Timothy II - Expositional Study
SOME THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD UNDERSTAND
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-7 (KJV)
Introduction
In the closing verse of our present text there are two things of fundamental importance.
First the word, "consider". In the rush and hurry of life today we are largely losing our capacity to think and reason. Television is taking away our thinking time. Because of worldly pressure, even some Christians often curtail private home meditation and rarely "consider" the things of God. The word of Job "Stand still, and consider..." (37:14) is essentially a word for today.
Second the word, "understanding". The ordinary natural man does not, and cannot, grasp the things of God, "because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). But, those who are spiritual should, by the Spirit, seek spiritual discernment – not only to observe His "acts", but to recognize His "ways" (Ps. 103:7), that is to understand. In our text, verses 2-6, contain matters which Christians certainly should comprehend.
For instance, in his personal measure and circumstance a Christian is responsible for propagating the Truth, and for passing on the life. This is the strategic nature of the Christian position. Consider the links in the chain. The Truth was given: to Paul; then, through him to Timothy; then, through him to "faithful men"; then, through them to "others also". Every soul won is a new center of influence. This is strikingly noticeable in the case of Andrew, in John 1. Every Christian occupies a strategic position – every Christian is a 'cell' – a new center of influence.
Notice the time Timothy received the Truth. We have a clue in the rendering of the word here translated, "among many witnesses". Evidently, it was at the time he was set apart by "the putting on of my hands" (1:6); but, it was not only Paul's hands; also recorded is "the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" (1 Tim. 4:14). At that solemn occasion it appears there was a public conveyance to Timothy, of what Paul calls "the form of sound words." It was for the dissemination of this body of Truth that Timothy was that day set apart, "in the presence of many witnesses" (that assembly of elders) and perhaps others. If young Timothy should ever waver, there would be plenty of witnesses to remind him of the solemn occasion and trust that was there and then committed to him.
So, the responsibility of passing it on was once again pressed on him – "The same commit thou". We learn in 2 Timothy 1:12, 14 that: we commit ourselves to God; He commits to us; and now, as Timothy, we are to commit the same to others. "To faithful men" whose integrity and fidelity can be relied on: Who will not swerve from fear or favor; and who have this further gift: "Able to teach others". So, the Lord's church advances, instructs, and is scripturally organized. Such is the machinery for safe-guarding the purity and soundness of doctrine. But, this responsibility rests, not only upon leaders in the Body of Christ, but also on those of us who are the rank and file. A while back, some young Christians formed the "P.I.O.G.": Pass It On Group. In spite of their faults, lack of knowledge and wisdom, as new-born children of God they did, at least, understand that every Christian was expected to "pass on" the Good News. Christians are God's method. He expects each Christian to broadcast the Good News unsullied, to publish His Truth unimpaired. A missionary once spoke to a man who had never heard of Jesus. He told him of the marvelous dying and rising of the Lord. "And when did all this happen?" came the question. "Over 1900 years ago." "What!" came the man's reply, "Why did you wait so long to tell me about it?" Yes, the plan is clear, the responsibility heavy, and the commission urgent! All this places a Christian in a position of strategic importance. But, is it properly understood? The lighthouse sends out saving light to approaching ships – what a position of responsibility it holds. When the Lord says, "Ye are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14), and "Ye also shall bear witness" (John 15:27), we see again the strategic nature of a Christian's position in the world. But, do we really see it? Do we really understand it?
Here is another consideration – the strenuous nature of the Christian life. From a study of the New Testament, It is obvious that Christianity was never intended to be an: easy-going, sit-at-home, arm-chair religion, but a thoroughly vigorous affair. It does have its quiet, contemplative side. Did not the amazingly energetic Paul advise us to "study to be quiet" (1 Thess. 4:11)? But this is only to be better equipped for the fray. The "Hide thyself" of 1 Kings 18:3, is to prepare the way for the "Show thyself" of 18:1. The "Stand still" of Exodus 15:13, is the preliminary of the "Go forward" of verse 15. The "Wait" of Acts 1:4, is with a view to the "Witness" of verse 8. Let us treasure our quiet time with God; guard it against interruption; use it to the utmost – spending the precious unhurried period: reading from His Word, listening to the Word for His voice, speaking into His ear. Then, let us: get up, get out, and get on, with His work. The Christian life is a strenuous business.
Paul gives us some interesting figures of the Christian life. He begins with the soldier "that warreth". A soldier has times of: rest, sleep, and ease; but, the purpose of his existence is a vigorous one. The word here is not that of a soldier on parade, or on guard, or on furlough, but on active duty. There is a war, and the man's life is keyed up, galvanized into action. This is Paul's conception of the Christian life and he wants Timothy, and us, to grasp it. To borrow words used in a different connection, "there is no discharge in that war" (Eccl. 8:8). There is no demobilization. As long as we remain faithful, we are on active duty, with all the strenuous implications of the picture.
Next comes the athlete – "strive for masteries". It is not certain whether Paul has the wrestler or runner in mind; but, in either case, we have an energetic figure. Look at the man's strained muscles, his tense face: he is all out! His whole being is thrown into the encounter; as should ours be, who "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12); who are to "run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1). The phrase, "with patience", reminds us that our Christian race is no mere sprint, a brief spurt, then all over! Some of us could make a big success of it, if it were like that; but, it is the continuing that is our undoing – the keeping on, keeping on and keeping on. Like so many of us, "Daniel purposed"; but, unlike many of us, "Daniel continued" (Dan. 1:8, 21). Perhaps we could manage ten seconds, perhaps a minute, of concentrated, almost savage, vigor. But the quarter-mile or longer, well, that's a different proposition altogether. That demands stick-ability as well as strenuousness. The Christian race is not a sprint, but a long-distance!
Then the farmer – "that laboureth". Some may imagine a farmer's life as an easy-going existence, with plenty of eggs, pork, honey, fresh air, and everything nice. The truth is different. Constant toil: ploughing, conditioning, sowing, tending, and reaping; always hard at it. Early hours: the farmer cannot afford to lose the first hours of the day, nor should a Christian dispense with that early morning time with God. Frequent disappointment: frosts, pests, and weeds damaging young growth. Infinite patience: you cannot rear or harvest a crop in a week. Like the athlete, the soldier and farmer has to keep on and on and on. Perpetual humdrum: there is little excitement, unless something goes wrong. There is a certain thrill for the serving soldier and the runner, but, there is little thrill for the busy farmer. Such is something of the condition of a Christian's life. No wonder Paul characterized him as, "the husbandman that laboureth" – the hardworking farmer.
Paul's view of the Christian life was – strenuous. Perhaps because of delicate health, Paul may have sensed a possibility that Timothy might be tempted to shrink from this aspect of things (even the best can fall), and Paul, like the faithful father he was, wanted to rouse him to a proper understanding of the facts of the case: The state of the world and the heart of the Lord combine to call for more "labourers" (Matt. 9:38). In these last days, the Lord challenges us, "Why stand ye here all the day idle?" (Matt. 20:6). He wants and needs workers, not shirkers.
Let us briefly consider the sacrificial nature of the Christian experience. It was the Lord, Himself, Who said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself" (Luke 9:23). In other words, say 'No' to ourselves; turn our backs on self; cross self out. Going through our present text again, we see how completely Paul had absorbed the Lord's teaching; for if Paul's implied injunctions are to be carried out, then Timothy's self, and ours, must go!
However, there are things to be put up with – "endure hardness". Keep in mind that for Paul's soldier it is war and not peace-time. He will have to bear: the hardness of rough times, battle conditions, and perhaps cruel wounds. He should not be surprised. It behooves us not to complain if we endure hardness; but to complain if we do not. If the Christian soldier has an easy time of it then he should begin to think something is wrong. Is he: as active as he should be, as definite, or as loyal? If a Christian is 'out-and-out', he probably will have to put up with some form of hardness, perhaps from: lack of sympathy in his or her family, as well as ridicule and opposition in the world. A Christian must face the fact that while one can be a soldier without hardness, he cannot be a 'good' soldier without being prepared and ready to endure it. He will not be alone. Our two words are one in the Greek, and according to the best Manuscript authority, there is a syllable at the front of the word which indicates fellowship – literally it is, "endure hardness with". It might be rendered, "Take thy share in suffering hardness", or, "Join the ranks of those who bear suffering". Paul's immediate thought for Timothy was that, if he suffered, he would do so in the company of Paul. If Timothy should suffer imprisonment (as we know he did from Heb. 13:23), well, so did Paul. There is a certain mystic quality about this companionship in suffering which takes some of the sting out of hardness. This was in Peter's mind when he urged sufferers to steadfastness by the thought of, "knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (1 Pet. 5:9). And, Paul's wonderful expression of desire, "that I may know him...and the fellowship of his sufferings" (Phil. 3:10).
There are things to be avoided – "the affairs of this life"; that is, of ordinary civilian life. In Paul's time there were no standing armies, but men were summoned from their ordinary avocations and sent into the field of battle. When the hasty call came forth: the plough was left in the furrow, the web in the loom, the bridegroom hurried from his bride, and the mourner from the graveside. All home industries were paralyzed while the men were in the battlefield. He cannot allow himself to become entangled with civilian interests – all his energies must be devoted to war. For the time, he must foreswear anything and everything that would prejudice his soldiering.
A life-sacrifice must he evident in the soldier of the Cross. He may find that he will have to give up certain: things, interests, habits, amusements, and friends. Not because any of these are wrong in themselves, but, because they can be a snare, an entanglement, and, often they get in the way of his success as a soldier. He will not criticize his fellow Christians, if they find no harm in such matters – it is not his business to criticize; though, when asked, he is free to give his opinion, and to explain the reason for his avoidance. Anything that interferes with our being the best we can be for Him is to be sacrificed, however harmless it may be to others, and however attractive it may be to us; even though it may be as good a possession as a hand, a foot, or an eye (Matt. 18:8-9).
For the Christian soldier, there are many things in this life that are: plain duty, family things, social affairs, business matters; that must all be attended to and performed better for the very reason that he is a Christian. But, the point lies in the word, "entangleth". This is where the emphasis rests. When anything, however legitimate, becomes an entanglement it must be dealt with severely and sacrificially.
Also, there are things to be obeyed – "strive lawfully". The Christian cannot do as he likes, any more than the athlete can make up his own rules or follow his own dictates. In the case of Greek games, which Paul was thinking of, there were various laws to be observed by a competitor who desired to succeed; rules of the track and training. One required that all entrants must be true-born Greeks. If not, striving in the Arena was not permitted; as the Christian race is open only to those who are born-again. Though other commandments follow, this is the first and fundamental law of the Christian's running. A Christian is called upon to put aside personal wishes, to deny personal desires; performing only His will: Jesus said, "not as I will, but as Thou" (Matt. 26:39). The Lord taught us by the blessed example of His own unique sacrifice.
So, by all these various implications, Paul impresses upon Timothy the sacrificial nature of the life to which he and every Christian has been called, whether as a private individual Christian or a public leader in the church of our Lord. Every time and all the time, self must go. Truly, 'self' is the Christian's main problem. It creeps in and spoils things: self-consciousness, self- pity, self-importance, self-confidence, self-will, and self-seeking. "Let him deny himself", said the Lord. This is certainly a law, but perhaps it is the law! The law of success in Christian living, but, it must be understood and practiced. John, the baptizer, said, "I must decrease". The reason was because it was the foundation of his ministry that, "He must increase" (John 3:30). Paul said it this way, "Not I, but Christ" (Gal. 2:20). Is this a hard doctrine? Well, it is from Paul; actually not Paul, but the Holy Spirit Who inspired him.
However, does all this talk about the strenuous, sacrificial nature of what is required of a Christian sound too hard, too harsh and forbidding? Then, let us end this lesson on a different note: the satisfying nature of the Christian service.
In spite of the cost, Christianity is infinitely worthwhile. Whether from here, the Christian looks up or perhaps from there back down, he shall confess how gloriously desirable the Christian life turned out to be. "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed" (Rom. 8:8). "He had respect unto the recompence of the reward" (Heb. 11:26). "Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame" (Heb. 12:2). What does our present text say about these abundantly satisfying delights?
Consider the phrase "partaker of the fruits" – meaning, the Christian will receive some enjoyment and enrichment from his labors. Though he serves the Lord and others, yet, he shall have gain for his pain. Notice the beautiful provision in Deuteronomy 25:4, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn." Yes, that is a hard, tiring and boring job but the reason his muzzle is taken off is so he can eat corn as he treads it. Though the Christian works for others, he, himself, gains. While he feeds others, he, himself, is fed. This is a beautiful provision of God for His creatures' welfare; and, in a spiritual manner, a beautiful rule for His servants. Is our Christian work strenuous and sacrificial? If so, then our souls will surely be satisfied in it. This is the greatest testimony of earnest Christian workers throughout the ages.
Then, "crowned" – reward of the returning Lord for His faithful servants. "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12). This is the award which, in Paul's eyes, was worth all the "toil and sweat and tears" of his utmost endeavoring. "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13, 14). Consider the "upward" calling for the prize, the crown. Usually, presiding over the Greek games would be some important person, perhaps the Emperor. He would watch the contests from his 'royal' box perched high at the top of the tiered seats. When the program was over, this special person would distribute the awards. In announcing the name of a winner, a herald would call him to come upward to the 'royal' box to receive his prize, amid the plaudits of the crowd. He had successfully pressed toward the mark, and now he came to receive a prize at the upward calling. So it will be when our earth's program is done. The Lord has watched from His throne. When the time for the awards comes, He will give it to those who have (not after the manner of Galatians 5:7) "run well" to the end; they will hear the "call" to come "upward"; to receive their "prize", the "crown", from His hands. What will the faithful Christian then think of his strenuousness and sacrifice? The "fruits" now, the "crown" then, will vastly outweigh any 'giving-up' on this earth. A man once said to an old Christian, "You must have made many sacrifices." The reply, "Sir, I never made a sacrifice in my life. Because of the grace of God, I have always received much more than I ever gave!" To sum it up: "No cross, no crown!"
Conclusion
As we close, let's return to verse 4 for one last all important and wonderful thing: "He may please Him". What greater glory can a human being have, what deeper joy can be experienced, than to win a smile from the Lord?
At the start, God chooses His soldiers! Someone once said, "That cuts me out. I am so feeble and insignificant that He would never choose me to be one of His soldiers." But, consider this, "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called (He does not say, 'not any', but 'not many'). But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not (the mere nonentities) to bring to nought things that are (powers that be): that no flesh should glory in His presence" (1 Cor. 1:26-29). It seems God deliberately chooses unlikely people as His soldiers, perhaps because, when they accomplish something for Him, it could not possibly reflect any glory on themselves. All the glory must go to God, Who enabled them in the first place. After all this, certainly we cannot doubt that God is prepared to enroll us.
If we abide with those unentangled enthusiasts of His army, we will share their joy and privilege, for at the end they please God. It is a happy thing to please others. Some Christians seem to regard it as a mark of grace if they are unpopular as a result of putting people's backs up, but it is much better if we can please people. However, the most important thing, the chief thing, is to please God. The story is told about a business man arriving at a train station early one cold morning. He was warmly and snugly wrapped up and when the conductor asked for his ticker before boarding, he unwrapped, unbuttoned and began to search his pockets. But leaving home that morning he had forgotten it. His temper flared up and strong words were said. He said to the conductor, "You’re not very popular with me this morning", to which the conductor replied, with a grin, "I really don't care as long as I'm popular up there" (pointing to the office of the general manager of the line). It would have been nice if he could have maintained his popularity with the business man, but the principal and essential thing was to be well-thought-of by the general manager. The thing that really counts is that we are "popular up there"! "that he may please Him Who hath chosen him to be soldier". To receive His smile – what honor, what happiness, and what all-embracing satisfaction. And, we do not have to wait until the end to receive it, for, as Hebrews 11:5 says of Enoch, "before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."
Having come this far, do you wonder why Timothy, as well as ourselves, need strength to carry out what has been laid before us? It will need to be a strength beyond our own. Affectionately, Paul reminds Timothy of that strength before showing him why he will need it so much. In the opening verse: "My son"; so affectionately does this father think of his son in the faith – "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." We will only adequately strengthen ourselves when we learn day by day to draw upon His grace which alone is sufficient to strengthen us for a life so: strategic, strenuous, sacrificial, and satisfying. As we shall see later on, that will be the very last word that Paul will write to Timothy: "Grace be with you. Amen."
