December 24: 2 Timothy 1-4

December 24, 2 Timothy 1-4

2 Timothy introduction from the ESV Bible. “Paul wrote this letter as he awaited execution. Despite all that Paul was facing—death, the end of his ministry, abandonment by most of his friends for fear of persecution—he faithfully directed his spiritual son Timothy to the hope that is in Christ. As he exhorted Timothy to boldness, endurance, and faithfulness in the face of false teaching, Paul showed his customary concern for sound doctrine. Scripture, said Paul, is “breathed out by God” and is sufficient in all things pertaining to the faith and practice of Christians (3:16–17). Older believers, therefore, should be eager to pass on their knowledge of Scripture to those who are younger in the faith (2:2). Paul probably wrote from Rome, a.d. 67 or 68.”

- “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 1 Greeting. This letter was written by Paul to Timothy, his spiritual son.

Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You. Paul is reminded of Timothy’s mom & grandma when he sees Timothy’s faith. They led the way for him and he has the faith in Christ that they had. Paul encourages Timothy “to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Because of that, we are not to be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saved us by His own grace, and not our own greatness. Paul is in prison and awaiting execution because he loved Jesus and was saved by Him. That is love and endurance. Paul was abandoned by mostly all when times got tough, but not everyone abandoned him. The elect, or the chosen ones of God, stayed the course as we are to do 

2 Timothy 2 A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus. Timothy, like us, is encouraged to dig deep in Christ Jesus to find out strength. Not through vices or anything of the sort - your strength comes from that of Jesus Christ. Then Paul uses some analogies to bring home his point, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” The blessed ones are the obedient ones. The reward comes from staying the course Paul is willing to be the obedient one to help others for Christ and to receive Salvation from Christ. Paul was willing to suffer for Christ, even though he was not a criminal - But Jesus led the way on that one… How then are we to live this out?

“If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 

  if we endure, we will also reign with him; 

if we deny him, he also will deny us; 

  if we are faithless, he remains faithful— 

for he cannot deny himself.”

The above text is an image of comfort and mercy with direction. Jesus is true and all who trust and stay with Him will be saved.

A Worker Approved by God. Timothy was to teach this and remind his people of these things. For Timothy himself, and us, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.” Live a life that is above reproach so that no one has anything against God in watching your life. Nobody should be surprised when they find out that you are a Christ Follower. We must rightly handle God’s Word and not use it for our own gain. What was Timothy’s charge - and ours? “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” Graciously lead people to Christ as His servant, avoid ignorant and foolish talk that lead to fights, patiently endure the evil around us and gently correct it - to show people the way to Christ.

2 Timothy 3 Godlessness in the Last Days. What does the last days look like? You tell me if you see any similarities with our cultures… “For people will be:

• lovers of self
• lovers of money
• proud
• arrogant 
• abusive
• disobedient to their parents
• ungrateful
• unholy
• heartless
• unappeasable
• slanderous
• without self-control
• brutal
• not loving good
• treacherous
• reckless
• swollen with conceit
• lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
• having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power
• Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” 

You cannot watch the evening news and not see all of this occurring around us. The time is short around us and we are all so busy we don't take the time to slow down and understand that we are really close to the last days. Live your life in light of Jesus coming back to get His bride. Are you ready?

All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God. We can follow Paul’s example, as Timothy was to do. He went all the way for Christ and endured to the end. It is not all rainbows and puppy farts either - “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” It will be tough. You claim Christ and live that way, and with it comes persecution. Have you noticed? 

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” We have the Words of the Spirit of God and it is all for us - we can know God through His Word and then live it out. 

2 Timothy 4 Preach the Word. Bakers Commentary does a synthesis of this chapter that I have found helpful. “Sanctification in mutual relationships, with emphasis on the Christian family, is the theme of this chapter. Doctrine and life must agree. Hence, Titus must urge aged men to be temperate, dignified, etc.; aged women to be reverent; young men to exercise self-control (Timothy himself being their model); and slaves to be submissive in their deportment, pleasing in disposition, and of unquestionable dependability. Moreover, he wants the older women to instruct the younger ones to love their husbands and their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husbands. All these various classes should be motivated by the desire that the Word of God be honored, the sound doctrine adorned, and the enemy of the truth put to shame.

Not a single class or group of society must fail to come under the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. Has not the grace of God appeared, bringing salvation to them all? This grace is the Great Penetrator, which invaded the realm of darkness and brought light, namely, the light of knowledge, holiness, joy, and peace (“salvation”); the Wise Pedagogue, training us to crucify worldly passions and to live lives of Christian devotion; the Effective Preparer, pointing to the realization of our blessed hope when our great God and Savior Christ Jesus returns in glory; and the Thorough-going Purifier, in Christ redeeming us from all lawlessness and transforming us into a people for Christ’s own possession, filled with a zest for noble deeds. Titus must constantly talk about this glorious life of sanctification on the part of everybody. It should be presented to God as a thank-offering for his wonderful grace. Let Titus then see to it that no one slights him or his words.”

Personal Instructions. This

To sum it all up: 

• We are to fan into flame the gift of God. Think about this - God has given each of us gifts and we are to literally do what it takes to make it work and use it. 
• Persecution is for those who live out Christ. It is tough and it takes on many forms - but it is the assurance that you are on the right team.