2 Timothy 2:24-26

g.

As a bondservant 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Text 2:24-26

24 And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle toward all, apt to teach, forbearing, 25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if per-adventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.

Thought Questions 2:24-26

135.

Define in your own words the word, strive, in 2 Timothy 2:24. Didn-'t Jude say we should contend? See Jude 1:3.

136.

How could the Lord's servant be gentle and, at the same time, shun, turn away, reprove, rebuke, and gag the mouths of some?

137.

How is the word, apt, used in 2 Timothy 2:24?

138.

Give a hypothetical situation where the Lord's servant could be forbearing.

139.

Please notice that the forbearing is to be in meekness. Define this word in this context; or is this the use and meaning of the phrase?

140.

In what sense do certain persons oppose themselves?

141.

What part does God have in producing repentance?

142.

How does the knowledge of the truth relate to repentance? What is repentance?

143.

Paul says some people are live captives of Satan, but they can escape. How?

144.

What is the snare of the devil?

145.

Whose will is concerned in 2 Timothy 2:26 b?

Paraphrase 2:24-26

24 And the servant of the Lord must not fight, but be gentle toward all men, fit to teach (see 1 Timothy 3:2), patiently bearing evil:

25 In meekness instructing those who set themselves in opposition; if, by any means, God will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of truth,
26 And being caught alive by him out of the snare of the devil, they may awake to do the will of God,

Comment 2:24-26

2 Timothy 2:24. Christ's bondservant must not become embroiled in strife over words, In contrast, he should have the following four qualities: (1) Gentle toward all. He must be possessed of that heavenly judgment or wisdom, which is first pure, then gentle, easy to be entreated (James 3:17). This does not mean weak or flabby. He is approachable and reasonable with all who come to him. (2) Apt to teach, i.e., having the ability and desire to do so. Instruction is a great part of his work for Christ. If he does not have a sincere, eager desire to communicate the message, he will not do much for Christ. (3) Forbearing. Let your forbearance be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand (Philippians 4:5). Unless we are aware of the presence of the Lord, we will not be very forbearing, especially to those who oppose us. This is such a needed quality; it indicates unselfishness and understanding. The forbearance of God is intended to lead man to repentance (Romans 2:3-4), and so should this quality enable us to assist God in this accomplishment.

2 Timothy 2:25. (4) in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves. A man in sin is actually fighting himself. He is opposing all that is for his own best interests. But to cause him to see this is no easy task. It requires that quality of strength under control, defined as meekness. It is such a comfort and strength to know that the man in sin or error is not himself; he is not living and enjoying life like God wants him to, and like he wants to himself. The man of God must be able to approach such a one with the truth that will give the errorist a vision of reality; this requires meekness.

The hesitancy in the expression, if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, reminds us immediately of Simon, the sorcerer, who was also taken captive by Satan (Acts 8:18-24). There is never any hesitancy on the part of God, for He is always ready to forgive us. But we are not always willing to admit our captivity. The truth comes from God through His servant. If we want to change our minds about our belief and conduct, then we shall have been given from God the gracious gift of repentance. Somehow, error and sin becomes a part of man, and to change requires the power of God.

2 Timothy 2:26. God has provided the prescription, but you must fill it and take the medicine. It is possible (and surely desirable) to recover ourselves from the captivity of Satan. Timothy was going to have a joyful experience of helping some to do this very thing. The recovery is effected by a return to soberness, or by coming to your senses. When we can convince ourselves and others that sin and error do not make sense; that they do not match reality, we are on the road out. It is sad to be in bondage to Satan, but it is worse not to know it. Paul was discussing certain church members who had been captured alive by the Enemy. Satan does not want, nor does he have, any dead captives. We follow Satan to become his slaves. The deep sense of tragedy and futility, which has characterized man for ages, is but an indication that he has been working a long time in the slave camp of the devil. Man's freedom to choose is in choosing who will be his master.

We understand the little phrase, having been taken captive by him unto his will, poses a problem as to whom the last pronoun, he, refers. Is, this the devil or God? We believe the easiest solution is to refer it to Satan; the context seems to support this understanding.

Fact Questions 2:24-26

109.

Name, and explain briefly, the four qualities to be found in the Lord's servant.

110.

Explain how a man in sin is actually fighting himself.

111.

Why use the word, peradventure, in 2 Timothy 2:25?

112.

What is the snare of the devil?

113.

In a sense, the errorists here described were drunk. Explain.

114.

What does the sense of tragedy in life indicate?

115.

Whose will is indicated in 2 Timothy 2:26 b?