SSL 7 - 2 Tim. 1:3-14
INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY: The Book of 2 Timothy was written in approximately A.D. 67, shortly before the apostle Paul, imprisoned in Rome for a second time, was put to death. Feeling lonely and abandoned and knowing that his earthly life would was likely to end soon, Paul wrote the Book of 2 Timothy essentially as his "last words." Despite his own circumstances, Paul wanted to express concern for the churches during this time of persecution under the Roman emperor Nero and boldly calls Timothy-and all other Christian believers-to persevere in faith (2 Tim. 3:14) and to keep on preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 4:2). This second letter is very personal in tone and character, as you might expect in a final letter to a very close and dear friend. Paul exhorts Timothy to continue in faithfulness and points to his own life as an example for Timothy to follow, and what he urges Timothy to do, he, Paul, has done already. He's ready to pass the baton.
THIS WEEK: Paul begins the letter with a greeting (vv. 1-2) and encouragement to Timothy (vv. 3-5), followed by words reminding Timothy of his faith. Paul traces Timothy's faith back to his grand- mother, then to his mother, and then to Paul himself. Timothy is encouraged to "fan into flame" of the gift of God (vv. 6-7). Hel encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of Jesus or of Paul in his imprisonment. Paul gives some information about his own situation and continues to encourage Timothy to follow sound teaching and "guard the good deposit entrusted to you" (vv. 8-18).
Note: We skip vv. 1 and 2, which is essentially the same greeting and introduction Paul gave in 1 Tim.
Read 2 Tim. 1:3-5 - THAT I MIGHT BE FILLED WITH JOY
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
v. 3a: "I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did" - This is a curious statement, I mean (1) the Israelites could hardy be a considered a people without any guilt on their consciences and (2) Paul's conscience would include his early persecution of Christians. But what Paul really means here is that (1) Israel's experience of unfaithfulness was tempered by God's discipline and forgiveness and his steadfast acceptance of them as His chosen people and (2) Paul's pure conscience came from the forgiveness he received from Christ and his faithful service since.
v. 3b-4: "as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy." - In prison day and night, Paul stays on his knees doing the most important work he can do under the circumstances-to pray, virtually unceasingly, for Timothy, who has been his most faithful companion (and many others), knowing full well that he would still be carrying the banner of Jesus long after he was gone. To Paul, prayer was an important facet of his ministry. He often spoke of his constant prayer for churches and his co-workers in other letters (Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3-4; 1 Thess. 1:2; Philemon 1:4). Paul continues his encouragement in v. 4, acknowledging Timothy's sorrow-"tears"-over his imprisonment. As part of the encourage-ment, Paul informs Timothy he longs to see him and expresses joy over the sheer hope of it. In fact, at the end of this letter, Paul urges Timothy to visit him in Rome (2 Tim. 4:21).
v. 5: "For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well" - The theme of this verse is sincere faith. The word for "sincere" (Gk. anupokritou) literally mean without hypocrisy. In support of this. Paul notes the historical and family influence on Timothy's faith. We know from Acts 16 that Timothy was the child of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother. His grandmother, Lois, mentioned only here, and his mother Eunice, both devout Jews, raised Timothy to know the OT Law and Jewish traditions, and then, after they became Christians during Paul's ministry in Lystra, shaped Timothy's faith even further. I imagine many of you can trace your Christian origins to a strong family influence.
TRUTH 1: As can be seen in Timothy's case, "sincere faith" is often generational. The word Paul uses for "sincere" literally means without hypocrisy-genuine rather than fake. Timothy's home life was a mix--an unbelieving father (as far as we know) and a believing grandmother and mother. Lois and Eunice obviously demonstrated sincere faith not only in their speech but in the way they lived their lives, and its influence had a powerful impact on Timothy's spiritual development.
2 Tim. 1:6-12 - NEVER BE ASHAMED
6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
v. 6: "For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" - The words "kindle afresh" (Gk. anazopyro) literally pictures sitting next to the fire and fanning the flames into a blaze. The nature of the "gift of God" isn't specified but the "laying on of hands" probably signified Timothy's ordination into ministry. In the OT, Moses laid hands on Joshua when he commissioned him to lead the Israelites (Num. 27:18-23), and the NT, the apostles laid hands on people to heal (Acts 28:8), impart the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6), and ordain someone for a particular work (Acts 13:3).
v. 7: For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" - The word for "timidity" (Gk. deilia) also means fear with the sense of fleeing from a battle out of cowardice. God asks people to take bold action for the faith, using the Spirit of power, love and discipline He's given us to accomplish the work. Consider the examples: Moses confronting Pharaoh, David facing Goliath, Gideon engaging a huge Midianite army with only 300 men. God is in the business of calling people to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. If we operate from His power, His love, and His discipline (self-control) we can do anything.
v. 8: "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God" - You could restate this as "don't be ashamed to testify (be a witness) on behalf of Jesus." Many Christians today downplay their faith or keep it hidden. The question is why they are ashamed? It's a sad statement that in the U.S. today if you share your witness of Jesus, you're "politically incorrect"-trying to impose your "religion" on others. Is that a valid reason to be ashamed? Not according to Paul; in fact, the opposite: We are prisoners of Christ Jesus in faith but certainly not of the world at large. We should never be ashamed but willing, if need be, to suffer (Gk. kakopatheo, lit. endure hardship) for the Gospel, and folks, in a nation where we have "free expression," simply being uncomfortable or embarrassed about it does not excuse us from the Great Commission.
TRUTH 2: As Christian believers, we should never be ashamed but willing, if necessary, to suffer for the sake of Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's a sad statement that in the U.S. today, if you share your witness of Jesus, you're "politically incorrect"-trying to impose your "religion" on others. Despite our current political unpopularity, we are still very fortunate to live in a nation where we have "free expression," and simply being uncomfortable doesn't excuse us from the Great Commission.
v. 9-10: "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," - All of us originally came to know Jesus as Lord in response to His calling (Gk. klesis, lit. an invitation). And central to this, we aren't called because we've done anything to deserve it-i.e., works- but by grace, Gods unmerited favor. Why did he call me? I wasn't an especially apt candidate for eternity. I don't know; God chooses whom God Chooses-a mystery. In v. 10, Paul is saying God's grace and His eternal plan for humanity was revealed by the appearing of Christ. Christ came to "abolish" (GK. katargeo, lit. to put an end to something) death. Death, as used in the Bible, has two meanings: (1) physical death which is the end life on earth and (2) spiritual death which is eternal separation form God. By His death and resurrection, Jesus abolished spiritual death for those who believe in Him. As to "Immortality" (Gk. aphtharsia, lit. incorruptible), Jesus brought the truth about eternal life and our immortal state through his own resurrection, and showed us what our own immortal bodies would look like.
v. 11: "for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher" - Through his encounter on the Damascus Road (Acts 9), Christ set Paul as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of Gentiles. Paul didn't initiate that appointment, apply for the job, or submit a résumé; Christ called him and in effect, ordained Him into the job. God assigned Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, and it became a mission that quite literally consumed the rest of Paul's life.
v. 12: "For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day" - He suffers (present tense) because he's in prison facing a death sentence, but he's telling Timothy that he's not ashamed one bit of being there, nor is he ashamed of life's work that caused him to end up there. "For I know whom I have believed" is a wonderful statement because it focuses on the person of Christ rather than on doctrine. He knows (Gk. kinosko, lit. to know experientially) Jesus personally and intimately. And using banking terminology, he's totally sure the Christ will "guard," which carries the sense of placing something valuable in a impregnable vault, in this case his eternal security, which will be safeguarded until "that day"-the day of judgment-when Paul's account is tallied and found to be secure and intact. As believers, we're doing business with the same bank.
TRUTH 3: Jesus Christ came to put an end to death. "Death," as used in the Bible, has two meanings: (1) physical death which is the end life on earth and (2) spiritual death which is eternal separation form God. By His death and resurrection, Jesus abolished spiritual death for those who believe in Him. As to "Immortality" (Gk. aphtharsia, lit. incorruptible), Jesus brought the truth about eternal life and our immortal state through his own resurrection, and showed us what our own immortal bodies would look like.
Read 2 Tim. 1:13-14 - HOLD THE STANDARD OF SOUND WORDS
13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
v. 13: "Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" - The word "retain" (Gk. krateō) means to hold fast to something as if someone were about to snatch it away. The term "sound words" (Gk. hugiaino logos) literally means healthy or wholesome words-so, these are words that are good for your spiritual health. Of course, Paul is referring to the teachings that Timothy has received from him, so he will faithfully pass on this teaching to others, and indeed, almost 2,000 years later, Paul is teaching us today. And the last statement, "in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus," speaks to the manner in which Paul's words should be taught: Not just for an intellectual understanding of doctrines and theology-i.e. "head knowledge"--but with a level of noticeable passion that projects the faith and love of Jesus.
v. 14: "Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you" - Here again Paul uses banking terminology to discuss how to safe-keep something precious. The "treasure entrusted to Timothy, which is to be guarded is the Gospel-the Good News of salvation offered by Jesus Christ. But Timothy (and you and me, too) are not on own to safeguard this treasure: the Holy Spirit that dwells in us will give both the power and the strength to accomplish this. This brings to mind what Paul said earlier in 2 Cor. 4:7-10: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but nor forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
TRUTH 4: The standard of "sound words" is the best medicine for spiritual health. Unlike Timothy, we have the Bible, all 66 books, as our source of "sound words." Paul's writings, 13 books that constitute 28% of the New Testament, are particularly helpful because they are so practical, containing the "how-to" on virtually every aspect of living the Christian life.
