Just a little intro for you guys. I thought I had a good article ready for Sunday, covering 2 Timothy 1; turns out there were things I missed out on. So I’m re-doing the entire thing here, involving ClaudeAI to help me out in getting everything in these chapters covered. I’m doing a 2-for-1 here, for the chapters to go over this coming Sunday, and then the Sunday after that.
Cheers.
Introduction
It was in the Lausanne Congress Philippines Reunion, held a couple of weeks ago, where we determined: Out of all the many opportunities available for today’s believer, it was of the highest priority that (1) we disciple the nations, and (2) keep a watchful and loving eye on our next generation.
We saw that it was more practical and more effective to take on the task of discipling entire people groups (nations), by way of ministering to our own families first. And, while every generation matters, we would be fooling ourselves if we didn’t think that the generations that succeed us need all the attention we could give them.
When the youth is blessed, the family is blessed, the nation is blessed.
This is the reason we go through 2 Timothy.
Context
2 Timothy was written, from an aging Paul to his spiritual son Timothy, in the face of darkness: Death, the end of his ministry, and being abandoned by his friends for fear persecution.
But there remains hope in Christ. From this hope Paul faithfully directs Timothy, but also to exhort to him to boldness and to endurance Paul encourages the young lad, to keep the faith in the face of false teaching, and to maintain concern for sound doctrine.
Expectations
By the end of this series, it is our prayer that our younger generations would be stirred to (1) boldness – that is, security in a world where their peers have trouble enduring, and (2) timeless, divine wisdom as only the Holy Spirit can provide, to see Christ – the Life in the Word, and the Word in their lives.
By the end of this series, it is also our prayer that our elder generations would also be stirred to (1) minister as mentors to the youth, and also to (2) not hold back in sharing what timeless, divine wisdom they have received through all their years.
May our good and glorious God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) be glorified to the utmost, in this endeavor. Amen.
2 Timothy 1
Introduction
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.2 Timothy 1:1-2
Paul opens the epistle, introducing himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ (1) by God’s will, and (2) according to the promise of life the Son, Christ Jesus.
He greets Timothy, his ‘beloved child’, with grace, mercy, and peace, also from God the Father, and Christ Jesus, His Son, and our Lord.
Christ has secured our identity. We are able to overflow with blessings to others.
Catching Up
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.2 Timothy 1:3-5
Paul continues by telling Timothy that he continues to pray for him, remembering (1) his tears – perhaps his afflictions, fears, and anxieties, but also (2) his faith – and not only his faith, but his SINCERE faith; He also recalls how this faith spanned the generations, starting from his Grandmother Lois, then dwelt to his Mother Eunice, and now Timothy himself.
Through Christ we love each other in the body of Christ by way of praying for each other, remembering what causes them to weep, but also the faith that they have in Christ.
Directed To Boldness
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,2 Timothy 1:6-8
Paul continues to remind Timothy – that he was given a gift from God, through the laying on of hands by the elders (including Paul).
At first I thought that this gift, which Paul told Timothy to ‘fan into flame’, was the Holy Spirit – after all, Paul immediately follows this by saying that we have not been given a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, love, and self-control.
Then again, I remember, first, the thief on the cross: Jesus didn’t (and really, couldn’t) lay His hands on the man to receive His Spirit – all He did, however, was to encourage him (‘Today you will be with me in paradise‘). Second, after His resurrection, He breathed on His disciples and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit‘ (John 20:22). And finally, after His ascension and His instruction to the disciples to wait in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit rested above their heads, like tongues of fire (Acts 2).
With all this said – especially that last event of Pentecost – I have reason to believe that the moment we received Christ, or the moment we began to believe in Him, we also allowed the Holy Spirit to work in us, and I dare say that we have Him right then and there.
I’ve had to use our good friend Google to look up what other people wrote and thought about this ‘gift of God’, and some folks thought it was salvation: Ephesians 2:8 and Romans 6:23 were verses where Paul referred to salvation as a ‘gift of God’, or a ‘gift from God’.
Other folks thought that this was a ‘special’, ‘spiritual’ gift of pastoral administration or preaching… claiming that this was only received by the laying of hands by the elders, including Paul.
Putting all this together, what do I think? The ‘gift of God’ surely isn’t specific, but I can tell you, as someone who’s been influenced by a significant amount of Pentecostal teaching, the Holy Spirit plays a significant role in it – and, indeed, this spirit is not one of fear, but a Spirit of power, love, and sound judgment.
What then would it mean for Timothy to ‘stir up’ or ‘fan into flame’ this gift of God? Personally, I believe it’s to yield to how the Holy Spirit moves in us. I believe that once, our immediate response to anything involves some fear; but now, we’re being led more to act and react with power, love, and self-control.
Once, it was a heck of a lot easier for me to take offense, and to react with defense and vengeance in mind. Fanning God’s gift to me would be to realize that today, in such situations, we act with the Holy Spirit in responding with peace, and in grace.
Does that make sense? I hope it does. All the same, we ought, first, to encourage ourselves and others of the Holy Spirit – who is not a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, love, and self-control – alive in us, as we are alive in Him. Then we’re to remind each other to ‘fan’ this gift from the Holy Spirit, whom we live with, to flame.
Anyway, with this multi-generational, sincere faith, and this ‘fiery’ gift involving the Holy Spirit, Paul then tells Timothy to ‘share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God’, and also not to be ashamed of ‘the testimony about our Lord, nor of (Paul), His prisoner’
Indeed, we have a Holy Spirit, and NOT a spirit of fear, and of shame. I feel as if Timothy is also being stirred to find reason, in suffering, and these situations which the world insists we be ashamed of – Timothy’s being encouraged to do as Paul mentioned in another epistle – to boast in Christ, even especially in weakness.
Yes, I think that would be a fitting mini-conclusion to this set of verses: When fear and shame are present, we have all the more reason to ‘fan into flame’ what we received from God; we have all the more reason to boast in Christ.
Paul’s Appointment And Charge To Timothy
For, see, I think we’re on the right track here, because in the verses immediately after, we see that Paul could not resist testifying of Christ and His finished work, in detail:
9 (Christ) saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.2 Timothy 1:9-12
Here Paul tells Timothy of the Gospel: Of how Christ saved us and called us to a holy calling by His grace, and because of our works. And this was the grace given IN Christ before the ages; yes, the same Christ who told the Pharisees that before Abraham, He was.
This was also the same grace which was seen through the revelation of Christ; yes, the same Christ who, upon seeing Him from a distance, John the Baptist proclaimed as ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’.
The Gospel is: By Christ’s purpose and grace, He abolished death and brought Life – He brought us to Life. And Paul emphasizes that it was by this Gospel that he was appointed not only as an apostle, but also as herald and teacher. He recognizes but is not ashamed of suffering, because He knows that, in spite of suffering and darkness, it’s not about him, but about Christ who guards all that has been entrusted to him
I see here that we ourselves are stirred up and fanned into flame, to boast in Christ’s grace in the shame, suffering and darkness, and also to serve from Christ’s purpose, as seen in His finished work – following the leading of the Spirit, as apostles, heralds, and/or teachers, etc.
13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.2 Timothy 1:13-14
…And as Paul relies on the Lord to ‘guard’ what has been entrusted to him, so he also charges Timothy to follow the pattern of sound words and sound teaching; Paul also tells him to guard this ‘good deposit’, through the same Holy Spirit that is alive in him.
Examples
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.2 Timothy 1:15-18
This first chapter of 2 Timothy ends with Paul mentioning examples of how it plays out with real people, and we see that he had his share of negative experiences; Phygelus and Hermogenes in particular, who turned away from him…
…but then he speaks praises for Onesiphorus, who did so much for Paul and for the body of Christ – He was not ashamed of Paul’s ‘chains’ or his imprisonment, and focused more on searching the apostle out in Rome, and refreshing him, with the same heart as he served in Ephesus.
Conclusion
Folks, what all this is telling me is that God truly deserves all the glory.
What makes me say this? Well, at the beginning of the epistle, and at the beginning of the chapter we read how Paul recall’s Timothy’s tears, but he recognizes his faith – and this was not any faith that Timothy conjured by himself, but it is a ‘patient’ faith spanning generations.
God deserves all the glory. Why? We’re able to boast in Him in spite of shame and suffering. Instead of being fearful and ashamed, we operate in power, love, and self-control, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, as Onesiphorus did, we’re able to look beyond each other’s struggles and chains, seeking each other and refreshing each other.
Was Onesiphorus a good example? More like a celebration of Christ, who looked beyond our sin and death, but searched for us, being born as one of us, and then laying His life down for us, that we would not only be refreshed, but saved!
Again, and indeed, God deserves all the glory!
Reflections
Whether we see ourselves as students (sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, nephews, nieces, younger brothers and sisters, employees, subordinates, etc) and/or as mentors (fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunties, kuyas, ates, bosses, teachers, etc):
- Christ has secured our identity. We are able to bear with each other and we can pray for one another.
- Through Christ, we have the opportunity to meditate on how we have patient faith and gifts from God through the Holy Spirit.
- Because of Christ, we are not fearful of suffering, nor are we ashamed of our testimony, but we can make decisions, plan, and interact with others in power, love, and self-control.
2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 1 Recap
- Reflecting on Paul’s greeting to Timothy: Christ has secured our identity. We are able to bear with each other and pray for one another.
- Paul’s reminder to Timothy:Through Christ, we have patient faith and gifts from God through the Holy Spirit.
- Paul’s charge to Timothy – fan the flame, stir up your gift: Let us not be fearful of suffering, let us not be ashamed of our testimony, but let us go forth in power, love, and self-control.
Let’s keep going, with 2 Timothy 2.
1 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.2 Timothy 2:1-2
Paul indicated earlier that we have power by the Holy Spirit, and here we’re reminded of how we are consequently strengthened by grace that is in Christ.
Paul tells Timothy that we have been given the power and the strength to be as teachers, to create a chain of faithful teaching: As Paul teaches Timothy, he is encouraged to entrust what he has learned to faithful men and reliable people, who will also have their own opportunity to teach others.
He continues with what we see as three more key metaphors for Christian service:
Soldiers
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. 2 Timothy 2:3-4
We have been given power by the Holy Spirit, and strength in the grace of Christ Jesus; Not just to be as teachers, but to be as soldiers who (1) endure hardship, but (2) are focused on not only obeying, but pleasing their Commanding Officer, and as such (3) they avoid civilian pursuits/entanglements.
When we talk about ‘civilian pursuits’, I’m directed, first, to Jude 1:16 for some examples: ‘These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.’
I’m also reminded of Hebrews 5:12-14: ‘You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.’
Let us focus on trusting and depending on Christ. Let us acknowledge Him in all our ways, and in so doing, avoid the works of the flesh and mature in the Word of righteousness.
Athletes
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.2 Timothy 2:5
We have been given power by the Holy Spirit, and strength in the grace of Christ Jesus; Not just to be as soldiers, but to be as athletes who (1) compete according to the rules, and (2) recognize that they only win by following proper training/competition guidelines.
We see more of how we’re as athletes in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Consequently I am convinced that ‘the rules‘ would be the entire Word of God, seen through the lens of Christ and His finished work, in the grace of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us meditate on the Word, and understand that we ‘compete’, not from fear of breaking the rules, but from discipline and self-control as only the Holy Spirit provides.
Farmers
6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.2 Timothy 2:6
We have been given power by the Holy Spirit, and strength in the grace of Christ Jesus; Not just to be as athletes, but to be as farmers who (1) work hard first, then (2) wait patiently for harvest before (3) receiving the first share of the crops.
We remember the parable of the sower and the seed, working hard in spreading the seed, being faithfully patient and patiently faithful in waiting, knowing that the Word, in good soil, grows, increases, and yields thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold (Mark 4:7).
We’ve seen from the perspective of Soldiers and Athletes, that as we trust in Christ, and as He directs us in the Word, we ought to mature in the Word. We’re also given power and strength to develop discipline and self-control from the Word
As Teachers, we share this Word to by faith, to faithful men for sound teaching; but here, as Farmers, we wait patiently, knowing that eventually, seed makes its way to good soil and yields abundantly!
The Unbound Word of God
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.
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Friends, at this time, we give thanks to God, for the wonderful Word! Yes, this great and gracious Gospel – passed on from generations of old and finally to us – reminds us of our Savior Jesus Christ, risen from the dead.
This Word directs us from the flesh to maturity (as soldiers). It keeps us disciplined and having self-control (as athletes), and it has the potential, as a seed, to yield exponentially (as farmers and teachers). Paul may be writing all this while bound, but He proclaims, the Word of God is not bound!
It’s a Word that we can all run to, which states:
- Christ died, and we died with Him, so when He rose, so we live with Him.
- Christ endured, so we’re able to endure and consequently reign with Him.
- If we deny Him, He denies us, BUT if we are faithless, He remains faithful… ‘for He cannot deny Himself.’
- Here I want to clarify that we shouldn’t be fixated on not denying Him. I keep saying that we have more reasons to thank God than to complain… Here I say, we have more reasons to trust in our Commanding Officer, than to deny Him, much less be ashamed of Him.
Approved Conduct
From here I want us to go through 2 Timothy 2:14-19, and then 2 Timothy 2:23-26:
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.”
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.
Friends, we’ve just taken in the Word: Through Christ, we died and lived again, we endure and reign, and even when we are faithless, He is faithful.
The Word also states how, through Christ, we’ve been made temples of the Holy Spirit, and sons and daughters of the Most High (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).
Earlier, we’ve read of how we are as teachers of the Word to faithful men, soldiers trusting the Word of their Commanding Officer, athletes depending on the Word, and farmers patiently waiting for the Word to grow and increase.
Here we read of how we ought to be as workers – and workers aware of their approval, not ashamed, but responsible in ‘rightly handling’ the Word of Truth.
We read here that when we handle Truth correctly we (1) avoid quarreling about words, we (2) have less enthusiasm regarding Godless chatter, and we (3) naturally consider foolish arguments a waste of time.
On top of this, when we value the Word, we’re able to (1) be kind to everyone regardless of how argumentative they could be, (2) be not only capable but willing to teach when the need arises, but also (3) gracious and gentle in our instructing, and humble in our receiving instruction.
By this the world shall know that we are Christ’s. By this they shall see the goodness of God and be led to repentance, and knowledge of the Truth.
The Word Adds Value
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.2 Timothy 2:20-22
Friends, understand that through Christ, we have been cleansed, and we have the power and strength to be rid of our former dishonorable uses. Through Christ, we have been made noble – holy and set apart, approved of by the Master of the house.
If this is all so hard for us to take in, or if we find it difficult to flee from ‘youthful passions‘, let us consult the Word, and let us call on Christ, the Living Word: In so doing, we move in righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
We’ve just read on how we in the body of Christ have the privilege of the Word. It ministers to us no matter what role we find ourselves in – teacher, soldier, athlete, worker, etc.
The Word always points us to trusting in Christ, the Living Word – and, indeed, those who place their trust in Him shall not be put to shame.
Reflections
Whether we see ourselves as students (sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, nephews, nieces, younger brothers and sisters, employees, subordinates, etc) and/or as mentors (fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunties, kuyas, ates, bosses, teachers, etc):
- We are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and also by the grace of God.
- We listen to our Commanding Officer and trust in His Word.
- We move with discipline and self-control because of the Word.
- We can plant the Word and expect abundant yield.
- By the Holy Spirit we are able to rightly handle the Word
- We are gracious in our own words, just as we are gracious in teaching and learning from others.
- We celebrate Christ, who is the Living Word who ministers to us.
That was a lot to go through. Thanking God for His faithfulness and guidance in sharing all of this.
Until the next post, God bless us all!
344150/365000
JB's Personal Brain Defragmenter 
Leave a comment