Monday: Read 1 Tim 6:11-21
Paul closes this letter to Timothy by turning his attention back to Timothy. He does so with a series of strong imperatives: “flee,” “pursue” (11), “fight,” “take hold” (12), and “keep” (14).
The command to “flee all this” is counterbalanced by the command to pursue “righteousness, godliness faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness” (11).
Paul’s command to “fight the good fight” (12) must be understood in light of the whole of his message. As Paul says in 2nd Corinthians, “we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh” (2 Cor 10:3-4). For we fight with love. The only weapon of Jesus in the great description of His return in Rev 19:11-16 is a sword, but the sword is coming from His mouth! Sure, His words are a weapon that brings judgment on those who refuse to recognize that He is the true King, but that doesn’t make His words any less loving.
Paul’s charge to keep the commandment (13-14) is in noticeably in the singular. The one commandment must be “to love the Lord your God” (Mark 12:29-30; see Deut 6:4-5). There is no necessary reason for including the second commandment (to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31; Lev 19:18). After all, it is consumed by the first!
Paul then closes with an affirmation of the return of Christ (14). Which, he adds, “God will bring about at the proper time” (15). Paul then identifies Christ/God as “the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (15). The difficulty is that the passage appears to be about Jesus, but the previous statement was about God. So, is Paul giving this title to Jesus or to God? At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter because it is fitting for both. In fact, this title occurs only two other times in the NT (see Rev 17:14; 19:16) and in both, it is clearly applied to Jesus.
In 6:20-21, Paul provides some closing remarks to Timothy. He iterates “guard what has been entrusted to you (20; see 2 Tim 1:12, 14). Interestingly, the letter ends with “grace be with you” and the “you” is plural in Greek. Paul knew full well that he was writing for more than just Timothy.
Questions to ponder/discuss:
- As I noted in yesterday’s study, this passage is worth memorizing and then spending the next few years (or a lifetime) reflecting on. The more we do so the more I believe this passage will gain force.
- It is interesting that of all of Paul’s virtue lists in his letters, no two are the same. Read 2 Cor 6:6-7; Gal 5:22-23; Col 3:12-14; 2 Tim 2:22-25; 3:10 and note some of the differences. Why do you suspect they are different?
Tuesday: Read 2 Tim 1:1-7
The letter of 2 Timothy is often considered one of the three pastoral letters along with 1 Timothy and Titus. Yet, this letter is best understood as a personal correspondence from Paul to Timothy. Sure, it contains much pertaining to those in ministry. But it is first and foremost a letter to Timothy from his dying mentor.
It is my conviction, along with many scholars, that the setting for this letter is a Roman prison. Paul has been arrested on the charge of burning down the city of Rome. This charge will result in his death.
Paul, in fact, has already had a preliminary hearing in Rome (4:16). And he seems to know that he will not live much longer (4:6-7). He writes hoping that Timothy will be able to visit him before he dies (4:9). Whether or not Timothy made it in time is not known. If it is correct that Paul is about to die, then this letter takes on an added significance. These are Paul’s final instructions to Timothy. Paul’s concern is that Timothy fulfills his calling well!
To read this letter well it must be understood that Paul and Timothy had a very close relationship. Timothy was likely a generation younger than Paul. Paul then was his mentor and friend.
It appears that Timothy’s father was not Jewish (Acts 16:1) but his mother and grandmother were (5). They, in fact, raised Timothy to know the Scriptures (3:14-15). Paul may have been instrumental in Timothy’s coming to Christ. We know that Timothy was confirmed into ministry by Paul (6).
The key to understanding this letter is 1:6. Paul urges Timothy to “kindle afresh (NIV “fan into flame”) the gift of God” (6). The rest of this letter includes the details as to what it looks like for Timothy to persevere and fulfill his calling in ministry.
Timothy may have been a person who struggles with self-confidence. Thus, Paul encourages him, “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (7). Earlier Paul affirmed Timothy by noting “I am reminded of your sincere faith” (5).
Questions to ponder/discuss:
- It seems as though death is not discussed enough in the church. When it is discussed, it is often looked at in terms of the hope that is to come. Therefore, “they are in a better place” becomes an all-to-oft repeated mantra. And, although this is true, it doesn’t help those who are grieving. Grief is real and necessary. Grief should not be rushed.
- If anyone knew that he would be going to a better place, it was Paul. He told the Philippians that “to die is gain” (Phil 1:21) and that he desires “to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better” (Phil 1:23). He knows that “there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (4:8). Yet, he writes this letter to Timothy urging him to come quickly (4:9). It is likely correct to assume that Paul shed some tears as he waited for Timothy’s arrival. Even Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35). Death is not what God intended and, even though death is not the end, it should not be whitewashed.
- It is important not to gloss over the possibility that Timothy may have struggled with self-confidence. Mental health is a serious issue and one that is not as simple as “come on now, let’s get along.”
Wednesday: Read 2 Tim 1:8-2:2
The key to this entire letter is to recognize that each section of the letter provides details as to what it means to “kindle afresh (NIV “fan into flame”) the gift of God” (1:6).
Paul begins by encouraging Timothy to “not be ashamed” and to “join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God” (8). The importance of this command is evidenced by the fact that it is repeated in 2:3. Throughout this letter there is a great emphasis on suffering and being unashamed in testifying for the Gospel (1:12, 16; 2:8, 9, 15; 3:10-11, 12; 4:6-8). For Paul, suffering was a central part of being called into ministry: “for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things (11-12).
Paul also encourages Timothy to “retain the standard of sound words” (13). This command surely reflects the need for Timothy to live and teach in accordance with the Scriptures that Paul taught him (13).
Paul then adds that Timothy is to: “Guard . . . the treasure” (14). Paul surely is referring to the Scriptures here also. The Gospel may bring life to those who receive it. But it often leads to hostility from those who do not. Thus, the desire to comprise the Word is ever-present. Compromise may lessen or even eliminate one’s suffering. For Paul, the presence of the Holy Spirit is the key. Timothy can guard the treasure “through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” (14).
The need for Timothy to persevere and hold fast to the Word is exemplified by the fact that some have turned away. That Paul names “Phygelus and Hermogenes” (15) suggests that they were leaders with whom Timothy was familiar. The result is that Timothy must “be strong” (2:1) and take what Paul has given him and “entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2:2). Knight states that entrusting to faithful people means: “not losing, neglecting, ignoring, or falsifying (like the false teachers mentioned in this letter) what Paul has said, and positively consists of their ‘handling accurately the word of truth.’”[1]
Timothy must be careful when it comes to ordaining others for ministry. This command has an added significance in light of the fact that Paul has ordained some to the ministry (such as Phygelus and Hermogenes) who have turned away from the faith (see Demas in 4:10).
Questions to ponder/discuss:
- Being called into ministry is a glorious thing. It comes with great rewards and great demands. One of the dangers is that people get put into ministry without adequate preparation. This is inappropriate and unfair both to the individual and to the ministry. Those who have less than adequate training often (exceptions only prove the rule) flounder in ministry. In addition, those in the ministry fail to benefit as they should.
- The problem is that training for ministry is often too expensive and too time-consuming. Perhaps a solution is for churches to invest in ministry training. Why is it that we can spend thousands to send someone overseas—which often includes their training—yet we cannot help pastors and leaders in our churches get the training they need? How might we solve this dilemma?
- The command to live in accord with the “sound words” does not mean that Timothy or us understand them perfectly. Too often such commands are used to condemn others for not being faithful to what we think the Bible clearly says. Maybe they are being faithful and it is our understanding that is off. We should be quick to listen (James 1:19) and slow to judge.
Thursday: Read 2 Tim 2:3-13
Paul again encourages Timothy to suffer alongside Paul (3). Paul provides several illustrations (2:4-6) to encourage Timothy that regardless of one’s call, discipline and endurance are required to accomplish the goal.
Paul’s illustrations include an appeal to the military: suffer as a soldier of Christ (i.e., Christ is the one who enlisted him) (3). Timothy should be like soldiers who do not get entangled in the affairs of life (4) to the point that he cannot give himself wholeheartedly to his ministry. This does not mean that ministers cannot be involved in everyday aspects of life, but that such affairs should not derail them from their ministry.
Paul then provides an illustration from athletics. The athlete wins the prize only if they compete according to the rules (5). This too calls for a disciplined life.
Finally, Paul appeals to the “hard-working farmer” (6). The farmer should be the first to receive his share of the crops” (6). Paul’s point is that receiving the reward of the crops only comes after hard work.
Paul reinforces this by reminding Timothy of the sufferings of Christ, himself, and the fate of all Christians (8-13). Paul buffers all this by reminding Timothy of the faithfulness of the Lord (13).
Questions to ponder/discuss:
- Ministry is very difficult work for a number of reasons. One of the difficulties is that many ministers feel as though everyone expects them to be perfect (this doesn’t have to be true, to be felt). This creates hardships for the individual and often his/her family. Also, it is very difficult to please a wide diversity of people. Ministers often feel as though there is no way to “win”—regardless of what they do someone is not going to be happy.
- Pray for those in ministry.
- How might you be called to provide support to those in ministry?
Friday: Read: 2 Tim 2:14-26
This passage contains several words of exhortation and encouragement to Timothy. First, Timothy is to “remind them of these things” (14). The “them” is likely the faithful persons to whom he was to be careful about anointing for ministry (2:2). Timothy’s task was not merely to be faithful himself in ministry but to equip others to do so also.
Second, he is to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (15). This command stresses the need for those in ministry to study and know the Word well in order that they may lead effectively. Hence, the necessity for adequate training as we noted previously.
Third, he is to “avoid worldly and empty chatter” (16). Paul seems to have in mind discussions about matters that do not lead to a deeper understanding of Christ. He is likely considering the context of Timothy’s ministry. This seems to be the case from his appeal to Hymenaeus and Philetus (17) who were making claims about the resurrection and upsetting “the faith of some” (18).
Fourth, Timothy is to “flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace” (22). Paul doesn’t specify what he means here. We might assume that this is something Paul has addressed with Timothy and others before. Of course, this makes it hard for us to discern what this might look like for us today.
Fifth, he is to “refuse foolish and ignorant speculations” (23). As with the note above, Paul’s failure to specify what he means makes it hard for us to discern what this might look like for us today.
Questions to ponder/discuss:
- The Christian life is not merely about getting ourselves through the best we can. It is about making disciples of Christ. Our task of following the Lord in imitation of Him is intensified when we recognize that we are to encourage others to follow our example: as Paul says, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). This, by no means, suggests that we are following Christ perfectly—though that is our goal. In fact, that is part of true discipleship: encouraging others to follow us as we are imperfectly striving to follow Christ.
- Who are you discipling? Who is discipling you? If you cannot answer either or both of these questions make it your goal to find someone to mentor and who will mentor you.
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[1] Knight , 2 Timothy, 391.
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