Chapter Two

Timothy should transmit the saving truth to faithful disciples (1–14). In doing so, Timothy should pay attention to the central point of evangelical teaching (15–19). One must not place all the worth of a man in his spiritual gifts (20–23). Timothy should teach believers and unbelievers with meekness (24–26).

2 Timothy 2:1. So you, my son, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, This verse presents the conclusion to the previous exhortation. The apostle urges Timothy, in contrast to the weak Christians of Asia Minor, to show himself strong, using for this purpose the grace of the Holy Spirit offered to all people through Christ (1 Cor 1:4 and Titus 3:5 and following; 2 Tim 1:14). Timothy should not be strengthened in grace, but by means of grace (through grace) should appear strong to defend the Apostle Paul and continue his work.

2 Timothy 2:2. and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. “Before many witnesses.” The translation is inaccurate. In Greek the preposition is “through” here, not “before.” But to translate this passage as “through many witnesses” is also awkward: why would witnesses be needed when Timothy heard the teaching of the Apostle Paul? A more natural translation is that proposed by Wohlenberg: “testifying by many deeds” (or “through much testimony”). Timothy, while hearing the Apostle Paul, witnessed through many deeds (testified) to his sympathy with him, to his desire to labor for the benefit of the Gospel as expounded by Paul. He proved himself a faithful, reliable listener, and in turn should find listeners equally faithful and reliable.

2 Timothy 2:3. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. How can Timothy show his strength (2 Tim 2:1)? First, by bearing suffering with Christ, like a soldier following his commander (some manuscripts read “suffer with me” instead of “suffer”).

2 Timothy 2:4. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. Second, Timothy can show his strength by renouncing all personal advantage and profit, because all his thoughts should be directed toward fulfilling the will of his commander—Christ.

2 Timothy 2:5. And if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. Third, like an athlete, Timothy should, while preaching, as though in a contest, observe certain rules of conflict—that is, the Word of God, which is a sharp sword, should be used as it ought, not weakening its force and demands (cf. 2 Cor 10:3-4). Only such a fighter-preacher will receive as a reward a crown (cf. 2 Tim 4:8; Rev 2:10).

2 Timothy 2:6. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. As a result of such diligent work and work accompanied by hard labor, the preacher will have the pleasure of being first to taste of its fruits. In the future life he will receive the heavenly reward before his flock (cf. Matt 19:28 and following).

2 Timothy 2:7. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. 2 Timothy 2:8. Remember the Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, 2 Timothy 2:9. for which I am suffering, even to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 2 Timothy 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. Everything the apostle has said so far, Timothy should think through properly, and God will give (the correct reading is “will give” rather than “may give”) him understanding in this matter. Moreover, Timothy should remember Christ, risen from the dead. The apostle does not say that Christ died, but this is of itself presupposed, just as it is presupposed that it is necessary for all Christians to be ready for death with Christ. “A descendant of David.” Christ rose to glorious life, being in his body only a descendant of man—David (the phrase “descendant of David” depends on the word “risen”). But the statement here points not only to Christ’s exaltation through His resurrection, but also to His true humanity, in refutation of false views about Christ (cf. 1 Tim 2:5). “According to my gospel.” The apostle assumes it possible that other preachers of the Gospel introduce into the teaching about Christ their own views. His “Gospel,” that is, his system of Christian teaching—it is so true for him that he goes to suffering for it. “But the word of God is not bound.” These words should be marked with dashes as an introductory thought. “For the sake of the elect”—that is, because of those whom God’s will chose for salvation, but who still hesitate to accept Christianity, fearing the necessity of bearing sorrows connected with it. The apostle, to strengthen them, himself goes to all manner of suffering for Christ.

2 Timothy 2:11. This statement is trustworthy: if we have died with him, we will also live with him; 2 Timothy 2:12. if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 2 Timothy 2:13. if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. The apostle, to encourage Timothy, cites a “trustworthy saying,” that is, a passage from a Christian hymn, in which is expressed the confidence of Christians in glorification with Christ for those who go to death with Him. “Died”—in the literal sense of the word. Here is meant martyrdom for Christ, which every believing Christian should always be ready to endure. On the other hand, whoever denies Christ will not be acknowledged by Christ as His own at His second coming to earth. “He remains faithful,” that is, will fulfill exactly what He said—namely, His threats.

2 Timothy 2:14. Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words, which does no good and ruins those who listen. “Remind them of this”—that is, about the necessity for Gospel preachers to suffer for Christ, so as to inherit glorification in the future. “Charging before the Lord”—reminding listeners of their accountability before God. “Not to quarrel about words”—according to some readings: you must not quarrel about words. Here begins a new series of exhortations addressed to Timothy himself.

2 Timothy 2:15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:16. Avoid irreverent, idle talk; for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 2 Timothy 2:17. and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 2 Timothy 2:18. who have swerved from the truth by maintaining that the resurrection has already taken place, and they are destroying the faith of some. In contrast to the false teachers, Timothy should be zealous, a good worker for God, one who has no need to be ashamed of his service (cf. 2 Tim 1:8), and, finally, in the matter of teaching, paying attention to the substance of the matter rather than to incidental circumstances, as the false teachers did: he should not thresh empty straw. This same thought is contained in the phrase “rightly handling” ... (more accurately: correctly dividing—the word of truth). “And lead people into more and more ungodliness,” that is, these false teachers will progress further (will advance) into the realm of ungodliness. “And their word will spread like gangrene.” From impiety they will move into heresy, which will spread through the body of the Church of Christ like a disease known as gangrene. The apostle points to two such false teachers who have reached the denial of the resurrection of the dead, which doctrine, in their opinion, ought to be understood figuratively, as having already occurred spiritually in Christ, who spiritually revived many people. “Hymenaeus”—see 1 Tim 1:20.

2 Timothy 2:19. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from wrongdoing. “But”—more accurately: but still. “Firm foundation” (the firm foundation)—that is, Christ Himself, crucified and risen, laid by God Himself as the firm foundation of the Church. “Stands”—remains in its place despite all the confusion brought into the life of the Church by heretics (cf. 1 Cor 3:11 and following; Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:6). “Having this seal”—which testifies to His exalted position. “The Lord knows those who are his”—a general statement composed after the pattern of an expression from the book of Numbers (Num 16:5 following 70-translation). God the Father knew His Son in the state of His humiliation and established Him as Son in power (Rom 1:4). Everyone who enters into communion with the Son is also recognized by God the Father (Gal 4:9; cf. Matt 7:23). Most likely, the apostle here pictures to himself the fact of the baptism of believers (Rom 6:3 and following; Col 2:12). “And let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from wrongdoing.” This is another inscription on the stone, composed after the pattern of Num 16:21. Christ throughout all His earthly life was far from all the wrongdoing of the world, and therefore every follower of His is also required to live a holy life, which he had promised to maintain even at the time when he received baptism. The connection of this verse with the preceding is thus: denial of the resurrection of the dead certainly leads people to moral degradation and brutalization, because it destroys fear of the future judgment (cf. 1 Cor 15:32 and following). But whoever knows that he is closely bound to the risen Christ and that he himself will rise in time cannot live an evil life here.

2 Timothy 2:20. Now in a large house there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 2 Timothy 2:21. So if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:22. So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with all those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:23. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. Who should be understood here by “vessels”? Certainly individual Christians who in one way or another contribute to the progress of Church life. But there is a difference among Christians in gifts. Some, by God’s goodness, have extraordinary gifts and possess, for example, brilliant oratorical talent; others always appear extremely modest because they do not possess any outstanding abilities (cf. Matt 13:23; 1 Cor 12:14 and following). The former can be called vessels made from bright and precious materials—gold and silver; the latter are made from wood and clay. But the latter often have great significance in the life of the Church. On the other hand, in the Church there are vessels into which, so to speak, all the filth and refuse of the house are collected—these are godless, wicked people, though they continue to bear the name of Christians. Such people, of course, may be among those who have special gifts. Timothy should not therefore be carried away by outward appearance but should evaluate people by their inner worth. If a prominent Christian orator has not himself abstained from pagan habits, Timothy should keep apart from him (“if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable”). And every Christian who separates himself from such wicked people, even if he cannot yet be called a vessel “for honorable use,” can become such in time (cf. 1 Cor 12:22-25). “Shun youthful passions”—that is, do not be carried away by the views that are typical of young people. Young people are often taken with outward appearance without giving weight to the inner worth of a person. Timothy should act differently. He should evaluate people from the standpoint of Christian morality and seek as friends only people who are honest and sincerely fear God. Timothy should keep away from various disputes, even if some in them display their high intellectual abilities (cf. 2 Tim 2:14).

2 Timothy 2:24. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, 2 Timothy 2:25. correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 2 Timothy 2:26. and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. Timothy should show gentleness and lack of malice toward his Church members in the discussion of various questions as an example to other Christians. Even with opponents of the Church—Jews and pagans—he should not engage in quarrels but should teach them gently, hoping that God will give them the power to believe Timothy’s preaching and thus escape from the devilish nets in which they are entangled (cf. Eph 2:2).