READ IT! - Introduction to 2nd Timothy 2-4

Readings for this week

Monday: 2 Timothy 2
Tuesday: 2 Timothy 3
Wednesday: 2 Timothy 4
Thursday: Titus 1
Friday: Titus 2
Saturday: Titus 3
Sunday: Haggai 1

Introduction to 2nd Timothy 2-4

Chapter 2

Paul addresses Timothy’s external (public) responsibility. He talks about how he should serve with a purpose, and instructs him to be strong in grace and teach the teachers what he has publicly proclaimed. 

He instructs him to remain single-minded, saying, “Suffer with me like a soldier for Christ, not meddling in civilian affairs but always trying to please your commanding officer… or like an athlete competing by the rules to be crowned the victor.” 

He instructs him to work consistently and to endure so that Christ will stand by him, and he discusses being a prisoner for the Gospel, saying, “Reflect on this: The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering. Though I am chained, God’s word is not chained – that’s why I endure everything… for the sake of those Christ chose for salvation and eternal glory.” 

He then offers a “trustworthy saying”: 

If we died with him, 

we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself. 

He also instructs him to be diligent, saying, “Remind God’s people not to fight over words because it does nothing but ruin those who listen. Try your best to be presented before God as one who doesn’t need to be ashamed and who correctly handled the word of truth.” 

He instructs him to avoid empty argument, saying, “Avoid the godless chatter of teachers whose words spread like gangrene.” He then gives the specific examples of Hymenaeus and Philetus, saying that they “have departed from the truth by saying the resurrection has already taken place, and they are destroying some peoples’ faith.” 

Paul instructs Timothy to rely on God, saying, “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’” 

He instructs him to be set apart, and he recounts the parable of the clean vessel: 

“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” 

He instructs him to pursue righteousness, saying, “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” 

He instructs him to be a gentle servant, saying, “The Lord’s servant mustn’t be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

Chapter 3 

Paul then discusses the need to stand strong in the future, saying that apostasy will come. He says that there will be terrible times in the last days, and he describes lifestyles in the future, saying that people will be… 

Lovers of themselves
Lovers of money
Boastful
Proud
Abusive
Disobedient to their parents
Ungrateful
Unholy
Without love
Unforgiving
Slanderous
Without self-control
Brutal
Not lovers of the good
Treacherous
Rash
Conceited
Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
Having a form of godliness but denying its power 

Paul tells Timothy to have nothing to do with such people. 

He then recounts specific examples from the Hebrew Bible of people like this – Jannes and Jambres – saying they are the kind who… 

Worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women
Are loaded down with sins
Are swayed by all kinds of evil desires
Are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

He says that just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. 

He adds: 

"They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone." 

Paul then tells Timothy about tools to confront Apostasy. Paul first tells him to follow his own example, since he already knows all about his… 

Teaching
Way of life
Purpose
Faith
Patience
Love
Endurance
Persecutions
Sufferings 

He says that he already knows about the kinds of things that happened to him in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, and the persecutions he endured… yet the Lord rescued him from all of them. 

Paul tells him to expect persecution, saying, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 

He instructs him to remember what he was taught, saying, “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of because you’ve known since you were born those who taught you the Scriptures that make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus.” 

He instructs him to rely upon the Scriptures, saying, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

Chapter 4 

He instructs him to preach the Gospel, saying, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 

He also warns him that people will not want to listen to truth, saying, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Paul again points his own personal example of being hopeful in the face of death and being content in his life, saying, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 

And he talks about how he is hopeful in the future, saying, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 

Paul then talks more about his current situation and his desire for companionship, saying, “Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.” 

He also mentions how he continues to study, requesting, “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.” 

He warns against those who oppose the faith, saying, “Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.” 

But he also forgives those who abandoned him, saying, “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.” 

And he describes how he has been strengthened in the Lord, saying, “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

He then offers his closing greetings, asking Timothy to first greet his supporters Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 

He then offers news of friends informing that Erastus stayed in Corinth, and that he left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 

He then calls on Timothy one last time to come to him, saying, “Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.” 

And he offers his final blessing: 

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.