2 Timothy 2

Be strong in grace 1
Jesus Christ came from David; the word is not chained 8
A saying about following Christ 11
Being faithful workers 14
Vessels of various materials 20
Flee youthful desires; avoid foolish arguments 22
Text Comments
.1 ¶ Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.   Strong in grace None of us could be an overcomer or reflect Christ to others without this special gift of grace which we may ask for daily through the Holy Spirit.
.2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.    Among many Timothy had heard Paul's sermons while traveling with him.
  Commit See 1ti0620.
  Commit ... faithful Rather "Trust worthy" See on 1ti0112.
.3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.   Soldier Compare ph0225, 1ti0108.
 4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.   No man Speaking of the Christian as a "soldier" v3.
 5  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.   Masteries Greek athleo meaning "athletics." The pastor is to be like an athlete 1co0924.
  Lawfully According to biblical principles 2ti0113.
 6  The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.   Husbandman One who cultivates the soil.
  First a partaker The farmer who doesn't eat will soon be unable to provide food for others ga0522.
 7  Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.   Understanding A gift we may request. See da0117.
.8 ¶ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:  Remember that Jesus Rather, "remember Jesus."
  Seed of David Drawing attention to Christ's human nature. Some had, at this early date, believed that He never lived in human form –the doctrine of Docetism. On seed of David, see ps13211, 2sa0712.
 9  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.   Suffer trouble From kapatheo "to suffer evil." Compare 2ti0108, v3.
  Word ... not bound Not open to access by one person or group, v2.
 10  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.   Elect's sakes Sincere souls need to hear the full truth. ro0833.
.11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:   Dead with him He chose the tomb instead of sin as we see from the temptations in the wilderness, lu04. Only as we are ready to die before being unfaithful, may we expect to be resurrected as Christ was. He is then our substitute.
.12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
 13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
  Suffer ... reign See mt1928.
  If we deny him See mt1033.
  Believe not Literally "are unfaithful." He remains faithful de0709. He does not renounce His pure character.
.14 ¶ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
.15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
 16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
.17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
 18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

  15 - Study From spoudazo "to hurry" or "to exert one's self" or "to be diligent. See words from the same root: 1th0217, 2ti0409, tt0312, 2pe0110.
  15 - Shew ... approved God holds us accountable.
  15 - Rightly dividing From orthotomeo. Literally "cutting straight." RSV has "right handling." Scholars believe that the original meaning of the word may have been lost. Still we can get an idea of the meaning as we think of comparing passages. To cut would assume that supporting texts come from anywhere in the Bible which dispensationalism wouldn't allow. The Scriptures are important. Many today ignore context and other verses on the topic in order to support their doctrine. See notes page on dispensationalism, a theory that depends on this verse.
.19 ¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
.20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
 21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
  19 - The Lord koweth What a blessing! jn1028. While we faithful to the simple principles of the Bible, we may be sure of salvation v12.
  19 - Iniquity From adikia, "unrighteousness." By grace we may be spiritually pure ps02403.
  20 - But Should be "now."
  20 - Great house A metaphor for the church nu1207, he0305, 1ti0315.
  20 - Some to honour Some for banquets; others for garbage or human waste. Some church members honor God and some dishonor Him. Also see 1co0312.
  21 - Purge From the influence of dishonorable people and from dishonorable teachings v19.
.22 ¶ Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
.23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
.24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
  22 - Flee Good advice. If we linger to watch evil, we slip into it. Compare 1ti0611. Eve was drawn into sin when she began to dialogue at his tree.
  22 - Youthful lusts "Lusts" is from epithumiai meaning "desires" See the term in mr0419, ja0114. The advice is good for everyone. Youth naturally want new and popular activities. They need Paul's advice to choose only things that harmonize with the character of their friend, Jesus. See ps119060.
  23 - See on 1ti0104.
  23 - Gender strifes But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. (NKJV).
  24 - Servant Paul writes mostly to pastors. See on ro0101.
.25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;   Oppose themselves To oppose truth is to oppose the way of happiness. Some work against their own best interests.
  Peradventure An old word meaning "maybe."
  Repentance In this case, a new attitude.
.26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.   Snare Compare 1ti0307.
  Recover themselves Return to being sober after being spiritually intoxicated by Satan. Compare re1702.
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