2 Timothy 2:1-7
1: You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2: The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3: Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4: No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
5: Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
6: The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
7: Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
"You therefore my son," Paul was encouraging Timothy to follow what he had taught him, not to forsake him as others had done, but to take what he had learned from Paul—the message of the gospel and sound doctrine—and entrust these things to faithful men who would also be able to teach others. Paul was looking for Timothy to teach and equip other teachers. To do this would multiply the preaching of the gospel, as well as establish a system of perpetuating the gospel to future generations. It would multiply it geographically as well as generationally.
Paul knew the church would have to mature to a point of becoming independent of the original apostles, much like a child matures and is no longer dependent on his parents. Believers would have to learn how to teach new believers, including their own children, not only how to receive the light themselves but become carriers of it, and igniting the faith in others. This would require a dedication to the truth which would not always be easy considering the false teachers who had risen, and the persecution of believers. He encouraged Timothy to suffer hardship with him, not to take the easy path of compromise, as a good soldier.
A good soldier remains true to the one who enlisted him and does not allow himself to be distracted by the affairs of everyday life around him. He must remember, and stay faithful to, the one who saved him and called him. An athlete doesn’t win unless he abides by the rules of the game. If he plays by different rules, then he disqualifies himself from the prize. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul discussed how he didn’t run without aim but he disciplined himself to reach the goal set before him so he would not be disqualified himself after preaching to others.
Paul also used a hard-working farmer as an example to say he should be the first to receive his share of the crops (see also 1 Corinthians 9:9-10). There is a reward, but it follows hard work. If there were no sowing, there would be no reaping. Paul told Timothy to think about what he was saying, and the Lord would give him understanding, showing him how these principles applied to his own life. We must do the same and remember who has enlisted us, what we are called to do, and do it, if we want to please the Lord, accomplish what He’s sent us to do, and receive the reward.
***
"You therefore my son," Paul was encouraging Timothy to follow what he had taught him, not to forsake him as others had done, but to take what he had learned from Paul—the message of the gospel and sound doctrine—and entrust these things to faithful men who would also be able to teach others. Paul was looking for Timothy to teach and equip other teachers. To do this would multiply the preaching of the gospel, as well as establish a system of perpetuating the gospel to future generations. It would multiply it geographically as well as generationally.
Paul knew the church would have to mature to a point of becoming independent of the original apostles, much like a child matures and is no longer dependent on his parents. Believers would have to learn how to teach new believers, including their own children, not only how to receive the light themselves but become carriers of it, and igniting the faith in others. This would require a dedication to the truth which would not always be easy considering the false teachers who had risen, and the persecution of believers. He encouraged Timothy to suffer hardship with him, not to take the easy path of compromise, as a good soldier.
A good soldier remains true to the one who enlisted him and does not allow himself to be distracted by the affairs of everyday life around him. He must remember, and stay faithful to, the one who saved him and called him. An athlete doesn’t win unless he abides by the rules of the game. If he plays by different rules, then he disqualifies himself from the prize. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul discussed how he didn’t run without aim but he disciplined himself to reach the goal set before him so he would not be disqualified himself after preaching to others.
Paul also used a hard-working farmer as an example to say he should be the first to receive his share of the crops (see also 1 Corinthians 9:9-10). There is a reward, but it follows hard work. If there were no sowing, there would be no reaping. Paul told Timothy to think about what he was saying, and the Lord would give him understanding, showing him how these principles applied to his own life. We must do the same and remember who has enlisted us, what we are called to do, and do it, if we want to please the Lord, accomplish what He’s sent us to do, and receive the reward.
Comments
Post a Comment