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| Chapter 2 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, commit thou the same to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Endure thou therefore hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man who warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if also a man strive for masteries, he is yet not crowned unless he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman who laboreth must be the first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8 ¶ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, 9 wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto bonds. But the Word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him; 12 if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 if we believe not, yet He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 14 ¶ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness, 17 and their word will eat as doth a canker--among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrowing the faith of some. 19 ¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal: "The Lord knoweth those who are His," and, "Let every one who nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master's use, and prepared for every good work. 22 ¶ Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they engender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not engender strife, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 in meekness instructing those in opposition. Perhaps God will give them repentance, that they may acknowledge the truth, 26 and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. |
Paul now gives Timothy a number of pictures of what is involved in being a minister. v1,2 Responsibility The people of God have been given the spiritual treasures of God to care for and distribute to the lost souls. Teaching others who will then take and share the Word and message with others. It is important that the message comes from the Word of God and not from man made additions. 1 Cor 3:10-23; 1 Cor 15:10,11; 1 Tim 1:3,4; 1 Tim 3:2. Note: To be able to teach the Word properly, you must first be a good learner. v3,4. As God's soldier Paul here shows that a minister is a soldier for God, a position which is not easy, "hardship as a good soldier" Eph 6:10-18. As a soldier we must be fully committed to our commanding officer, Jesus. The things and attractions of the world are to be put aside to please the Master. v5 All our actions must be according to the rules, just like an athlete, 1 Tim 4:7,8. To win the crown the athlete must obey the rules. v6 The Farmer Paul tells us that a minister is like a farmer, consider 1 Cor 3:5-9. Note that the farmer has to work "who laboreth" to produce any harvest and he needs patience James 5:7, and he gets his reward "first partaker of the fruits.." This also reminds us that a church must make sure that faithful pastor(s) are rewarded and supported by the church 1 Tim 5:18 v7-18 Paul tells Timothy to "think over what I have said, let the Lord help you understand." Remember what we have taught, Jesus is the Messiah, by His family links, and prophecy, and now He lives. Complete proof of who you are following. v9,10 The Word of God is not in prison like Paul, the message is still going out by his letters and other messengers. "Timothy you must be prepared to suffer for our Lord like me" continues Paul, why? so that others may receive salvation. v11 These "sayings" may be from a hymn or saying of the time. The passage "if we be dead" is talking about a past event in the Greek, it may be referring to salvation or baptism and not to a coming death. v12 "If we suffer" and "If we deny Him," are all future, then the effect of these events is also in the future Compare Matt 10:33. Men's failure to confess Him will affect their future. v13 Develops this point, if we do not trust Him then that does not change the fact that He will never fail us, He is God and He cannot be false in any way. v14-26 Rules of behaviour This passage contains a warning of having your attention taken away from the real teaching. Paul mentions two men who are teaching the false doctrine about resurrection. Some felt that the body was evil and could not accept the idea of a physical resurrected body, these were therefore teaching that it had already happened as a spiritual resurrection. See 1 Cor 15:1ff Paul instructs Timothy to make sure that only the truth is taught and that he and the other messengers are not involved in false teaching. v14 Avoid Godless talk, this will lead you away from God, this time wasting talk can spread through a church like an illness. v17 Paul reminds Timothy that the truth is from God and cannot be false. He must work so as not to dishonour the Word of God. The message is built upon the truth of God's Word and the Church is built on this truth, it will not fail because God knows those who are His and their work. God sets aside those who are His vessels and molds them to become "vessels of honour" for Him. As His vessels we must give up and avoid anything which is wrong, give up sin. God knows who are truly His people, and this involves us being willing to give the Name of Jesus the glory it deserves. v20 Paul reminds us that in any "house" there are vessels or containers of various standards, some are of little or no value, this reminds us that in a church there may be 'Christians' of various standards. v23-26 The Servant A slave or servant has no will of his own, they must obey the instructions of their master. Once we were slaves of sin now we are slaves of God Rom 6:16ff. The life of God's servant is not easy as Satan will try to capture them again v26. Some people are difficult to teach. v23,24. Even though the work is difficult we must work patiently with those who are opposing or rejecting the message in the hope that they will find salvation. v25 The word "recover" in v26 suggests someone who was drunk or drugged, Satan's lies have this effect and as "slaves" of God we must try to rescue them out of the trap of Satan. As servants of God we must help the faithful pastor in his ministry and labour together for the Lord. |
Easy English Translation
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