My God and My Country

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy Chapter 2

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And what things thou hast heard of me, by many witnesses, the same deliver to faithful men, which shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if any man also strive for a mastery, he is not crowned, except he strive as he ought to do.

6 The husbandman must labor before he receive the fruits.

7 Consider what I say: and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, made of the seed of David, was raised again from the dead according to my Gospel,

9 Wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds: but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I suffer all things for the elect’s sake, that they might also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 It is a true saying, For if we be dead together with him: we also shall live together with him.

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign together with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.

13 If we believe not, yet abideth he faithful: he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, and protest before the Lord, that they strive not about words, which is to no profit, but to the perverting of the hearers.

15 Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, dividing the word of truth aright.

16 Stay profane, and vain babblings: for they shall increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word shall fret as a canker: of which sort is Hymenaeus and Philetus.

18 Which as concerning the truth have erred from the mark, saying that the resurrection is past already, and do destroy the faith of certain.

19 But the foundation of God remaineth sure, and hath this seal, The Lord knoweth who are his: and, Let everyone that calleth on the Name of Christ, depart from iniquity.

20 Notwithstanding in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some for honor, and some unto dishonor.

21 If any man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Lord, and prepared unto every good work.

22 Flee also from the lusts of youth, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with them that call on the Lord with pure heart,

23 And put away foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they engender strife.

24 But the servant of the Lord must not strive, but must be gentle toward all men, apt to teach, suffering the evil,

25 Instructing them with meekness that are contrary minded, proving if God at any time will give them repentance, that they may acknowledge the truth,

26 And come to amendment out of that snare of the devil, of whom they are taken prisoners, to do his will.

Editor’s thoughts:

Verse 1 - Be strong in His grace and mercy, knowing full well that it is only that that saves you. Works are the blessings of that grace. That is to say, we are now His proxies on this temporal plain, and as such walk in His righteousness and expound upon it to others, so that they too might be saved.

Verses 2-3 - Entrust the teaching of the Gospel of Christ Jesus to others that are trustworthy to speak it in all humility and honesty. These would be they that are not ashamed of, or by it. Likewise, such people will stand by it through diver trials and tribulations even unto persecution.

Verse 9 - The word of God, has the power to fulfill itself. It will be spread out and made known and will not return to Him empty or void (Read Isaiah 55:11)

Verses 15, 22 - As written be diligent, (and watchful), in seeking the Lord, so that you might be found approved of Him, and considered most worthy of service by Him. For there is no greater honor that can be found in this world than being known as such a person. For your yes is yes, and your no is no, you speak honestly, and without guile, or malice. By these fruits, you will be able to discern, the righteousness from unrighteousness, good from evil, truth from falsehoods, and more importantly, convey these same to others.

Verses 24-26 - Do not find yourself immersed in endless and vain squabbles with men that would pervert the Word of God. In its stead, teach them (and all others), with all humility, gentleness and in times, correction so that all will come to repentance. So that the light of the Gospel will illuminate their minds and spirits, in fact, It will kindle a flame, and awaken them to the path of eternal life, thereby taking them from the shadows of darkness into the glory of His everlasting light.
R.P. Woitowitz Sr. - Disciple of Christ

In this chapter, the apostle continues his exhortations to Timothy, with respect both to his office and his conversation, and closes with the character of a minister of the Gospel. The apostle having

exhorted Timothy, in the former chapter, to abide by the Gospel, notwithstanding whatsoever he might suffer for it, here points out to him that grace and strength in Christ, which he would have him have recourse unto, to enable him to discharge his duty, and that the Gospel might continue, he advises him to take care of a succession, and to commit the Gospel preached by him to others, whose qualifications for it are faithfulness and aptitude to teach, and in order to animate him to labour diligently in the Gospel, and suffer cheerfully for it, he observes to him that he was a soldier, and must endure hardships, and not indulge in the ease and pleasures of life; was a runner in a race, and therefore must strive before he received the crown; and was as an husbandman that must first labour before he partakes of the fruit: which things he would have him seriously consider; and desires that the Lord would give him understanding in them, and then with the same view, to encourage him to suffer for the Gospel of Christ, he puts him in mind of the incarnation and resurrection of Christ, as a summary of the Gospel, and a specimen of what he had heard of him, and instances in his own sufferings for it, the nature, use, and end of them, by way of example and imitation,and for the same purpose mentions several useful sayings and pithy sentences, as true and, to be depended on, which he would have Timothy put his hearers in mind of, and especially those to whom he committed the Gospel to preach; charging them, in a solemn manner, not to strive about words, which is not only unprofitable, but hurtful, and with respect to himself, he exhorts him to diligence and study, in interpreting and explaining the word of God, that so he might be approved unto God, and not be ashamed before men. - John Gill - Theologian