AS FOR YOU, MY SON. The Circumcision Party in the province of Asia had all rejected Paul as apostle, therefore he will no longer be able to reason with them and oppose their false teaching. This _burden_ must now _fall on the shoulders_ of Timothy (and others like him). Paul is intensely anxious abo... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE THE WORDS. Paul sees _apostolic succession_ as a matter of _teaching,_ not of _administration._ What Paul preached was the Good News of God's act in Christ and all that formed part of this (2 Timothy 2:8), In other words, it is the entire New Testament. [Timothy died about the time the last Boo... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE YOUR PART. A soldier must suffer as well as fight. Timothy must set an example for others to follow.... [ Continue Reading ]
A SOLDIER IN ACTIVE SERVICE. Timothy's position is unusual, because as Paul's _spiritual son,_ he would be the target of the opposition. But this principle applies to every servant of God. The ministry of the Word must supersede everything else!!! [But Paul could be a _tent-maker_ without violating... [ Continue Reading ]
UNLESS HE OBEYS THE RULES. An example from the games. After the race, those who had disobeyed the rules were disqualified. Compare 1 Corinthians 9:27 and note.... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST SHARE OF THE HARVEST. The farmer receives his share, no matter how poor the crop may be, because he has worked. "The soldier gives up civilian life; the athlete obeys the rules; the farmer works hard and waits for the harvest. You, Timothy, must put the Lord first, suffer when necessary, and w... [ Continue Reading ]
THINK. "Grasp the meaning of these examples. Ask the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5)_."_... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST. He is both the great example and the source of hope! WHO WAS RAISED FROM DEATH. Paul is thinking of the resurrection as a personal experience of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:9). A DESCENDANT OF DAVID. He made what the prophets had said come true. IN THE GOOD NEWS. The _experience_... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE I PREACH. "I have been put in this prison by the enemies of the Good News!" IS NOT IN CHAINS. Paul is in chains, but not the word of God!!! Even the Devil is not permitted to destroy the message of the Good News! [But see Galatians 1:6-9 and notes.] Compare 2 Timothy 4:17; Philippians 1:12-1... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FOR THIS REASON. "Since the work goes on!" I ENDURE. Compare 1 Corinthians 13:7. FOR THE SAKE OF. _MacKnight_ thinks Paul has in mind the Gentiles, who were his special responsibility. But see also Romans 9:3; Acts 21:13 and notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS A TRUE SAYING. This may be part of an ancient hymn. Paul uses it to reinforce what he has just said (in 2 Timothy 2:4-10). IF WE HAVE DIED WITH HIM. See Romans 6:4-8; Colossians 2:12 and notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE CONTINUE TO ENDURE. See Romans 8:17; Matthew 19:27-28 and notes. If WE DENY HIM. See Matthew 10:32-33 and notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE REMAIN FAITHFUL. Even if we turn away from him, he will be faithful to every promise, and every threat!!! See Romans 3:4 and note.... [ Continue Reading ]
REMIND YOUR PEOPLE OF THIS. The issues of life and death set out in 2 Timothy 2:11-13. NOT TO FIGHT OVER WORDS. See note on 1 Timothy 6:4_. Lipscomb_ says: "They had such a morbid fondness for questionings and disputings over untaught questions and words that it amounted to a disease. These men deal... [ Continue Reading ]
DO YOUR BEST. This is required of every Christian! [In ancient English, _study_ meant _to do your best._] TO WILL FULL APPROVAL. "It is God whom we must please, not the Circumcision party or anyone else!" Who CORRECTLY TEACHES. This means: (1) presenting the truth clearly and accurately; (2) giving... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP AWAY FROM. See note on 1 Timothy 6:20_. Lipscomb_ says: "Everything not commanded by God in the Scriptures may safely be placed under this head." Nothing ought to be bound upon Christians as articles of faith, nor required as terms of communion and fellowship, _except_ what is clearly taught an... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THEY TEACH. The false teachings mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:16 will eat into men's souls like cancer! See notes on 1 Timothy 6:4-5. HYMENAEUS AND PHILETUS. See note on 1 Timothy 1:20. Nothing is known of Philetus. They may have denied that Jesus came as a human being, and that both his death and r... [ Continue Reading ]
BY SAYING. They said the only resurrection was a _moral resurrection of the soul._ Compare 1 Corinthians 15:12 and note. These false teachers combined a believable but false spirituality (sentimentality) with an irresistible materialism.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE SOLID FOUNDATION. "Even though the faith of some is upset, God's solid foundation cannot be shaken!" The church (messianic community) has an _absolute wholeness_ unaffected by some who go AWOL from it!!! Compare Romans 9:8; Romans 11:26. THE LORD KNOW THOSE WHO ARE HIS. This gives every true... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A LARGE HOUSE. "Do not think it strange that God permits wicked teachers in his church. The church is an IDEAL, so we can expect some disloyal members to be in it." Compare 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 and notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WILL BE USED FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES. "If a teacher will cleanse himself from false teachings, false loyalties, and sinful action, God will use him for special purposes." Christians must be holy (1 Peter 1:16).... [ Continue Reading ]
AVOID THE PASSIONS OF YOUTH. Here Paul means, not so much sensual passions, but such things as grandiose ambition, pride, love of power, rashness, stubbornness, etc. Some teachers avoid the sensual passions, but _fall into_ these other things. AND STRIVE FOR, You must purposely seize these things an... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT STAY AWAY FROM. See Titus 3:9-11 and notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
MUST NOT QUARREL. He must not waste valuable time in these useless discussions. HE MUST BE KIND. He must be a gentle and patient teacher, demonstrating the kindness which he encourages others to develop.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HE CORRECTS. He must not use violent methods with those whom he corrects, even though they are his opponents. THAT GOD WILL GIVE. God gives the opportunity to repent by making people _aware_ of their sins. But the knowledge of God's goodness must be combined with the sense of sin, to avoid discou... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL RETURN TO THEIR SENSES. They have been _spiritually psychotic!!!_ The servant of God is to attempt to rescue even the false teacher!!! See Jude 1:22-23.... [ Continue Reading ]