2 TIMOTHY 2

GOOD SOLDIERS ARE NOT AFRAID TO SUFFER / 2:1-13

Good parents want their children eventually to leave home and succeed on their own. But after the good-byes and the well-wishes, parents wonder, Did we teach them well enough to survive? So parents continue to offer advice. Paul's last letter to Timothy sounds like wise parental counsel. After affirming Timothy for the good character he had already demonstrated (see 1:5), Paul hinted at Timothy's "debt" of faith to his mother and grandmother (see 1:5). Then he expressed his confidence in Timothy as the right choice to carry on the ministry in Ephesus.

Like a father discussing his son's future choices, Paul used three vocations to illustrate what it is like to serve God: military service, athletic training, and farming. Each vocation showed Timothy that he, and all Christians, must work hard and trust God for the long-range results.

2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.NKJV Many of Paul's associates had deserted him, but at least one had remained (1:15-16). Paul challenged his "beloved son" to be like Onesiphorus, unashamed of the gospel, unashamed of his standing as a leader in the Christian church, unafraid of the false teachers, courageous through hardship and persecution. How? Through the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

How can someone be strong in grace? The term is endunamou, "be empowered" or "be strengthened" and implies being helped by someone else, in this case God. Paul was telling Timothy to draw strength from God as he focused on the grace that he would receive through his relationship with Christ Jesus. And he should use this strength in God's service. Grace means "undeserved favor." The greatest experience of God's grace is having one's sin pardoned. Once we have been pardoned by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we should live by grace, daily motivated and encouraged, remembering that our sins are forgiven (Colossians 2:6). Paul reminded Timothy that strength comes not from himself but from Christ and his power. The grace available through Christ to Paul and to Timothy is also available to every believer today. We have God's grace in Christ Jesus by living in close relationship with him day by day.

2:2 And 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.NIV Timothy heard Paul preach to many diverse groups of people. The message Paul wanted Timothy to "guard" (1:14) was not a privately shared secret, but the accumulation of public teaching. Here Paul reminded Timothy that his essential role as guardian meant ensuring that the message was delivered to others intact, so that they might in turn "guard" it. Paul was not teaching apostolic succession of administrative leadership, but faithful teaching of correct doctrine. Timothy was to keep the process of teaching going. This is a pattern for discipleship. It requires leaders to have a program for developing new leaders who can carry on the ministry. Since Paul, there has been a link from disciple to disciple, from generation to generation. We must keep that link intact.

Having accompanied Paul on his second and third missionary journeys, Timothy had heard Paul preach, argue the gospel, and/or bring encouragement

• to the women who gathered by the river just outside Philippi (Acts 16:13)
• to the believers in Philippi (Acts 16:40)
• to the Jews in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1)
• to devout Greeks and women in Thessalonica (Acts 17:4)
• to the Bereans, who searched the Scriptures to see for themselves if Paul's words were true (Acts 17:11); Greek women and men of high standing in Berea became believers
• to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens (Acts 17:18)
• to the Jews and Greeks in Corinth (Acts 18:4)
• to the Jews in Ephesus (Acts 18:19)
• to the believers in Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23)
• to disciples of John the Baptist who had not heard the full gospel (Acts 19:1-7)
• to many Jews and Greeks in the lecture hall of Tyrannus in Ephesus over a two-year period (Acts 19:9-10)
• to the believers in Macedonia (Acts 20:1-2)
• to the believers in Troas, where Paul spoke until midnight; Eutychus fell asleep and out the window to his death; Paul raised the young man back to life, then continued to speak to the believers until dawn (Acts 20:7-12)
• to the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38)

To all these different groups, Paul's message, while perhaps changing in format, never changed in content. Almost echoing his words of 1:13: "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus" (niv). Paul's words in the presence of many witnesses may also refer to: (1) others besides Paul who taught Timothy the truth: for example, his mother and grandmother (1:5), the elders (1 Timothy 4:14), and others, like Barnabas, who had seen or known Jesus Christ; or (2) those who were present at his ordination and baptism and helped him develop. Paul realized that, although called specially by God, the preaching of the truth also came through many others. Paul was telling Timothy to pass on what had proven to be true.

Paul told Timothy to entrust that truth to reliable people who were both loyal to the faith and able to teach. The stress was on reliability more than position (see v. 21). Like ripples from a stone thrown into a pool of water, the gospel would spread across the world. When Paul wrote these words to Timothy, he realized that the transmission of the gospel truth to the next generation was passing into the hands of second-generation believers. Up to this point, the Good News was being spread solely by word of mouth and the lives of believers. The Gospels and various letters written by Paul and others may have just begun to be circulated, but they were not gathered into a book called the New Testament until years later. For a while, Timothy had the only copy of 2 Timothy in existence. Part of entrusting the gospel to others was accomplished when painstaking, handwritten copies of the precious letters were made.

If today's church consistently followed Paul's advice, there would be an incredible spread of the gospel as 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; new believers must be taught to make disciples of others (see Ephesians 4:12-13).

2:3 Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.NRSV The niv translates this "endure hardship," stressing the fatigue and deprivation that soldiers face. The nrsv is better. This same word is used in 1:8: "Join with me in suffering for the gospel." Paul had given this warning in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (Acts 14:22-23). Thus Paul was returning to a theme that he knew would test the mettle of his disciple—suffering. Paul wanted young Timothy to have no illusions: Being faithful to the truth, unwilling to twist it for personal gain (unlike many of the false teachers, 1 Timothy 6:3-5), and constantly preaching it even against threat of persecution would inevitably lead to suffering. As Paul had suffered, so Timothy would share in that suffering (he was eventually imprisoned, see Hebrews 13:23). Jesus had warned his followers, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. . . . If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:18-20 nkjv).

Paul followed with three examples to illustrate the attitude that Christ's followers must have through suffering (for the same three examples, see 1 Corinthians 9:7, 24). Each example encouraged Timothy in a different aspect of his ministry.

First, Paul wrote of the soldier. Paul often used military metaphors (see, for example, Romans 7:23; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 2:25; 1 Timothy 1:18; Philemon 2). From the military model, Timothy should learn endurance, purpose, bravery, and obedience. Every soldier expects to lose personal autonomy and to experience adverse conditions; so Timothy should expect both hardship and suffering in his ministry of the gospel.

2:4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.NIV Paul instilled a sense of purpose and obedience in Timothy. A good soldier obeys the commanding officer. The soldier's call to service takes precedence over civilian affairs, referring to any business or distraction that gets in the way of the mission. Paul was not prohibiting marriage, as some have thought.

The phrase gets involved (empleketai) could also be rendered "gets entangled, gets absorbed." While civilian affairs are not wrong in themselves, they become a problem if the Christian gets so entangled in them that his or her ministry suffers. Christian workers, whether pastors or laymen, must watch their outside involvements carefully. Business ventures, serving on committees or boards, volunteer assignments, and/or home projects can eat up valuable time and energy. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that a good minister of the gospel must have a single-minded purpose—to preach the truth and, if necessary, to suffer for it.

There are limits to the instruction to not get involved in civilian affairs. Some have taken Paul's advice to mean that Christians should do nonstop Christian work. While the image of the soldier presents helpful insights about endurance, even soldiers need rest. Wise commanders know their soldiers need breaks from the action. Even when there have been no wounds, the soldier needs relief from the stress of the battle.

We must maintain a healthy balance in our lives between spiritual activity and spiritual rest. Pastors, teachers, and other ministers cannot function without times of refreshment. Do you give yourself permission to take time away from work?

Renouncing whatever could entangle him or her leaves the good soldier free to obey without reservations. This in turn pleases the commanding officer. The effectiveness of a military unit depends on its single-minded commitment to follow the leader in the accomplishment of the mission. Christ demands unquestioning loyalty and obedience from his servants.

2:5 And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules.NRSV Next Paul used the athlete as an example. Paul would not have been content with the slogan: "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." Based on his words to Timothy, Paul probably would have revised the slogan to say: "Whether you win or lose depends totally on how you play the game!"

How we apply this illustration depends on whether we assume Paul used the figures of the soldier, athlete, and farmer to make three different but related points for Timothy, or to make one central point in three different ways. The structure of the passage lends strength to the idea that Paul had one lesson in mind, though the details of each illustration allow for further insights. In other words, the soldier, athlete, and farmer all teach us the same lesson—to persevere to the end—while also helping us understand other requirements for Christian service.

This section (2:1-7) begins with the pair of commands in verse 1, "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," and verse 3, "Endure hardship." These commands represent the twofold strategy needed in a Christ-centered life: (1) to be enabled by strength flowing out of grace to (2) endure the difficulties of life. Each vocation models this two-part strategy:

• The soldier must trust the commanding officer and desire to please him so that obeying the commander becomes central, even when difficulties are encountered. Pleasing Christ gives strength to endure hardship.
• The athlete accepts the rules of the competition in order to complete the challenge of the game, including its difficulties.
• The farmer works hard at plowing, planting, waiting, weeding, and harvesting and is entitled to enjoy the results. The soldier submits to the officer; the athlete to the code of the competition; the farmer to the laws of nature and agriculture. The believer submits to Jesus Christ. In him we have a gracious commanding officer—one who provides an example and directions for our course, and who rewards the hard and patient work of his servants.

Being crowned most likely referred to the Olympic games. A competitor had to know the rules of his event, train diligently with an understanding of those rules, and finally compete according to the rules. Competitors in the Olympic games also had rules regarding their training—they were required to swear that they had trained for at least ten months. Only then could a competitor be qualified to enter an event. Every event was governed by rules and boundaries; an athlete who failed to compete within those boundaries faced disqualification. But those who competed fairly were eligible to receive the victor's crown.

What rules did Paul have in mind—training rules or rules of the game? Opinions have differed. Both ideas fit the requirements of the Christian life. We are in training more than we are in competition, but Paul probably had both in mind. We must be careful not to give the impression that Christians are rules-oriented or legalistic. We do, however, live under the rule of Christ. We have become athletes by God's grace through faith in Christ. We have accomplished nothing to merit that status, but Christ freely made us members of his team. We must wholeheartedly enter into training and competition (ministry to the church and the world) representing Jesus Christ in every facet of our lives.

Whether or not Timothy understood this crowning to mean a heavenly reward, Paul made his intent clear (4:8) when he wrote of his own expected crown. This reference to the crown of righteousness and the present context make it clear that believers are not in competition with each other. In the race that Paul envisions, all who compete in the required way will win (see also 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1-2 for similar illustrations).

2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.NIV From the farmer, Timothy should learn that physical labor produces results. But only the hardworking farmer will harvest a good crop. The farmer knows that seeds will not plant themselves; the harvest will not walk into the barn. The farmer must go out into the fields to sow the seed, water it, protect it, and finally harvest the crop. The reward will be a share of the crops for the farmer and his family to eat, and the rest to sell.

If the soldier enjoys the commander's approval, and the athlete enjoys the victory, then the hardworking farmer can enjoy the fruits of his or her labor. Likewise a faithful believer can enjoy the results of his or her labor. Those results may not be received "immediately," but most certainly the fruits will be received from Christ in eternity.

There are three ways to interpret the share of the crops:

1. Spiritually—The hard work will spiritually benefit the worker.
2. Financially—The laborer is worthy of his pay.
3. Evangelistically—A harvest of new believers will be a blessing to the minister.

"Share" could mean the material benefits that come to a minister from those with whom he or she ministers. That interpretation would be incidental to the truth Paul was teaching. His main point concerned the blessing gained by those who invest themselves spiritually to minister to others and thereby receive spiritual growth in return.

2:7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.NRSV Either Paul was worried that Timothy was not getting the point, or he was confident that the Lord would give Timothy understanding and insight into the wisdom of Paul's words as Timothy reflected on them. Whether what I say referred to the three illustrations above or to all of Paul's words to Timothy, the point remains that all believers need to rely on God's wisdom as they reflect on Scripture in order to understand how to apply it to their lives.

2:8-9 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.NIV The ultimate example of endurance, purpose, obedience, self-discipline, hard work, and victory is Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David (see 1 Peter 2:19-22). False teachers were a problem in Ephesus (see Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 1:3-11). At the heart of their teaching was an incorrect view of Christ. Many asserted 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. Both views destroy the good news that Jesus Christ has taken our sins on himself and has reconciled us to God.

Paul's response begins with remember Jesus Christ (or, "keep on remembering"). Our knowledge of Jesus must be, as much as possible, firsthand. We must be related to him personally by faith. We must know the Gospels, the primary historical documents that include his own claims. In this verse, Paul firmly stated that Jesus is fully man ("descended from David") and fully God ("raised from the dead"). These phrases express a central doctrine for all Christians. They echo Paul's summary of his message recorded in Romans 1:3-4.

Paul made two emphases about Jesus Christ. First, that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Because Christ alone has conquered death, he alone can be our Lord. His resurrection encourages any who suffer that they can be hopeful in him. Second, that Jesus Christ is the royal Messiah, the descendant of David. Christ alone has the messianic qualification, and he alone fulfills the promises of God to David that he would rule forever. So Paul stressed Jesus' humanity, showed how Jesus is connected with the Old Testament promises to David, and encouraged all believers to endure hardship because of what Christ has done for us.

This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.NIV Paul was in chains in prison because of the gospel he preached. He was being treated like a criminal. (The only other location of the same Greek word is in Luke 23:32, 39 describing the men crucified with Jesus.) Such was the persecution against believers—they were considered criminals by the Roman authorities.

The truth about Jesus still faces opposition, but it also still reaches receptive hearts. When Paul said that Jesus is God, he angered the Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy; but many Jews became followers of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24). He angered the Romans who worshiped the emperor as a god; but even some in Caesar's household turned to Jesus (Philippians 4:22). When Paul said 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 it is believed by people every day. Despite the opposition, continue to proclaim Christ. Some will listen and believe. (See also the notes on 1 Timothy 2:5.)

But the word of God is not chained.NKJV By the word of God Paul meant the gospel truth. He had written to the Thessalonians: "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13 niv). Although Paul was sitting in chains, he did not feel ashamed or worthless. He knew that the gospel message, entrusted to Timothy and other faithful people, could not be chained (Philippians 1:12-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). Even if the Romans succeeded in imprisoning, even killing, every Christian leader, they could never stop the spread of the gospel. God's Word would continue to spread, despite persecution, and change lives everywhere.

2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.NRSV Despite Paul's imprisonment, God's Word would continue to work, calling out the elect or "the chosen" (those who had not yet trusted in Christ as Savior). Paul could confidently endure everything knowing that God remained in control. Sometimes suffering has no other benefit than what others will learn from our experience of pain. A woman endures the pains of childbirth for the sake of her child. We must never think of suffering as some form of work of merit to earn our salvation or to work off our guilt, nor as some form of punishment from God. Although Paul experienced very real pain as he spread the gospel, he focused on the results of his suffering—others were finding salvation in Christ.

Who are "the elect" (tous eklektous)? While the concept of election has generated fierce doctrinal differences, most of these differences come from theological and philosophical points of view, not the Bible itself. In this context, Paul indicated that the elect are those who may "obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus." He makes no claim to know who they are. Their identification falls under the sovereignty of God. For Paul, God authored salvation and commissioned him to spread the word; God knows who will respond. Paul was so sure of God's purpose that he was willing to suffer to see that salvation realized.

The phrase obtain the salvation does not contradict salvation by grace. "Obtain" means "gaining," "finding," and "experiencing," though the action is not necessarily self-initiated. Salvation is not something that we can earn, as Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8-9. Christ is the source and provider of salvation, but Christians' suffering may also create opportunities for others to learn about Christ. Paul was referring to those elect ones who had not yet believed, knowing that his faithfulness to the gospel in the face of death would encourage them to "obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus." The result that Paul earnestly anticipated was eternal glory, our final salvation in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:28), the glory of God that we share through our relationship with Christ (Matthew 28:19), and the resurrection and renewal of our bodies (Romans 8:18-25). To the Corinthians Paul wrote, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 niv; see also Romans 5:2).

2:11 The saying is sure.NRSV Paul used this phrase several times in his letters to Timothy and Titus (see 1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Titus 3:8). This "trustworthy saying" (niv) quoted in verses 11-13 was probably an early Christian hymn or a quotation used in a Christian ceremony; though it would be equally proper to say that Paul may have provided here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, another one of the early hymns of the church.

For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.NKJV The first couplet of this hymn contrasts death and life—the believer's death to sin at the moment of salvation and the new life begun now with Christ in the world and in eternity. This phrase echoes Paul's words in Romans 6:8. The entire passage in Romans 6:2-23 describes how believers are freed from the power of sin—"The death [Christ] died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:10-11 nrsv). Paul could confidently "endure everything for the sake of the elect" (2:10) because he knew the sure promises of God.

There are three views of "dying with Christ":

(1) The use of the past tense, "we died," indicates martyrdom—there is special glory in heaven for martyrs as reflected in the future tense "we shall also live" and "we shall also reign." But Paul's reference to his own death avoids the martyr's language.

(2) Like Romans 6:3-6, "died with him" implies identification with him. By faith, we identify with Christ in his death, recognize his death was for our sins, and thus we have spiritual life now, not just at the future resurrection.

(3) The dying mentioned implies the sacrament of baptism that Paul referred to in Colossians 2:12 and 3:1-3. Paul connected baptism with the death of Jesus.

Perhaps the best way to understand it would be that Paul strictly means identifying with Christ in his death, as symbolized by the sacrament of baptism. This is not to say that baptism is only a symbol. That issue must be decided by other passages and church bodies, but here Paul has the baptismal picture in mind of new life in Christ.

2:12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.NKJV This second couplet of the hymn contrasts endurance and rewards. Those who live for Christ may face severe difficulties that must be endured. Christ endured and now reigns (1 Corinthians 15:25); all believers who endure to the end shall also reign with him (Revelation 3:21; 5:10; 20:4).

The phrase "if we died" (2:11) in the Greek implies a single act; the phrase "if we endure" in this verse in the Greek implies ongoing action. We only need salvation once; but enduring through life is a continual action requiring constant prayer, guidance, and wisdom. But the reward is beyond imagination.

If we disown him, he also will disown us.NIV This third couplet reveals that commitment to Christ must be total, no turning back; to disown results in being disowned. The Greek tense in the phrase "if we disown" is future. These words provided a solemn warning; but to deny Christ was unthinkable to the early Christians, even in the face of mounting persecution. True believers might be faithless and weak at times; they might falter when giving a testimony (see 2:13), but they would never disown their Lord. While the word deny has been used in place of "disown" (arnesometha nrsv, nkjv), the meaning here implies deliberate refusal of Jesus as Lord.

Jesus had already issued the warning: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33 niv). The writer of Hebrews assured the faithful believers that "we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved" (Hebrews 10:39 nrsv).

2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.NKJV This last couplet of the hymn reveals the depth of the relationship between believers and Christ the Lord; when we fail at times, this does not mean God will reject us forever. These words apply not to faithless unbelievers, but to believers who at times fail the Lord. Humans, by their very nature, are prone to failure; and Christians, though born again, are still human. But even when believers act faithlessly, God remains faithful. Believers are secure in Christ's promises. This does not give a license for faithlessness; rather, it eases our conscience when we fail, allowing us to come back to the Father and start anew. God does not deny those for whom he died.

Paul began this hymn with two couplets highlighting two goals of a believer's life: (1) to identify with Christ who died for us so that we are given eternal life and (2) to endure the hardships of this present life knowing that the life to come will be far better. Next he expressed the "worst-case" scenario of the one who would disown Christ and receive denial in return. But then, just when the hard edge of God's perfection had been revealed, Paul sounded a note of hope and grace: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful" nkjv. Our future hangs, not on the strength of our faith, but on the strength of God's faithfulness!

GOOD WORKERS ARE NOT ASHAMED OF THEIR WORK / 2:14-26

The second half of chapter 2 echoes the first letter to Timothy. Apparently, the task of confronting wrong teaching and continuing the good work of discipling believers was not past the crisis stage.

As he had done previously, Paul emphasized to Timothy that his moral and spiritual conduct would provide the greatest confirmation of his teaching. No matter how others may respond to the gospel, Timothy himself must remain a consistent "example of what it means to be a believer" (1 Timothy 4:12).

2:14 Keep reminding them of these things.NIV Paul's instruction in the previous verses was meant for all the believers, not just Timothy. These instructions would need to be given often, as indicated by the present imperative keep [on] reminding. All believers, no matter how many years they have believed, need to be reminded of the basis of their faith and how to relate that faith to circumstances of life.

Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.NIV The phrase before God reveals the importance that Paul placed on this command to Timothy, for a teacher's responsibility is great (see James 3:1). Paul urged Timothy to remind the believers not to argue over unimportant details (quarreling about words) or have foolish discussions (godless chatter, see 2:16) because such arguments are confusing, useless, and even harmful. False teachers caused strife and divisions by their meaningless quibbling over unimportant details (see 1 Timothy 6:3-5). Quarreling about words is a major problem today. Churches split over nonessentials. Quarrelsome people nitpick church programs, undermine productivity with criticism, and verbally attack the innocent. When someone shows a pattern of quarrelsomeness, church leaders should visit that person to deal with the issues in private.

Much of Paul's first letter to Timothy focused on dealing with false teachers: "Command certain men not to teach false doctrines. . . . These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith" (1 Timothy 1:3-4 niv). These false teachers discussed myths and genealogies (1 Timothy 1:4) and quibbled about words and details that focused not on Scripture but on their own ideas. This took valuable time away from teaching the truth of Scripture and spreading the gospel. The believers who got caught up in these "quarrels about words" wasted their time, and some even ended up "ruined" rather than being spiritually strengthened.

2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed.NKJV The antithesis of the false teachers are ministers who work diligently for God. Diligent means "zealous in ethical responsibilities," not studious. The most effective silencer of the false teachers was the truth in the hands of faithful teachers. The Christians would need unity, strength, and the truth of the gospel to survive the persecutions ahead, to impart the truth to future generations. This incredible responsibility means individual teachers, ministers, and leaders must seek not the approval of people but the approval of God. An unashamed worker can present his or her life and ministry to God, knowing that God will be pleased with the quality of work.

Jesus told a parable about a master entrusting money to his servants. Two of the servants wisely invested their "talents" and gladly gave the master his money with the extra earned upon the master's return. And the master's reply: "Well done!" A diligent worker, desiring only God's approval, need not be ashamed to present himself and his work to his master. (See Matthew 25:14-30 for Jesus' parable.)

Who correctly handles the word of truth.NIV Paul rounded off the image of the laborer ("worker") by comparing effective ministry with the expert use of tools. The expression translated "correctly handles" is orthotomounta, meaning, literally, "to cut straight." Because the term is used only here in the New Testament, we cannot be sure of its use, but the meaning is clear enough—approval of one's ministry before God will depend on how well one has proclaimed, explained, and applied the word of truth. We must help the gospel cut a straight path and do nothing to hinder it.

But what did Paul mean by "word of truth"? In the Pastoral Epistles, the expression refers primarily to the gospel message (1 Timothy 2:3-7; 3:9, 15; 4:3, 6). There were certainly broader issues involved as well as the place and use of the Old Testament, but for Paul and Timothy, the handling of these areas always rested on the teaching and person of Jesus.

2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.NIV In important areas of Christian teaching, believers should carefully work through disagreements. But bickering long hours over words and theories that are not central to the Christian faith and life only provokes anger and leads the "chatterers" (whether the false teachers or their "students") toward spiritual deterioration. Even if "godless chatter" reaches a resolution, it gains little ground for the kingdom (see also 1 Timothy 6:20 for the same warning). Learning and discussing are not bad unless they keep believers constantly focusing on false doctrine or unhelpful trivialities. Believers must not let anything keep them from their work for and service to God.

Paul said that the false teachers who engaged in teaching that is contrary to God's Word will get ahead, but in the wrong direction. More and more ungodly means to advance in ungodliness, to go the wrong way. The false teachers will progress to even worse forms of disruption and sinfulness (see 3:9).

2:17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene.NIV Paul understood the addictive power of false teaching as people feel the need to be in on these supposedly "intellectual" discussions. Paul compared the spiritual deterioration (becoming "more and more ungodly," 2:16) caused by this false teaching to gangrene. Gangrene was nearly always a fatal disease, thus the comparison was vivid to Paul's listeners. Gangrene begins in the body when tissues die from obstructed circulation. Once a limb gets gangrene, it often has to be amputated as the only way to stop the gangrene from spreading. The spread and deadly result of false teaching could not be more aptly described.

Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus.NRSV Hymenaeus is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20, where he is included with a man named Alexander. Paul had handed these men over to Satan—put them out of the church. Just as a limb with gangrene must be amputated, these false teachers were "amputated" from the body of believers so they could cause no more harm. Nothing further is known about Philetus. The false teaching of Hymenaeus and Philetus about the resurrection was destroying some people's faith.

2:18 Who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place.NRSV The false teachers were denying the resurrection of the body. These believers in Ephesus grew up under Greek philosophy and a Greek understanding of the world. Greek philosophy viewed the spirit as immortal and the body as evil. Thus, a doctrine that taught the resurrection of the body was especially difficult to believe. So the false teachers tried to combine the doctrine of the resurrection with Greek philosophy in order to make it make sense to them. They taught that when a person became a Christian and was spiritually reborn, that was the only resurrection he or she would ever experience. To them, resurrection was symbolic and spiritual, not real and physical.

The problem that Timothy faced in Ephesus was apparently widespread. Paul addressed it at length in 1 Corinthians 15:12-57. Because the physical body decayed after death, it was tempting to think that whatever the future might hold, it would not involve reinhabiting what was rapidly turning to dust. Paul answered by appealing to God's power and pointing to the illustration of the seed that is planted in the soil and springs to life: "So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable" (1 Corinthians 15:42 niv). Denying the resurrection of believers was tantamount to denying the resurrection of Jesus himself. Paul clearly taught that believers will be resurrected after they die and that their bodies as well as their souls will live eternally with Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15:35ff.; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Any other teaching swerved from the truth. For example, cults often find a hearing by using familiar language, quoting the Bible, or appearing to agree with the teaching of the Christian church. To the casual or uninformed listener, they seem to be headed for the truth, but they swerve and miss it at the last moment. Scriptures are taken out of context and used to prove their points, though the biblical phrases used have nothing to do with the teaching they are promoting. Words like Christian, believer, faith, and salvation can all be used to set a person up for error by giving the atmosphere of familiarity.

The primary weapons against such attacks are not the accumulation of exhaustive knowledge of every cult. Instead, we must constantly increase our biblical literacy as well as consistently develop our relationship with Christ. Paul's reminder to Timothy applies to us: "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us" (2 Timothy 2:14 niv).

They are upsetting the faith of some.NRSV When the doctrine of the Resurrection is called into question, Christianity itself is questioned. The Resurrection is the basis of Christianity. People who believed the false teachers began questioning the bodily resurrection of Christ and thus their own resurrection. This questioning undermined their faith.

2:19 But God's firm foundation stands.NRSV But (ho mentoi, "nevertheless") introduces a forceful contrast. False teaching, for all its enticing qualities, will not last. Although it plagued the first-century church and still has footholds today, it cannot prevail against God's church because the church is built on a firm foundation. Heresies, false teachers, even persecution, cannot destroy the truth taught in God's churches. It stands and will stand until Christ returns.

There are differences of opinion regarding the identity of the "firm foundation" (themelios).

• The foundation could be the truth of the gospel.
• The foundation could be the faith of the Ephesian church, the deposit to be guarded (see 1:14).
• The foundation could be the church as a whole and thus include the Ephesians.

The third option seems most likely based on passages like 1 Timothy 3:15: "the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth" (niv, see also 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and Ephesians 2:19-22). But all three options are possible because Paul certainly had the gospel and its sure effectiveness in mind. Some might swerve from the truth, but it will remain the truth.

Bearing this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his."NRSV These next two phrases appear as if they were written on the cornerstone of the foundation described above (for a similar use of the metaphor, see Romans 4:11; 1 Corinthians 9:2). This inscription can be compared to God's seal—a sign of authenticity and approval.

The first phrase may refer to the words of Moses at the time of Korah's rebellion. Korah and several associates challenged Moses' leadership: "They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, 'You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord's assembly?'" (Numbers 16:3 niv). Moses replied that the Lord himself would reveal to all who were truly his: "When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: 'In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him'" (Numbers 16:4-5 niv). In a shocking display of power, God vindicated Moses' leadership.

These words should encourage all believers. False teachers may cause problems, but God knows his true followers. The Lord sees all who preach and teach in his name, and he knows those who are his.

"Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness."NRSV This second phrase could be from Numbers 16:26 (in the same context as above); however, most commentators prefer to compare it with Isaiah 52:11, citing the use of the same verb in the Greek translation of Isaiah (Septuagint). Those who are the Lord's, those who call on his name, must be responsible to turn away from wickedness.

Both inscriptions together remind the believers of God's sovereign control over his church and the believers' responsibility to turn from evil and maintain pure and holy lives. Timothy did not need to fear for the future of the church, for God was in control. Timothy's responsibility, and indeed the responsibility of every believer, was to stay free from sin and the contamination spread by the false teachers.

God does his part by helping us discern true from false believers; then we must do our part in turning "away from wickedness." We must not only repudiate the false teachers, we must also refuse to take part in their false teaching. We should not attend or sponsor meetings, purchase tapes or books, or support them in any way.

2:20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.NIV Paul changed his metaphor from a building to household utensils but continued the same theme. In a large house there are valuable utensils made of precious metal that are used only on special occasions; other utensils, made of common and less valuable materials, are for ordinary use. Again Paul makes the distinction between commonly useful and uncommonly useful workers of God, pointing out to Timothy that both will be found in the church. It doesn't work to stretch the details of the metaphor too far; Paul's point is that believers should desire to be special "utensils" ready for any special service needed by God.

There are three general views regarding the identity of the household articles:

(1) The items used for noble purposes are the faithful teachers, while those used for ignoble purposes are the false teachers (a view that leans heavily on Romans 9:19-24).

(2) The "articles" all refer to believers; some of whom are assigned to special duty, while others receive "ordinary" assignments (a view that appeals to 1 Corinthians 12:21-24 for support).

(3) The large house itself is not a group of people but refers to Timothy himself and the strong and weak qualities in his life (a view that skips 2:21 and seeks its interpretation in 2:22-24).

While each of these explanations has possibilities, none of them fully express Paul's own application of the illustration in verse 21.

2:21 All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils.NRSV Paul included every Christian in his all, or literally "if anyone." How would this verse help us understand each of the three views for the "articles" mentioned in the comments on verse 20?

In reverse order, regarding the third view first, the general scope of this promise, "All who . . . will," weakens the interpretation that Paul had only Timothy in mind. Regarding the second view, the challenge, "all who cleanse themselves . . . will become special," does not match Paul's picture elsewhere of the church as a household in which various members have set roles (see 1 Corinthians 12:21-24). But to Timothy, Paul may have been emphasizing the individual believer's moral purity in order to fulfill the role God has chosen him or her to play in the household. In 1 Corinthians 12:21-24 Paul was highlighting the equal usefulness in God's plan for those who may appear to have lesser importance in the household. Concerning the first view, the shift in verses 14-19 from those who have "swerved from the truth" to those who need to be warned and kept from having their faith upset leads up to Paul's assertion in verse 19 that "the Lord knows those who are his." This would make it unlikely that he was referring to the false teachers. The metaphor of the household utensils communicates most consistently when used to indicate persons within the church at various stages of spiritual development. Otherwise, the point of cleansing would be irrelevant.

There are different interpretations of the things that believers are to cleanse themselves from or "purge" from their lives. But in Timothy's case, Paul would provide a number of specific ideas (see 2:22-24). The Greek verb for "cleanse" (ekkathairo) is used only in one other place, 1 Corinthians 5:7, where Paul was telling the Corinthians to "clean out" (excommunicate) an unrepentant sinner from the fellowship. Thus, if "things" referred to persons, this cleansing could mean that the believers should have nothing to do with false teachers and/or to take a hard line by "cleaning" them out of the church. The other interpretation, which fits better with Paul's further counsel to Timothy, refers to personal inward cleansing from involvement in false teachings and "godless chatter" (2:16). In either case, a person who desires to be used by God must be cleansed from sin and then stay clean by refraining from contacts and activities that could soil him or her. This does not require a person's isolation from the world (for sin is all around); it refers more specifically to involvement with those whose goal is to lead people away from the faith. Cleansed people who stay away from corrupting influences are then made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.NIV This utensil "for special use" (2:20) has three qualities that could also be considered privileges. They are:

1. made holy—set apart for God's special purposes while personally experiencing the effects of Christ's presence in their lives
2. useful to the Master—adjectives synonymous with "useful" include valuable, worthy, advantageous, helpful, and serviceable. What a privilege to be called by any of these terms in the service of the Master!
3. prepared to do any good work—ready and willing, without hesitation or reluctance, to serve the Master in any task he requires

How much more powerful the church of God would be in the world if all believers were "clean utensils" ready for the Master's use!

2:22 Flee also youthful lusts.NKJV Focusing back on his beloved "son," Paul offered a few more words of advice concerning his words in verses 20-21. Paul knew Timothy very well from their years of travel together, and most likely he knew Timothy's weak spots. Timothy was a young man (1 Timothy 4:12), at least young for the responsibilities he carried, so Paul offered no-nonsense advice. The lusts (epithumias) mentioned here are not only sexual but are also the other passions characteristic of the young—impatience, contentiousness, favoritism, egotism, intolerance, etc. (see also 1 Timothy 6:11). Instead, Paul advised Timothy to pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.NKJV As was frequently the case with Paul, when he issued a warning he followed it with an alternative positive strategy. Timothy was to flee from danger but pursue any number of healthy characteristics. The list that follows is similar to the one in 1 Timothy 6:11-12, but not identical. Paul was not issuing a development plan, but worthy personal objectives to pursue.

Righteousness refers to actions that are morally upright and virtuous. In a word, it expresses a way of life that seeks to model itself after God's directions. Rather than claiming perfection or settling for mediocrity, righteousness requires the pursuit of obedience.

Faith and love are fundamental to Christianity and basic to Paul's teaching (see 1 Corinthians 13:13).

In addition, while Timothy was to oppose the false teachers and deal strongly with those who followed them, he was to pursue peace with those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. In spite of the individual challenge that Paul presented, he was not permitting Timothy to function alone. He was to find strength and encouragement from those who love Christ and who seek to be in touch with him constantly. There were others for whom he was responsible, but also some who would be peers and share a deep and common desire to be faithful. The peace of which Paul spoke comes from the Spirit of God calming the hearts and minds of the believers.

2:23 Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.NRSV While peace should be the norm among believers, we should not entertain false teachings to keep people happy. Paul's language here does not forbid contact with such people, as is demonstrated by verse 25, where the guidelines for treating opponents imply some level of interaction.

There can be no doubt about the problem caused by the false teachers—Paul repeated it several times in his letters to Timothy and Titus. They got people caught up in stupid and senseless controversies that divided the church (see also 1 Timothy 1:4, 6-7; 4:1, 7; 6:3-5, 20-21; 2 Timothy 2:14, 16-17, 23-24; 4:2-4; Titus 1:9, 13-14; 3:2, 9). These ideas caused quarrels (maxas, "fights"). Paul used terms that describe extended verbal battles. Timothy's best approach was to simply have nothing to do with them. To argue would only make Timothy angry and draw him into the very trap being set by the false teachers.

2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone.NRSV The phrase the Lord's servant (doulon, "slave") here refers specifically to Timothy and to his responsibility as leader of a church. In addressing both Timothy's weaknesses as well as the expectations of his ministry, Paul consistently reminded him that believers are under orders of their commander, Jesus. Our natural response might be timidity or quarrelsomeness. In either case, our "strengths" as well as our "weaknesses" must be at the disposal of Christ. Some he may make use of; others he may require that we leave unused.

The expression "the Lord's servant" alludes almost without doubt to the pictures of the suffering servant of God found in Isaiah (Isaiah 52:13-15; 53:1-12). The Christian who imitates Christ in this way will bear the experience of "wounds" as he or she attempts to relate compassionately to those who may strike out in hurt or anger. Some people are quarrelsome because they have never been listened to before; when we demonstrate kindness, we may find openness where before there was only a wall of arguments.

As a minister of the gospel, Timothy did not have to quarrel with the false teachers; to quarrel could be seen as a need to come to a compromise. There could be no compromise between the gospel truth and the false teachers. Instead, Timothy should promote unity by being kind (also translated "gentle") to everyone. The hard, sharp edge of the truth required the skilled hand of someone who could relate compassionately with others.

An apt teacher, patient.NRSV Timothy had already met the requirement for a church leader of having the ability to teach (see 1 Timothy 3:2). Paul exhorted him to remain confident in his teaching and to continue teaching the truth to those willing to learn. At the same time, he would need to exercise patience with those who opposed him. The Greek word for "patient" (anexikakon) is used only here in the New Testament; it literally means "to face ill treatment without resentment."

2:25 Correcting opponents with gentleness.NRSV Timothy was to have nothing to do with "senseless controversies" (2:23) and to exercise patience with everyone (2:24). But his goal was to gently lead his opponents to the correct understanding of the truth. Therefore, he needed to maintain contact that would lead to interaction with these people, while at the same time resisting their error. Instead of antagonizing opponents, he should calmly and gently correct their wrong ideas.

In the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.NIV Timothy's first desire ought to be to bring them back into the church, not to punish them (see 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 15). God does not want "any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 nrsv), even those who openly had opposed Paul.

This presents the other side of leadership work that Paul presented in 1 Timothy 1:20, which speaks of "delivering people over to Satan"—an expression for excommunication. There are two sides of discipline: punitive and redemptive. Both are needed. Any of the false teachers could find the truth, repent, and become workmen for God (2:15). Paul could attest to that fact, for he had at one time opposed the gospel to the point of persecuting Christians (Acts 22:3-10). Now he was suffering unashamed for the faith because, as he wrote, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (1:12 nkjv).

2:26 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.NIV To come to their senses could also be translated "return to soberness." In other words, the false teachers have gotten "drunk," are "under the influence" of the devil, with the result of losing their senses. Then they were easy prey for Satan's trap (see also 1 Timothy 3:7; 6:9). Satan is at the root of all false teaching and division in the church. He knows the strength of a unified church and fears it. So he creates a "trap"—money, fame, pride of feeling intellectual—to draw people away from the faith and to false teaching. But there is hope—escape is possible.

While there are some grammatical complications in this verse, the easiest way to read it involves seeing that both the "trap" and "his will" belong to the devil. Some have tried to give the verse a positive turn at the end by making "will" refer to God or his servant, so that the verse would mean something like, "escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive, to now do his [God's or his representative's] will." But the sense of the verse is complete as it stands.