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Bible Study/Commentary
Overview
2nd Timothy 2: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, rightly dividing the word of truth!
2 Timothy chapter 2 continues Paul's letter to Timothy, providing further instructions and encouragement for Timothy in his ministry.
The chapter emphasizes the importance of endurance, faithfulness, and avoiding distractions or disputes that detract from the central message of the Gospel.
Paul uses various analogies and examples to convey his message, highlighting the qualities of a good soldier, an athlete, a hardworking farmer, and a vessel for honorable use.
Bible Study/Commentary:
Verses 1-2: Be Strong in Grace
Paul urges Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
He encourages Timothy to pass on what he has learned from Paul, to faithful men who can teach others as well.
Verses 3-7: Endure Like a Good Soldier
Paul compares the life of a disciple to that of a soldier, emphasizing the need to endure hardships and to avoid being entangled in civilian affairs.
He encourages Timothy to focus on pleasing his commanding officer, Jesus Christ.
Verses 8-13: Faithfulness and the Gospel
Paul reminds Timothy of the significance of the Gospel and encourages him to remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead.
Paul states that he endures suffering for the sake of the elect, so that they may obtain salvation. He highlights the faithfulness of God, even when people are faithless.
Verses 14-19: Avoid Controversial Disputes
Paul urges Timothy to remind believers of the truth of the Gospel, and to avoid pointless controversies that only lead to quarrels.
He instructs Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth, and warns against false teachers that spread false doctrines like gangrene.
Verses 20-21: Vessels for Honorable Use
Paul uses the analogy of a "great house" to illustrate the different types of vessels within it.
He says that some vessels are for honorable use, and some are for dishonorable use.
He encourages Timothy to cleanse himself from dishonorable things, so that he may be a vessel for honorable use, set apart for God's purposes.
Verses 22-26: Pursue Righteousness and Gentleness
Paul advises Timothy to flee from youthful passions and to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
He instructs Timothy to correct opponents with gentleness, in the hope that God may grant them repentance.
Overall Summary
In 2 Timothy chapter 2, Paul encourages Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ.
He instructs Timothy to train faithful men, what he has been taught by Paul. Then those faithful men can teach others what they have been taught.
He uses analogies of a soldier, an athlete, and a hardworking farmer to emphasize the importance of endurance, faithfulness, and avoiding distractions.
Paul urges Timothy to focus on the Gospel, and to avoid quarrels and controversies that detract from the truth.
He highlights the need for handling the word of truth rightly and warns against false teachings.
Paul emphasizes the importance of being a vessel for honorable use, pursuing righteousness, and correcting opponents with gentleness.
The chapter concludes with a reminder of God's firm foundation, His knowledge of His people, and the importance of fleeing from youthful passions and avoiding unnecessary controversies.
2 Timothy 2
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
2 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
A Worker Approved by God
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 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. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Q&A
2 Timothy 2:1-2
Q1: What advice does Paul give to Timothy at the beginning of this passage?
A1: Be strengthened by the grace in Christ Jesus, and entrust what you've heard to faithful men who can teach others.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Q2: How does Paul instruct Timothy to approach suffering?
A2: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus, and avoid getting entangled in civilian pursuits, aiming to please the one who enlisted you.
2 Timothy 2:5
Q3: What analogy does Paul use to emphasize the importance of following rules in the Christian life?
A3: An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:8-10
Q4: What does Paul urge Timothy to remember, and why does he say he endures suffering?
A4: Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, and endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Timothy 2:11-13
Q5: What saying does Paul declare as trustworthy, and what are the conditions outlined in it?
A5: The saying is trustworthy: If we died with Christ, we will live with Him; if we endure, we will reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful.
2 Timothy 2:14-16
Q6: What does Paul caution against in these verses, and what does he encourage Timothy to do?
A6: Paul cautions against quarreling about words, which ruins hearers. Timothy is urged to present himself as approved, rightly handling the word of truth, and to avoid irreverent babble.
2 Timothy 2:17-18
Q7: Who are mentioned as examples of those who have swerved from the truth, and what false teaching are they spreading?
A7: Hymenaeus and Philetus are mentioned, and they claim that the resurrection has already happened, upsetting the faith of some.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
Q8: What firm foundation does Paul speak of, and what analogy does he use for different vessels?
A8: The firm foundation is God's, and vessels of gold and silver represent honorable use, while vessels of wood and clay represent dishonorable use.
2 Timothy 2:22-23
Q9: What does Paul advise Timothy to flee from, and what virtues is he told to pursue?
A9: Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Avoid foolish, ignorant controversies as they breed quarrels.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
Q10: What characteristics does Paul outline for the Lord's servant, and what is the goal when correcting opponents?
A10: The Lord's servant must be kind, able to teach, patient, and correct opponents with gentleness. The goal is that God may grant repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.