2 Timothy 2: Cope with suffering and maintain the ministry

[Chapter 2 Synopsis: Further encouragements to pursue his ministry, not being distracted by opposition, being righteous and holy and utterly available to God]

• v.1-13 A Call to endure Suffering
• v.14-26 Be Sober & Watchful in your teaching ministry, maintaining righteous living

v.1-13 A Call to endure Suffering

[Passage Synopsis: Stay strong, pass on the teaching, be totally focused on your ministry and don’t be deflected by persecution; die to self, live to him, stick with it and reign.]

v.1-3 Some more exhortations to Timothy

v.1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

v.2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

v.3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

[Note: So let God’s grace keep you strong and make sure you pass on the message, putting up with the suffering (opposition), seeing it as part of the package.]

v.4-7 Examples to follow

v.4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

v.5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

v.6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

v.7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

[Note: Remember a soldier is focused on his service, likewise an athlete is focused on winning and it’s a diligent farmer who gets the crops. The Lord will help you understand all this.]

v.8-13 Our assurance in the face of opposition

v.8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 

v.9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

v.10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

v.11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 

v.12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 

v.13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

[Note: Focus on Jesus who died and rose, often the cause of the opposition we face. We put up with it for the sake of the other believers, so remember the saying about dying, living, enduring and thus reigning, and what follows it!)

v.14-26 Be Sober & Watchful in your teaching ministry, maintaining righteous living

[Passage Synopsis: Maintain your ministry of teaching and sharing the gospel, avoiding silly thinking, trusting in God and seeking to be most available to Him]

v.14-19 Follow your calling and persist in it

v.14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

v.15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

v.16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

v.17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

v.18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

v.19 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.”

[Note: Teach this and teach peaceful living, fulfil your ministry and don’t be ashamed. Avoid gossip and foolish speculations and beware those who do that. There will be detractors, but God knows and keep those who are His.]

v.20,21 Understand different callings; aim for the best

v.20 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.

v.21 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.

[Note: Remember, different people, different levels of belief and service but it is those who hold themselves holy who will be used by Him. Implication – remain holy in your calling.]

v.22-26 How you can work that out

v.22 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.

v.23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

v.24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

v.25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

v.26 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.

[Note: Escape youthful passions and go for goodness, avoid silly arguments that only cause upsets, but you, as God’s servant, must be a peacemaker, a gentle bringer of truth. Gently correct the wrong in the hope they will come to repentance.]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: