Being Strong

Bible Passage

2 Timothy 2:1–7 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.

Key Verses:

2 Timothy 2:1 “… be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” and

2 Timothy 2:5 “… anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”

Devotional

The Apostle Paul often uses comparisons to athletic competitions to describe the Christian life. This makes sense because Paul lived in a world where athletic competitions were very important. Like most in his world, Paul spoke and wrote in Greek, the language of the nation that invented the Olympics. Comparing the Christian life to being an athlete would have connected with his audience.

Right now, the Winter Olympics are taking place in Milano-Cortina Italy. All the athletes who are competing there have worked hard for many years in order to be able to represent their countries and hopefully win a medal. They have had to carefully prepare through discipline, hard work, and sticking to it even when they maybe didn’t want to. Sure, many of them are disappointed if they don’t win a medal, but for most, they are simply proud to be there representing their country while competing in a sport they love.

In writing to his friend Timothy, a young leader in the early church, Paul encourages Timothy with this comparison to athletics along with 2 other comparisons: a soldier and a farmer. Paul uses these to describe three important ways that Christians are to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2:1)

Soldiers have discipline and dedication. They know that the most important person to please is their commanding officer. Paul tells Timothy that Christians need to be like soldiers in their discipline and dedication to God

Athletes need to compete according to the rules. Sometimes, when athletes think that the only important thing is to win, they cheat or cut corners. Paul tells Timothy that Christians need to be like athletes by living according to the ways God has set out for them in the Bible

Farmers are hardworking. Many of them spend long days working hard so that their crops will grow or their livestock will thrive. Paul tells Timothy that Christians need to be like farmers by working hard and persevering, so that they can enjoy the results of their hard work.

One important thing that soldiers, athletes, and farmers all have in common is that they are not alone in what they do. Soldiers are part of units. Athletes compete on teams, and even athletes who compete in “solo” sports have a team of people surrounding and supporting them. Farmers have family and often employees to help them do their work. The same is true in our Christian lives: we are never alone, and nor does God want us to be, in our faith life.

When Paul writes in verse 1 for Timothy to “be strong”, it actually means “be strengthened”. In other words, it is not Timothy’s job to strengthen himself, but to allow God to strengthen him through the Holy Spirit by the grace he gives us through Jesus. When we read it this way, this reminds us that it is not our job to do it, but God’s work in us. Because, you see, God is way more important than a soldier’s commanding officer. He’s way more valuable than a gold medal. And he’s way more rewarding than the firstfruits of the harvest. Paul tells Timothy (and us) to be like soldiers, athletes, and farmers but even more so because God is so much more important than our country, sports, and our jobs.

Prayer

Jesus, we ask you to strengthen us today by the power of your Holy Spirit so that we can be disciplined, dedicated, and hard-working for your Kingdom. Help us to stay the course and not be tempted to give up or take the easy road, because we know that it will be worth it in the end. May we always put you first in our lives because your love and knowing you is so much greater than anything in this world. Amen.