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2 Timothy 2:3-7(NIV) ³Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. ⁵Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

It will not be easy for Timothy to live the life that Paul is encouraging him to live. It takes a special kind of person to devote themselves to the Gospel of Christ. Paul tells Timothy to endure hardship and gives him three examples of how to accomplish this task. Paul is a master at giving us everyday examples of people to show us how to live a godly life. He gives us an example of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. Each of these occupations were very common in that era as they are today. Each of these occupations have a different focus but the same outcome. The whole idea is to be single-minded in your approach to the task.

The first example given is that of a soldier. Paul often uses a soldier as a picture of the Christians battle. He states that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in the heavenly places. We are encouraged to put on the “full armor of God” so that we can fight the battle properly. A soldier does not get involved in a civilian job but is single-minded in his task as a soldier. The entire purpose of a soldier is to fight and win. To do this he must follow the orders of the commanding officer. Disobeying orders is a very serious crime in any military organization. Thus a soldier is focused on his commanding officer and does everything in his power to accomplish his will.

It is the privilege of a Christian to serve his commanding officer, who is Christ, the author and finisher of our salvation (Heb. 2:10). It is Christ who singlehandedly defeated Satan and reclaimed creation for mankind. He is our King and as such our commanding officer. Our eyes should be fully trained upon Him. The battle is being waged and our only hope of victory is by yielding our lives to Christ through obedience. The more we are yielded the greater the victory Christ gives us. It is only when we take our eyes off of Him and start focusing on ourselves and the things of this world that we begin to lose the battle. Victory only comes to those who are fully engaged in the battle and execute the battle plan as the commanding officer dictates. A soldier dare not take his eyes off the task before him or else death ensues.

An athlete focuses on the end result of the sport he is to participate in. Every athletic event has a set of rules that you must abide by in order to not be penalized. Not following the rules makes it much harder to win the prize. An athlete trains his body to perform his task to the best of his ability. The athlete becomes single-minded in his pursuit of the prize that is set before him. For a football player today it is obtaining the Super Bowl Ring. For a track star it is the Olympic Gold Medal. Each prize requires that they stay focused on the task and condition themselves so that the prize becomes attainable. Paul often uses athletes to demonstrate his principles.

To the athlete, playing the game is the entire focus of his existence. We often hear about athletes who fail to play by the rules by using performance enhancing drugs or other illegal means to give themselves and advantage. In todays society, much like during the time of Paul’s writing to Timothy, being a top notch athlete gives one all the material pleasures he could possibly want. There is wealth beyond measure as well as any other worldly lust. With so much at stake and with such great rewards for being the best it is no wonder that many try to cheat the system. There is a cost to pay for all those who fail to play by the rules.

Christians also like to cheat the system by not following the rules. Many think that they can be friends with the world and live a life that is not pleasing to God. Christ is very clear on what he expects from those who belong to him. They are to forsake the world and the lusts of the world. They are to remain focused on the prize which is eternal life with Him. There are rewards for all those who are faithful to Christ and that should be our motivation to live a godly life here on earth. We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what we have earned while on earth. Some may end up very embarrassed by what the receive. Like the athlete we are to remain focused on the prize and do everything within the rules to attain the victors crown.

The farmer is focused on the harvest. This is his livelihood and without a good crop he will not have a productive year. The farmer, therefore, works very hard to make sure that the harvest is plentiful so that he will not be in need for the coming year. His reward is the fruit of his labor.

So also must the Christian focus on the harvest. There is a field out there filled with unbelievers who need to hear the Gospel. It is only through the foolishness of preaching that anyone can come to know the truth. Timothy is to use that gift to bring in the harvest of souls that God has set before him. So should we all become hard working farmers spreading the Gospel and cultivating the plants that spring forth from that seed. Just like the farmer who receives a share of the crops that he raises, so also, do we share in the souls of all those who come to Christ through our faithfulness to the Gospel. There are rewards for being faithful to God and that is a motivating factor for all of us.

We should also take Paul’s advice to Timothy and reflect on what he has just said. Meditating on God’s word will always bring insight into what God has revealed. Reflect on what God has to say in His word so that we can live our lives with single mined determination to please God. Reflect upon the soldier, the athlete and the farmer. Do we pursue our Christian walk with the same fervor as they?

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2 Timothy 2:1-2(NIV) ¹You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

Paul is continuing his charge to Timothy. He has reminded Timothy whom he serves and what gifts he has been given to accomplish the task before him. Timothy is Paul’s protégé and he needed to be encouraged to carry on the work that Paul had started. Timothy was to fan into flame the gift that he had received, and to get on with the ministry that he had been entrusted with.

Paul reminds Timothy of the cost of ministry by reminding him of the suffering that accompanied Paul throughout his ministry. There is a cost for loyalty but the reward is so much greater than the cost that it should not dissuade ones decision. Timothy was never to be ashamed of the God of creation or of Paul, God’s servant. He was to remain true to the Gospel he had heard and been entrusted with. He was to guard the good deposit with the help of the Holy Spirit, vs.1:14.

Timothy was not to be like Phygelus and Hermongenes who deserted Paul because of his imprisonment, but was to be like Onesiphorus who searched throughout Rome until he had found Paul and was able to comfort him. Onesiphorus had no regard for his own safety, but rather placed Paul’s needs above his own even though he may have ended up in prison with Paul. Paul begins chapter 2 with the admonition to Timothy to be like Onesiphorus. You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul had reminded Timothy about the God that we serve back in 1:8-10. God is a gracious God and provides grace to those who belong to Him. John 1:16 say’s that,¹⁶From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.  James say’s, James 4:6(NIV) ⁶But he gives us more grace. Paul states in, 1 Corinthians 15:10(NIV) ¹⁰But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. It is all about grace and without that we are less than nothing. Paul could do all things through Christ because of the grace of God that was in him.

Timothy was then to use his gift through the strength that is provided by the grace that is in Christ. Not only is he to use his gift, but he is to go one step further and pass that knowledge on to others who will in turn do likewise. Timothy has spent many years under Paul’s tutelage. He had watched as Paul presented the word of God to countless individuals. He had probably asked Paul to clarify his teachings and go into greater detail when they were alone. Paul had not neglected his responsibility to train a replacement for himself and now he was instructing Timothy to do the same. 

God has provided the church with the tools necessary to continue in the truth. There are many teachers who are given the responsibility to teach what God’s word say’s. The church at Ephesus had problems with false teachers, and it was up to Timothy to speak the truth and correct the false teachings that were starting to take hold. Later in chapter 2 Paul will mention these false teachers. This has not changed since Paul instructed Timothy to teach sound doctrine. The church today is to do the same. We are to train the next generation of people to carry on the teachings which Paul and the other apostles have laid down.

History has demonstrated that this is no easy task. The church has taken on many different forms, and diverged onto many paths. Paul warns about the consequences of this and what the responsibilities of the church are when confronted with false teachings. How important is sound Biblical teaching? How do we know what is sound and what is false? Today there are so many denominations and churches that teach so many different things that it is mindboggling. You are still held accountable for what you believe. God still expects each of His children to learn the truth and obey the truth. He has given you his word and provided the grace to show you what His truth is. How important is His word? We will explore false teaching later in 2 Timothy and hopefully you will be able to understand the importance of knowing the truth.

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2 Timothy 1:13-18(NIV) ¹³What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. ¹⁵You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. ¹⁷On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. ¹⁸May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Paul has demonstrated to Timothy that there is nothing to fear or be ashamed of by living for God. Of what consequence is there in this world which could possibly matter? It is the Creator whom we serve, and not out of blind loyalty. It is because of His grace, when before the beginning of time, He imputed value to us and devised a plan of reconciliation. God is sovereign and His plan cannot be changed. What possible reason should we have to fear anything or anybody in this life when we have been given eternal life with God? Paul has reminded Timothy of these things so that he can be a beacon to the rest of the world in his ministry. He wants Timothy to be able to say:

Romans 8:28-39(NIV) ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. ³¹What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^{£ 37}No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul next reminds Timothy of what he is to teach. Remember that Paul was “appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher” vs12. He is claiming that his teaching is authoritative and correct. Paul knew the scripture being a Pharisee of Pharisee’s. He new the Old Testament backward and forward, and was given special revelation concerning Christ and the Church. His teachings were from God and thus inerrant. His teachings were to be treated as such and considered trustworthy. Timothy was to use the foundation that he had learned from Paul in his teaching and not build a false foundation. He was to have faith and love which is a signature of Christians. Faith that God will direct his path and love for all.

Timothy is to guard the good deposit that was entrusted to him. This would be the gift that God had given to him. All Christians have been given gifts to use in the ministry of the church. Timothy is to guard that gift and use it. Just think of how different the churches could be today if all Christians heeded this command. How many are actually using their God given talents to further the work of Christ here on earth? How many are sucked up into the worldly life they posses without regard to their true calling? Paul said to guard that deposit. That means it needs to be understood and used or else it can be of no value.

It is the Holy Spirit which produces the fruit of our gifts. It is only by relying on Him that we can guard our gift and use it effectively. With salvation comes responsibilities, but we are not left to our own devices. God himself dwells within each and every one of us to give us all we need to live holy productive lives.

It is not easy to live the way Paul is asking Timothy to live. During this captivity Paul was deserted by many. He even names some names of those in Asia who were ashamed of Him. There was one, Onesiphorus, who did not abandon Paul, but actually searched throughout Rome for Paul until he found him. How do we treat those who are suffering for their beliefs? Do we steer clear and avoid them because we might be seen with them and scorned? God is faithful and will provide comfort to all those who are in need. Onesiphorus was one of those God provided to Paul for comfort and encouragement during his time of need. We can all be used by God in many ways, but it is impossible when we become ashamed and frightened by what may happen. Read the above verses in Romans 9:28-39 again with this in mind.

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2 Timothy 1:8-12(NIV) 8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Paul has been rejected and deserted by many of the believers during his captivity. They are afraid of the consequences their relationship with Paul would bring now that he is in chains. Paul makes the statement that everyone in the province of Asia had deserted him and was ashamed of him in his bondage. Only Onesiphorus was not ashamed and actively sought out Paul in Rome. (1:15,16) It is with this background that Paul asks Timothy to not be ashamed to testify about Christ, or ashamed of Paul because of his incarceration. 

Paul takes his plea to Timothy one step further and asks him to share in his suffering for the Gospel because it is brought about by the power of God. This is a very powerful statement concerning the very nature of God and how God works within His creation. Paul is saying that all of his suffering is part of the purposes of God in History. Paul does not leave us to comprehend this truth by ourselves, but goes on to explain what he is talking about in the rest of the passage.

Paul gives us a mini summation of God’s purpose in history. It is centered on the grace of God. God is a gracious God. God had determined to bestow His grace upon mankind. After the fall it became necessary for God to formulate a plan whereby man could receive God’s grace and not His wrath. The dilemma became how could a righteous God have fellowship with sinful man?

The first thing that Paul wants us to remember is that God has given us grace before the beginning of time. It has always been God’s purpose to save mankind. This salvation is not based upon anything that mankind has done, but totally upon God’s grace. This has always been God’s purpose throughout history and was hidden in Old Testament times. The plan of God had not been revealed until the appearing of Jesus Christ.

It is Jesus Christ, the God/Man who was the answer God provided. It was Jesus Christ the sinless Man who willingly took on the wrath of God that sinful man deserved. It was Jesus Christ who destroyed death by raising from death and is alive today. It is because of this that He can impart life to all those who accept the gospel.

That is the gospel. The death, burial and resurrection story concerning Christ. It has further been determined that the means by which the grace of God will be bestowed upon mankind is through preaching. God has given each believer a part in salvation by calling them to a holy life so that they may manifest his grace in their life and as a result give them opportunities to preach the gospel to the unsaved.

The world hates the gospel. Satan will do everything in his power to stop its spread. Later in 2 Timothy 3:12 Paul tells Timothy that everyone who wishes to live a godly life will suffer persecution. It is a privilege to suffer for Christ, yet many still have more concern for their own welfare than for their eternal reward. In this country persecution is not as prevalent as in some other parts of the world although that is changing. There are more Christians being persecuted today in various parts of the world than at any other time in history. This may seem surprising to us in this country, but it is a reality for the majority of Christians in the world. Even in this country you are denigrated for having Biblical views on moral subjects. Try telling the school system about the facts of creationism and see how you are treated.

Paul was appointed to preach and teach the gospel to the gentile world. It is the fact that he followed his calling which caused his suffering. He is enjoining Timothy to fan the flames of his gift and calling and not to be afraid of the suffering that will result from that decision. Paul never was ashamed of the gospel because he understood whom he served. There is absolute certainty in Paul’s mind concerning his beliefs. It is centered in Jesus Christ the creator of the universe, and omnipotent God. Paul can confidently say that he is convinced that what he believes is certain and that when he stands before the judgment seat of Christ he will receive the rewards that He was promised. He will receive his resurrection body and enjoy eternity with his God.

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2 Timothy 1:6-7(NIV) 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self–discipline.

Paul was very much aware of Timothy’s nature. He understood that he was somewhat timid and frail. He did not have the dynamic outgoing personality which Paul and some of the other leaders had. This could, and did cause some problems for Timothy at times. Paul instructed the Corinthian church not to intimidate Timothy but rather encourage his stay with them so he can continue in God’s work unencumbered.

1 Corinthians 16:10-11(NIV) 10If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11No one, then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

Paul reminds Timothy of the faith which he has embraced and demonstrated in his life. It is a sincere faith which has brought with it the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is the faith which brings about regeneration which is the New Birth in Christ. This is the faith that makes us children of God and heirs with Christ. This is the faith that brings with it the guarantee of eternal life in Christ.

When we become a child of God we also are given gifts so that we may build the body of Christ to it’s fullness. Each and every Christian has a gift that he is expected to use.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11(NIV) 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Paul is reminding Timothy about the gift that was given to him and how he needed to remember his purpose in life. He tells Timothy to fan into flame the gift that God gave him. The picture is of a fire that is dying and needed to be stirred so that the flames may begin to burn again. If you have ever been around a camp fire then you understand that periodically you needed to get the old ash off the wood so that the flame will reappear and reinvigorate the fire. Timothy had to rekindle that flame so that he could prepare for what is about to come.

Paul was about to die. Timothy needed to be prepared for that eventuality and the best way for that to happen is to become committed to God as much as Paul was. The gift that is spoken of is probably the gift of ministry. The practice of laying on of hands is done when one is appointed to the ministry of pastor of elder. Most likely Paul is telling Timothy that he is to carry out Paul’s ministry as a teacher. There is no indication that he had the gift of evangelism even though he is encouraged to do the work of and evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5). It appears that the main thrust of his gift is teaching as we shall see as we continue in this book.

Timothy is to be consumed with doing the work of God as we should all be. We all find ourselves getting bogged down with the worries and problems of the world. We have a tendency to forget God and live for our own pleasure and circumstances. We set aside the gift that God has given us and try to live in our own power. Self becomes more important than God and soon we become a slave to sin once more.

I often find myself in this condition. I know what God has given me and what He expects from me, but the things of this world drown out what he wants me to do and I find myself consumed with things that I believe are more important. I find myself with less and less time I can devote to Him and as a result my walk with God becomes less important than the next worldly crisis I find myself in. 

Paul understands Timothy and the possibility for him to get caught up in the unimportant things of the world and thus neglect his calling. The enemy does not sleep and the future is one that has challenges. Timothy needs to meet those challenges and the only way that he can do that is by fanning the flames and using God’s gift .

The fact that we belong to God and are endowed with gifts should make us strong in defense of the faith. We did not receive a timid (cowardly) spirit when we accepted Christ, but a spirit of power and love and self-control. This reminds us of the statement Paul made in Philippians.

Philippians 4:12-13(NIV) 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

No matter what the circumstances of life brings our way we have a spirit that can overcome all the obstacles that life throws at us. We can say with Paul that there is nothing we can’t do or endure because it is God who strengthens us and overcomes the world. As we abide in Him, He will abide in us and we will then manifest in our our lives that spirit of power and love and self-control. This is what the Spirit of God produces in our lives so that we can accomplish His purposes on earth.

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2 Timothy 4:6-7(NIV)

6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Paul is in prison. It is the reign of the Emperor Nero. Paul is looking at his soon to be martyrdom. As he awaits his execution his thoughts turn to the future and preserving what he had started. He thinks of his son in the faith, young Timothy whom he had converted in Lystra on his first missionary journey (Acts 16:2). Timothy had become a traveling companion of Paul’s and very much a son to him (2 Timothy 2). He pens this letter to Timothy to remind him of who he is and to remain faithful to his calling. There is trouble ahead for the Church and Paul wants Timothy and the rest of Christianity to be aware of what will happen and how to live when it does.

2 Timothy 1:13-14(NIV)

13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Paul begins this very personal letter to Timothy with what on the surface seems like a typical Pauline introduction.

2 Timothy 1:1-2(NIV)

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul did not choose his path in life. He is an Apostle because God so choose him to be. Timothy needed to understand that his life also was according to God’s will and he must live accordingly. Paul was facing death, yet he understood that death means nothing because he possesses the promise of life which has been given him in Christ. Timothy also needed to understand this principle. The resurrection of Christ has put an end to death forever for all those who are in Him. Death no longer holds any fear for us because we know that there is the promise of life in Christ, and that life is eternal. Timothy is going to face many trials after Paul’s death and thus Paul reminds him about the importance of being faithful to Christ.

2 Timothy 1:3-6(NIV)

3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Prayer is an integral part of the Christian life and in this instance Paul wants Timothy to understand that he does not pray for him with just a passing mention that tends to be part of our prayer life today. Paul points out that he prays night and day. He continually thanks God for Timothy. He does so with a clear conscience and reminds Timothy that he serves the same God that Timothy serves. That God is the God his ancestors served. Paul thus reminds Timothy about the Jewish God that is written about in scripture. The one true God. He reminds Timothy of  the fact that he was raised on these same scriptures which he knew from childhood because of the faithfulness of his mother and grandmother.

Timothy was a Jew with a Gentile father. He was very familiar with the same scripture that Paul taught. He had a very faithful grandmother and mother who trained him in the Jewish scripture. It is the belief in those promises contained in the scripture that produced the faith that Paul now sees in Timothy. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”

2 Timothy 3:14-16(NIV)

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s intention is to encourage Timothy to live a godly life. He was Paul’s protégée and was to take over his ministry after his death. Timothy was young and timid. He needed all the encouragement that he could get. Paul reminds him of the sincere faith that he possesses and because of that faith he needed to “fan into flame” the gift that God gave him at his conversion. The mention of the laying on of hands would indicate that the gift is that of Elder or Pastor. When Elders were given to the local churches the leaders would lay their hands upon them to signify that they were called to the ministry.

Paul was about to start instructing Timothy about what he must do when Paul leaves. He is setting the stage for what is to follow which is a lesson for all of us today. Much of this letter deals with the state of the Church during it’s final stages on earth. It is very relevant to us today.

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