2 Timothy 2:1-7

Personal and Ministerial Zeal enforced by Parables from the life of the Soldier, the Athlete and the Farmer

The Apostle resumes the main thread of exhortation to Christian courage. After its enforcements by Timothy's inherited grace (2 Timothy 1:5) and the grace of his -laying on of hands" (2 Timothy 1:6), by the free gift of the Saviour's own life with all its love and light (2 Timothy 1:9-10), by his own apostleship (2 Timothy 1:11-13), the defection of false friends (2 Timothy 1:15), the refreshing zeal of Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-18), he plies his scholar with new illustrations yet of the old lesson. Courage to hold the torch up and hand the torch on (2 Timothy 2:1-2) is to be drawn from the soldier's life (2 Timothy 2:3-4), the athlete's (2 Timothy 2:5), the farmer's (2 Timothy 2:6); and our Lord Himself, the Great Teacher by parables, will point their moral for him (2 Timothy 2:7).