2 Timothy chapter 2

Paul trained Timothy in Christian discipleship. Now Timothy is to train others. We should be strong in grace, and have God’s approval on our ministry.

 


 

SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION

 

VERSE 1. You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

be strengthened in the grace. The goal is that we grow. The next verse offers a great plan.

 

VERSE 2. The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Second Letter to Timothy and from the entire Bible.

The Bible describes handing the faith from one generation to the next. We call this “generational teaching.” It is also known as “spiritual multiplication.” Read more »

faithful. The word faithful implies a selection process. Timothy is not to invest himself in just anybody. Nor is he to spread himself too thinly by trying to train everybody. Either of those paths would be a waste of his time, in the long run.

Rather, Timothy is to invest himself wisely. To do that, he needs to select just a few. They are the ones he has deemed to be “faithful.” They will not squander the investment of his time. They will put his teachings into practice.

 

BE STRONG IN GRACE

 

VERSE 3. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

 

VERSE 4. No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

 

VERSE 5. Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

 

VERSE 6. The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops.

 

VERSE 7. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

 

VERSE 8. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News,

 

VERSE 9. in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.

 

VERSE 10. Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

 

VERSE 11. This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.

 

VERSE 12. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

 

VERSE 13. If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.”

 

BE A WORKER APPROVED BY GOD

 

VERSE 14. Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

don’t argue about words. Many people are highly argumentative. Some of them are Christians. Paul tells Timothy to not argue with them.

 

VERSE 15. Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

Give diligence. Competence in Christian ministry does not come naturally. Rather, it requires diligence. It is like becoming competent in a sport. It requires training and practice.

a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Without traning and practice, we will fumble the ball. We will do poorly and be ashamed.

properly handling the Word of Truth. Here is the crux of the matter. Do we have a firsthand familiarity with the Bible? Can we use it to build people up?

 

VERSE 16. But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,

 

VERSE 17. and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus:

 

VERSE 18. men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

 

VERSE 19. However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

 

VERSE 20. Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor.

in a large house. Our lives are like a large house.

Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. There are aspects of our lives that are quite commendable. But there are other aspects of our lives that are not commendable.

 

VERSE 21. If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.

If anyone. The promises offered in this verse are available to anyone.

purges himself from these. To be able to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we need to purify our lives of the aspects that are not commendable.

suitable for the master’s use. After we have purified our lives of the uncommendable aspects, we will be much more available to God for ministry.

 

VERSE 22. Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

NIV translation. 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.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Second Letter to Timothy and from the entire Bible.

We are to flee from doing the wrong thing. Instead, we are to pursue doing the right thing. This is part of being a disciple. It is action-faith. Read more »

 

VERSE 23. But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

Some people are always complaining. Or arguing. Those are destructive habits. They harm the individual. And the community. They need to STOP. Read more »

 

VERSE 24. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,

Some people are always complaining. Or arguing. Those are destructive habits. They harm the individual. And the community. They need to STOP. Read more »

 

VERSE 25. in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

 

VERSE 26. and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.

 


next chapter »

« previous chapter


2 TIMOTHY

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.