Entrust to faithful men

Paul’s words to Timothy

Paul imprisoned in Rome when he wrote 2 Timothy.

I think he was feeling both the discouragement of being abandoned by those he had invested deeply in(; ) and the encouragement of the faithfulness of Timothy.

What do we know about Timothy

Legacy of faith - mother(Eunice) and grandmother(Lois) were faithful Christ followers.

Paul loved him deeply. 2 Tim. 1:1-5

Timothy might be struggling in his faith. So Paul reminds him to “rekindle” the spark that is in him.

I think Timothy might have been a bit timid - . Why else would Paul remind him that God has not given us a spirit of fear.

Admonishment to not be ashamed of the Lord or of Paul - this comes in the midst of Pauls’ discouragement of those who had deserted him.

Admonishment to step into the holy and powerful calling of God on our lives.

Admonishment to make disciple makers -

“through” many witnesses. Literally this means what you have heard from me with the intervention of many witnesses. It is as if Paul said it with a group of others around saying “amen” and repeating it in different ways.

What will all of this cost you.

What will all of this cost you. Old manuscripts read “Endure hardship” with me or “take on your share of suffering”. Paul uses 3 illustrations - Each of these examples has some very significant lessons for us.

Old manuscripts read “Endure hardship” with me or “take on your share of suffering”. Paul uses 3 illustrations - Each of these examples has some very significant lessons for us.

1)soldier who has counted the cost and doesn’t get entangled in civilian pursuits - we are at war

2) Athlete who plays by the rules and () Commitment to training and discipline and competing

3) hardworking farmer

endure - this is not passively suffering. Rather it is actively persevering and being prepared to endure all that comes my way.

Principles of teaching and training -

Knowledge - Paul is clearly passing on information. The only means that he has is through this letter. However, he reminds Timothy that there were others that timothy heard from. These examples included Lois and Eunice and the many witnesses that invested in Timothy.

Understanding - Paul uses specific examples to help Timothy understand what he was saying. Soldier, athlete and hardworking farmer.

Skill - reminds Timothy to make disciples - do it the way that it was shown to you. Again we have examples.

Attitude/Character - the entire letter is a challenge to Timothy to give attention to “character”. Paul uses the negative illustrations of those who deserted him. He uses the positive example of mother and grandmother. Paul consistently talks of the kind of people that we ought to be, not primarily the kind of things we should do. His method is to give examples - both negative and positive.