Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
2 TIMOTHY 2
The Appeal Renewed
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
Dealing With False Teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Application Notes
2:1 How can someone be strong in grace? Grace is God's undeserved favour on our behalf. Just as we are saved by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we should live by this grace (Colossians 2:6). This means trusting completely in Christ and his power and not trying to live for Christ in our strength alone. Receive and utilise Christ's power. He will give you the strength to do his work.
2:2 If the church were to consistently follow this advice, it would expand exponentially--well-taught believers would teach others and commission them, in turn, to teach still others. Disciples need to be equipped to pass on their faith; our work continues so that we might help all believers become mature and complete in Christ and able to make disciples of others (see Ephesians 4:12-13).
2:3-7 As Timothy preached and taught, he would face suffering, but he was being called to endure. Paul used comparisons with soldiers, athletes, and farmers, who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient. But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and someday living eternally with him.
2:3 The body of Christ includes all believers who have ever lived. When we suffer, we share in a common experience not just with those alive today but with all those who have ever suffered for the sake of the gospel. All the martyrs, missionaries, and pioneers of the faith have had to face what we face and worse. Let us have the same courage, commitment, and willingness to renounce worldly enticements in order to wholeheartedly serve God. How can you face the challenge? Read God's Word and the stories of faithful believers and take heart: "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).
2:7 Paul told Timothy to reflect on his words and that God would give him insight. God speaks through the Bible, His Word, but we need to be open and receptive to him. As you read the Bible, ask God to show you his timeless truths and their application to your life. Then consider what you have read by thinking it through and meditating on it. God will give you understanding.
2:8 False teachers were a problem in Ephesus (see Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 1:3-11). At the heart of false teaching is an incorrect view of Jesus Christ. In Timothy's day, many were asserting that Christ was divine but not human--God but not man. These days, we often hear that Jesus was human but not divine--man but not God. Either view destroys the message that Jesus Christ has taken our sins on himself and has reconciled us to God. In this verse, Paul firmly states that Jesus is fully man ("descended from David") and fully God ("raised from the dead"). This is an important doctrine for all Christians. (For more on this key concept, see the note on Philippians 2:5-7.)
2:9 Paul was in chains in prison because of the gospel he preached. Christians around the world today are put in prison and killed for their faith in Jesus, but the gospel still reaches receptive hearts. When Paul said that Jesus was God, he angered the Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy; many Jews. however, became followers of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24). He angered the Romans who worshiped the emperor as god; but even some in Caesar's household turned to Jesus (Philippians 4:22). When Paul said that Jesus was human, he angered the Greeks, who thought divinity was soiled if it had any contact with humanity; still many Greeks accepted the faith (Acts 11:20-21). The truth that Jesus is one person with two united natures has never been easy to understand, but that doesn't make it untrue. The truth of God's Word is being believed by people every day and changing their lives for eternity. Despite the opposition, continue to proclaim Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Some will listen and believe.
2:11-13 These verses probably came from an early Christian hymn. God faithfully protects his children. Although we may suffer great hardships here, and eventually we will die, God promises that someday we will live eternally with him. What will this involve? Believers will live in Christ's kingdom and share in the administration of that kingdom. This truth comforted Paul as he went through suffering and even death. As you face hardships, don't turn away from God, but turn to him--he promises you a wonderful future with him. (For more on living eternally with God, see Matthew 16:24-27; 19:28-30; Luke 22:28-30; Romans 5:17; 6:8; 8:10-11, 17; 1 Corinthians 15:42-58; Colossians 3:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:21; 21:1-22:21.)
2:13 Jesus will faithfully stay by our side. even when our endurance seems to run out and we doubt our own faith. We may be faithless at times, but Jesus promises to be with us always, ·to the very end of the age· (Matthew 28:20). Jesus will never turn his back on us, even though we may turn our backs on him, for he cannot deny his own nature of love. mercy, and compassion.
2:14-16 Paul urged Timothy to remind the believers not to argue over unimportant details ("quarrelling about words") or have foolish discussions (" godless chatter") because such conversations are confusing, useless. and even harmful. False teachers love to cause strife and divisions by their meaningless quibbling over unimportant details (see 1 Timothy 6:3-5). To handle the word of truth correctly, we must study what God's Word says so we can understand what it means.
2:15 Because God will examine the kind of workers we have been for him, we should build our lives on his Word and build his Word into our lives. The Bible alone tells us how to live for him and serve him. Consistently and diligently study God's Word so that you will not be lulled into neglecting God and your true purpose for living.
2:16 In important areas of Christian teaching, we must carefully work through our disagreements. But when we spend long hours bickering over words and theories that are not central to the Christian faith and life, we only provoke anger and hurt feelings. Even if "godless chatter" reaches a resolution, it gains little ground for the kingdom. Learning and discussing are not bad unless they keep believers constantly focusing on false doctrine or unhelpful trivialities. Don't let anything keep you from your work and service to God. Jesus wants us to be loving, kind, always trusting, always hoping, and always persevering in helping others grow closer to him.
2:17-18 Hymenaeus is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20. Paul had handed Hymenaeus over to Satan because his false teaching concerning the resurrection of the dead was destroying some people's faith.
2:18 The false teachers were denying the resurrection of the body. They believed that when a person became a Christian, he or she was spiritually reborn, and that was the only resurrection there would ever be. To them, resurrection was symbolic and spiritual, not physical. Paul clearly taught, however. that believers will be resurrected after they die, and that their bodies as well as their souls will live eternally with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). We should not try to shape the doctrines of Scripture to match our opinions. If we do, we are putting ourselves above God. Instead, our beliefs should be consistent with God's Word.
2:19 False teachers still spout lies. Some distort the truth, some dilute it, and some simply reject it by saying that God's truth no longer applies. But no matter how many people follow those who twist Scripture, the solid foundation of God's truth never changes. is never shaken, and will never fade. When we follow God's truth, we will live God's way.
2:20-21 Here Paul urged Timothy to be the kind of person Christ could use for his noblest purposes. Don't settle for less than God's highest and best. Allow him to use you as an instrument of his will. You can do this by staying close to him and keeping yourself pure so that sin and its consequences do not get in the way of what he wants to do in your life. Stay away from pornography and illicit movies, shows, and books. Seek godly fellowship--invite believing friends over to encourage one another in your walk with the Lord. God can redeem any situation, but staying close to Christ allows you to be a good and faithful servant ready to be used by him at a moment's notice.
2:22 Running away is sometimes considered cowardly. But wise people realise that removing themselves physically from temptation can often be the most courageous action to take. Timothy, a young man, was warned to flee anything that produced evil thoughts. Do you have a recurring temptation that you find difficult to resist? Remove yourself physically from any situation that stimulates your desire to sin. Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight (Also see 1 Timothy 6:11.)
2:23-26 As a teacher, Timothy helped those who were confused about the truth. Paul's advice to Timothy, and to all who teach God's truth, is to be kind and gentle, patiently and courteously explaining the truth. Good teaching never promotes quarrels or foolish arguments. Whether you are teaching Sunday school, leading a Bible study with friends or devotions with your family, or preaching in church, remember to listen to people's questions and treat them respectfully, while avoiding foolish debates. If you do this, those who oppose you will be more willing to hear what you have to say and perhaps turn from their error.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)