may have unconfessed sin and find it difficult to face their shortcomings in the Bible.
Difficulty
The Bible may be difficult to understand because of cultural, historical, and religious differences between Bible times and today.
Lack of motivation
People may not be motivated to read the Bible regularly.
Other reasons
People may not know where to start, get distracted, or forget. They may also find the Bible boring or think it's too confusing.
Since we began chapter 2 we have seen -
In vs. 1 the imperative command to Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus -
In vs. 2 the imperative command to be Discipleship Making for Christ Jesus -
In vs. 3 the imperative command to be Committed to Suffer because of Christ Jesus -
In vs. 4-6 we see three metaphors: 1) (Soldier) remain focused on the goal, 2) (Athlete) remain faithful to the rule book, and 3) (Farmer) remain dedicated to the task.
In vs. 7 we find another imperative command -
Read 2 Timothy 2:1-7
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Pray -
Proposition - As we look to our text this morning we are going to see, that those who serve in the Pastorate are to regular evaluate three things: 1) pursuit of Christlikeness, 2) pursuit of the Scriptures, and 3) intensity for the task.
Interrogative question - What is your purpose?
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
“Consider” - (noeo) - verb, present, active, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - understand.
Sense: to think (ponder) - to ponder; reflect on, or reason about
The command translated “reflect on what I’m saying” is a well known didactic formula—the meaning is simply “pay attention” or in our modern vernacular, “Listen up!” This refers backwards but might also advise care in discerning the meaning of the phrase that follows.
Paul backs up the imperative with a statement of promise: “insight” will come from the Lord. In the language in which the promise is expressed we may detect an allusion to LXX Prov 2:6:
2 Tim 2:7: “for the Lord will give you insight into all this” (dōsei gar soi ho kyrios synesin en pasin)
Prov 2:6: “Because the Lord gives wisdom and from his presence come knowledge and insight” (hoti kyrios didōsin sophian kai apo prosōpou autou gnōsis kai synesis). Towner, P. H. (2006). The Letters to Timothy and Titus (pp. 495–496). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
The term “insight” refers to the faculty of right judgment or comprehension. Timothy was to put his mind to use in reflecting on Paul’s metaphors, but genuine understanding would come from the Lord (1 Cor 2:10). Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 205). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
The Greek Root word is used in a variety of ways -
to grasp - intellectually is used 11 times in the NT -
Matthew 15:17 (NASB95)
17 “Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated?
Matthew 16:9 (NASB95)
9 “Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up?
Matthew 16:11 (NASB95)
11 “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 24:15 (NASB95)
15 “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Mark 7:18 (NASB95)
18 And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him,
17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?
Mark 13:14 (NASB95)
14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
John 12:40 (NASB95)
40 “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.”
Ephesians 3:4 (NASB95)
4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
1 Timothy 1:7 (NASB95)
7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
Hebrews 11:3 (NASB95)
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
to be grasped - intellectually is used 1 time in the NT -
Romans 1:20 (NASB95)
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
to imagine - is used 1 time in the NT -
Ephesians 3:20 (NASB95)
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
to think - ponder is used 1 time in the NT -
2 Timothy 2:7 (NASB95)
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Verb: νοέω (noeō), GK 3783 (S 3539), 14×. noeō means “to understand, see, reflect on.” It is related to the Gk. word nous (“mind”). While in classical Gk. thought the nous served as the ordering principle of the cosmos, in ancient Heb. thought the mind is more closely tied to moral and spiritual perception.
In the NT, noeō refers to an ability to see and understand God’s activity and plan for the created order. Thus, it is linked to the heart and to faith. In John’s quotation of Isa. 6:10, noeō is linked with the “heart” (kardia). Dead hearts cannot see or understand the gospel and, therefore, do not repent and turn to God (Jn. 12:40). Matthew and Mark use noeō in a similar way in the Olivet Discourse. They insert the parenthetical “let the reader understand” in order to state that God’s end-time work is something that can only be grasped by those who have spiritual insight (Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14). The spiritual nature of noeō is also seen in Paul’s reference that general revelation is enough to make people understand that there is a God (Rom. 1:20), though such understanding is not yet saving faith. By contrast, the writer to the Hebrews states that it is “by faith that we understand” that the world was created by God (Heb. 11:3). Mounce, W. D. (2006). In Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (p. 758). Zondervan.
2. noeo (νοιέω, 3539), “to perceive with the mind,” as distinct from perception by feeling, is so used in Matt. 15:17, KJV, “understand,” RV, “perceive”; 16:9, 11; 24:15 (here rather perhaps in the sense of considering) and parallels in Mark (not in Luke); John 12:40; Rom. 1:20; 1 Tim. 1:7; Heb. 11:3; in Eph. 3:4, KJV, “may understand” (RV, “can perceive”); 3:20, “think”; 2 Tim. 2:7, “consider,” Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 650). T. Nelson.
Barrett summarizes Paul’s purpose in 2 Tim 2:3–7 as “to exhort Timothy to take his share of hardship; and the metaphors, when duly pondered, suggest that beyond warfare is victory, beyond athletic effort a prize, and beyond agricultural labour a crop.”49
Application. Paul emphasized traits that believers need to demonstrate in their service for the Lord. These include (1) the faithful skills of a competent teacher, (2) the willingness to suffer and the choice of priorities of a soldier, (3) the self-discipline of an athlete, and (4) the hard work of a farmer. Paul demanded the pursuit of excellence in the Christian life. He tolerated no images of mediocrity for the believer. Can you imagine Paul illustrating the Christian life with the images of a dropout or a turncoat?
The positive images Paul presented demand consideration and reflection for proper application. As we reflect on the images, God will provide the understanding for applying the truths (v. 7). Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, pp. 205–206). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
“I say” - (lego) - verb, present, active, indicative, first person, singular - finite verb - say; tell
Sense: to say (express) - to express in words
The question is what did Paul just say? (this would specifically be referring to vs. 4-6 - analogies most likely)
In vs. 4-6 we see three metaphors: 1) (Soldier) remain focused on the goal, 2) (Athlete) remain faithful to the rule book, and 3) (Farmer) remain dedicated to the task.
4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
1. Ponder your pursuit of Christlikeness -
1. Ponder your pursuit of Christlikeness -
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
The soldier who pleases his commander and is not distracted from his service to him, the law-abiding athlete who gains the crown, and the hard-working farmer who receives his share of the crops. Together they speak of a vigorous and undivided service that is rewarded (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58). Knight, G. W. (1992). The Pastoral Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 396). W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
2. Ponder your pursuit of the Scriptures -
2. Ponder your pursuit of the Scriptures -
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
3. Ponder your intensity to the Task -
3. Ponder your intensity to the Task -
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
The apostle was saying to Timothy, and still says to believers today: “Under the Lord, think over and carefully ponder what I have been saying. Look at your own life and ask yourself if you are a strong Christian, a spiritual Christian, a mature Christian. Are you devoting yourself to guarding and teaching God’s Word? Do you deny yourself and count your life as nothing in order to faithfully serve the Lord? Do you keep a distance between yourself and the affairs of the world? Do you continually prepare yourself to serve your Master? Do you understand self-denial and self-sacrifice? Are you willing to pay the price that He demands?” MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 2 Timothy (p. 49). Moody Press.
“will give” - (didomi) - verb, future, active, indicative, third person, singular - finite verb - give; grant
Sense: to grant a request - to allow someone to have what the person has requested.
to grant a request - to allow someone to have what the person has requested.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB95)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:16 (NASB95)
16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;
2 Timothy 1:18 (NASB95)
18 the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.
2 Timothy 2:7 (NASB95)
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
2 Timothy 2:25 (NASB95)
25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
to be granted - to be or become in one’s possession, whether physically or abstractly.
1 Timothy 4:14 (NASB95)
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
2 Timothy 1:9 (NASB95)
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
to sacrifice (relinquish) - to endure the loss of someone or something -
1 Timothy 2:6 (NASB95)
6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.
Titus 2:14 (NASB95)
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
to allow for - to make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain.
1 Timothy 5:14 (NASB95)
14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;
New Testament
Verb: δίδωμι (didōmi), GK 1443 (S 1325), 415×. This common verb conveys the basic idea of a transaction or transferring an object and is usually translated “give, grant, yield, permit.”
Most of the uses of this verb simply denote some transaction of giving, especially in the narrative portions of the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, for example, Jesus instructs his disciples to “give to the one who asks” (Mt 5:42) and to “ask and it will be given to you” (7:7); its most familiar use is probably the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us today our daily bread” (6:11).
Theologically, John describes the supreme divine transaction in Jn 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus is an active participant here, for he “gave” his life for us on the cross (Gal 1:4; 1 Tim. 2:6; Tit 2:14). Not only has God given us his Son, but he has also given us his Spirit (Rom 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:17), including the Spirit’s gifts (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:7). In terms of spiritual blessings, the apostles never tire of mentioning how God has given us his grace (Rom 12:3; 1 Cor. 1:4; 3:10; 2 Tim. 1:9) and eternal life (Jn 10:28–29; 1 Jn. 5:11). Close to 90 percent of uses of didōmi in the NT letters have God as their subject; thus, Christianity is a religion of receiving gifts from God that we cannot earn ourselves. In response, God wants us to give ourselves to him in love and service (cf. 2 Cor. 8:5). We should note too that the time will come when we have to “give” account of our lives to God (Rom 14:12).
In a context of prayer, the believers in Jerusalem ask God to grant Peter and John special power and boldness in the proclamation of the Gospel, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (Acts 4:29). In his parable of the sower, Jesus describes the fruit producing qualities of the word of God in terms of the yielding or giving of seed and writes, “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times” (Mk 4:8; cf. v. 7). May our lives be those of yielding fruit to God up to a hundredfold. Mounce, W. D. (2006). In Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (pp. 284–285). Zondervan.
“understanding” - (synesis) - noun, accusative, singular, feminine - direct object - insight; understanding
Sense: comprehension - an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)
Noun: σύνεσις (synesis), GK 5304 (S 4907), 7×. synesis refers to spiritual “understanding, insight.” It is the child Jesus’ synesis that amazes the crowds when he answers questions in the temple (Lk. 2:47). Paul prays that God will give the Colossians spiritual wisdom and “understanding” (Col. 1:9) so they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10). They will have riches from such synesis, which will enable them to know the mystery of Christ (Col. 2:2). Similarly, in Eph. 3:4, Paul suggests that his “insight into the mystery of Christ” has come by revelation. Paul encourages Timothy to reflect on his teaching, for in doing so, the Lord will give him “insight into all this” (2 Tim. 2:7). See also Mk. 12:33 and 1 Cor. 1:19. Mounce, W. D. (2006). In Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (pp. 758–759). Zondervan.
Comprehension - an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result).
1 Corinthians 1:19 (NASB95)
19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”
Ephesians 3:4 (NASB95)
4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Colossians 1:9 (NASB95)
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Colossians 2:2 (NASB95)
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
2 Timothy 2:7 (NASB95)
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Intelligence - the ability to comprehend -
Mark 12:33 (NASB95)
33 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Luke 2:47 (NASB95)
47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
This goes back to the noun “understanding” - “Everything” - (pas) - adjective, dative, plural, neuter - prepositional object - all; every
Sense: each - (used of count nouns) every one considered individually.
SO WHAT?
Believer - how are you doing with the following?
Pursuit of Christlikeness
Pursuit of the Scriptures
Intensity to the Task