2 Timothy 2
2
Timothy’s Conduct. 1#This passage manifests a characteristic deep concern for safeguarding the faith and faithfully transmitting it through trustworthy people (2 Tm 2:1–2; cf. 2 Tm 1:14; 1 Tm 6:20; Ti 1:9). Comparisons to the soldier’s detachment, the athlete’s sportsmanship, and the farmer’s arduous work as the price of recompense (2 Tm 2:4–6) emphasize the need of singleness of purpose in preaching the word, even at the cost of hardship, for the sake of Christ (2 Tm 2:3).So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. 3Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.#1:8; 4:5; Phlm 2. 4To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life.#1 Cor 9:6. 5Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner’s crown except by competing according to the rules.#1 Cor 9:25. 6The hardworking farmer ought to have the first share of the crop.#1 Cor 9:7–10. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.#Prv 2:6.
8#The section begins with a sloganlike summary of Paul’s gospel about Christ (2 Tm 2:8) and concludes with what may be part of an early Christian hymn (2 Tm 2:11b–12a; most exegetes include the rest of 2 Tm 2:12 and all of 2 Tm 2:13 as part of the quotation). The poetic lines suggest that through baptism Christians die spiritually with Christ and hope to live with him and reign with him forever, but the Christian life includes endurance, witness, and even suffering, as the final judgment will show and as Paul’s own case makes clear; while he is imprisoned for preaching the gospel (2 Tm 2:9), his sufferings are helpful to the elect for obtaining the salvation and glory available in Christ (2 Tm 2:10), who will be true to those who are faithful and will disown those who deny him (2 Tm 2:12–13).Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel,#Rom 1:3; 1 Cor 15:4, 20 / Rom 2:16; Gal 1:11; 2:2. 9for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.#Phil 1:12–14. 10Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory.#Col 1:24; 1 Tm 1:15. 11This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;#Rom 6:8.
12if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.#Mt 10:22, 33; Lk 12:9.
13If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.#Nm 23:19; Rom 3:3–4; 1 Cor 10:13; Ti 1:2.
III. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING FALSE TEACHING
Warning Against Useless Disputes. 14#For those who dispute about mere words (cf. 2 Tm 2:23–24) and indulge in irreligious talk to the detriment of their listeners (2 Tm 2:16–19), see notes on 1 Tm 1:3–7; 6:20–21. Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Tm 2:17), while accepting the Christian’s mystical death and resurrection in Christ through baptism, claimed that baptized Christians are already risen with Christ in this life and thus that there is no future bodily resurrection or eternal glory to come. The first quotation in 2 Tm 2:19 is from Nm 16:5; the other quotation is from some unidentified Jewish or Christian writing.Remind people of these things and charge them before God#Before God: many ancient manuscripts read “before the Lord.” to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.#1 Tm 6:4. 15Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.#1:8; 2 Cor 6:7; Eph 1:13; Col 1:5. 16Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless,#1 Tm 4:7. 17and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,#1 Tm 1:20. 18who have deviated from the truth by saying that [the] resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some.#2 Thes 2:2. 19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, “The Lord knows those who are his”; and, “Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil.”#Is 28:16; 1 Cor 3:10–15 / Nm 16:5; Jn 10:14.
20In a large household there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for lofty and others for humble use. 21If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work.#3:17. 22So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord#Those who call on the Lord: those who believe in Christ and worship him as Lord, i.e., Christians (Acts 9:14–16, 20–21; Rom 10:12–13; cf. 2 Tm 2:19, literally, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord”). with purity of heart.#Gal 5:22; 1 Tm 6:11 / Rom 10:13; 1 Cor 1:2. 23Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels.#1 Tm 1:4; 4:7; 6:4; Ti 3:9. 24A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant,#1 Tm 3:2–3. 25correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth,#3:7; 1 Tm 2:4. 26#Some interpreters would render this passage, “Thus they may come to their senses and, forced to do his (i.e., God’s) will, may escape the devil’s trap.” This interpretation of the Greek is possible, but the one accepted in the text seems more likely.and that they may return to their senses out of the devil’s snare,#1 Tm 3:7. where they are entrapped by him, for his will.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
2 Timothy 2
2
1 SO YOU, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus.
2 And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [as a deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also.
3 Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.
5 And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down).
6 [It is] the hard-working farmer [who labors to produce] who must be the first partaker of the fruits.
7 Think over these things I am saying [understand them and grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything.
8 Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] risen from the dead, [as the prophesied King] descended from David, according to the good news (the Gospel) that I preach. [Ps. 16:10.]
9 For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned!
10 Therefore I [am ready to] persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect [God's chosen], so that they too may obtain [the] salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with [the reward of] eternal glory.
11 The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us.
13 If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers.
15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
16 But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.
17 And their teaching [will devour; it] will eat its way like cancer or spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 Who have missed the mark and swerved from the truth by arguing that the resurrection has already taken place. They are undermining the faith of some.
19 But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. [Num. 16:5; Isa. 26:13.]
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].
21 So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.
22 Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.
25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],
26 And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.
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1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation