2 Timothy
Growing in Christ
"He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:45)
Overview of Old Testament or New Testament
Links to observations drawn from other books of the Bible
In the Pastoral Epistles, Paul shares with Timothy and Titus principles of caring for the newly emerging churches and choosing leadership for them.
Introduction: Paul had worked with Timothy since his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3) and left Timothy to oversee the growing work in Ephesus. Paul now write his final and most personal letter to Timothy from his prison cell in Rome before his execution (2 Tim. 4:6). Paul calls Timothy to be faithful soldier of Jesus Christ, willing also to suffer for the Gospel (2:3). The letter was probably written about AD 67, one year before Emperor Nero, who had ordered the wide and severe persecution, himself died.
Practical and Pastoral Observations on 1 Timothy (please read each chapter slowly and meditatively before reading observations below):
2 Timothy 1
Paul's memory of Timothy: While in prison Paul frequently remembers Timothy in prayer (v.3). Paul remembers Timothy's tears in hardship or at parting (v.4), his sincere faith (v.5) and the gift of God given at ordination for use in serving the church (v.6).
God's call on Timothy's life: God's call is holy, from eternity, not based on our goodness but on His grace and for His purpose (v.9). Of this high calling we must not be ashamed nor afraid to suffer (v.8) and for it's fulfillment God gives power, love and discipline (v.7).
Confidence in Christ: Our calling is from Christ who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel (v.10). It is He who is able to guard and hold firm our salvation until the day it is fully revealed (v.12).
Guard the treasure, retain the standard: The standard given us in Christ is high. We guard Christ's gift, the treasure entrusted to us, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (v.14) and to the high standard of which it is worthy (v.13). Sadly, not all are faithful (v.15). But there are shining examples such as Onesiphorus who served faithfully in Ephesus and then travelled to Rome to search for Paul in prison and care for his needs before execution (v.16-18).
Personal Response: Christ's call, for which He makes us able, is worthy of suffering as part of our faithfulness to Him. I will draw inspiration from those who served faithfully in hardship; Onesiphorus, Wurmbrandt, Boureima and so many others.
My Prayer: Father, thank you for your high and holy calling in Christ Jesus. Thank you for equipping and enabling me to serve faithfully. Help me not be timid or ashamed but to serve with joy, confident in my Savior and Lord.
2 Timothy 2
Strong in Grace: while criticism and unforgiveness weakens us unto death, the opposite - grace, forgiveness and encouragement - from Christ are life-giving, making us strong (v.1). May we be those who give grace and encouragement freely, continually and in every contact and interaction.
Extending the grace of the Gospel: Each of us should have at least one person discipling and building us up, one person we are discipling and building up, and knowledge of the person our disciple is discipling and building up to bless the next generation of leadership (v.2).
Images of the effective disciple: In following Christ we are like a soldier, recruited by Christ to active service, suffering hardship in the cause of the Kingdom (v.3-4). We are like an athlete, disciplined and focused on the prize, but training and contending only by the values of Christ's Kingdom (v.5). We are like a farmer who enjoys the fruit of his labour (v.6).
Reasons for suffering hardship: When we suffer in pursuit of God's Kingdom, it is 1.) for Christ, 2.) for the extension of the Gospel (v.8-9) and 3.) for those who are yet to be saved and enjoy, with us, His eternal glory (v.10).
Encouragement for the Faithful Disciple: We will live (v.11) and reign (v.12) with Him provided we die with Him (v.11) to the world, flesh and the devil and endure to the end (v.12). Our ability to be faithful is drawn by His grace from His faithfulness to us (v.13). He is our foundation, we are sealed in Him; He knows us and we know Him (v.19).
An honored useful vessel in the Lord's Hand: is one who flees youthful lusts, pursues righteousness with a pure heart (v.23), guarding his words to speak only truth and that which builds up (v.18,23). An effective disciple-maker deals with opposition with patient firm gentleness that all may escape the devil's snare (v.24-26).
The disciple of Christ reproduces Christ in others while holding him or herself to a high standard.
2Tim 2:2: What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2Tim 2:22: So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Personal Response: I will review each Monday my relationship with the person discipling me, those I am discipling, each they discipling, and next steps to be taken.
My Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus, who has called me to be a disciple and a disciple-maker. Help me to be faithful and fruitful for Your Glory. May Your Kingdom Come.